The Best Kids’ Easels for Artistic Toddlers
From finger paintings to doodles, toddler art is adorable. And flexing those artistic skills can be beneficial for their development too. Spending time working on art projects encourages your child’s creative expression and fine motor skills, says Ann Williams, MD, an occupational therapist and developmental psychologist. One of the best ways to encourage your little one’s creative streak is to provide them with a kids’ easel. Both a toy and a tool, an easel provides an organized and clean space for your kids to paint, draw, use chalk, dry erase markers or, in some cases, even configure magnetic toys like numbers and letters. Creating art on an easel “provides a fun and interactive way to learn about colors, shapes, and textures, helps kids develop hand-eye coordination, visual-spatial skills, and problem-solving abilities,” says Williams.
Whether you opt for a tabletop easel or a free-standing model, a kids’ easel should be sturdy and well-constructed. Here find top tips on what to look for in an easel, plus our favorite options available now.
In the market for a kids’ art easel? With so many options on the market today, it can be difficult to determine what type to go for. While many easels for kids have similar features, the best model for your little one depends on what you’ll be using it for. One feature all of the best easels share? Versatility. “Easels that allow kids to use paint, chalk, markers and crayons, along with having clips or rolls to hold paper will keep them entertained longer and introduce them to different types of art,” says Williams. Here are a few other things to consider:
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Easel type. There are two main types: a traditional standing art easel and a tabletop easel. Tabletop easels allow kids to sit down while they paint or draw, which is a big plus point for younger children that tend to tire easily. On the other hand, if your little one struggles to sit still, a traditional easel—which is used in a standing position—may be a better option.
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Sturdiness and durability. The best kids’ easels are made with high quality materials. Remember your little one may lean forward while they draw, so standing easels should have four sturdy legs that lock into place. Tabletop easels for kids should also have a stable base to prevent it tipping over or collapsing during art class. Wooden easels are great for indoor use but if you intend to set up your kids’ easel in the backyard, opt for a plastic option that is waterproof and UV-resistant to prevent fading.
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Adjustable height settings. Kids’ easels can be expensive, so longevity is important. Easels with adjustable height settings grow with your child and ensure that they can practice good posture while they paint, draw or scribble.
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Easy to clean. Toddlers love to get messy—especially during art and craft sessions. That’s why it’s important to choose an easel that’s easy to clean. Fortunately, most kids’ easels can be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove marks made by paint, chalk or pens. Some options even include trays to capture paint splodges or spills.
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Size and storage options. Before purchasing a kids’ easel measure the space you intend to place it. Standing easels work well if you have plenty of room to work with; whereas countertop models are easy to fold flat and store away.
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Single-sided or double-sided. Some kids’ easels are double-sided meaning siblings or friends can use it at the same time.
Ready to start your search? From chalkboard easels that allow for easy clean-up to traditional mixed media models, level up your little one’s art projects with one of these easels for kids.
Overall best kids’ easel
- Adjustable height and angle
- Three reusable paint pots
- Paper roll attached at the top
- This easel uses a non-standard paper roll size, so replacements may be harder to source
When it comes to a kids’ easel, it’s hard to beat this one by Hape. It’s bright colors and sturdy construction make it a favorite among kids and parents alike, but there’s more to love. This easel has it all: a paper roll on the top, adjustable height settings and a double-sided art surface that houses both a blackboard and a magnetic whiteboard. Not to mention, there’s plenty of storage and even a few cups to store markers and paint brushes.
- Product dimensions: 20.5 x 16 x 42 inches
- Age range: 3+
Best kids’ easel with paper roll
- Double-sided easel includes a chalkboard, whiteboard and paper roll
- Sturdy wooden construction
- Comes with plastic storage bins and three paint pots with lids
- Some parents say that the chalkboard is too slick and that colors do not show up clearly
- Whiteboard is not magnetic
- Height is not adjustable
Many kids’ easels come with paper, but the KidKraft takes our top spot as the best option with a paper roll due to the way it’s mounted. The roll is perched on the top of the easel where a dowel spins easily to release more paper when it’s time for your little one to create their next masterpiece. The paper is threaded through a slot at the top of the easel to keep it in place, and it’s easy to remove when it’s time to replace the roll as well. We also love the fact that this easel is incredibly sturdy and boasts plenty of storage for art supplies too.
- Product dimensions: 23.25 x 25.25 x 47.75 inches
- Age range: 3+
Best kids’ easel with storage
- Easy-refill paper roll
- Features two storage bins, a paint tray and four resealable cups
- Available in five colors
- Some parents say the whiteboard has a tendency to crack and peel
- Height is not adjustable
It would be difficult to find a kids’ easel with more storage options than this one by Little Partners. Not only does it have a tray with four non-spill paint cups, it also has two shelves below for additional storage. Better yet, it comes with two fabric baskets to contain the inevitable clutter that comes with creative play. One side is a blackboard while the other is a magnetic whiteboard and at the top there’s a paper roll, so your little one can choose their favorite artistic medium. And there’s even a holding clip, so you can hang up paintings to dry or use it to display your kiddo’s latest masterpiece.
- Product dimensions: 19 x 23 x 51 inches
- Age: 3+
Best double-sided kids’ easel
- Art board rotates 360 degrees
- Easel comes with magnetic letters
- Includes a paint tray with cups for art supplies
- Plastic material isn’t as sturdy as other options
- Paper roll sold separately
The Crayola Qwikflip has an artboard that spins 360 degrees, making it one of the best double-sided easels we’ve seen. There’s no need to turn the easel or move all the supplies once your little one is finished on one side; simply flip the board for a fresh, new surface. It has a magnetic dry-erase board on one side and a traditional chalkboard on the opposite. There’s also a paper roll holder underneath the easel and clips on the board, for kids that prefer to put pen to paper. Plus, the plastic easel folds flat for easy storage.
- Product dimensions: 18 x 21 x 42 inches
- Age: 3+
Best kids’ tabletop easel
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Small tabletop design
- Comes with art supplies and accessories
- Height and angle are not adjustable
If you’re short on space or your little one prefers to sit down while they draw, this easel for kids is a great option. Perfectly sized for a desk or table, this sturdy wooden easel boasts a magnetic dry-erase board on one side and a chalkboard on the other. It also has a built-in paper roll holder with a size guide and tear-bar, meaning your kid won’t pull off endless reams of paper. But the best part is that this set comes with tons of art supplies and accessories including a dry-erase marker, an eraser, chalk sticks, a 50-foot-long paper roll, 36 letter and number magnets and an art supply tray. Talk about bang for your buck!
- Product dimensions: 17 x 5 x 20 inches
- Age: 3+
Best kids’ chalkboard easel
- Affordable price point
- Simple design
- Chalk, marker and eraser included
- Whiteboard is not magnetic
- Height is not adjustable
- Some parents say the easel frame is a little flimsy
Looking for a no-frills chalkboard easel for kids? Check out this affordable option by Kidzlane. There’s a large chalkboard on one side and a whiteboard on the reverse. It’s small enough to allow toddlers to stand and draw, while older kids can sit down while they hone their craft. And most importantly, the chalkboard surface is smooth and shows color well, unlike some other kids’ easel brands.
- Product dimensions: 15.75 x 12 x 25.75 inches
- Age: 3+
Best wooden kids’ easel
- Quality construction
- Paper and alphabet magnets included
- This easel coordinates with other furniture pieces in the Delta Classic Collection
- Some parents say it was delivered with missing parts
- Height is not adjustable
This kids’ easel by Delta comes in three attractive wood finishes: gray, white and black. It features a chalkboard, a magnetic dry-erase whiteboard and a pull-down paper roll on top with 33 feet of paper to play with. Just the right height for growing artists, this easel has a sturdy A-frame base and two storage bins to keep art supplies tidy. The best part? It’s Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it’s free from over 10,000 potentially harmful chemicals.
- Product dimensions: 22 x 21 x 41 inches
- Age: 3+
Best wall-mounted kids’ easel
- Solid construction
- Allows multiple children to play at once
- Easel can be mounted using drywall screws for maximum safety
- High price point
- While this easel does work with washable markers, it’s meant for use with paper rather than drawing directly on it
A wall-mounted easel is the perfect solution if you don’t have much floor space. At nearly 50 inches wide, this solid easel from Childcraft provides plenty of room for several kids to get creative side-by-side. And it can be securely mounted to the wall for an out-of-the-way place to play. Four clips at the top allow you to hang up to four pieces of paper for group play, and the handy storage tray has eight holes to add cups (not included) to hold paint or art supplies.
- Product dimensions: 49 x 10 x 27 inches
- Age: 3+
Best budget-friendly kids’ easel
- Adjustable height and angle
- Affordable price point
- Art supplies and accessories included
- This easel doesn’t come with a paper roll or clips
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly kids’ easel, look no further than this wooden option. At less than $20, this double-sided tabletop easel features a chalkboard and a whiteboard, giving your little one options when it comes to making their creations come to life. A sliding bar allows for easy height adjustment, and the chalkboard side features a magnetic surface for additional play opportunities.
- Product dimensions: 13 x 9 x 19 inches
- Age: 3+
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