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The Best Water Doodle Mat | 2023

Last updated on November 30, 2022

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Our Picks For The Top Water Doodle Mats

Show Contents
Our Take
  Top Pick

KIZZYEA Reusable Large Water Doodle Mat

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

KIZZYEA

Reusable Large Water Doodle Mat

Overall Take

Affordable Price TagWhen shopping on a budget, this economical water doodle mat is the way to go.

  Runner Up

Alago Educational Portable Water Doodle Mat

Alago

Educational Portable Water Doodle Mat

Overall Take

Creative LearningThe images, letters or shapes kids draw on this water doodle mat disappear in under 10 minutes, allowing for new sketches to be made.

  We Also Like

Jasonwell Neat Dinosaur Themed Water Doodle Mat

Jasonwell

Neat Dinosaur Themed Water Doodle Mat

Overall Take

Several Themes AvailableThis water doodle mat comes with a host of accessories, including pens, rollers, stamps, a stamp pad and a design booklet.

  The Best Value

Sinceroduct Ocean Water Drawing Mat

Sinceroduct

Ocean Water Drawing Mat

Overall Take

Lots of AccessoriesWith this water doodle mat, you'll receive 10 drawing molds, six magic pens, six stamps, two templates and one printed board.

Guide written by Ashley Donohoe
Last updated on November 30, 2022

A water doodle mat can keep your kid entertained and allow them to be creative without making a mess. This type of toy has a special canvas that your child can draw on with a simple pen filled with water.  The drawing will show up as colorful ink that typically fades away in 10 minutes or less, so the mat will be ready for reuse shortly after your child makes their creation.

Simplemost Media

When shopping for water doodle mats, you’ll want to purchase the right size for your family’s needs. If you plan to bring the mat on a car or plane trip, you might opt for the travel-sized version. You can find a medium-sized mat that works well for one child, or you can purchase jumbo mats with enough space for multiple kids to work simultaneously.

Water doodle mats often come with a decorative border that can either teach your child basic concepts or provide inspiration for their drawings. If you want your child to work on the alphabet or numbers, you can choose a mat displaying these topics and provide a fun way to learn. Other mats may have a theme like ocean animals, outer space or basic shapes.

Simplemost Media

At a minimum, you can expect to get at least one water pen with your water doodle mat. Some sets will come with items such as stencils, drawing booklets, sponges or pens that draw certain shapes. You can also find unique options with lighted pens used to make glow-in-the-dark drawings.

Larger water doodle mats usually include suction cups you can use to secure the mat to a hard surface like a wall or floor and make it easier for children to work on it.

Simplemost Media

The Best Water Doodle Mats

1
  Top Pick

KIZZYEA Reusable Large Water Doodle Mat

Designed for toddlers ages 2 to 5, this water doodle mat is both colorful and entertaining. The border of the mat is decorated with letters of the alphabet, primary colors and adorable animals. Kids can use the special markers to draw their own creations, trace around the provided stencils or use the step-by-step instruction booklet to learn how to make something new.

Features


Specifications

Brand
KIZZYEA
Model
2
  Runner Up

Alago Educational Portable Water Doodle Mat

If your child learns best completing hands-on activities, you'll want to grab this water doodle mat. It's large enough for several kids to use at once and comes with four magic pens, four stencils and a design booklet. Parents will appreciate that the mat is non-toxic and mess-free.

Features


Specifications

Brand
Alago
Model
3
  We Also Like

Jasonwell Neat Dinosaur Themed Water Doodle Mat

With this water doodle mat, you'll be able to choose between a dinosaur, alphabet or galaxy theme. Each is bright and colorful and sure to capture your little one's attention. Parents can lay the mat flat on the floor, or use the provided suction cups to adhere it to a wall.

Features


Specifications

Brand
Jasonwell
Model
4
  Strong Contender

Toyk Ocean Pattern Water Doodle Mat

This giant water doodle mat measures 40 inches by 28 inches and has enough space for several children. It comes with six pens, several stencils and a booklet for inspiration.

Features


Specifications

Brand
Toyk
Model
5
  Also Great

Gamenote Reusable Water Doodle Mat

You'll find this water doodle mat is large enough for two or three children to play on together. In addition to the mat, the set comes with alphabet, number and shape stencils, as well as pens, stamps and a roller set. Parents will appreciate that the mat allows for mess-free play, as the mat is designed to dry in just 5 minutes.

Features


Specifications

Brand
Gamenote
Model
6

FREE TO FLY Dinosaur World Water Doodle Mat

Featuring four drawing pens, several stencils and plenty of drawing space, this dinosaur-themed mat entertains while teaching children the alphabet and numbers. It's designed to withstand plenty of play.

