I discovered almost as soon as Charlie was born that no two kids are the same.  Now that he is three and starting to get interested in learning some of the “school” stuff, I’ve had to find some more exciting approaches.  Maggie is thrilled with things like worksheets, but is just as happy to do some silly, messy art to learn things.  Charlie wants nothing to do with them.  I plan to homeschool the kids, so I’m always looking for new, fun ways to teach the same concept.  When I had the chance to review the Crafty Croc Liquid Chalk Markers and Chalkboard Labels, of course I was excited.  I couldn’t wait to try these markers out, and as it turns out, they are way more fun than I was expecting.

Charlie is my outdoors guy.  He loves all things outdoors.  When we go places, before he can get back in the truck he will pick up a few rocks to bring home.  I have no clue where his rock stash is, but I know he loves collecting them.  One day on a garage sale site, a lady was selling a big old bag of river rock and I jumped at them, they were cheap enough.  I had an idea in mind for Charlie for awhile now, so this would make me actually get around to it.  The rocks sat there for a month or two waiting for me to finish this for Charlie.  When the Crafty Croc Liquid Chalk Markers and Chalkboard Labels arrived, I finally got around to finishing it.  I made him a matching set of upper and lower case rock letters.

The fun didn’t stop there though.  I told the kids they could go ahead and draw on the mirrors in the bathroom hallway.  Their eyes got all big, they were so excited.  They drew for hours.  They drew for hours the next day, and the next day, and the next day.  They even let me play!  If you haven’t ever drawn on your hallway mirror with markers, you need these.  They are so much fun!  It’s also a great learning tool.  They can write their letters and names, draw pictures and trace what you make.

The markers have reversible tips, so I changed them all to the rounded edge to make it easier for the kids.  I also don’t allow them to put the markers on themselves.  Charlie just uses brute force and I was worried he would ruin the markers that way.

I love the labels too.  I’ve been trying so hard to get organized and it feels like I’m fighting an uphill battle.  Some of it is permanent, but some of it is temporary.  I used some of the chalkboard labels to add to the containers that the kids’ toys are in so that they {I} can read what is in them if I can’t see through the container.  I just put up shelves last week for their toys to be stored on so that Henry can’t dump everything out on the floor.

I’ve also added the labels to my crafting table bins.  I have a tough time remembering what vinyl is what, so this way I can clearly mark the different types or whatever else I have stored in the bins.  I also like that I can wipe the labels off if I change my mind, or even move the labels from place to place.

We have had so much fun with the Crafty Croc Liquid Chalk Markers and Chalkboard Labels.  How will your family spend quality time together with these?