Fun with ChalkOla Chalk Markers

This is a product review.  I received two sets of ChalkOla Premium Wet Wipe Markers for free: one set of 10 Party Colors Bullet Tip (6 MM), and one set of 8 Jumbo Tip (15 MM) Platinum Series.  While I received these markers for free, this is an honest review of the product, which my children and I truly enjoyed.  This post contains product links and discount codes. 

I spotted ChalkOla Chalk Markers  back in December on Amazon while searching art supplies for my 3 year old.  They looked cool, but not what I wanted at the time.  I added them to my wish list, hoping someone else would pick them up for her for Christmas.  Lucky me, I was recently contacted by a representative that asked if I wanted to try them in exchange for a review if I liked them.  Who am I to pass up trying new things?

We were so excited when the package arrived.  My daughter wanted to try them out right away but I had to have time to prime them first.  This is the one downside with this sort of marker is the prep work before hand.  Each jumbo-tipped (15 MM) Chalk Marker takes about 2 minutes to prime before the ink begins to flow.  I found that it helped to do it at the table, one in each hand.  Once the chalk pens were primed, we needed to decide which surface we were going to play with first.  According to the packaging they are best used on:

• Whiteboards
• Windows
• Mirrors
• Plastics
• Chalkboards
• LED Boards
• All Hard Non Porous Surfaces

I quickly decided the front windows were our first stop.  We have nice, low windows, perfect for kids to watch the rain or wipe their messy fingers.  This time they could create a masterpiece.

                

I've always wanted window markers and ChalkOla glide easily and the colors are vibrant.  The jumbo-tipped wet wipe markers are perfect for large surfaces.  These would be great for preschool windows as well as business.  They are quick-dry and long lasting, which is great if you plan to use seasonally.

 

My 3 year old has to turn every art project into a full body experiment.  Luckily for me, ChalkOla chalk pens are child safe, non-toxic, low odor, and water based.

We had no problem washing the chalk ink off her hands and (subsequently) her clothes (in the wash). And speaking of washing, the windows came clean easily as well.  My kids covered the windows in doodles and Chalk Marker (I mean a lot, like a rainbow threw-up on our windows), and in the end, all I needed was a wet cloth and a bit of Windex.  I imagine the average person would need a bit less, probably just Windex and some paper towels.

After I cleaned up their *ahem* art, I decorated for spring.  

"I'm making a giraffe"

Next we played with the ChalkOla Bullet Tip (6 MM) wet wipe markers which, of course, have a smaller head.  These are perfect for:

• Whiteboards
• Chalkboards
• Ceramics
• Plastics
• Glass
• Mirrors
• All Hard Non Porous Surfaces

While we played with these at our easel, which has both a chalkboard and whiteboard, these vibrant, neon markers would be perfect for crafting and labeling.  In fact, ChalkOla has these really cool Chalkboard Labels which can be used on mason jars, cabinets, or for various craft projects per your imagination.  The nice people at ChalkOla sent me a set but I'm waiting for inspiration to hit before I use them.  I'm terribly disorganized and not much of a labeler so they will probably be used in some sort of craft project.  

Ok, so we had a lot of fun with the ChalkOla Chalk Markers.  It's something I can give my daughter to keep her busy while I cook, either at her easel or on our windows and the mess is minimal compared to paint.  It's possible the Leprechauns will decorate the kids' mirrored closets for St. Patrick's Day. In a preschool setting, teachers could use these for labeling or decorating windows for holidays or seasons.  Moms, these are perfect for crafting and labeling.  I have a few other ideas, but that's for another day, another post :)

If you'd like to purchase ChalkOla Chalk Markers you can receive 20% off from this post with the code below.  UK we have you covered too!

6mm Pens -
USA - http://www.amazon.com/Chalkola-Chalk-Markers-Chalkboard-Whiteboard/dp/B00PM473TK
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chalk-Pens-markers-Whiteboard-Chalkboard/dp/B00VVOWCSC
20% Off on Amazon - Coupon Code -> CHALK20A

15mm Markers- http://www.amazon.com/Window-Markers-Businesses-Chalkboard-Whiteboard/dp/B0112OP7BY
20% Off on Amazon - Coupon Code -> CHK20OFF


Please check out ChalkOla on these Social Media Platforms:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chalkolachalkmarkers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chalkola
• Website: http://www.chalkola.com

Have you tried ChalkOla wet wipe markers?  Leave me a comment below and tell me what you think!  