Features


Specifications

Brand
FREE TO FLY
Model
7

Betheaces Mess Free Water Doodle Mat

This mess-free toy is ideal for parents and toddlers. All that is needed to draw on the doodle mat is a water-filled pen. The large mat can be used on the floor, on a table or even outside.

Features


Specifications

Brand
Betheaces
Model
8

Jasonwell Waterproof Backing Water Doodle Mat

Encourage your child's love of learning with this educational doodle mat. The mat features the alphabet in upper and lowercase letters and is made using plenty of colors and animals to capture your little one's attention. You'll even get our suction cups to attach the mat to the wall, in case you don't want the kids to use it on the floor.

Features


Specifications

Brand
Jasonwell
Model
9

AquaDoodle Fabric Border Water Doodle Mat

If you're looking for a doodle mat that's larger but not a floor mat, this option comes in a medium size and includes a single pen to use. It has four corners that reveal purple, red, green or blue ink when your child draws.

Features


Specifications

Brand
AquaDoodle
Model
10

Coolplay Easy Carry Ink-Less Water Doodle Mat

Your child can easily take this foldable water doodle mat with them on trips to stay entertained. It comes with two pens, has an alphabet theme and folds up like a small handbag.

Features


Specifications

Brand
Coolplay
Model
11

Sinceroduct Ocean Water Drawing Mat

One of the largest water doodle mats on the market, this model measures 60 by 40 inches. The back of the mat is made from a water-resistant nylon, so you never have to worry about your floors getting wet. Pictures are designed to dry and disappear after just a few minutes, leaving no mess or clean up for mom and dad.

Features


Specifications

Brand
Sinceroduct
Model
12

Zen Laboratory Glow In The Dark Water Doodle Mat

If you're looking for something more unique than the traditional water doodle mat, this product will make your child's drawings glow in the dark. It has a special flashlight pen along with stencils and traditional pens.

Features


Specifications

Brand
Zen Laboratory
Model

Our Water Doodle Mat Buying Guide

A water doodle mat can keep your kid entertained and allow them to be creative without making a mess. This type of toy has a special canvas that your child can draw on with a simple pen filled with water.  The drawing will show up as colorful ink that typically fades away in 10 minutes or less, so the mat will be ready for reuse shortly after your child makes their creation.

Simplemost Media

When shopping for water doodle mats, you’ll want to purchase the right size for your family’s needs. If you plan to bring the mat on a car or plane trip, you might opt for the travel-sized version. You can find a medium-sized mat that works well for one child, or you can purchase jumbo mats with enough space for multiple kids to work simultaneously.

Water doodle mats often come with a decorative border that can either teach your child basic concepts or provide inspiration for their drawings. If you want your child to work on the alphabet or numbers, you can choose a mat displaying these topics and provide a fun way to learn. Other mats may have a theme like ocean animals, outer space or basic shapes.

Simplemost Media

At a minimum, you can expect to get at least one water pen with your water doodle mat. Some sets will come with items such as stencils, drawing booklets, sponges or pens that draw certain shapes. You can also find unique options with lighted pens used to make glow-in-the-dark drawings.

Larger water doodle mats usually include suction cups you can use to secure the mat to a hard surface like a wall or floor and make it easier for children to work on it.

Simplemost Media

DWYM Fun Fact

The concept of a water doodle mat traces back to 2003, when the company Spin Master released the Aquadoodle mat in the U.S. as well as other countries. Unlike the water doodle mats now that can reveal various color patterns when a child draws, the original product used a canvas that just showed blue ink. While this type of art form is still pretty new, people have been making drawings in some form potentially as far back as 73,000 years ago.

The Water Doodle Mat Tips and Advice

  • If you want to buy a large water doodle mat but worry about it taking up space, know that most manufacturers make mats that you can easily fold up.
  • To avoid damaging the water doodle mat’s special canvas, avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals if your child spills something on it. You should check the directions for your specific mat, but you’ll probably want to try to use a soft cloth that’s slightly damp. Some manufacturers might allow a mild dish soap.
  • Rather than trying to use a blow dryer or clothes dryer for a wet mat, always leave it to air dry to avoid damage.
  • When filling the water doodle pen, make sure that you don’t fill it above the point recommended by your manufacturer. Otherwise, the pen can leak while your child tries to draw.
  • Make sure that your child only uses the included drawing tools with their mat since items like crayons and markers will be very hard or impossible to clean off the mat.
  • Since water doodle pens come apart, avoid giving this kind of toy to children who like to put things in their mouths since this can create a hazard.

About The Author

Ashley Donohoe 

Ashley Donohoe is an Ohio-based writer and small business owner with a background in business, technology and personal finance. She has 10 years of experience writing for various online publications. When shopping for the little ones in her family, she's always researching the best options when it comes to clothes, toys and other daily essentials.