An art easel is a great addition to any toddler’s playroom to help unleash their creativity. Most easels have multiple surfaces to keep one or multiple kids busy, and trays to hold all the important accessories. But which is the best easel for toddlers?
There are many easels out there, but based on price, features, and real parent reviews, we chose the Hape All-in-One Wooden Kid’s Art Easel as the best easel for toddlers on the market.
Best Easels for Toddlers
The Kinder King Art Easel is not height adjustable; whereas the Step2 Great Creations Art Center is height adjustable from 37.60 – 43.50″. Both have white board and chalkboard sides with paper rolls and magnetic capabilities.
Hape All-in-One Wooden Kid’s Art Easel
The Hape All-in-One Wooden Kid’s Art Easel with Paper Roll and Accessories is very similar to the Melissa & Doug easel, as it still uses very natural materials.
However, one thing that stuck out to me is the location of the paper roll holder. It seems much more intuitive and a better location for easier changing. It has a magnetic surface on the dry-erase side.
This art easel was also the winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award for 2014.
Features and benefits:
- Fully height adjustable (The highest height is 43.50 inches and the lowest height is 37.60 inches)
- Sturdy, classic design with fun colors
- Dual worksurface – dry erase and chalkboard
- Dry-erase surface is also magnetic
- Water-resistant surfaces for easy cleanup
- Storage space for art supplies
- Highly rated – 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 160+ reviews
Cons
- Cannot be folded, needs to be disassembled to stow away
Kinder King Wooden Art Easel
The Kinder King Art Easel is ripe with features. It has dual surfaces (dry erase and chalkboard), is magnetic, has multiple trays, and two removable storage bins. It also has a paper roller for painting or coloring, two spill proof paint cups, and two magnets.
Features and benefits:
- Easy to assemble
- Dual surface – chalkboard on one side and dry erase on the other side
- Dry erase side is also magnetic
- Includes paper roller
- Two anti spill paint cups
- Several trays to hold art supplies
- Two removable storage bins
- Stable pyramid structure
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Does not fold for easy storage
- Height does not adjust
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel
I wanted to include this Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel as a contender for many reasons. It’s a solid kid-friendly brand that is generally made with the child in mind. It’s also one of the highest-rated on Amazon, and I’m sure that’s no accident.
However, this easel does not have a magnetic surface, which is really surprising. As such, it is only an easel with limited functionality. Most parents don’t seem to mind this though, as it has over a thousand happy users. So take note, and decide for yourselves whether a magnetic surface is something you need to have in an easel.
Features and benefits:
- Three set height adjustments
- 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 1,200 + reviews
- Dry erase board on one side, chalkboard on the other side
- Multiple clips to hold paper (or other items) are included
- Although it will work for a toddler, per Melissa & Doug, it’s “ideal for ages 4 to 10”
- Durable plastic tray with cup holders for art supplies
- Paper roll holder
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Neither side is magnetic
- Paper rolls and paint are not included
- Paper roll holder is in an awkward location
- Easy to disassemble too (as in, your child can potentially do it)
- Chalkboard may be difficult to draw on
Double Sided Adjustable Kids Easel
As much as I like the durability of plastic, I also enjoy the natural wood look. This Double Sided Adjustable Kids Easel is more my style with its natural wood. It also has a magnetic surface which I feel is a must!
This easel is filled with extras such as two paper rolls, finger paints, markers, magnet buttons, magnetic alphabet and numbers, paint smock, brushes and palette, chalk, and an eraser.
Features and Benefits:
- This easel is highly rated by parents
- Natural wood look
- Grows with your child, for ages 2-8
- 3 levels of adjustable heights
- Whiteboard and chalkboard
- Paper Roller with two rolls of paper
- Both sides are also magnetic for using numbers, letters, or other magnets
- Magnetic letters and numbers are included
Cons
- It does not fold up for easy storage
Step2 Great Creations Art Center Easel
Whether you already have multiple Step2 items in your child’s playroom or not, the Step2 Great Creations Art Center Easel would be a great addition to the playroom. Its sturdy design is typical of Step2 items, which means durability for those wild and crazy toddler years.
