How to Choose the Right Art Easel for Your Preschool Classroom

Quick Answer

For most preschool classrooms, a sturdy, adjustable floor standing easel with a paper roll is the best investment because it accommodates different heights, supports group use, and offers versatile painting and drawing surfaces. If space is tight, a tabletop easel is a practical alternative for small groups or one-on-one activities.

Art easels are a staple in preschool classrooms, offering a dedicated space for children to explore painting, drawing, and other creative activities. But with so many styles, sizes, and features available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down the key decisions you'll face, from floor standing vs. tabletop to adjustable heights and paper roll options.

We'll walk through the important features to consider, how to match an easel to your space and age group, and the trade-offs you'll need to make. By the end, you'll have a clear idea of what to look for and which type of easel fits your classroom best.

Floor Standing vs. Tabletop Easels

The first major decision is whether you need a floor standing easel or a tabletop model. Floor standing easels are larger, more stable, and can accommodate multiple children at once. They're ideal for dedicated art areas and can hold heavier paper rolls or painting trays. However, they take up significant floor space and may be difficult to move around.

Tabletop easels are compact and portable, making them great for small classrooms, shared spaces, or one-on-one activities. They can be set up on a table or counter and stored away when not in use. The downside is that they typically accommodate only one or two children at a time, and they may be less stable if not placed on a level surface.

• Measure your available floor space before choosing between floor standing and tabletop models.

Adjustable Height and Stability

Children in preschool range widely in height, so an adjustable art easel is a smart investment. Look for models with height adjustments that can grow with your students or accommodate different age groups. This ensures that every child can reach the painting surface comfortably, promoting better posture and reducing frustration.

Stability is equally important. A wobbly easel can tip over, causing spills and potential injuries. Look for a wide base and sturdy construction. Some models feature a tripod design or additional supports for extra stability. Always check the weight capacity and the quality of materials, especially if you have active children who tend to lean on the easel.

• Test the easel's stability by gently pushing on it from different angles before purchasing.

Easel with Paper Roll: Pros and Cons

Many preschool easels come with a paper roll holder, which is a convenient feature for continuous drawing and painting activities. A paper roll allows children to create long, uninterrupted artworks and makes it easy to tear off a fresh sheet for each child. It also reduces the need for constant re-stocking of individual paper sheets.

However, paper rolls can be bulky and may require a larger easel to accommodate them. They also add to the overall cost, as you'll need to purchase replacement rolls. If you prefer a simpler setup, you can use a standard easel with a clip or tray for individual sheets of paper. Consider how often you'll use the paper roll and whether it justifies the extra space and expense.

• If you choose an easel with a paper roll, consider buying a classroom set of sentence strips or similar paper for writing practice.

Additional Features to Consider

Some easels come with built-in storage trays for paint cups, brushes, and other supplies. This can be a huge convenience, keeping everything within reach and reducing clutter. However, trays can also be a magnet for mess, so look for models with removable, washable trays.

Another feature to consider is a chalkboard or whiteboard surface on the reverse side. This adds versatility, allowing the easel to be used for writing practice or group instruction. If you plan to use the easel for multiple purposes, this can be a great value. But remember, more surfaces mean more cleaning and maintenance.

• For writing practice, consider using sentence strips with your easel to help children practice letters and words.

Decision Rules for Choosing an Easel

• Space Check: Measure your classroom area. If you have at least 3 feet of open wall or floor space, a floor standing easel is viable. For tighter spaces, a tabletop easel is the better choice. Choose floor standing for dedicated art areas, tabletop for small or shared spaces.
• Age and Height Range: For mixed-age preschool classrooms (2-5 years), an adjustable height easel is essential. If you only teach a narrow age range, a fixed-height model may suffice. Invest in adjustable height if you have a wide age range.
• Usage Frequency: If the easel will be used daily for both art and writing activities, choose a model with a paper roll and a reversible surface. For occasional use, a simpler model is fine. Match the easel's features to how often you'll actually use it.

Products That Enhance Your Art Easel

• Super Bright Sentence Strips - 100 Pack: Encourage your children to practice their writing and vocabulary words with these Super Bright Sentence Strips for Practicing Writing Skills and More. These sentence strips promote literacy, dexterity, fine motor skills, creativity, and imagination. These strips are perfect for use with a classroom easel, providing a structured surface for writing practice, word walls, or sentence building activities.
• Time to Create - Paperback: Forget stuffy, structured craft activities; your child needs time to create! Rather than merely teaching your child to name colors and to hold a pencil, the hands-on process art experiences in Time to Create encourage discovery through a variety of art media, including drawing, painting, print making, collage, and sculpture. This resource offers practical ideas for using your easel in open-ended, process-focused art activities that support creativity and exploration.

Which Easel Fits Your Classroom?

Best for

• Preschool classrooms with dedicated art centers and enough floor space for a large, stable easel.
• Teachers who want to use the easel for both painting and writing activities, benefiting from a paper roll and reversible surfaces.

Not for

• Classrooms with very limited space or those that need to store the easel away frequently.
• Programs that focus primarily on individual, tabletop art activities and don't need a large group easel.

Choosing the right art easel for your preschool classroom comes down to your space, your students' ages, and how you plan to use it. By considering the trade-offs between floor standing and tabletop models, adjustable heights, and features like paper rolls, you can make an informed decision that supports creativity and learning for years to come.