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!  

Valentine Playdough

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I love Valentine's Day.  Not because of the candy (but I do love candy!), but because of all the fun things you can do with kids.  There are no shortage of props you can purchase for inexpensive that can enhance any activity.  The dollar store is full of fun items to craft with, add to playdough, or use to create a fun sensory bin.  Valentine activities can be used all month long and is a wonderful way to teach kids about the heart shape and the colors red, pink, and purple (and how you mix those colors).  

Playdough is quite popular in our house.  My youngest (of 3) benefits from 13 year of collecting supplies, cookie cutters, and various tools which she can enjoy with her playdough.  I always have some on hand or am ready to make it, trying different recipes along the way.  

This beautiful, rose colored playdough is a no-cook recipe from The Imagination Tree.  I added some red food coloring (less for pink, more for red), glitter, and rose oil for a complete sensory experience.

As an invitation to play, I put out the playdough, some red faux diamonds, silk roses, foam heart picks, and heart DecoPics (cupcake decoration) . Most of this stuff I purchased at the dollar store.  There were no instructions, no "you must create this..."; just a table full of tools to explore.

When you provide an open play experience, you never know what your child will create.  It's all up to them.

Materials:

1. Your favorite Playdough
2. Various Valentine type/inspired items such as flowers, gems, cupcake decorations, floral decorations, etc  

Don't forget to leave a comment about your experience.  And feel free to share your pictures on my Facebook page!

Simple Scribble Valentines

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Like many moms, I have an addiction to Pintrest.  And like many moms, I pin what I like, but hardly get around to completing the project.  This is especially true when it comes to holidays.  For instance, have you seen all the adorable Valentines you can make?  Robots from juice boxes, printable Minecraft and Lego Valentines; just about every kind of creative Valentine you can imagine.  One problem I've come across, besides the time issue, is the amount of these creative Valentines one must create to distribute to a class.  I don't know about you, but the average class ratio in California for young school age children, and often preschool too, is 24.  Printables are not the issue here.  It's the adorable Robots and such that are not only time consuming, but can be costly when you account for so many children.  I can spend $5 at Target for a box of the old school paper Valentines, or go to the Dollar store and spend less.  Many parents, even the stay-at-home kind, don't have the energy or time to put in such an effort for such a large class.

That's why Scribble Valentines are perfect, especially for the preschool aged or young school-aged child.  They are incredibly easy,  take very little time to create, and can be upgraded with a treat.  Perfect for busy parents!

I first came across a similar idea on What We Do All Day while searching for last minute Valentine's Day ideas.  You want to start by rolling out some plain white Easel Paper.  It's the kind of paper that comes on a roll so it can be as long as you need it.  I covered my coffee table to make it easier for my son to work.  Then....SCRIBBLE!  You can let your child do it alone, or join them in the fun.  Either way, make sure you cover the chosen amount of paper with scribbles.  We used all different colors but that part is up to you.

Once the paper is covered, you want to fold it for faster cutting.  

Make a heart template for the size you want from construction paper or cardboard (an old cereal box is good).  Then trace the amount of Valentines you desire, fitting them as close together as possible.  After that, cut them out.

Once you have them cut, your child (or you) can write their names wherever you choose.  We did the back because we added...

LOLLIPOPS!

You don't have to add a treat, but if you choose, you can include pretty much anything.  Chocolate Hearts would be delicious and fun.

Materials:

1. Easel Paper Roll (so many uses!)
2. Crayola Crayons (because really, Crayola is the best and I refuse to use any other.  They did not pay me to say that; it's simply the truth)
3. Scissors
4. Lollipops, Chocolate candies, Conversation Hearts, or  Mini Nerds Candy (optional)

I hope you enjoy creating these Valentines as much as we did.  Please leave a comment and feel free to share your pictures on my Messy Kids Facebook Page.

Process Art for Groundhog Day

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Most kids like the idea of Groundhog idea; the idea that an animal can predict the coming of spring.  It's fun to think about and fun to "celebrate" at home or at school.  But when you search Pintrest for "Groundhog Day Activities" or "Groundhog Day Crafts" you find a lot of printables and fairly difficult craft projects that simply aren't appropriate for toddlers and young preschoolers.  I do love this Negative Art project from Tippy Toe Crafts, which is shadow-like, but still not process art.