It also has enough activities to engage small children and let them be very creative – dry erase board, chalkboard, and a magnetic surface. It’s the perfect size for toddlers and beyond.
Features and benefits:
- Sturdy, durable plastic design that is sure to last
- Whiteboard desktop
- Double-sided for multiple children to play
- Art caddy, cubbies, and bins for storing accessories
- Chair and desk area for sitting
Cons
- Many parents say that assembling this is pretty difficult
Best Table Easel for Toddlers
Crayola Art-to-Go Table Easel
A regular art easel for toddlers takes up a lot of floor space. The Crayola Art-to-Go Table Easel lets your little Van Gogh do their thing in a home of any size. The best part is that they can take their paper and chosen medium on the road for when inspiration strikes at the park or on a road trip or even in a different room in the house!
With dry erase, chalkboard, and clips for paper, your child can play with whatever they like. The built-in storage and folding are both convenient. Plus, the smaller tabletop size is perfect for smaller art from smaller hands. It’s on the go fun for ages 3 and up.
Pros
- Dry erase board with included eraser
- Lots of colors appeal to toddlers
- Great size for table or desk use
- Chalkboard can help learn blending techniques
- Two plastic paper clips on chalkboard size for holding paper
- Center of the easel has 2 storage trays and even marker holders
- Folds down flat and locks shut for travel
- Carrying handle
- Measures 12.3 inches tall and 14 inches wide
Cons
- Have to buy all art supplies separately
- Chalkboard indents easily
- Whiteboard can peel off with persistent erasing
- Not as sturdy as some wooden options
Best Baby Easel
Art Easel for Kids
Many of the choices on this list are adjustable, but the Art Easel for Kids is the shortest easel on this list, at just over 32 inches tall at the shortest setting. This is great news for parents of shorter or smaller kiddos! But the even better news is that this easel is fully adjustable and can go up to 42.5 inches tall so that it has the growing ability as your child sprouts up.
Paper rolls are nice, but they’re one more thing that can break and needs constant replacing with a new roll. This kids art easel offers a chalkboard on one side and a whiteboard on the other. Both surfaces are magnetic, and you can use magnets or paper clips to hold up a sheet of art paper if you choose. With the included storage and bonus art supplies that come with, you just can’t go wrong with this fun easel.
Pros
- Magnetic chalkboard and magnetic whiteboard
- Board rotates a full 360 degrees
- Height adjusts from 32.3″ to 42.5″ tall
- Storage tray underdrawing surface
- Sturdy and colorful plastic with no sharp corners
- Includes magnetic eraser, magnets, markers, chalk, chalk holder, storage cup, and magnets
- Folds flat for storage or use on the ground
Cons
- Not as high-quality as other options
- Can tip over if drawing too hard
- Assembly is a guessing game, as instructions are often left out
Toddler Easels Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Step2 Great Creations Art Center Easel | 8.4 | 9.4 | 149.99 |
| Kinder King Wooden Art Easel | 8.3 | - | 89.99 |
| Double Sided Adjustable Kids Easel | 7.5 | - | 89.99 |
| Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel | 9.9 | 9.4 | 74.99 |
| Hape All-in-One Wooden Kid's Art Easel | 9.7 | 9.4 | 73.04 |
| Art Easel for Kids | 3.9 | 9.2 | 69.99 |
| Crayola Art-to-Go Table Easel | 8.2 | 8.6 | 14.58 |
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Must-have Features of a Toddler Easel
Dual Surface
Most easels on the market have a whiteboard on one side and a chalkboard on the other side. This is such a great feature because it gives the child multiple surfaces to work on and each surface has different activities.
The whiteboard surface can be used with dry-erase markers and erasers. Usually, the dry erase side (but sometimes both sides) will also have a clip for holding a paper. This means parents can clip blank paper or coloring pages up there for the child to work on.
