I love going out to eat. Any chance that I can get to escape my own kitchen and not have to cook and clean up, I will take! When Balian was a baby, going to restaurants was easy... he just slept in his carrier, or played with his little plastic keys and sort of looked around. He was so quiet and content. Going out to eat with a fifteen month old is completely different! He never wants to eat, because there's just too much going on. He'll sometimes throw a fit about having to sit in a high chair, and it's only a matter of time before he starts screaming, just because he can.

When Balian discovered paper placemats and crayons at restaurants, things began to calm down a little bit. He would color for a few minutes, but then get frustrated, throw crayons on the floor (or try to eat them) and tear the paper placemat into pieces. When I came across Modern-Twist a few weeks ago, I knew I had to reach out to them. 

Modern-Twist creates eco-chic products for a sustainable planet. Founder Kat Nouri, believes that what you eat on is as important as what you actually eat, which is why she works to bring modern, functional and safe art to the table. Modern-Twist offers a variety of eco-friendly products for the table including placemats, coasters and more. They even make placemats that are designed specifically with children in mind!

 Modern-Twist Kidz Box...

Farm Buddies Placemat and markers...

B, trying his hand at coloring on his placemat...

I was lucky enough to receive a Modern-Twist Kidz Box, which contained one of their very cool Kidz Placemats and a set of markers. The placemat  in our box was the Farm Buddies placemat. The placemat itself is pretty neat. It's a non-porous and germ-free surface, and is BPA-free, lead-free, latex-free, and free of other harsh chemicals, as well. It is heat-proof up to 425 degrees, too! I can definitely feel good about Balian using this placemat. The Farm Buddies mat is really neat- it has a farm, tractor, plants and animals, all ready to be colored! The markers that come with the placemats in the Kidz Boexes are safe to use- they are dry erase, washable, and wipeable. Now, Balian is a little young yet to be coloring on this mat, but I decided to let him try it out. He does enjoy coloring, and it would probably work well for him with markers that are a little smaller for his little hands. He did color a little bit on the placemat. He got a lot of the color on his hands, and a little on his clothing, but it was no big deal. It wiped right off of his skin, and came out of his clothes with no trouble.

Even though Balian probably won't be coloring on the placemat for a few months, I am absolutely thrilled to have it! I have been keeping it in our diaper bag, and toting it along when we go out to eat. I love being able to put that placemat from Modern-Twist on the table and place Balian's little pieces of chicken, rice, veggies or whatever on it. I hate seeing people place their children's food directly on a restaurant table- you just never know what it was last cleaned with. Now, I really don't have to worry about that. And I can very simply and easily give it a little soapy rinse when I get back home, let it dry, and it's ready to be used again.

 Farm Buddies Placemat...

I think the Kidz Boxes from Modern-Twist are a must for the car, as well! These would be perfect to take on car trips, or to have at grandma and grandpa's house! They're also great to have around the house to pull out on a rainy day! What child doesn't like to explore their inner artist and express their creativity? This big kid (me) still loves to color!

Modern-Twist also has beautiful, functional placemats and more for adults to enjoy!

Here are a few of my favorites...

 Damask Spruce on Beige...

 Studio Placemats...

 Doileez...

Trivetz...

I am so glad that I have had the chance to learn about Modern-Twist and try out their placemats. This placemat is going to be around for a while, as Balian grows. I can tell that he's going to have a lot of fun coloring at home, at restaurants, while traveling, etc through the years! The Kidz Boxes from Modern-Twist would make great gifts! The ways you could gift them are endless- Valentine's Day, put one in an Easter basket, birthdays, little thank you gifts for a flower girl or ring bearer, and much more!

Want It? Buy It!

You can purchase your own placemats, Kidz Boxes and more from Modern-Twist! Take a look around their website- it's really neat!

Want It? Win It!

Two lucky MBP readers will receive their very own Kidz Box- complete with a placemat and markers! Just use our super easy entry form below to enter to win!

Special thanks to Modern-Twist for allowing us the opportunity to try their products and for offering this cool giveaway for our readers!

Good luck, everyone!

~Ondria~

Disclosure: Other than the Kidz Box I received for review purposes from Modern-Twist, I was not compensated for facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own. Your experience may differ.