It is one of the most common questions we get from parents setting up their Magnetic Playwall™: what can my kids actually draw with on it? Chalk? Markers? The whiteboard markers already in the kitchen drawer? It is a good question, because the right tool keeps your Playwall looking brilliant for years, and the wrong one can leave marks you would rather avoid.
Here is the simple, honest answer.
The short answer
Yes, the SmartyPals Playwall is made for drawing on, and there are two tools we recommend: dustless chalk crayons and liquid chalk markers. Both are designed for smooth, wipe-clean surfaces and come off easily with a damp cloth (or a magic sponge and natural spray). More on that below.
Dustless chalk crayons: the easy everyday choice
Our Dustless Chalk Crayons are the everyday favourite for a reason. They twist up like a crayon, so there is no snapping and no chalky cloud floating around the room. They are non-toxic and washable, and they glide on smoothly with bright, bold colour.
Best of all, they wipe straight off the Magnetic Playwall with a damp cloth or a wet wipe, so little artists can draw, erase and start again as many times as they like.
Liquid chalk markers: bright and bold
If your child loves vivid, high-contrast colour, liquid chalk markers are a lovely option on the Playwall's smooth surface. They lay down a bright line and, like the crayons, wipe away with a damp cloth. As with anything new, it is worth testing a small, out-of-the-way corner first so you know exactly how it behaves on your particular Playwall before letting the kids loose.
What about whiteboard or dry-erase markers?
If a whiteboard marker is all you have on hand, always test a small hidden area first and check it wipes off before going any further. But for reliable, mess-free results, stick with the dustless chalk crayons or liquid chalk markers. And please keep permanent markers well away, as those are not removable from the surface.
A few quick tips
Always spot-test something new. Any time you try a different pen or brand, draw a small line in a corner and wipe it off first.
Wipe as you go. A damp cloth or wet wipe clears the surface easily, and cleaning sooner rather than later keeps colours from settling in.
Keep it to smooth, wipe-clean play. The Playwall is designed for indoor use and ages 3 and up, with a grown-up nearby.
Draw, wipe, repeat
That is the beauty of the Playwall: it is a reusable, screen-free canvas your kids can come back to again and again. Pair it with the right chalk and you have hours of open-ended, mess-free creativity, no paper, no screens, no drawing on the actual walls.
Want the easiest way to get started? Grab a set of Dustless Chalk Crayons to go with your Magnetic Playwall™ and let the drawing (and re-drawing) begin.
