Wordless Wednesday: Frozen Sidewalk Chalk

Ready to be frozen.

They didn't really write too well.

We added vinegar to the baking soda/water chalk for fizzing! 

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Wordless Wednesday: Treasure Chest

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We purchased ours's at Wal-Mart for a lot less! 

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An Honest Review of The Pencil Grip, Inc.'s 24-pack of Magic Stix Washable Markers

My daughter just *had* to take all the markers out on the very first day. 

One of the principal tools in our box of craft supplies are markers, so I was very excited to review The Pencil Grip, Inc.’s Magic StixWashable Markers with my family. As soon as we received the markers, my kids started using them right away for almost every project. From drawing on scratch paper to completing more extensive craft projects, Magic Stix markers are a fantastic resource.

Unlike other companies, The Pencil Grip, Inc. offers a seven-day guarantee that their Magic Stix markers won’t dry out if you leave the cap off. We completed the seven-day #nocapnoproblem test. I shared each day’s results on my Instagram and here is the completed test. The only changes I noticed were that the colors actually seemed deeper than the first day or two and they had more of a tendency to bleed on the paper than the early days. Neither result would prevent me from recommending them as a great marker. For parents and teachers, this is great – because how many times have you put away markers that look like the cap is on but only find out later it was off enough to dry out the marker? Now you don’t have to worry. (Kwik Stix Paint on Instagram made it to 100 days with the #nocapnoproblem challenge!) After all, who hasn’t found a dried-up marker under the sofa with no cap on it? 

We have completed so many projects over the course of the review period with the Magic Stix markers: My sons made Valentine’s Day cards, my two younger children decorated fire trucks, I used them while Bible Journaling, and all three of my kids colored in some knights. For all of these projects, they were fantastic. The only items with which they don’t work well are the $1 coloring books because the color bleeds through the paper. 

The color will bleed through on cheaper quality paper.

However, the color bleeding through the paper resulted in creating a really neat effect on some knights we were coloring while listening to an audio drama.  

The reverse side of the children's knights.

When we first started using the Magic Stix markers, my two-year-old daughter was determined to draw on herself, her clothes, and the markers rather than on the paper. I am pleased to say that if you draw on one markers tip with a similar shade neither lose their original color. (She used a darker purple shade to color onto a lighter purple shade’s marker tip.) One washing of her hands, though, did not remove the marker from her fingers but that is not uncommon with markers. So, it would not deter me from letting my children use them again and again. On other occasions the marker came off her hands more readily than the first time. Consequently, I would recommend washing hands right away rather than waiting till the craft is completed.

One thing I love about the Magic Stix markers is that they don’t have an odor or smell. I find that when I am coloring I tend to get close to the paper and – with other markers – you might notice an odor as you color but not with Magic Stix. 

One of my favorite crafts to complete with my children is with coffee filters, markers, and a spray bottle of water. In the past, I have used a competitor’s brand of markers but I thought I would try the Magic Stix markers and see how well they blended when sprayed with water. I was very pleased with the result. It looks better with more ink on the coffee filter but I think I would still choose the Magic Stix Washable Markers over other brands for this craft technique in the future.

 

The Pencil Grip, Inc.’s Magic Stix Washable Markers are a great addition to any family’s craft supplies. They are odorless, non-toxic, and available in 12- and 24-packs of bright, bold colors.

For more information about The Pencil Grip, Inc.'s products, please visit: 

The Pencil Grip, Inc.

The Pencil Grip, Inc. on Facebook

The Pencil Grip, Inc. on Twitter

The Pencil Grip, Inc. on Instagram (Kwik Stix Paint) 

Dice, Decks, and Boards: Hoot Owl Hoot!

This is a non-sponsored post. I am sharing my opinion with you regarding this product because we have enjoyed it in our household. Affiliate links included.

My children received several new board games from family recently.  So far I think my favorite one is "Hoot Owl Hoot!" which is a cooperative game for two to four players, ages 4+. The game, produced by Peaceable Kingdom, has received a Parents' Choice Silver Honor award and a Best Toy Award from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio.

Instructions are printed inside the box lid thereby preventing one from losing them over time. The game includes one game board, one sun token, six owl tokens, and fifty cards.

The instructions clearly explain the setup (three levels: beginner, intermediate, and challenge level), how to play, and provides strategy hints and tips.
 

The company Peaceable Kingdom is also committed to creating games which are safe for families and the environment.  It is stated "all of the plastic parts in our games are made using a corn-based plastic."

My four year-old found it really easy to understand the directions and eagerly helped the owls make it to their nest before sunrise. My two year-old even played quite successfully with my help. And because the game does not take long (about 15 minutes) to play, no one lost interest and we could play several times.

The only change I would make is making each owl a bit different looking so it is easier to reference them with my children.  For example, each could be numbered, a different color, or some other such difference.

I would recommend this game to families of young children.

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P is for Ponies (Blogging Through the Alphabet)

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Does anyone else fondly remember the My Little Pony franchise from the 1980s? Some of my favorite toys when I was little were My Little Pony figures. The line was first launched in 1982 and the original one ran from 1982 to 1992. It became one of the most successful girls toys in Hasbro history.

My Little Pony celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2017 with special releases of the Year One Collectors Series which included Blossom, Cotton Candy, Blue Belle, Butterscotch, Minty, and Snuzzle.

One of my favorite memories besides playing for hours with the ponies were the puffy stickers that came with each pony.  I had them all on my Fisher Price record player on which I played read-aloud stories in my bedroom.

Over the years, there have been many changes to the My Little Pony toy line with a revival of the toy line (and new looks) in 1997, 2003, and 2010.  The current series, based on the television show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, has seen a focus on less characters and more releases of the same characters in a variety of styles (size, color variants, etc).

They also created an anthropomorphic spin-off in 2013 called My Little Pony: Equestria Girls.  (I have to admit I do not understand this at all.)

Nostalgia

One thing I have noticed is that many individuals in my generation have begun collecting the toys of their childhood. For fans of My Little Pony, there have even been 35th Anniversary Re-issues of the Original 1983 ponies. Fortunately, my mom kept the majority of my toys in anticipation of me passing them along to my own children so I have all my ponies to give to my daughter.

My Little Pony Role Playing Game

My husband has reminded me that when our daughter is old enough, she can play the My Little Pony Role Playing game where the players will work together to overcome obstacles using friendship, much like the television show.

Cosplay

Another avenue where fans show their love of My Little Pony is in the cosplay world. I have to admit I do not understand the desire to cosplay as Rarity or Rainbow Dash but then again my entire family dresses as Star Wars characters for Halloween.