To Model or Not To Model Magic?
Written: Apr 08 '01 (Updated Oct 24 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It can be painted, decorated and won't color.
Cons: One time use only. May stain clothes.
The Bottom Line: This is a product I would buy once or give as a gift.
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| jo.com's Full Review: Model Magic |
I discovered Model Magic as a substitute to children with special needs. When I first saw it I thought it was playdough, then I thought it was clay. Well, it is neither. It is an entity all it’s own. It has its good points and bad.
This is a cross between an educational and fun activity. It is wonderful as a manipulative if your child has problems with fine motor skills (such as gripping a crayon versus large motor skills such as riding a bike.) The product advertises itself a modeling material and that is its function – to make models. But while doing so a lot of creativity and working of the hands is necessary.
The total amount of material is 3 ounces – 6 ½ ounce packages of the colors, red, yellow, blue, black and 2 whites. Each package is a single portion, which is one of the negatives of the product.
The product is designed to dry in 24 hours when it exposed to air and the bags in which the material comes which is foil is not intended to store it in. In my experience, though, that even in sealed plastic bags, the material dries and can’t be used in any fun or therapeutic way after that.
It has to be kept away from flames and you are cautioned not to mold it into candleholders; that it is not for use in the over or microwaves.
Your child or you (I have fun with it.) can make some great things with this and ideas are given with the product. Some ideas are to make creatures out of it, glue on feathers or fabric or make magnets with it. There are really hundreds of things you can make with Model Magic. One thing I especially like is that it bounces so you can make balls with it, you can cut it and it doesn’t crumble or stick to your skin or clothing. You can also color it with makers or paint when it is dry. This means it makes cute pins and earrings.
Of course you can mix the colors also. The product feels spongy and doesn’t smell as nice as playdough. It also may stain clothing.
The question in my mind is why buy this product over playdough? Is it so much better that I would buy it when playdough is so inexpensive and can be resealed and reused, for that matter you can make it yourself!
The bottom line is that playdough doesn’t dry as well as Model Magic. Once playdough dries it will crumble so your child can’t really make anything with playdough and have it last for any length of time. That isn’t true of this product. That is the key difference.
Do I recommend it? I think this makes a good supplement to what you may already have and it makes a great gift because it is unique. It isn’t something I would continue to buy, though, for my children once they used it. I love playdough; I love the smell of it and the feel of it much more than this product.
I would suggest this for children over 6 and up. The cost is approximately $3.99 depending on where it is bought.
In summary, this is a cute craft/toy to buy once or give as a gift but I would choose my trusty playdough over Model Magic if I were to choose between the two.
This is part of the "Toy write-off" hosted by jenni1396. Thanks Jennifer and Happy Birthday!
Please take a look at the other reviewers who have participated in this write off:
Aahz, amknight, ar_c, bmcnichol, bpotter1, charlenep, char.mike,
cherokeelady, CJsMommy, cntaur5, cyndicm, dad2nat, damienmommie, dandj,
Debbie26, DEjrBudweiser8, dydx, fisch, goldjay, HawgWyld, jeanniekerns,
jenni1396, jessica1137, KateTPZ, kay67, kminer, lisado, Lisa_J,
maggsmomm, MelissaSRN, mellkinwa, mimi369, mininut, mom2daniel, monical2me,
mtbat, MumMumMum, naphtalia, nwinston, pacbaystat, Patch3boys, Presleysmama,
quasar, RCarte2000, 77chelle, shantel575, sloving, smh32775, Staceys1,
sweetsue_98, TazzyFoxy, tchoate, telefrog, three_ster, Trevsmom, trthomp,
unowho72, willeftk
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 3.99
Type of Toy: Arts and Crafts
Age Range of Child: 6 to 8 Years
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