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As parents, we understand the importance of providing our kids with a balanced lifestyle that includes exposure to a wide range of different types of activities. Creativity features high on that list and what better way to motive kids to unleash their inner Picasso than by giving them a dedicated workspace, which is why this best easels for toddlers will be about.
Not only does an easel provide them with the opportunity to explore their creativity from a very young age, but drawing and painting can also be very therapeutic when toddlers are not yet able to either write down their feelings or accurately describe what they are feeling.
So to celebrate your child’s creativity, we’ve gone and searched for the very best easels available on the market!
Best Easels for Toddlers: Our Top Picks
The Step2 Flip and Doodle Desk
The Step2 Flip and Doodle Desk is a great choice if you are looking for your toddler’s very first easel. The easel is suitable for ages 2 years and up and features a magnetic dry-erase whiteboard. Individual pieces of paper can also be attached to the top of the board, secured by means of a plastic clip should your little one wish to paint.
The upright whiteboard easily flips down, transforming into a sturdy desktop on which your toddler can rest on in order to draw or color. The desktop is even sturdy enough to use modeling clay on.
We love the ample storage space that includes space for pens, pencils, paintbrushes, crayons, etc. at the top. The Step2 Flip and Doodle Desk also contains two large storage bins, situated at the bottom of the easel, and two smaller bins just above that, however, the common consensus between parents is that these bins are still a little too small for all of the art supplies.
The easel also features an additional storage space at the back of the easel for keeping standard coloring-in books but if you plan on placing the easel up against the wall, you will most likely struggle to reach that particular storage space.
While the easel is very sturdy, it is easy to move around the house. We suggest that you add some non-slip grips to the chair and easel if you have smooth floors. We love that kids have the option of either sitting or standing while creating their masterpiece. This particular design of the stool also makes it easy for kids to sit at the desk.
Unfortunately one is unable to adjust the height of the easel. The easel also mainly consists out of plastic which is not very favorable for the environment. We also would have preferred a chalkboard on the flip side of the easel but all in all, this is a very sturdy, versatile little easel.
The Hape All-in-One Wooden Kid’s Art Easel
The Hape All-in-One Wooden Kid’s Art Easel is a simplistic, double-sided easel that is guaranteed to get the creative juices flowing. The easel features a magnetic whiteboard on the one side and a black chalkboard on the other side as well as a 15-inch replaceable paper roll.
We love that the easel is height adjustable with three different settings. At the lowest setting, the easel is 37.60 inches tall, while at its highest, 43.50 inches. Unfortunately, the height of the individual boards cannot be adjusted independently.
The easel provides storage space in the form of a tray and can also accommodate three paint cups on one side only, included in the purchase. The other side contains a slot for pencils or chalk but space is very limited. The replacement paper roll also seems to be a little expensive as the 18 inches, which does not fit here, is more popular.
A Strip that operates with clips makes it easy to clamp down paper on the easel. Sadly, the storage tray makes it impossible to fold the easel flat for storage but on the upside, it does provide a sturdier easel for the kids to work on.
The KidKraft 62043.0 Storage Easel
The KidKraft 62043.0 Storage Easel is sturdy and as the name suggests, provides abundant storage space for all your kids’ art supplies.
The easel has three storage baskets at the bottom as well as two plastic trays, attached to either side of the easel. On the one side, you will find a dry-erase board which, unfortunately, is not magnetized, while the other side features a black chalkboard.
The easel also has a paper roll attached to the top that is easy to roll down. The paper is kept in place using a strip at the bottom of the easel on the dry erase side.
The KidKraft 62043.0 Storage Easel is not height adjustable but reaches 47.6 inches, deeming it suitable for kids aged 36 months to 8 years.
Due to the lovely storage space at the bottom of the easel, the easel is unable to fold up for easy storage – You will have to take the easel apart first should you wish to fold it down. On a positive note though, the tray does make for a sturdier easel.
We particularly love the Espresso color on this easel as it offers a more tasteful look compared to that of cheap wood which is more commonly found. Assembly of the easel is a little tricky but should take you no more than one hour to construct. The KidKraft 62043.0 Storage Easel also includes three paint cups with lids.
The Mont Marte Deluxe Standing Tabletop Kids Easel
The Mont Marte Deluxe Standing Tabletop Kids Easel is an excellent alternative to the more traditional easel if you have limited space available.
The easel, available with either a blue, red, or pink finish, features a whiteboard (not magnetized) on the one side and a chalkboard on the other and also includes a 12-inch paper roll. The paper can be clipped to the board using the four screws that are included in order to keep it in place.
The Table Top Kids Easel folds flat for easy storage and even features a travel handle to make life and transportation easier. The easel stands 17.6 inches tall and is suitable for kids 4 years and older. We appreciate that care has been taken to make the edges child-friendly.
