With summer approaching, you know what that means? Summer vacation! And what does that mean? Endless hours in the car or plane getting to wherever it is you and your family go.
OK, maybe not endless hours but they feel like endless hours, don’t they? I’ve been hunting around for something to keep our young one’s hands busy as we fly and then drive to our upcoming vacation destination (yes, it will take ALL DAY LONG to get there). I found this scribble kit from Dwell Studio and they were sweet enough to send one our way (thanks Dwell Studio).
It is essentially a billfold that has a drawing pad and a pocket for crayons. The pad is actually pretty big, though it looks like a larger, thicker pad would fit as well…great to know for when the paper runs out of the first pad. Also, it’s designed to fit in small hands and I’ll bet that folding it and unfolding it will be just as exciting as actually drawing. Oh, and don’t get me started on the zipping and un-zipping. That could take hours! Yay!
The kit comes with crayons (a pack of 4) but the pocket where the drawing implements are stored is quite big so it can accommodate crayons, markers, even pens (though, for us, pens are strictly off limits until my daughter starts doing the laundry herself). The point being, this scribble kit looks like it would be a great item for school notes, too, not just scribbling. But luckily we won’t have to be thinking about that for at least a few months, right?
When I presented my little one with her scribble kit halfway through our plane ride, she squealed with joy. She’s just now started to appreciate being able to make a mark on a surface with some forethought and accuracy, and this she practices over and over.
When she discovered how to draw a line, it was as if minimalist artist Agnes Martin (best known for drawing grids in artwork that I’m sincerely not capturing the essence of), was whispering in her ear, coaxing her to draw it over and over and over again. Now, she’s all about the circle. That and having us draw things for her…gotta admit, I didn’t consider that I’d have to spend so much time drawing for her, but no matter.
Just a little note about safety: the kit is made of coated canvas so it should resist most spills and stains. The coating is both Phthlate and PVC free, though I don’t think it’s going to be used as an eating surface, so I’m not all that worried. Then again, you never know with toddlers, do you?
The thing is, these designs must be going fast because it looks like some styles are already sold out. The Dwell Studio Scribble Kit costs $36 and can be purchased directly from their website or via Amazon:
