Review: At Night Scratch Cards

After experiencing so many wonderful Djeco kits via Timberdoodle, we decided to use our reward points to try the At Night Scratch Cards. The kit is standard Djeco quality, including four illustrated cards, a wooden scratching tool, and a manual. I initially assumed these would function like traditional scratch art, where removing the top layer reveals a pre-set hidden image. However, I quickly discovered that these require the artist to scratch their own patterns and textures into the surface. While our first attempt was a bit "rough" due to this misunderstanding, it eventually became a wonderful exercise in creative freedom; I encouraged my daughter to bypass the manual's suggestions and scratch her own unique designs into the night scenes.

The base illustrations are truly lovely, featuring a nocturnal lineup of an owl, a cat, a fox, and a butterfly. As is my usual minor grievance with Djeco, I do wish the kit included more than four projects to extend the fun. The real showstopper here, however, is the glow-in-the-dark feature. I’ll admit I am usually a "glow-in-the-dark skeptic," as most products are quite underwhelming, but these cards are the exception. They glow remarkably bright and clear, providing a magical "reveal" once the lights go out that truly impressed us both.

Despite my daughter’s enthusiasm, I found myself less than enamored with this particular kit for a very specific reason: the sensory experience. The sound of the wooden tool against the cardstock is reminiscent of fingernails on a chalkboard, a noise I find particularly grating. I also personally prefer the kits that reveal hidden colors rather than requiring the student to "design" the reveal themselves. These are admittedly subjective complaints, but they did make this my least favorite Djeco experience so far.

If you have a child who thrives on open-ended creativity and you aren't sensitive to "chalky" sounds, this kit is a fantastic, mess-free option. It encourages fine motor precision and offers a unique reward with its impressive luminescence. However, if you are looking for a more structured "reveal" art project, I would steer you toward Djeco’s glitter or pom-pom kits instead. Those remain our gold standard for high-quality, engaging art electives that keep our homeschool days vibrant and fun.

We are already eyeing a few glitter-based Djeco kits for our next academic year, as you can truly never have too many ways to spark a child's imagination. Whether you are using points or buying them outright, these kits are a staple of our curriculum for a reason. I’m curious—do your kids prefer art kits that tell them exactly what to do, or do they like to "go rogue" and make their own designs like my daughter? Let us know in the comments!