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!  

Keeping Cool with Snow Cones on It's Playtime

It's hot.  My kids are hot.  My dogs are hot.  Must be summer.  It's difficult to find motivation to play when it's so warm.  Why not combine play with a yummy, summer treat promoting both imagination and health?  

Learn Play Imagine put together a simple Make Believe Snow Cone Stand using whole food purees, offering both creative play and a healthy treat.  

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!)

* Rachel & Holly : Quirky Momma

* Jillian: A Mom With a Lesson Plan

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.

By linking up you give us permission to grab a picture and feature you here, on a site we write for, on FB or Pinterest.   If we share your link, we will always credit you, send people to your original post and use only ONE photo.

Magic and Fairies on It's Playtime!

Finally, a moment to write!  My 8 month old has decided to take naps.  Yup, 8 months later she is sleeping.  Maybe I'll get more done now....ha!  Who am I kidding?  But here I am now, ready to write with plenty of It's Playtime activities to share.  

Kids love to pick flowers.  Why not put those petals to use and create some Fairy Soup?  The Happy Hooligans share this magical and simple idea.

JDaniel4's Mom created some magic in their yard by Building a Gnome Home.  Think those gnomes might like some fairy soup?

We've created Fairy Gardens before but how about a Toyrarium?  Inspiration Laboratories shared this gardening idea which promotes play and imagination alongside nature.

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!)

* Rachel & Holly : Quirky Momma

* Jillian: A Mom With a Lesson Plan

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.

By linking up you give us permission to grab a picture and feature you here, on a site we write for, on FB or Pinterest.   If we share your link, we will always credit you, send people to your original post and use only ONE photo.

100 Days of Play Presents: Ice & Lava Sensory Baths

Have you been following the 100 days of play?  If not, it's not too late to start.  This terrific blog hop has been put together by Sun Scholars and Life at the Zoo in order to inspire and challenge you to spend more time playing with your child(ren).

For my day of play I'm sharing one of my son's favorite activities: shaving cream in the bath.  He would do this every day if he could.  Our last round consisted of creating an ice bath one day and a lava bath another.

All you need for either bath are shaving cream and food coloring.  The shaving cream I purchased at the dollar store.

 For ice, mix blue food coloring with the shaving cream.  

Add some blue coloring to the bath water then let them go wild with the water and the shaving cream.

 My son, splashed around in the "cold" water.  He often wears goggles so he doesn't get water in his eyes.  

After playing with the shaving cream, the residue floats around in the water.  My son thought it looked like snow.  He's pretending he's "frozen".

My son does his own thing but you could add Arctic/Antarctic animals to your bath.  If you have easy access to foam sheets, cut some irregular shapes from white foam, creating icebergs for the animals to float on.  If it's a hot day, add some ice to help them truly cool down.    

Of course after taking a "cold" bath, the next night my son wanted to take a "hot" bath.  He asked me to make him some lava.  I mixed red and yellow food coloring into the shaving cream.  More red, then yellow.  

I also added red and yellow color  to the bath.  

It wasn't long before he painted himself with the lava.  

He had some dinosaurs join him in his lava bath, but my son is a fickled one.  He wouldn't let me take any more pictures.  His dinosaurs got very clean that night though.  

Now go, have a bath!  What will your kids imagine the shaving cream to be?  

And don't forget to check out the 100 Days of Play Blog Hop!  Take the challenge.  There's still plenty of time.  

100 Days of Play Blog Hop

Sharing simple ideas on how to connect with your children through play!

New ideas shared each day from 4/1 - 7/20.  

Help us spread the word!

Grab a Button to Share on your Blog!

<a href="http://www.sunscholars.com/p/100-days-of-play.html" target="_blank"><img alt="100 Days of Play" src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7xMRCn21cODfJd2ZI2EQFfq6yx6t0ADeta7OiUatrBzhYiD6k1QVCay-O6RAPtxgDFjFxSMH0kxHg1Ny2kZRJ3FQGGxVQdVukz9LNkdd3ijN3zCrU9DCe2xrZO2KhdXZwDResBO6-A3F/s1600/mommy+playdate+button200.jpg"/></a>

