Color Explosion : Glow Board product reviews

I wasn't sure what to expect when I read up on this toy... but once I had a chance to put it through it's paces, I was impressed!

The dual drawing screens allow for some really fun scenes, and the ability to light up the front screen alone, the rear screen alone, both screens at the same time, or alternate between them, opens up some stunning artistic, and promotional, possibilities. "Promotional? What do you mean by that? this is a kids toy isn't it?"

Well, yes it is... but the last setting on the lighting selector, 'alternating' gave me an idea... which I tried out, and it worked a treat! On the front screen, I wrote "Merry Christmas 2007" using the yellow pen, and then on the rear screen I drew a little Christmas tree and a sprig of holly... hanging it in my front window (with the creative adaptation of 2 paperclips and an old shoelace... thanks MacGyver) I set it to alternating... and tah-dahhh one instant animated window sign... now it wouldn't take much for a clever business person to make a "This week's special deal" or "Limited offer..." sign for their shop window... and if they don't want to hang it, well, it even comes with a stand clip on the back which will convert it to a freestanding desktop sign.

The pens are easy to use, and real easy to wipe off... a little bit of dampness and a bit of wiping and the pen is gone without a trace... my only let-down was that some of the colours don't really 'glow' very well at all, such as the blue and pink... yellow, green, red, and orange all worked reasonably well, but keep in mind that the lamps are mildly untra-violet so some colour-shifting will occur. Yellow comes out kinda greenish, etc.

Very cool toy, excellent creative outlet for kids, and even has some interesting commercial possibilities (Hey Crayola, want to make these bigger, as shop signs?) and a great way to spend a rainy afternoon... but keep in mind that as with most 'glowing ink' toys, these work far better at night or in dark rooms...