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Jaime Costiglio

build - paint - sew

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DIY Easel for Kids

October 27, 2017

Welcome to week 4 of the Handbuilt Holiday series!  Today Ana and I are sharing an easel for kids complete with blackboard, whiteboard, paper roll storage and open trays for easy access.

diy kids easel

If you’re new here let me explain a tiny bit, Ana White and I post a new gift build plan every Friday leading up to Christmas.  We always start 12 weeks out from Christmas in order to bring you 12 different gift project ideas.  As we get closer to the holiday the builds will get more simple and easier.  This is our 5th year doing the Handbuilt Holiday series and we enjoy every minute of sharing these projects with our readers.

handbuilt holiday 2017

Last week we shared a modern house shaped desk but if you’re looking for something a bit younger and more versatile then maybe consider this easel for kids.

easel for kids

Ana designed the plans to include every bell and whistle you might need for those creative kids.

  • chalkboard
  • whiteboard
  • paper roll storage
  • paper slot
  • 2 storage trays for supplies

kids easel storage tray

Bonus tip!  You can purchase the plywood panels for the chalkboard and whiteboard already coated, so basically that part is done for you and it’s just a matter of simple construction.

easel for kids whiteboard

Ana has the plans for the easel for kids here.  Be sure to read through entirely before beginning and scroll down below for a few building notes.

easel for kids natural wood

Once the frame is built consider painting the storage tray before attaching.

kids easel painted portions

I opted to use DecoArt Americana Decor Maxx Gloss in caribbean sea on the top and bottom portion of the legs.  By painting the bottom of the legs you create a visual for kids which prevents tripping.  Also the storage tray is painted in Maxx Gloss white china, it’s a super durable hard finish which is resistant to cleaning chemicals, perfect for all those messy kids.

easel for kids paper roll

I also suggest not painting the paper roll dowel which will make it much easier to insert and remove to change the paper roll.   You could even make this easel with 2 paper roll holders, one for each side which would be really convenient.

kids easel top detail

Above is a detail photo of the slot at the top of each board which allows the paper to pass through.

I hope you have the perfect little someone in mind who would love an easel.  Please share your builds by tagging us on social media, we love to see what readers are making and your creative twists!

SHOP THIS PROJECT:

easel for kids collage

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Filed Under: 2017, BUILD, DIY, GAMES & TOYS, GIFTS, HANDBUILT HOLIDAY, KIDS, PLAYROOM20 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. patty says

    October 28, 2017 at 8:04 PM

    Sure wish there was a ‘print’ button!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      October 29, 2017 at 7:47 AM

      Hi Patty, there is a printer friendly version of the plans on Ana’s site. Scroll down towards the bottom of the post and it says ‘printer friendly’ or click here http://www.ana-white.com/print/33063 Hope that helps.

      Reply
  2. Keith says

    December 9, 2017 at 7:14 AM

    This is great and I can’t wait to build this for my daughter. One quick question, though…where did you get the white and chalk board panels? I’m considering painting some 1/4″ masonite with chalkboard paint, but am at a loss for the whiteboard panel.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      December 9, 2017 at 3:46 PM

      Great news Keith. The white board and chalkboard panels are available at Home Depot in the handy panel section. Good luck with your project!

      Reply
  3. Kelly says

    November 2, 2018 at 12:58 PM

    Hello,
    What is the cost for all materials to build this?

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      November 3, 2018 at 1:00 PM

      Hi Kelly, The costs for materials varies greatly depending on where you live and if you use common or select boards. It was about $50 for me in NY.

      Reply
  4. Tracey Graver says

    January 12, 2019 at 2:35 PM

    How well have the chalkboard and whiteboard panels from HD held up? Do they erase and clean off nicely?

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      January 12, 2019 at 2:49 PM

      They work fine. The only other experience I have is with black chalkboard painted plywood (versus the ready chalkboard panel) and I only used the ready panel here because of the plans / size. If it does eventually need to be freshen I will just paint with chalkboard paint. The whiteboard works great.

      Reply
  5. Alejandro Campusano says

    July 28, 2019 at 9:27 PM

    Hi where i can find the plans. thanks im alejandro from chile

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      July 29, 2019 at 6:58 AM

      Hi Alejandro, the plans are linked above but I will leave it here as well: https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/easel-kids

      Reply
  6. Dan Chercover says

    December 2, 2019 at 4:27 PM

    A big thanks to you and Ana, Jaime!
    I belong to a Woodcrafters Guild here and the members make and donate toys and gifts to our local Community Services, for less advantaged families especially single moms.
    I’m always at a loss as to what to make; the easel(s) were perfect…I made two!
    Not putting in a plug for IKEA, but they do carry inexpensive rolls of art paper.

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      December 3, 2019 at 6:12 AM

      Thank you Dan, so glad our project ideas can be carried out in meaningful ways. And thanks for the tip on the paper rolls 🙂 Enjoy the holiday season!

      Reply
  7. C Halliburton says

    December 3, 2019 at 8:29 PM

    Is there a way to make it fold-able with a hinge? Trying to think of ways to save space.

    Reply
  8. JJ says

    March 29, 2020 at 10:07 PM

    Hi, did you use an 18” wide roll of paper? I’m looking online and seeing that they are commonly sold in 24” and 36” which are both too wide. 18” seems a little narrow, but it appears the only option. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      March 30, 2020 at 7:11 AM

      Hi JJ, Yes most kids easel paper rolls are 18″. Ikea has one or Amazon: https://amzn.to/39t1sCP (affiliate link).

      Reply
      • JJ says

        March 30, 2020 at 4:22 PM

        Thanks! I got one at Office Depot for $8 🙂

        Reply
  9. Diana says

    July 26, 2020 at 9:56 PM

    The ends for the legs are cut at 10 degrees, parallel. What does this exactly mean? And can someone explain in detail how they secured the panels to the frame legs

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      July 28, 2020 at 10:51 AM

      Hi Diana, Both ends of the legs are cut with a 10 degree miter and those cuts are parallel meaning they go in the same direction. The panels are secured to the legs using pocket holes.

      Reply
  10. Lisa says

    November 28, 2021 at 10:16 PM

    The plans arent available anymore?

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      November 29, 2021 at 11:27 AM

      The plans are here: https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/easel-kids

      Reply

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