Why writing tablets are my new favorite kid toy–and four models I’d recommend

You know that old saying about how you can have something good, fast, or cheap, but never all three at once? That’s how I feel about kids’ toys. There are some that are engaging, some that are portable, and some that don’t make a huge mess, but there are very, very few toys that are all of the above.

Lately, however, my three- and five-year-olds have been on a writing tablet kick, and this is the blessed toy that is, yes, all three. These LCD writing tablets are like souped-up Magna-Doodles— a blank, black writing surface lets kids draw by revealing rainbow-like colors when you scribble on them with an attached pencil. Then, press the erase button and your kid can make an entirely new creation, over and over again.

How my kids use their LCD writing tablets

These tablets might not seem like much, but they’re truly amazing. For one thing, they allow for endless creativity. My three year old has taken to asking me to “draw a house” and then she will fill the house with whatever drawings her imagination comes up with: a bed, a refrigerator, a person sleeping on a bed, an apple tree. My five-year-old uses it as a clip board to pretend to be her teacher. When they use them together, they affectionately call them “work things” (and pretend they’re computers, I guess?).

I also love them because we can bring them anywhere— restaurants, doctor’s appointments, in the car—it’s a simple, screen-free thing I can say “yes” to that will actually hold their attention while we are out. And it’s easy: there aren’t a million parts to keep track of, it can’t spill or break, no one is maybe going to accidentally swallow part of it, and they’re affordable enough that it’s doable to have two of them and avoid fights.

If you’d like to add one of these writing tablets to your diaper bag arsenal (and I highly recommend keeping one around for sudden bouts of boredom!) here are a few models that are great:

My top LCD writing tablet picks

The Best Basic Model

Bravokids LCD Writing Tablet

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$19.99

This highly-rated option is the platonic standard of drawing tablets: it comes with the pen attached and a little side-holder to stick it in, comes in a wide variety of colors, and is sturdy enough for constant use.

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For Kids Who Always Lose Everything

Kogabanny LCD Writing Tablet, 2-Pack

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$9.49

If you’re the kind of parent who likes to pre-prepare for the inevitable “I can’t find my writing pad!” meltdowns, this version is great for taking on-the-go in case of accidental loss. A two-pack is less than $10, meaning you can stash 4 tablets around your house for the same price as one of the sturdier models and be set for… well, weeks, if your loss rate is anything like ours.

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For Unicorn Lovers

Kikapabi Unicorn 10-Inch Writing Tablet

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$19.99

Full disclosure, this is the model my oldest daughter has, and the one thing I don’t like about it is the pen isn’t fully attached, meaning it does sometimes wander from its sling home and I find it somewhere it shouldn’t be. But we love the cute unicorn theming otherwise.

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For Slightly Older Kids

Boogie Board VersaBoard Reusable Writing Tablet

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$21.99

These more sophisticated, chicer writing tabs come with a built-in kickstand and can be used to scribble to-do-lists or jot down notes-to-self—but we won’t tell if you catch your tween doodling a monster on theirs.

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