Kwik Stix: Paint without the Mess! {Product Review}

We love art. We also own a LOT of bottles of paint. But I (like most moms) don't like the mess that comes with paint. I always prep the work space, get the glasses of water for cleaning brushes, get the brushes, make sure they are wearing older shirts...you know the routine. Enter Kwik Stix 12 pk from The Pencil Grip, Inc--with promises of no mess solid tempera paint. Hello! As a mom who would prefer to avoid the mess of painting without stealing the joy of painting, I was eager for this review.

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Product Summary

Kwik Stix is the brain child of The Pencil Grip, Inc. Designed to alleviate the mess of painting, they operate much like a chapstick or a gluestick. As solid tempera paint, you simply turn the bottom to move the paint up for use, and then go for it! There are no cups, brushes, or water needed. Kwik Stix is also a fast drying formula--just 90 seconds to dry. It works great on all standard painting platforms--poster paper, cardboard, canvas, and even wood!

Kwik Stix is available in several different set packages:

Kwik Stix 12 pk
Kwik Stix 6 pk
Kwik Stix Neon 6 pk
Kwik Stix Metalix 6 pk

I was given the Kwik Stix 12 pk (retail $11.99) to try with my family for this review.

How Did We Use This Product?

As soon as these arrived in the mail, the boys eagerly gathered around me to investigate what they were.

a happy package

When I explained they were paint sticks, they begged for a chance to try them out. Although my oldest was in the middle of another lesson, my youngest enjoyed being the first one to give them a whirl. He quickly began creating...

The beginning of a tractor

a semi with some great black smoke

Over the review period, we used them on all varieties of paper, including cardboard and the boys enjoyed being allowed to use them for illustrating their bible story lessons. Little Britches also used them in making his illustrated version of David Crockett that he's working on.

Some illustrations for the story of Elijah

David Crockett in the forest

The Pencil Grip, Inc. also generously included a sample of their The Pencil Grip- Single Grip for me to try. I used it, and Little Britches used it, but he says it messed him up, and he doesn't like it. Baby Britches tried it and he liked it. I think his grip is more loose, since he's still learning how to write properly, and his fingers naturally move into it. I will let him keep using it for now.

What Are Our Thoughts on the Product?

It's a big hit! Both boys love using them, and ask for permission to use them whenever we need to be coloring something. To them, they are interchangeable with markers, crayons, or colored pencils--which is fabulous considering it's paint!

I love that they come in a tray which keeps them from rolling all over the table. I like that they are more short and stubby, which is a plus for the smaller hands. The lids come off easily, and they aren't very hard to twist up. The paint goes on very smoothly--I kind of feel like I'm coloring with chapstick when I use it! LOL. We didn't have any problems with fumes and the paint washed right off of hands and the desk when there were accidents.

The boys loved that they worked on all kinds of surfaces, and most of all--black paper. Baby Britches had fun making a nighttime snow scene on black paper.

It goes on bright, and stays bright after it dries!

The only recommendation that my boys had, was that Little Britches wished they were available with a finer point like a crayon. He felt that would let him do more detail in his paintings, over just using the side of the paint stick. I agree. That would be a nice benefit--although like crayons, I know it will get dull after use. But to start with, a nice fine point would be nice, although it does have a rounded end when you first twist it up.

I appreciate that I don't have to worry about the potential mess with these--either from the paint itself, or the water needed to clean off brushes. The only thing the boys had to be reminded of now and again was to make sure the lids were on tight. It would be very easy to have these dry out, which is probably the only major con I have--however, as long as the lids go on tight when they aren't in use, I would imagine these would last for awhile--depending on whether or not you have a little Picasso!

Will we continue to use this product?
Absolutely! I have plans to use it for Mother's Day actually. Kwik Stix sent me an email talking about how you can even use them on balloons, and I think that's a great way to have the boys personalize some mylars for my mother-in-law this weekend! The paint really does work on everything we've tried it on. I would definitely consider getting another set once this one is used up---and possibly go ahead and snag the Neon and Metalix versions as well!

Would I Recommend This Product?

Yes! It is a very clever idea, and one that is a sanity saver for the parents of young, paint loving children everywhere! My 5 year old and my 10 year old enjoy them, and I like the way they flow across the paper as well. I think they would be an asset to any homeschool, but to also any home with small children, period! I think they would make great gifts for children too.

Want to Know More?

We reviewed Kwik Stix 12 pk from The Pencil Grip, Inc. We enjoyed this product and what it had to offer, but what about the other crew members? Did you know some of them received neon and metallic versions? Make sure you read their reviews too!

Why not stay up to date on the latest products from The Pencil Grip, Inc? Follow them on these social media sites! Website:   http://www.thepencilgrip.com Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/thepencilgrip Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/KwikStixPaint/ Twitter:   https://twitter.com/ThePencilGrip  @ThePencilGrip

These Kwik Stix were really fun to use and I think they would be a great asset to any homeschool---especially when you have younger elementary age children. They really do work as described and my boys enjoy them a lot.