Today, I’m reviewing the Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light Brush, a toy that promises all the fun of painting with none of the mess. I’ve had several requests for this item, and with its top ratings on Amazon, I knew I had to give it a shot. At $24.88, it claims to offer a fun, no-cleanup painting experience. Let’s take a closer look in today’s video.
Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light Brush Review
Where to Purchase
I picked up the Magic Light Brush on Amazon for about $24.88. It’s also available in stores such as Target and Walmart for around $20-$25.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The kit comes with the main light brush, six color pads, 18 sheets of special Color Wonder paper, and a simple instruction sheet. Designed for young children, the brush claims to be safe, non-toxic, and to leave no mess on skin, furniture, or fabrics. A quick setup with three AA batteries got it running, and the brush instantly lit up and cycled through various colors, which I found oddly satisfying to watch.
How the Brush Works
The brush’s technology is unique: it detects which color pad you’re hovering over, and the light on the brush matches that color. To paint, you stroke the brush across the color pad and use it to “paint” on the included special paper (which resembles regular white paper). The color shows up gradually, initially faint and then growing into the shade you selected.
Switching colors, however, is a bit more involved. Each time you change colors, you’re advised to wipe the brush with a paper towel. Even with a good wipe, some color residue sticks, which can blend colors unintentionally. While this won’t bother a three-year-old, older kids or adults might find the color mixing to be a bit of a hassle.
Testing the Mess-Free Claims
One of the product’s main attractions is the mess-free experience, and that aspect lived up to the hype. I tested the brush on my skin, regular paper, and even my table. None of these left any visible color stains—just a slight damp mark which wiped off with a paper towel. The Color Wonder paper is specially coated to work with the brush, so you’ll need to buy more sheets when you run out. Regular paper, unfortunately, won’t work with the ink. I did spot a 50-pack of Color Wonder sheets on Amazon for about $8.
Painting Experience and Color Quality
While the Color Wonder Brush is definitely fun to use, the colors tend to start off faint and gradually appear on the page. Switching colors also comes with some leftover pigment mixing, so vibrant, clean shades aren’t guaranteed. As I painted, I noticed that changing colors repeatedly sometimes created muddy tones. The colors are decent but might lose vibrancy with frequent color changes. Still, for a young child, the color quality should be satisfying.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Truly mess-free: No stains on skin, furniture, or regular paper.
- Easy setup: Simple to assemble and use, especially for kids.
- Safe and non-toxic: Designed with young children in mind.
Cons
- Requires special paper: Doesn’t work with regular paper, and replacement paper costs more.
- Color mixing issues: Requires thorough wiping between colors to avoid muddy results.
- Initial color faintness: Takes a moment for colors to appear fully on the page.
Conclusion: A Good Choice for Little Artists
Overall, the Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light Brush lives up to its claim as a mess-free, kid-friendly art tool. Its novelty effect and the safe, no-stain design make it a great choice for younger kids who want to paint without the potential for messes. The color-mixing issues and the need for specialized paper might make it less appealing to older kids or adults looking for a more vibrant, precise art experience. But if you’re looking for a fun, worry-free art kit, this one’s worth considering!
Have any of you tried the Color Wonder or something similar? Tell me what you think in the comments below.
Video Review
To see it in action, check out my full video review below.