100 Days of Play is brought to you by these wonderful bloggers

SunScholars . Frogs, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails . Playful Learners . Train Up a Child . Fantastic Fun & Learning . Scribble, Doodle & Draw . Learn. Create. Love. . Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas .Nothing if Not Intentional . My Little 3 & Me . Buggy & Buddy . Sun Hats & Wellie Boots .Twodaloo . True Aim . The Educators' Spin On It . Blog Me Mom . Life At The Zoo . Putti's World .Kitchen Counter Chronicles . Triple T Mum . Busy Kids Happy Mom . Crystal's Tiny Treasures .Rainy Day Mum . Momma's Fun World . My Little Bookcase . Craftulate . One Perfect Day .MumCentral . Artchoo! . Creative World Of Varya . Simple. Home. Blessings. . JDaniel4's Mom .NurtureStore . Me & Marie Learning . Child Central Station . Mamas Like Me . Mama Miss. Making Boys Men . Powerful Mothering . Craft to Art . 3 Dinosaurs . Domestic Goddesque .Lessons Learnt Journal . Royal Baloo . Smiling Like Sunshine . Adventures at Home with Mum .B-Inspired Mama . PragmaticMom . Eazy Peazy Mealz . Gluesticks . TheBoy&Me . Learning is Messy . My Nearest & Dearest . Growing Book by Book . How to Run a Home Daycare . Here Come the Girls . Think Magnet . Dandelions Picked . 123 Homeschool 4 Me . Our Ordinary Life .Parenting with Professor Poppins . 2 Little Hooligans . Fun-a-Day! . The Non-Martha Mamma .Angelique Felix . My Very Educated Mother . Creative Playhouse . Go Explore Nature . Zing Zing Tree . Sense of Wonder . Childhood 101 . Crayon Freckles . KZ & Me . Serenity You . This Mumma's Life . Leapfrog & Ladybugs . Blue Bear Wood . Growing Together . KC EDventures .Mommy Lessons 101 . Nature & Play . Like Mama Like Daughter . Mums Make Lists . From Wine to Whine . Messy Kids . Babble Dabble Do . Sugar Aunts . Teaching @ Home . Preschool Powol Packets . Clothed in Love . Curiosity Creates . The Magnolia Barn . Strong Start . Stay-at-Home Mom Survival Guide . Learn with Play at Home . Mummy... Mummy... MUM! . Science Sparks. Toddler Approved . Thrive 360 Living . Rockabye Butterfly . Mud Hut Mama . Coffee Cups & Crayons . Playing with Words 365 . My Lil Love Bugs . Creative Connections for Kids . LalyMom .Love, Play, Learn . Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers . The Pleasantest Thing .Teach Beside Me 

Creating Indoor Snow

*This post contains affiliate links

In San Diego, we have a lack of snow.  When the weather is right, we only need to drive 30 minutes to reach snow, which is awesome....except I have a newborn.  As disappointing as missing a drive to the snow has been for the kids, we've managed to find other ways to enjoy "snow".  We have passes for Sea World so we went and played in the snow there (below):

Don't you love how they are in short sleeves? Love San Diego!

We also brought "snow" indoors through sensory play.  Recently, I was preparing for a clown job (yes, if you didn't know, I'm a professional clown) and found some Slush Powder in my magic stash.  Slush Powder is basically the stuff they put inside diapers to absorb liquid.  You can also purchase it as Insta-Snow If you've never tried it out I highly recommend it.  It's very simple to use.

Place a small amount of the powder in a large bowl or sensory tub/box.  A little goes a long ways!

 Add water.  I'm sure when you purchase your powder there are measurements on the packaging.  My powder is "magic" grade and was from a bag my dad bought years ago, so it's in a baggie with no instructions; I just added water until I was happy with the consistency   The nice thing is if you add too much, you sprinkle on a little more powder and you are ready to go.  Use cold water to enhance the experience.

As it gels up, you can stir it a bit to ensure equal distribution.

I gave the kids some Arctic/Antarctic animals, blue floral stones, and clear marbles to add to the exploration.  My son found some plastic trees to include in the experience.

It always warms my heart to see my kids playing together.  Both my 10 year old and my 5 year old enjoyed exploring the "snow".  Who says older kids don't like a good sensory experience?

Once his sister started her homework, my son had the snow all to him self.  He created a "snow monster" and of course...

  a great big snow ball!

When I taught preschool, I made a huge sensory tub full of this stuff.  What's nice is if you cover it, it will keep for quite a while.  I believe I had my tub for about 2 weeks.  I would add water to freshen it up but other then that, it didn't smell or get too dirty from dirty hands.  I think I filled the tub with about 1/4 cup or less of this fun stuff.  Although I added toys to the slush, most of the kids enjoyed squishing it through their hands and measuring it with cups.  Even though this is a product you have to purchase, I believe it's worth the cost, as you need so little of it to make a good amount of snow.

Have you tried powdered "snow" in your home or preschool?  What did your kids think of the experience?