Toddlerhood is a very special age at which children grow and learn faster than parents keep up. They are always up and moving, and toddlers love to touch and feel everything. That makes easels one of the best gifts for toddlers! Art Easels are the best way for kids to explore their creativity, and the standing nature of the best easels satisfies their need to always be wiggling and moving around.
Every easel has a unique size, design, and special features. As you select the best easel to meet your needs start by deciding if you will want a model that sits on a table or stands on its own. From there decide if height adjustment is important to you. Finally, consider the surfaces and storage space your easel should offer.
1. Tabletop Magnetic Easel & Whiteboard
If you are looking for the best simple easel that is a portable whiteboard, then the Tabletop Magnetic Easel and Whiteboard by DasKid may be exactly what you are looking for. It has two large sides that are both magnetic, so you toddler can enjoy arranging and rearranging magnetic letters and shapes. This is a great way for them to practice identifying those letters and shapes.
This easel also folds flat which makes it easy to transport and easy to store. Since it’s a whiteboard, you’ll never have to worry about restocking paper nor will chalk dust irritate young lungs. It’s easy to clean and will grow with your child. As a toddler, they can use it to write simple letters and arrange magnets. As they grow older it can be used to work out math problems and brainstorm writing assignments.
2. Aomola Kids Tabletop Easel
For those who want the best smaller size easel that can be rested on top of a table or laid flat and stored under a bed, the Aomola Kids Tabletop Easel is a great foldable option. It’s magnetic and has both a whiteboard and a chalkboard. The set comes with magnetic letters, shapes, and numbers, too. This has the design of a classic wooden easel and won’t take up much space. It’s a great choice for families on the go who want to bring an easel with them.
Aomola designed this easel for children ages 3 and up. They made it adjustable so that it can be flat or stand up. It’s also made to be friendly to the environment and offers a range of playtime options. The easel even comes with pattern cards to inspire your toddler as they enjoy the magnetic shapes that come with this easel.
3. Step2 Flip and Doodle Desk
The youngest toddlers will enjoy the Flip and Doodle Desk and Stool Easel by Step2. It has a wide and sturdy base along with a low center of gravity. You won’t need to worry about this easel tipping over. Step2 includes a stool to encourage your little one to get comfortable and sit down while working. Four storage bins under the easel make it easy to keep all of the art supplies you might need handy. It is the best versatile desk and easel option for young toddlers.
When toddlers tire of the easel design, the top folds down to form a desk and reveal a desk supply caddy with plastic trays. There are 2 slots to store books along the backside of the desk. It is important to note that this easel has a clip to hold paper but is made of plastic. It does not include a magnetic whiteboard or chalkboard surface. This is one of several Step2 easels that can be found on Amazon.com. All of the are great for toddlers ages 1 to 5.
4. Step2 All Around Easel for Two
Families with two young children will love the All Around Easel for Two by Step2. It is a simple, four-footed standing easel that allows a child to work on either side of the easel or allow one child to work on each side. Kids can develop their gross motor skills by working at a vertical surface of this easel while standing since the motion required to write, paint, or arrange objects in that way uses a large, arm-based motion.
Step2 made the base of this easel wide enough to make it difficult to tip over, and the entire design is very lightweight. There is a tray to store magnetic pieces below the easel along with 2 side trays that can be removed. One side of the easel offers a chalkboard surface, while the other has a dry erase board along with a clip to hold up a paper if that is preferred. Kids will love being able to work on either side of the easel.
5. Melissa & Doug Double-Sided Tabletop Easel
The Double-Sided Tabletop Easel by Melissa & Doug is the best easel for kids in families who want a small, portable design that doesn’t sacrifice a classic, strong construction from wood. It has a roll of paper along the top of the easel to make it easy to keep paper supplies on hand. The Easel can be flipped from a whiteboard side to a chalkboard side and back again, and it comes with a great bonus set of accessories.
This set includes magnetic numbers and letters in addition to a roll of paper, chalk, and a dry erase marker. This means that your toddler will be developing fine motor skills and enjoying creative play from the moment the easel arrives. When playtime is done, the easel will easily fold down flat to make it convenient to take along on a road trip or store in a small space. This is one of a few easels by Melissa & Doug that can be found on Amazon.com. Of course, they all come with the Melissa & Doug Happiness Guarantee.
6. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Standing Art Easel
Those who want the great quality of Melissa & Doug Easels, but prefer a standing model, will love their Deluxe Wooden Standing Art Easel. It has both a dry erase board and a chalkboard along with a paper holder that can lock a paper roll into place. It even has clips to keep paper in place, in addition to two plastic trays that are great storage bins for art supplies.
While this is a larger, standing easel for kids, it has been designed to fold flat. This will allow you to store it under a bed or in a closet without taking up too much storage space. It even has an adjustment feature to change the height of these easels so that they can grow with your toddler from ages 3 to 6.
7. Hape All-in-One Wooden Kid’s Art Easel
Hape designed the best easels for the young paint lovers of the world when they made the All-in-One Wooden Kid’s Art Easel. It has 3 paint cups that fit perfectly into the paint tray along the bottom of the easel, and an easy-to-use paper roll along the top of the easel makes for a huge roll of painting fun. You won’t need to worry about spilled paint, since the paint cups sit inside the tray, and your little one will love the chance to express themselves.
This easel does offer an adjustment to change the height to suit your child, and it has a chalkboard for chalk on one side along with a whiteboard that is magnetic on the other side. It has a great set-up to keep all of your art supplies close at hand. Toddlers’ Picasso dreams will come true with the best paint-friendly standing easel from Hape.
8. Weudear Kids Easel
The Weudear Kids Easel is a versatile classroom addition that’s sure to spark creativity in your young minds. Tailored to withstand daily use, it’s robust yet lightweight, and easy to relocate. Equipped with both chalkboard and whiteboard surfaces, it will seamlessly enable you to adapt to various teaching methods. Better yet, the adjustable height accommodates students of all ages, while its storage trays will help you keep all art supplies well-organized. For educators seeking to encourage both individual expression and group activities, this easel proves indispensable!
Conclusion
Amazon.com has a wide range of the best easels for kids from ages 1 to 8. Easels can be built to go on tabletops, stand freely, or fold into desks. Some easels even fold flat for the best storage options. While most easels have a chalkboard, some easels are best for other uses. Whatever design you decide is best suited for your needs, Amazon.com will have it at your door before your toddler’s next tantrum.