Small trays are attached at the bottom of the easel for art supplies but don’t expect to store much. It is probably also a good idea to add non-slip grips to the legs of the easel to prevent slipping on a table. Included in your purchase are a 12-inch paper roll, 12 pc chalk set, one eraser, and a marker.
The Crayola Magnetic Double-Sided Easel
The Crayola Magnetic Double-sided Easel is perfect for when your little one is busy discovering art. The board features a magnetic dry-erase board on the one side and a chalkboard on the other side and stands 43 inches tall.
There is a fair amount of storage space with 4 removable bins, two on either side. These trays, although small, are perfect for storing magnetic letters/numbers, chalk, and perhaps a dry eraser.
A clip at the top of the easel is used to secure pieces of paper but there is no place to attach a paper roll to the easel. According to manufacturers, the Crayola Magnetic Double-Sided Easel is suitable for children 12 months and older but because this board includes 77 small magnetic numbers and letters, we would advise that caution is taken with little ones.
The easel folds flat for easy storage which is an added bonus seeing that most easels need to be taken apart in order to store efficiently. You will also need to purchase your own chalk and dry eraser for this board and while you’re in the store, we suggest you also add some non-slip grips for the easel if you plan on using it on a smooth surface.
The Art 101 Kids 179-Piece Double-Sided Trifold Easel Art Set
We love the Art 101 Kids 179-Piece Double-Sided Trifold Easel Art Set because of its multiple art supplies, compact size, and portability.
This unconventional double-sided pop-up easel contains everything from crayons to paint to color markers (Follow this link for a full description), exposing your child to a wide array of artistic utensils. The set is suitable for kids 6 years and older.
Unfortunately, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t mention that although the supplies are ample, they are of poor quality. The markers dry out very quickly and tough the pastels may technically be pastels according to specifications, the effect they provide is that of regular crayons which were a huge disappointment.
When popped up, the easel stands 16 inches tall. It is not as strong and sturdy as a regular easel which is what one would come to expect of a portable, pop-up easel but one has to keep in mind the convenience it offers. Paper can be clipped to the easel by means of four clips and two kids can draw on the easel at the same time.
We rather enjoyed the learning guide that is included in the set, featuring the fundamentals of drawing, painting, and a simple color mixing guide. The case is also light and easy to carry thanks to its own carry handle. If the art supplies were perhaps of better quality, this easel would score very high in our books!
The ALEX Toys Artist Studio My Wall Easel
If you have limited space available then this wall easel will be the perfect buy for your little one. The ALEX Toys Artist Studio’s My Wall Easel features a chalkboard as well as a 12-inch paper roll that will provide hours of fun and creativity.
The easel is sold with a hanging bracket that is easy to install, however, note that you will need to drill a hole or two in order to safely secure the bracket to the wall. The easel can easily be removed from the bracket for storage but keep in mind that the bracket will stay behind, making this a non-portable easel.
The My Wall Easel sits at 26 x 4.8 x 20 inches and is suitable for kids aged 3 years and older. Keeping its size in mind, the only complaints parents may have is that the paper roll is a little small but in essence, this product is meant to be a “space saver”.
The easel makes use of clamps and a red bar to hold the paper in place and contains a safety cutter, making it safe for kids to use. Included upon purchase is a tray and four multi-colored cups for either paint or art supplies. Sadly there is no magnetic feature on this board.
Little Partners Tri-Side Art Easel
Little Partners has a unique three-sided easel that is perfect for siblings or friends to share. The three panels consist out of a chalkboard, a felt board, and a magnetic dry-erase board and can also accommodate an 18-inch paper roll feeder on the magnetic dry-erase panel.
One of our favorite features of this Tri-side Art Easel is that each panel’s height can be adjusted independently. The panels can reach a height of up to 48.03 inches when fully extended and 40 inches when at their lowest setting. This allows you to cater to each individual child as well as leaving ample room to grow with your child.
The Little Partners Tri-Side Art Easel also has a large bottom shelf that can fit a storage basket and improves the sturdiness of this easel.
The panels each feature a deep pencil ledge on each side for art supplies. On the magnetic dry-erase side, there is space for 4 non-spill paint cups, included upon purchase, and a wooden clamp to secure the paper.
An 18-inch paper roll and the eraser are also included but you will have to buy your own magnetic letters/numbers, chalk, pens, and felt shapes.
The set-up can be a little challenging, especially if you are only one person so make sure to rope someone in to assist you.
Wrapping it up
That’s our list! We tried our best to include a wide variety of styles and features to ensure that you find the best possible easel suitable for your child and your home.
This is one gift that promises to offer hours of fun and creativity with your beloved kids and perhaps a teachable moment or two! You might even catch yourself doodling along with them… After all, we all have a little creativity somewhere within us!
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