John Adams BLOPENS® Activity Set – Fantasy Review
DISCLOSURE -THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.
Reviewed by Shel & Paul
My 10 year old granddaughter absolutely loved this kit. This is an imaginative and engaging arts and crafts kit that provides children with a fun way to unleash their creativity. Designed around the magical theme of fantasy, this activity set allows children to explore their artistic side while creating vibrant and colourful masterpieces. With stencils, pens, and creative possibilities galore, this kit is perfect for sparking joy and encouraging artistic expression.
The themed stencils are the highlight of the set, offering detailed and imaginative outlines that tie into the enchanting world of fantasy. The BLOPENS themselves are dual-purpose markers, allowing children to either use them as traditional pens or blow air through them to create an airbrush effect.
Design and Functionality
The kit stands out for its unique design and functionality. The pens are easy to use, designed with small hands in mind, and offer an innovative airbrush-like effect. Children simply blow through the pens to spray colourful mist onto the paper, creating soft gradients and vibrant backgrounds. The stencils make it easy for even younger children to produce polished, professional-looking results with minimal frustration.
The fantasy theme is particularly engaging, especially for children who love unicorns. The intricate stencil designs allow children to create detailed scenes that capture the wonder of a magical world whee the stencils provide plenty of options to inspire creativity.
Encourages Creativity
This activity set encourages children to think outside the box and experiment with colours, patterns, and layering techniques. By combining the stencils with the airbrushed effect of the BLOPENS, children can create unique, multi-dimensional artwork. The act of blowing through the pens also adds a physical element to the activity, making it more interactive and engaging than traditional colouring.
In addition, the set can promote imaginative storytelling. During the painting and even once my granddaughter completed her creations, she would tell some amazingly beautiful tales about the fantasy scenes she had created.
Ease of Use
The BLOPENS Activity Set is simple enough for children to use independently. The pens are lightweight and easy to grip, and the stencils ensure that the designs look great even if the child is not confident in freehand drawing. The kit is also easy to set up and clean, with minimal mess compared to other arts and crafts activities.
It is advisable to supervise younger children during use to ensure they do not blow too hard or accidentally inhale through the pens. However, with proper guidance, the set is safe and enjoyable for children.
Educational Benefits
While the BLOPENS Activity Set is primarily about having fun, it also offers several developmental benefits. Using the pens and stencils helps improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The creative process encourages problem-solving and decision-making, such as choosing colours, arranging designs, and layering patterns.
Additionally, the fantasy theme taps into the child’s imagination, helping to develop storytelling and creative thinking skills. This makes the activity set both entertaining and enriching.
Portability and Versatility
The BLOPENS Activity Set is compact and portable, making it a great option for travel, playdates, or quiet afternoons at home. The materials are easy to store, and the set does not take up much space. While it is perfect for individual play, it is also a fantastic group activity, allowing siblings or friends to work together and share their creations.
Durability and Reusability
The stencils are made from card. The BLOPENS themselves are long-lasting, and the ink flow remains consistent over time. However, like all art supplies, the pens will eventually run out of ink. Fortunately, BLOPENS refills are widely available, allowing the fun to continue long after the initial set is used up.
Potential Drawbacks
While the BLOPENS Activity Set is fantastic for creativity, there are a few minor drawbacks. First, younger children might need some help with controlling the airflow to achieve the desired airbrush effect. Second, the pens can produce a light mist of ink that may occasionally get on clothing or furniture. Using the set on a protected surface or providing a smock for children can easily mitigate this issue.
Value for Money
The BLOPENS Activity Set – Fantasy offers excellent value for money. It provides hours of entertainment and delivers on its promise of being both fun and creative. The quality of the materials, the reusability of the stencils, and the unique airbrush effect of the BLOPENS make it a worthwhile investment for families looking for engaging activities for their children.
Would also make the perfect gift, whether it is for a birthday or just because for a bit of fun.
GOOD TO KNOW – This information was taken directly from John Adam’s Website
BLOPENS caps are washable and interchangeable. They are completely safe for children to use, with non-toxic ink.
Washing instructions for BLOPENS® stains
It is recommended that you wear an apron or protective clothing when using BLOPENS® and that surfaces or surrounding furnishes as protected with old newspaper or similar.
The water-based inks in Blopens® can sometimes stain skin and fabrics, however these can usually be removed by following the instructions below. Do not wear pre-washed clothing if you are using BLOPENS®
Stains on the skin: Wash the skin with soap and warm water. For deep staining, keep going until most of the colour has gone. It may take a few washes for the ink to disappear completely.
Stains on clothing: Leave to soak in cold water for overnight, then wash with warm water and soap. Additional washing may be necessary for some stains. To avoid discolouration, follow the instructions given by the soap or detergent manufacturer. Avoid chorine, chemical cleaners and organic detergents.
AGE
Suitable from 4 years and upwards
CONTENTS
6 x reusable stencils of different unicorns
8 x vibrant coloured BLOPENS
6 x sheets of plain white paper to serve as canvases for their creations.
A user-friendly guide on the back of the box to help you get started.
PRICE AND WHERE TO BUY
At the time of typing my review, I found this to be an amazing price of just £15.30, reduced from £17.99 and includes FREE delivery within the United Kingdom. If you are new to John Adams, sign up to received 10% discount on your first order.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £17.99
For more information or to buy, visit www.johnadams.co.uk
The BLOPENS Activity Set – Fantasy is a delightful arts and crafts kit that combines creativity, fun, and learning. Its unique airbrush effect, coupled with the enchanting fantasy theme, makes it a standout choice for young artists. Whether your child is a budding artist or simply loves magical creatures, this set will keep them entertained while encouraging their creative development. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just as a rainy-day activity, the BLOPENS Activity Set is sure to bring smiles and spark imaginations. It is an excellent choice for parents seeking a mess-free, engaging, and educational activity that kids will adore.