The magic slate makes a comeback; an opportunity for the toy industry?
The artwork was temporary but the experience, at least for me, was permanent. It stayed in my brain and just doesn't seem to go away. That is why my eyes became glued to a small piece I read in the New York Times about an electronic version of the Magic Slate called the "Boogie Board." Unlike the Magic Slate which sold for under a dollar, the Boogie Board, made by Kent Products, sells for $35.
The product is purported to be roughly the size of a Kindle and contains a black LCD surface on which you can write with a stylus or any similarly pointed object like your fingernail. Unlike the Magic Slate, all you have to do to erase what you have done is to push a button.
So is a Magic Slate or just Magic Slatelike? Well, it does provide a similar function but somehow it seems to leave out the tactile pleasure of pulling up the plastic and therefore the fun.
So, I think it's time that someone rethought the actual Magic Slate and brought it back with improved wax and a better plastic sheet. Maybe high tech kids will get a kick out of the special magic that only the low tech can give; an interesting sound, a temporary picture, a simple pleasure.
Helen commented:
I wish I could find some for my classroom. I only have three and it is not enough for all of my students. They come in handy when you are asking for a written response and want to see it immediately - everyone holds up their magic slates! Viola!
Sigh....I can't believe I can't find them anymore.
Helen
Katie Hemlock commented:
I love the Magic Slate Too.....Fundex is actually introducing a NEW game this year called Arm Chair Quarterback that uses the classic Magic Slate in the game play. Here is a quick description of the game:
Armchair Quarterback lets everybody play along with the live action of a football game, on TV or at the stadium. Players score points by guessing the plays before they happen. Match your knowledge of football strategy against the players, coaches and everyone watching as you try to predict: Will it be a pass or a run? For a gain or no gain? First down on this play? Includes Magic Slate boards, football field game board, player tokens and instructions
Ages: 8+
Players: 2-4
Coming soon Fall of 2011
Katie Hemlock commented:
I love the Magic Slate Too.....Fundex is actually introducing a NEW game this year called Arm Chair Quarterback that uses the classic Magic Slate in the game play. Here is a quick description of the game:
Armchair Quarterback lets everybody play along with the live action of a football game, on TV or at the stadium. Players score points by guessing the plays before they happen. Match your knowledge of football strategy against the players, coaches and everyone watching as you try to predict: Will it be a pass or a run? For a gain or no gain? First down on this play? Includes Magic Slate boards, football field game board, player tokens and instructions
Ages: 8+
Players: 2-4
Coming soon Fall of 2011
Peggy Brown commented:
I'm sure I got $35 worth of value out of my old Magic Slates!
