Kids Easel?

[Matt Meiser]

I'm looking for ideas or plans for a kids easel. The basic design of the one from the Oct. 05 Wood Magazine is a possibility with some changes. We don't want the roll of paper, and its made for smaller kids than my 5yo. Since I I'll end up redesigning half of it, I figure I should look for other ideas as well.

LOML would like it to have a chalkboard one one side, which I figure I can easily accomplish with a piece of pre-made chalkboard from the big box store and the other side she would like to be magnetic. Adjustable height would be good too since she seems to grow a couple inches every time we turn around.

[Danny Thompson]

There is also chalkboard paint. I find my kids love DryErase markers. My daughter's easel is chalk one side and whiteboard the other. I noticed recently that many whiteboards sold at my local craft store (Michaels) are magnetic.

[Andy Pedler]

I've been thinking of starting a similar project. Here are a few links I've bookmarked.

http://www.woodsmithstore.com/kidseasel.html

http://bengrosser.com/easel/index.html

Good luck.

Andy - Newark, CA

[Mike Heidrick]

Would be cool to combine those two plans into one piece. Thanks for the idea!!!

[Cary Swoveland]

...The basic design of the one from the Oct. 05 Wood Magazine is a possibility with some changes. We don't want the roll of paper, and its made for smaller kids than my 5yo...

I built an easel from plans for one of my two grandchildren. It was for Christmas '05, when he was about 2.4 years. I'm pretty sure the plans were the ones from Wood Magazine that you mention. Here's a pic of the one I made:

73935

I used quartersawn red oak. The only changes to the plans I recall were: a) making the legs adjustable so that the easel could be raised as the kid grew; and b) reinforcing the legs at a weak point, just above the leg extensions. You can see both of these changes in the pic.

It's worked out well. He continues to use the easel a lot, especially painting on the rolled paper.

For parts that are bolted together, I used flat-headed brass machine screws with countersunk washers (source: Lee Valley). That's a nice detail.

There's is a knot in one of the boards--about 1/4" in diameter--that can pass for a man's face. I named him "Fergus". My gs is pleased to introduce his friends to Fergus.

Cary

[Mike McCann]

You can check out Norm Abram plans he made an easel for kids also.

http://www.newyankee.com/getproduct3.cgi?601

[Brian Erickson]

These are simple plans, but my 3 year old and 2 year old use it every day and absolutely love it. One of the most useful things I think I've built for the kids, and it took all of an afternoon...
http://www.gp.com/build/DocumentViewer.aspx?repository=bp&elementid=6024

[Michael Weber]

Anyone see Brian's link? I get a blank page.


These are simple plans, but my 3 year old and 2 year old use it every day and absolutely love it. One of the most useful things I think I've built for the kids, and it took all of an afternoon...
http://www.gp.com/build/DocumentViewer.aspx?repository=bp&elementid=6024

[Jim Dunn]

Anyone see Brian's link? I get a blank page.


Same here. Drew a blank on the easel, how's that for artmanship:eek::eek::eek:

[Dan Stuewe]

If anyone is interested in the New Yankee Workshop version. I would suggest buying the book, "New Yankee Workshop - Kids' Stuff". It includes the easel, and more, for about the price of the measured drawings.

BTW, I made this one for my girls. It is designed to fold up to get out of the way, but you need to remove everything from the tray to fold it up. On top of that it is pretty heavy (using ash) with the drawer.

I saw an add for Rockler that there is paint for the dry-erase boards too (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17835&filter=dry%20erase). That way you can make whatever size board you want, instead of trying to find the right size.

[Danny Thompson]

"That way you can make whatever size board you want, instead of trying to find the right size."

Size, and shape.