Snail Painting

*may contain affiliate links

Let me begin by saying no snails were harmed in the making of this art.  Also if you are easily grossed out by slimy creatures then I'm sorry, because this post is full of them crawling around, getting kids slimy and stuff, trails of colored goo left behind.  Look away...or don't...preferably don't.

Snails are fascinating!  I've loved them since I was a little kid.  They are slimy but have the cutest faces!  I mean have you ever taken the time to really look at it?  Adorable!  They are also good artists.  To help your snails create art, you'll need a few items:

• Food coloring or Liquid Watercolors
• Several small, shallow containers (one for each color you plan to use)
• Paper (a large sheet of butcher paper works best)
• Snails
• Magnifying Glass (optional)

This activity is easy peasy.  Simply fill you containers with water and add food coloring to desired shade.  Gently dip a snail into the color and place it on the paper.  Let the snails go nuts.

Look at how much fun they are having!  OK, I don't know if snails even have the concept of fun, but it sure looks that way.

The more snails you have the more colorful your art will be, but you don't want too many, unless multiple kids are involved, because they can be difficult to herd. 

• Make sure you talk to your kids about being gentle with creatures great and small.  It's fun to explore but we don't want any casualties.  
• If you have one, encourage children to use a magnifying glass to view the snails and study them.  
• Yes, sometimes snails poop on their art and on little hands.  No biggie, simply wipe it up and wash your hands.  Wash after releasing the snails too!  
• Please release your snails...or feed them to a box turtle; they love them!     

It's Playtime: Introducing Art Concepts

While there were many cute spring and Easter ideas linked-up this past week, I came across two posts dear to my heart.  I'm from a family of artists.  My aunt Patti is a terrific pastel artist, showing her art in several galleries and a piece at the San Diego Natural History museum.  My mom paints beautiful flats and historical figures, winning awards around the world.  My dad has used his artistic talents in many ways from creating fabulous set pieces for plays and classrooms, to designing puppets and puppet theaters for he and my step-mom's ministry.  Art is in my blood.  I've dabbled in painting, drawing, and photography but loving them all so much, I've never settled on one thing, which is my down fall because I don't do much with any of them.

With art being so important in our family, I want to instill that love in my children as well.  My daughter is a budding artist, taking classes at a local studio.  She's pretty good and I can't wait to see what will become of her.  My son, well, he's a boy.  Although I promote art, he has little interest in the subject.  He's starting to draw a bit, moving from scribbles to recognizable shapes.  Occasionally he'll paint, but for the most part he'd rather be climbing trees then enjoying fine art time with mommy.

Which brings me back to It's Playtime.  Two posts last week stood out for me.  There are ways to introduce famous artists and art concepts to little kids without going over board.  I felt these posts did a terrific job of just that...

Sunnydaytodaymama shared Jackson Pollock for Children.  Kids can easily relate to Jackson Pollock 's style of abstract art and have a lot of fun attempting an inspired creation.  She also includes a short video showing the man at work.

Another way to create abstract art as well as teaching children about opening up to themselves and their feelings is through Soundscapes.  The Art Club Blog shared how playing different types of music for children can inspire different paintings.  Even with little children, try playing some classical music and ask them to paint/draw what it sounds like.  You may be surprised with that they produce.

How have you introduced art and/or artists to young children?  What concepts do you teach?

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEYKQj4S7oHoLKfsA3PoeXgaNMJ5dxkdUxIphbmwXOlbFg78Gwl73-rT8AdMTgmqYmIJZrkJRYOqOEItkCbR_exui4YhZqLlwZaBHXhC5slGyqPScnxvq-zrQezw9-MdIUiecgW3fxKg/s1600/featured-messykids.jpg" width="150/" /></a>

These activities plus more can be found over on the It's Playtime Pinterest Board.  Happy Pinning! 

Now, on to this weeks play date! 

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWLA7lm_Fqc/TaNHGpGSuVI/AAAAAAAAEX0/DGSvqIT7fyU/s320/RED-itplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a>

* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.