I always struggle with finding activities to keep my 3 yr old occupied while we are taking long car trips. I recently found a new company, MagnaPlay, that actually has 2 products designed for traveling.
What is it?
MagnaPlay was founded by a Mom who understands the importance of safety and quality when manufacturing educational toys for children. MagnaPlay strives to educate children and facilitate their creativity with its innovative educational activities. From learning the alphabets and numbers to coloring, word games and puzzles, MagnaPlay offers fun activities for children of all ages.
MagnaPlay has built their product line around a wonderful invention called the MagnaKase. The Magnacase serves both as an activity board and a storage case for children’s coloring activities. They can use the top of the case as a dry erase board as it has a dry erase magnetic surface. What I like best about it is that it comes with 2 magnetic strips that secure coloring pages to the activity surface for coloring with crayons, color pencils, or markers. During travel, children can use the MagnaKase as an activity lapboard while in a car seat, in a flight, in a restaurant or even during a picnic as it is just the right size. The hinged case has built-in snap-lock latches and handle which makes it convenient for children to carry the case along with them with their favorite coloring pages, crayons, color pencils and markers. It is important to note that you should only use sponges, tissues, or a dry cloth to erase marking. Do not use water as it will leave permanent color stains.
The product which I reviewed was the The MagnaPlay Magnetic Coloring Travel Set. This set includes the MagnaKase, 4 double-sided Reusable Color and Erase worksheets, 6 dry erase WASHABLE markers, and a sponge. Right away my 3 yr old was excited to play with markers, and I was excited they were washable. He quickly began coloring all over the worksheets and his mouth dropped opened when mommy erased the color away and he could do it all over again. It was a little difficult for him to erase the markings away but with a little help he was able to accomplish the task. His favorite part is the dry erase board on top of the MagnaKase. He can draw whatever his little imagination dreams up and clean-up is a breeze! MagnaPlay also offers downloads of free coloring pages if your child gets tired of the pages they are coloring!
Alphabet Picture Puzzle
Magnetic Wooden Alphabet Picture Puzzle
Item # MP-04-01
This Wooden Magnetic Alphabet Picture puzzle contains 52 self-checking sturdy wooden tiles (26 alphabets) with full magnetic backing. The self-checking feature allows children to play and learn on their own. This activity set is designed to be used with the MagnaKase (Item # MP-01-01) which can serve both as a magnetic activity board and storage case. Children can play with their favorite Alphabet Picture puzzle on the go while in a car seat or in a flight. The Puzzles come in a zippered Vinyl bag for storage of the pieces after play and for easy transportation with the MagnaKase during travel.
This Alphabet Picture puzzle is an excellent interactive and educational learning activity. It helps children develop multi-disciplinary skills such as alphabet identification, sorting, word building and spelling. This activity also helps children work on their fine-motor skills at the same time.
Children will also learn to identify the shapes of the objects in the puzzle. A is for Apple and when children match the right pieces of the puzzle, it will look like an Apple. Children can practice calling out the familiar picture on each puzzle piece as they complete it. This activity will also help children differentiate a Consonant from a Vowel. If the alphabet is written in white it is a consonant and if it is written in yellow, it is a vowel. The colorful pictures on the tiles will capture the attention of small children and make learning a fun experience. This activity can also be organized as a game between 2 children when at home. Shuffle the tiles and place them face up and let the children pick up one tile at a time.
Recommended for ages 3 and up. MagnaKase not included. The wooden magnetic activities are made from recycled wood, manufactured in India and packaged in the United States. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
Certified to comply with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSAI) of 2008.
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