My boys always loved to print out coloring pages on the computer that related to shows they would watch – Ninja Turtles, Pokemon, superheroes, Minecraft, etc. as these sometimes could not be found in coloring books in stores.
Easy to Clean
An easel, by nature, is going to get drawn on and painted on. It is important for an easel to be somewhat easy to clean.
A plastic surface is probably the easiest to clean as you could scrub away or maybe even use a Magic Eraser on it (try in an inconspicuous spot first!). Some wood frames are easier to clean than others, depending on the coating of the surface.
If paint falls on your carpet, no worries! We have tips on how to get kids paint out of carpet here.
Durable
An easel should be durable enough to withstand the creative pursuits of children of most ages. Most easels on the market today are fairly durable.
A heavy plastic frame, such as that of the Step2 easel may be more durable than the wooden frames. But this also depends on how well the wooden frame is put together as well as which connectors it uses.
Height adjustable
It’s important for an easel to be height adjustable to accommodate children from 2-3 years on and grow with them. Most easels reviewed have height adjustments to last children until they are about 8 years old and some even longer than that.
Magnetic
I feel it’s a must to have a magnetic surface on an easel. It opens up many activities such as using magnetic letters, numbers, and shapes for creative play or learning or sticking materials or coloring pages onto the easel.
Easy to Fold and Stow Away
To me, the easel should be somewhat easy to take down and put away.
Some people might not have permanent easel space. I like to be able to fold an easel flat, tuck it away behind something next to the wall and have it out of sight. An even better bonus is if it’s easily taken down and put up.
Some easels in this review can be put up at a moment’s notice while others are more cumbersome.
Paper Roll Holder
Since most art easels can be used with blank paper (either via clip or paper roll), it’s a bonus to me for an easel to have a built-in paper roll holder. The paper roll holder should be in such a location that it’s easy to dispense and easy to reload. You can purchase paper rolls from most local craft stores, IKEA, or online.
FAQs about Toddler Easels
At what age can my child use a pen or crayon?
Probably not before the age of one year, and possibly not before two-and-a-half. It depends upon the exposures, development, and interests of the child. The development of fine motor skills varies greatly from child to child.
At what age can my child begin to draw lines and shapes?
Usually, a child can begin to draw shapes and lines between the ages of two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half years. Again, it depends upon the child’s exposures, development, and interests.
Some children are eager to “draw” at very early ages, and others would rather engage in other kinds of play. It is in this same age range that children may first be able to use a paintbrush.
How should I introduce my very young child to artistic activities?
The standard, of course, is scribbling with chunky crayons. Finger-painting is an excellent introduction. Washable markers, sidewalk chalk, or bath crayons can also be good art supplies for little ones. And, of course, play dough.
Remember that the point, for the toddler, is not to create a beautiful work of art or realistic image, but rather, to become acquainted with the materials and to have fun.
Why would my child need an easel? Wouldn’t a table do just as well?
A table is adequate, of course; but an easel does have some advantages, especially for children. The greatest advantage of the easel for any artist is that it puts the art surface at an angle more similar to the angle at which we naturally view the world. In other words, when I view a tree, I generally stand upright, and the tree is upright.
Creating the image on an easel (near vertical) is more natural than creating it on a table (at horizontal). For children, activity and muscle development are just as important. An easel provides more freedom of movement and allows art to be a more active experience.
Why doesn’t my preschooler want to draw or color?
Often, a child just isn’t interested. It’s not so important that a child draw or color aside from his or her preparation for writing when the time comes.
If you notice that your child has trouble with other fine motor activities: buttoning, zipping, using age-appropriate interlocking toys, etc., you might want to investigate whether there is some delay in the development of fine motor skills.
Some children are late in developing motor skills, especially fine motor, and may need some extra encouragement and practice to be ready to write when they start school.
What kinds of features should I look for in an art easel or table for my toddler?
Features vary greatly, but some of the most important considerations are:
- Safety
- Ease of cleaning
- Size
- Age range
- Storage for art supplies
- Versatility
- Portability
