Top 5 my first easel and chalkboard for babies and toddlers
Our favourite my first easel and chalkboard for babies and toddlers around now
Why buy one?
Drawing and painting isn’t just about making pretty pictures, it strengthens finger and hand muscles developing important pre-writing skills. It also helps them to develop their fine motor skills, eg. grasping, holding, and eye-hand coordination. Those first few scrawls can also help to stimulate their imagination and aid creative development.
What to spend
Prices can vary quite widely, but you’ll get what you pay for quality-wise. A simple, budget easel starts from around £20, with the more feature-packed models ringing in at around the £45-60 mark.
What to look for
A board that has double sides so can be used as a chalkboard one side, and for drawing on paper or a whiteboard on the other. They can be quite large, so get a board that can fold up easily for storage if you have limited room.
Double-sided easel, £60, ELC
A double-sided easel that’s twice the fun, one side has a classic chalkboard, the other a whiteboard plus magnets to hold down the included roll of drawing paper. For an added practical touch, the whiteboard is magnetic so your little artist’s pictures can be pinned out to dry. The set also comes with four handy non-spill paint pots that sit in a holder for easy access.
Mala easel, £18, Ikea
This no-frills easel still has great features despite it’s very affordable price tag. There’s both a chalkboard and a white board, plus a useful tray on one side to keep drawing equipment neatly, plus it folds up very compactly for storage. A simple wooden model that’s perfect for slightly older toddlers.
Chalkboard, £8, John Lewis & Partners
A very simple handheld chalkboard for children aged three and upwards. It’s the perfect buy if you don’t have room (or the budget!) for an easel, but want your child to start making marks. It comes complete with a set of chalks and has a useful carry handle for ease.
2-in-1 chalkboard, £49.99, Fisher Price
This brightly-coloured wooden easel has it all, a double-sided chalk and magnetic white board with paper roll, a large storage tray for stashing arty bits, plus a complete set of number and letters magnets for added educational play.
Height-adjustable easel, £65, Janod
Yes, it’s more expensive than most, but this beautifully-made easel also comes with lots of added extras.. As well as the easel (which can be adjusted to different heights) you get magnets, chalk, a marker pen, a magnetic ruler plus pots for holding paint. The large double-sided board is just what budding artists have been dreaming of!