Magna Doodle and What It Means to Me and My Children

The Magna Doodle has taken the status of "household member" for 2 years as of this writing. It is the toy that never dies (in theory, anyway!) and no matter how long it sits idle, it always manages to come to the forefront of our playtime without so much as one bell, whistle or flashing light.

Coming into our imaginations a year earlier than the specified age marker (ages 3 and up), the Magna Doodle took a place of honor in our home and imaginations as soon as the box opened and simple assembly was complete.

No batteries needed, no additional supplies necessary and not one bit of clean-up required (unless you count the six shape magnets that rest in custom-sized slots on each side of the drawing board). You can't beat that.


What's So Magical about the Magna Doodle?

The Magna Doodle is and of itself most definitely magical. How else can a small child see it, having no concept of magnetic properties and iron filings?

Take a plastic pen/stylus that will not write on a wall, floor, table or any other surface and place it, point down, atop a Magna Doodle. What do you get? A MARK! Pick up the stylus and put it down again, drag it around a bit and you get more cool doodles. Imagine that . . .

How do you clear the board to start again? Simply grasp the handle of the "eraser" at the bottom of the board and pull it across its slot a time or two and . . . ta-daaaaa . . . FRESH DOODLE SURFACE. A true "wow" in a box.

The six magnets included offer a little aside to the standard drawing use. Our Magna Doodle includes a magnetic dog, flower, car, person, circle and swirl. Each magnet "holder" is a bright color and fits into its own designated spot alongside the drawing board. Each "clicks" into place for portability purposes -- no loose magnets here, unless you don't get them clicked in properly.

The magnets work just like the stylus: place one on the board, pick it up and you have an instant "picture". The car, flower, swirl and dog have some magical talents all their own . . . they don't leave a solid drawing behind, but allow "clear space" for detail purposes. The flower has a round center, the dog has an eye, the car has a person inside and the swirl, is, well -- a swirl! Each magnet looks like it should on it's flat side, but the magic of each shows when "stamping" it on the board to reveal the "missing" magnetic parts. Neat. Cool. I still wonder how they do that!

It's instant addiction, and an artistic one at that!

Move the stylus along the board and drawings or writing appear as easy as you please. No ink, paint, lead, or other possibly messy substances to keep an eye on. When finished, just snap the magnets into their stations and snap the stylus into its slot. DONE! Good, clean doodling fun!


No Pressure!

A "draw"-back or three to the Magna Doodle . . . even magic isn't always perfect . . . no matter how much we wish it to be . . .

-- the flat, poly-plastic surface is flexible, and can be etched by the stylus when using too much pressure. Our Magna Doodle received an engraving on its trial run by a newly-minted Magna-Doodler below the stated target age group. Our fault, not the manufacturer's, but still a consideration no matter what the age.

There are no "shades of gray" on the Magna Doodle, but children (and adults) may try to achieve them by applying extra pressure. The only achievement after this practice is permanent indentation, making an area on the board un-erasable. This may be upsetting to children, and I know it was to me!

--the pictures are non-transferrable. Once you've made a drawing that's it -- we haven't been successful in making copies (scanner or copy machine) that aren't just a big muddle of gray. So, if you're artistic tot comes up with an art show-quality piece that you can't bear to part with, TAKE A PICTURE OF IT QUICK! One swipe of the erasing wand and it's gone forever.

--the magnets are often freedom-seeking parts -- if not securely attached in their alloted spaces, or if small hands want to stick them to the 'fridge (they will stick to magnetic surfaces), you may find any of the six magnets anywhere in the house or car. Magic carpets fly everywhere, so don't be surprised to find the magnets in other places besides on the drawing board.


Entering the Wild, Blue Yonder Accompanied by an Adult

The Magna Doodle entered our realm of activity as a gift from a loving great aunt at a family reunion. Daughter of Mine, then 2 months shy of her second birthday, eagerly, yet gingerly unwrapped the large, flat rectangular box. She knew by the inviting pictures on the box that this was a cool toy and waited expectantly while Daddy opened the end and slid out the big plastic soon-to-be wonder of her artistic world.

The Magna Doodle has since become an adopted member of our family and will need to be replaced by a look-alike soon, since Daughter was extremely firm in her desire to make her mark in the world! No matter how much we tried to supervise, the Magna Doodle came out scathed . . . much to our disappointment at first, then as Daughter grew older and wiser in her use, to her disappointment, too.

Son of Mine has joined the act, too, at a mere 16 months. His fervor for the arts isn't as great as Big Sis's, and his small hands drag the stylus softly over the flexible surface of the Magna Doodle -- no harm done, other than the divots and furrows that already exist. These do not bother him, or interfere in his discovery, so we may keep the wounded model for his beginning use (he's a very under-age user and his strength may be revealed in coming months!) and go onto a new, different model for Daughter.

Parental involvement is not a key factor in the use of a Magna Doodle, other than watching for over-zealous artists ("touch it softly, Doodle-Bug!") and assisting in the search for magical pieces (magnets) gone astray.

BUT, if you're NOT watching, you may miss some of the best artwork you've ever seen and miss the fun yourself.


Magna Doodle -- Not Just for Children

Children (ages 3 and up) as well as adults may enjoy the Magna Doodle, as we found about 20 minutes after ours exited the packaging. Husband and I attached the peel-and-stick magnet shapes to the appropriate magnet holders while other family members "helped" Daughter make her first attempts at Magna Doodling . . . she got to watch.

A 20-something cousin drew a self-portrait.
A 30-ish uncle drew cartoon likenesses of volunteer targets
A grandparent tested the magnets as we finished assembling them
A teenage cousin tried a "Pictionary"-type game with the group

A not-yet two-year old trotted from one grown-up to the next, tirelessly, smiling and reaching in to help whenever possible.

A definite "fun for all" toy . . . you may want more than one!







This review is part of the Magic Carpet Write-Off hosted by Epinions own GreatPilgrim. As the "better late than never" entry, I'd like to thank Victoria for her patience and good nature. Between inspiration troubles, last-minute houseguests and posting difficulties, I've finally made it!

Please peruse the offerings of the field of participants, quite an array of ideas for the reading! They are:

angel011, arjita, bluehawq, CJsMommy, cripper,
Donnie013, fallyn96, Greatpilgrim, jankp, jenb123,
Jeremy1456,jillmkk, kcfoxy, MaryTara, mind-full,
nscanuck, tritter72




Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): gift
Type of Toy: Arts and Crafts
Age Range of Child: Whole Family