From the Toysit archive
Magna Doodle
Draw a clue, repeat a stamped shape or erase and try again with the classic magnetic drawing board.
The play at a glance
A picture can be a first draft
Magna Doodle makes room for a quick sketch that does not need to be kept. Draw a house, add a surprising visitor, tell its story, then clear the board for the next idea.
The pen makes lines and the stampers add ready-made shapes. That gives two people an easy way to share a picture: one can begin with a stamp, and the other can turn it into a scene.
Draw, look, erase, revise
Begin with the intended magnetic pen and a light touch. Mattel’s older instructions caution against pressing hard or substituting ordinary pens, pencils, crayons or markers. To clear that board, move the eraser slowly from side to side. Follow your model’s own guide for initial preparation and any extra drawing tools.
Choose something simple: a boat, a face or a tree. Look at the first attempt together before erasing it. Ask which part makes it recognizable. On the next attempt, keep that part and change one detail. The comparison matters more than making a polished picture.
Play a draw-and-guess round
One person secretly chooses an everyday object and draws just its outline. The other person makes a guess or asks for one more detail. Add that detail without rushing, then trade roles.
For a cooperative version, decide on the subject together. One player draws the main shape; the other adds a clue about where it belongs. A circle can become a wheel, a sun or a face depending on the marks around it. There is no timer or score unless you want one.
Turn stamps into a repeating pattern
Choose two available stamp shapes and alternate them across the board. Ask a partner to point to the next position and name the shape that belongs there. Then try a repeat with two of one shape followed by one of the other.
Leave space below the pattern for a second row. It can copy the first row or start at a different point in the repeat. These are optional pattern games, not included lesson cards or promises about what a child will learn.
Keep the drawing tools with the board
Put the intended pen and stamps back in their holders after play. Mattel’s 31346 guide advises against leaving stampers on the screen for long periods or exposing the board to strong heat. Check the matching instructions before using the separate Face Doodler or Doodle Tool shown in this older image.
If a picture is worth keeping, photograph it before erasing. The board’s useful distinction is that a new attempt can begin without needing another sheet of paper.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
Both original paragraphs remain below, including the six-stamper description, screen dimensions and Face Doodler and Doodle Tool accessories. The later discussion of feeling a magnetic pull and learning scientific principles is historical commentary, not a tested result.
Classic Art Toy.
The Magna Doodle is a learning-fun classic and comes with a carry handle to go everywhere. The set includes six magnetic-shape stampers (flower, dog, circle, person, car, and star) and an attached fine-line pen. Kids can draw to their heart's delight on the high-contrast magnetic board, and when they're all done, they just slide the magic eraser bar to clear the screen. All the parts and pieces snap into the frame to form a personal doodling briefcase. Included accessories feature the Face Doodler that allows kids to draw a multitude of different faces and expressions, and the Doodle Tool which features numerous ways to make different shapes. This classic art tool now comes in a new streamlined design that highlights the 11-by-8-inch screen in an attractively rounded blue frame with custom-molded places for the enclosed magnetic stamps. It's a simple but ingenious toy. Just use the attached magnetic pen to write messages, draw pictures, or play games on the Magna Doodle's screen. (A light touch is all that's needed to create strong black lines on its surface--too much pressure can leave permanent marks.) You can also use the six stampers (shapes include flowers, stars, circles, and even dogs and people) to create instant patterns. But here comes the cool part: grab the orange bar at the bottom of the screen, give it a couple of pulls, and the screen is immediately erased! While Magna Doodle is a great vehicle to stir up a kid's imagination, it can also be used practically as a message board at home.
The Magna Doodle drawing toy taps into a child's innate desire for creative expression in a fun, mess-free way. With its magnetic pen, young artists can effortlessly draw faces, shapes, and whatever else their imaginations conjure up, without the need for ink, paint, or crayons. The drawing surface serves as both a canvas and an instant eraser, providing a magical, ever-changing space to explore their artistic instincts. The magnetic pen adds an element of tactile pleasure, as kids feel the slight pull against the drawing board, giving them a unique sense of control and interaction. It's not just about drawing; it's also about experimenting with how lines and shapes can be manipulated using magnetism. This makes the Magna Doodle not only a toy but also a fascinating tool for understanding basic scientific principles. Because it's so portable and easy to use, it becomes an ideal companion for long car rides, restaurant waits, or any situation where a quick, engaging activity is needed. Offering endless possibilities for creativity and discovery, the Magna Doodle is more than just a drawing toy—it's a platform for imagination, learning, and endless fun.
Sources and editorial notes
Reviewed October 15, 2026 against the original text and image. Mattel’s 31346 instructions show the same six shape types and a similar board layout; the photo alone does not establish the exact model or accessory bundle. The manual supports basic drawing, erasing and screen care, not every accessory or dimension in the archive. The activities are editorial suggestions; no physical board was tested.
- Mattel: Magna Doodle 31346 instructions (PDF) — Older six-stamper board reference; compare the model number on your own toy.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.