My personal experiences with using Aqua Dots by SpinMaster.  Some suggestions when buying and when using this children's bead craft product.

At first, when I saw all the infomercials on TV for Aqua Dots, I was a skeptic.  I run a daycare for preschool age children and if they saw the ad, they would get excited.  I really thought they would I would be disappointed until we actually tried them. 

This craft is suggested for ages 4 and up, but with supervision, some of the younger children were able to use it too.  It really does help with a child's fine motor skills.

If you've never tried Aqua Dots, you need some type of starter kit, which has at least 1 tray, 1 template, aqua dot beads, and a Spray bottle.  Your choices are the Super Studio, The Starter Pen Pack, or the Tray Pack. 

1.  The SuperStudio is the deluxe (has everything you need to get started,) but is the most expensive choice.  It's big, bulky, and not really handy when you want to store it.)  I personally think it's over priced, but it does have different templates (we'll get to that later.)

2.  If you're looking for something to better fit your budget and still give you everything you need to get started, , I would suggest The Starter Pen Pack.  It comes with a fillable 4 chamber pen to put different color beads in (funnel included,) 2 trays (which you need depending on whether your design template is horizontal or vertical,) a water Spray bottle, 6 templates designs, and 500 Aqua Dots to start off with. 

3.  The 3rd and "cheapest" option would be the Tray Pack.  This is a great option if you just want to try the product out.  It comes with a smaller Spray bottle, 1 template design, only 1 tray, and 150 aqua dots. 

My personal favorite?  The Aqua Dots Starter Pen Pack.  Why?  Because this one is the children's favorite at my place!  It's also small and easier to store and the pen is handy for dispensing the dots onto the tray (even though the kids may have to move some dots over with their fingers if they fall into the wrong spot.)  The designs are really rather cool looking once they're finished and dried well.  We've glued our finished designs onto other crafts, for a 3-D look.

Once you have purchased a starter pack (assuming you don't lose any important, needed parts) you'll only need to purchase refill packs to keep up the fun!  These come with the highest number of Aqua Dots (most packs that I have found are 750 count.)  They offer Crystal Refill Pack (which has 5 bright colors, )  The Glow In The Dark Refill Pack (5 colors also,) and several Themed Refill Packs (6 colors each and 6 more Template Designs & Aqua Shapes.) 

We have better use for the Crystal Refill Packs and Glow In The Dark Refill Packs.  No, they don't come with any more templates, but they do have more of each color, so they last longer.  I have found that it's not very hard to copy a design from the any of the packages.  All it requires is a little bead counting.  Start at the top left.........move right......and so on!  Older children like to make up their own designs, too.

We've also made our own designs by placing a cut-out picture underneath the tray and filling the beads in that way!  All in all, this is a really fun craft toy and keeps them busy for long periods of time!

I've read other reviews and see that some people have claimed that their patterns don't hold together well.  Not a problem for us at all!  I make sure we soak the design well on both sides (once the first side has dried) and you MUST let it dry completely.  To be on the safe side, I would suggest letting it dry overnight.  It takes a little patience, but your child has something to look forward to the next day, too.  Personally, I've used a hair dryer to speed things along and had great luck with that.  I also prop the tray up at an angle when allowing to dry.

I think I've covered all the juicy stuff.........you should really check these out!  We love them!

Starter Pen Pack

Super Studio

Aqua Dots Tray Pack

Crystal Refill Pack 750 Aqua Dots

Glow in the Dark Refill Pack

Themed Refill Packs