Travel smart: Water Wow painting books

I happened on these in a Michael's craft store a few months back, and handed them over to my youngest kids during a recent long car trip. My husband braced himself -- he was certain that the kids would be flinging the water-filled pens in seconds -- but the silence went on for miles as the kids happily painted water onto the books pages, let them dry, and painted them over again.

February 9, 2009
Gearing Up
Just add water

By Lylah M. Alphonse, Globe Staff

If your kids paint with water, it doesn't matter whether they decorate the tray table or the car seat (or, for that matter, their siblings). Water Wow books are filled with colorful pictures your child can discover simply by brushing water over the pages. The books air-dry in minutes, so they can be used over and over again. They cost about $7 at most Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, Michaels craft stores, and Target. (You can also find them online at Amazon.com.) [More]