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!  

St. Patrick's Day on It's Playtime

Lot's of St. Patrick's activities were shared on It's Playtime last week.  Here are some of my favorites:

I love, love, love this activity from Gift of Curiosity!  Create your own Leprechaun Rocks then dissolve revealing a special surprise inside.  It's play, it's science, it's perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

Create a lovely Shamrock Sun Catcher like the ones over at Crystal & Co.  They used purchased shredded paper, but if you have a paper shredder of your own, run some colored construction paper through it.

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.

Building an (Easy) Leprechaun Trap

*This post contains affiliate links

Both at home and at school we've been talking a lot about Leprechauns.  My son still remembers his milk turning green last year and is hoping for it to happen again.  Several times we've read the book: 

 

In the book, the children create several different types of Leprechaun traps.  There are great illustrations to this fact.  So our preschool assignment (because we also read it there), was to create a Leprechaun trap and bring it to school to share.  My son was extremely excited about this project. Here's what we did...

 We recycled an old Cascade container.  I sized and glued green construction paper to the sides.

Michael used dot art markers and Roll-On Painters to decorate.  He also glued on (minimally) some gold stars and gold colored pasta.

I created the ladder from pipe cleaners and attached it to the sides.  Now the Leprechaun can climb in

to claim his treasure, but he can't get out!

My son glued in some gold stars to attract the Leprechaun.  He also said he added the glue in order to catch the Leprechaun.  "When he climbs in he'll stick to the glue".  

So we will see what happens at school.  Will we catch a Leprechaun and claim our pot of gold? Probably not.  But I'm sure there will be mischief, fun, and if we are lucky, chocolate coins.  

Have you built a Leprechaun Trap?  Share your creation with me on my Facebook page.  

    

It's Playtime: Hunting for Leprechauns

With my son in preschool there has been a lot of talk about Leprechauns this week.  We had to make a Leprechaun Trap for school...

and the Leprechaun visited today leaving a huge mess along with a mysterious note threatening to return.  So this week on It's Playtime we are going to hunt for Leprechauns and their magical pot of gold.    

Check out this cute Leprechaun hat shaped trap created by Crystal's Ramblings.  Their Leprechaun did manage to leave some yummy candy coins.    

Why not make Hunting for the Pot o' Gold more exciting by turning it into a spy game?  That's how they did it over at Toddler Approved and it sure looks like a blast!  

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.

Leprechaun Tracks

*This post contains affiliate links

We thought we'd have some fun today and make some Leprechaun tracks...using Barbies!  To my dismay we were out of green paint so I decided to try and make some.  Here's my makeshift recipe:

Using 1/4 cup flour, gradually add water and mix until you reach the consistency you choose. Drop in desired amount of food and mix.

We put shoes on our girl Barbie so it wouldn't be just her toes.  Then the kids dipped their feet into the paint.

My daughter stamped the dolls feet onto the paper while my son made his do a crazy dance.

My daughter had her doll leap, walk, and hop.  

My son quickly moved onto painting with the doll's head.  

"Zombie Paint Monster!"

Then the kids added glitter...

and the Leprechaun tracks are complete!

Of course, painting with dolls can be done at any time during the year, the kids will have just as much fun.  It's always interesting for children to express themselves with different painting tools.  

What creative ways have you celebrated St. Patrick's Day?  Leave me a message below or on my Facebook page.