Volunteering at The Duck Pond has many advantages.  One is being the large amount of arts and craft supplies the founder has collected over the years.  Being the artsy one in the group, I get to design the "make & take" projects used each week.  Working on February's projects, Groundhog Day stumped me.  We don't use printables at The Duck Pond and I'm trying to move our art towards more process and less craft, which is far more stimulating to the average 2 year old.  So I ventured into our supply room and pondered colors and materials that could represent Groundhog Day.  A simple yarn collage was the result.

I gave my daughter some supplies: various earthy shades of yarn, a piece of paper, and some glue.  My daughter, being a typical toddler, loves glue, and was immediately excited at the prospect of using more (she'd already done the weekly project earlier, which took a lot of glue).  She squeezed glue all over the paper and set out to piling the yarn on top of the glue.  I showed her that unless there is more glue, the piles of yarn won't stick.  She understood and spread things out a bit.

The beauty of this project is in it's simplicity.  Even young toddlers can explore the yarn and glue to create whatever they want.  If you are nervous about the amount of glue your child might use, then squirt some on the paper and allow your little one to add the yarn.  But I encourage you to let them do as much as possible, because that's the point of process art; it's not about the finished product, it's about exploring the materials and creating what the child desires.  Try to step back and give them the freedom to use their imaginations.

Materials:

1. Yarn (earthy tones if you want the Groundhog Day theme). Cut yarn into various lengths. 
2. Half sheet of Construction Paper
3. School Glue

Enjoy watching your child and feel free to share their finished projects on my Facebook Page.

Easy Snowball Sensory Table

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A little over a year ago I moved from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay area.  It's been a big adjustment for me and the kids.  My son had to change schools (then change again when he entered a special education class at the beginning of the school year), we can no longer have a "beach day" in January because the water up here is freezing, and of course we all had to make new friends.  Boy, did I win the jackpot with that!  I've met some terrific moms since I moved which has kept me and my children active around town.  

Once of the places we visit regularly is The Duck Pond, a non-profit indoor play space in south San Jose.  Because it's non-profit, they relay on volunteers to help out during the 2 hour session they are open each day.  One of my friends was a regular volunteer and she talked me into it as well, along with another good friend.  Now we are all there at least once a week helping in various forms to keep the place running.  Over the year I've been there, it's been noticed that my talents lie with the craft projects and the occasional sensory activity.  I am extremely limited in these areas; no paint or super messy sensory items (rice, flour, sand, etc) of any kind, simply because the parents are required to be involved and many aren't.  Too much for us volunteers to have to clean up.  So, it's become a challenge for me, in a good way (keeps those gray cells working hard).   

Digging through supplies last week I came across cotton balls and styrofoam balls and the snowball sensory table was born!

Most of us, even The Duck Pond, have inexpensive water tables laying around for warmer weather.  Well, dig it out because it's not just for water!  Water tables have many uses, that I hope to explore over the coming months.  

For this table I kept it simple: cotton balls, styrofoam balls, cups, and some pretend ice cream scoops we had in our "snack shop" pretend play area.  That's it!  

When I put the table out, I had the cotton and styrofoam balls mixed together. The children quickly separated the two (sorting=math).   

Then we had all kinds of scooping going on.  Kids were scooping styrofoam balls, kids were scooping cotton balls.  Some were pretending it was snow, some pretended it was ice cream.  The smallest children enjoyed throwing the cotton balls into the air.  It was a frenzy of exploration and the parents were loving it!  

This is a perfect indoor activity for winter and rainy days.  The clean up is easy and I'm sure you have at least cotton balls and kids cups around your house to get this table going today.  Don't have a water table?  Try using a large plastic storage bin or if you want a smaller scale, use a plastic 6-Quart Storage Box (shoe box sized).

Materials:

• Water table or some sort of storage bin or large bowl.  
• Cotton balls
• Styrofoam balls (size is up to you)
• Cups and/or scoops

I hope this activity will keep your kids sane during indoor weather.  Let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment or share your photos over on my Facebook page.