Easels, where and what to look for?

[newbelly2002]

My Mom would like to get Dante an easel for Christmas (we'll be home the first two weeks in January so she still has time as it doesn't need to be there for the 25th). Where are some places that one can order this on-line? Also, what features are important? Is a chalk board better than dry erase, or is all paper the way to go?

Thanks so much!
Paula
Mama to Dante, 8/1/02

[COElizabeth]

I saw one in the Lakeshore Learning Store catalog that could go outdoors as well as indoors and be hosed off. I think I'd like that one for the little deck off my kitchen!

Elizabeth, Mom to James, 9-20-02

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

Paula,
We just bought one at BJs club and it was on discount for $40 something, but it did not list the original cost. I like it a lot, it is a honey colored wood "mission style", chalk board on one side, white dry erase board on the other, and then between those two boards is where the roll of paper goes so you can thread the paper to use the paper. There is a flat shelf on the tip top where you can put paints out of reach of little hands. I like that it is nice looking, the wood is real pretty. It's thick and sturdy...

Edited to show a picutre of how mine looks, but our color is a honey brown, and I couldn't tell if this one has the area for the paper..but it looks just like this...
http://www.kbtoys.com/genProduct.html?PID=2189779&ctid=17&ls=toys

HTH!!!


Neve
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[egoldber]

I have this one and I really like it:

http://www.littletikes.com/toyfinder/default.asp?URL=/toyfinder/productsfull.asp?sku=4428

It folds easily for storage, and is easy to clean. Its also very sturdy, which I think is important when a younger toddler uses them. It has a clip for paper on one side and a chalk board on the other side. Sarah loves using both sides. Since its plastic, you could use it outside to paint in the summer time if you liked and hose it off.

It does not have a place to put a roll of paper, but I just purchased a pad of paper and hang 4-5 sheets at a time, as the sheets get used, I flip the page, and after those 4-5 sheets are used up, I turn them over and we use the other side! She likes to keep embellishing her "art" :) so it takes a few days to use up even one sheet, so I don't need to change the paper very often.

I can honestly say this is one of the BEST purchases I have made. She plays with it every single day, several times a day.

HTH,

[cchavez]

Beth, I want to get one of these for Diego when he is a bit older. When did Sarah start using hers?

BTW, we always used individual sheets of paper at the preschool where I worked never rolls.

[egoldber]

We got it for her when she was 18 months old.

HTH,

[pamela mom of 3]

This is one i like

http://www.step2.com/index.cfm?stp2ssid=3BFCC532-8136-4D20-A57CAC5ACFE56A0B&action=details&category_id=1000&subcategory_id=1003&product_id=1179

It's supposed to have clips on both sides, good for a couple kiddo's ;)




http://pages.ivillage.com/cl-pamelamomof3

[abigailsmom]

here's a web site listing several different kinds. We just bought one for our niece, but we have no reviews yet...

http://www.nextag.com/buyer/outpdir.jsp?nxtg=c2e388_8B072D9CFCF3C387&doSearch=y&showgsl=n&search=easels

[mabuckles]

I just wanted to say that the easel at PB Kids is on sale for $60 - orginally $100. I could not resist it at the store once it was on sale. It also flips down to make a desk and has the roll of paper.