Almost every toddler I’ve ever come across loves to draw. Although it may not hold their attention for very long, the idea of taking a marker or crayon to a piece of paper and scribbling all over it just fascinates them. But regular markers and crayons can be difficult for little hands to control, so Crayola came up with its Crayola Beginnings: TaDoodles products. The First Marks, All-in-One Paint and Crayon Buddies are all egg-shaped (they remind me of Weebles) to make them easier to hold onto. The First Marks and All-in-One Paints don’t have any caps or lids to lose, either—the ink and paint dry up between uses and to reactivate you just have to tap the marker or paintbrush on a piece of paper.
Our testing mom tried out the TaDoodles products with her two toddlers and said they were all very durable. She said that it was often difficult for her kids to find the tips of each product, though—they kept scribbling with the plastic. They didn’t seem to mind this, however, since they enjoyed the animal-shaped holders just as much as the crayon, marker or paint inside them. She also warned that the paint bleeds through paper very easily (the instructions that come with the All-in-One Paints mention this as well), so your best bet is to use thick paper over a covered table. Our mom also liked that the paints and markers were washable, so any marks outside the designated art area can be easily removed.
The First Marks and All-in-One Paints retail for $5.99 and the Crayon Buddies retail for $4.99. Each set includes three different colors. For more information, visit www.crayola.com.