Staffeleien & Schreibtische

Wooden Easels and Desks for Children

Drawing at a table and drawing at an easel are different activities. Standing at a vertical surface uses the shoulder and whole arm rather than the fingers, which builds the strength and control that handwriting later depends on. It also lets a child step back and look, which they do constantly.

A desk is for the sitting work: puzzles, cutting, sorting, writing. Both earn their place, and several of our pieces do both.

Choosing an Easel

Height adjustment matters more than anything else, since a child using an easel at three will still want it at six. Double sided easels take a chalkboard on one face and a whiteboard or paper roll on the other, which means two children can work at once without negotiating.

A folding easel can be brought out and put away, which is usually the difference between one that gets used and one that ends up in a cupboard.

Desks at Child Height

The rule is the same as for any table: feet flat on the floor, elbows level with the surface. Too high and a child leans into their work; too low and they hunch over it.

Convertible desks earn more room than fixed ones. A piece that is a toddler tower this year, a desk next year and a chalkboard throughout stays in the room far longer than something with one job.

What Age?

Mark making starts around 15 to 18 months, when a child will happily scribble on anything at eye level. Easels suit that stage best. Sitting work at a desk becomes the main event around three, and stays that way through the early school years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is a kids easel for?

From around 18 months for early mark making, through the primary years if the height adjusts.

Why use an easel instead of a table?

A vertical surface uses the whole arm and shoulder, which builds the control that handwriting relies on. It also keeps a child standing and moving.

What desk height does my child need?

Feet flat on the floor with elbows level with the surface. Adjustable pieces cover several years.

Do easels fold for storage?

Ours fold flat and store against a wall or behind a door.

Are the surfaces safe to write on?

Yes. Chalkboard and wipe clean surfaces with non-toxic, BPA-free finishes, meeting ASTM and CPSIA standards.

Does assembly take long?

Most take one adult under an hour with pre-drilled hardware, and everything carries our five-year warranty.