Sifting through my youngest son’s toys this weekend we came across a variety of toys that had over time sunk to the depths of his little tikes toy box. Among these toys were items that had been much loved and enjoyed. Over time they were forgotten as newer arrivals appeared at the door.

Kinda reminds you of the movie Toy Story...

Found midway through to the bottom of his toy box we also found some nice toys that he simply never became attached to. Gifts from well meaning relatives and friends. While sorting out the keepers from the give away pile we came across the Pocket Size Magna Doodle.

What is a Magna Doodle you ask? It is a toy along the lines of an Etch A Sketch. The original size model had a drawing surface just about the size of an 8” X 10” piece of paper. Our older two boys each had one several years ago that we used for long trips in the car.

My little guy’s version is almost identical to those. The Pocket Size Magna Doodle is small. No - not small, What I really mean tiny. The outside measurements are 4” X 6”. The drawing area is just about 1/2” smaller all the way around.

The outer frame is made of durable plastic that is blue in color. The screen is interesting enough being gray with barely visible darker gray oval shapes, which are joined together. These appear to be the channels through with the magnetic dust moves.

On one side of the outer frame is a built in storage area for the special drawing pencil. The pencil is attached to the frame with a piece of red string. The tip of the magic pencil holds a small rounded metal tip which you use to draw with. As you draw the magic pencil around the Pocket Size Magna Doodle the magnetic shavings pull toward the metal tip making the line you wish to form. Cool!

Erasing is simple. On the bottom portion of the Pocket Size Magna Doodle frame is a button which you slide across to the opposite side. All clear and ready to start again!

What we like about the Pocket Size Magna Doodle...
Well, it’s fun! It’s very much like the version his older brothers had. Most children like to scribble and draw and you can do that with this toy. It would fit easily in a slot next to his seat in the van so it could readily available for drawing on car trips.

What we didn’t like about the Pocket Size Magna Doodle...
Out of the mouth of babes... The title I chose for this article is a direct quote from my favorite seven-year-old. “Ah Mom? Don’t You Think It’s A Bit Small?” Yes it is. I was not the person who purchased this toy. Kids need room to scribble and draw. Room for playing tic-tac-toe or hangman. While this surface is small enough for scribbles and may impress a toddler, it has limited use for an older child.

My son can appreciate the concept of his Pocket Size Magna Doodle but he’s practical. He won’t use it. It was placed in the donation pile. He did however ask if Santa might find him a larger one that he can keep for car trips. I think that might be a wonderful idea. It would definitely beat finding melted crayons on the carpeting under his seat...



Recommended: No

Amount Paid (US$): gift
Type of Toy: Arts and Crafts
Age Range of Child: Kids to Teens