How to Set Up Art Spaces for Kids

6 Simple Ways to Set Up Art Spaces for Kids

1. Set Up an Art Table or Desk

   Equip it with paper and drawing materials, adding other materials and tools as appropriate. A nearby shelf or drawer can hold more art supplies.
   
   Further Reading: How to Create a Kids Art Space That Will Get Used
   
   

2. Use an Easel for Kids Art

   Young children work best standing up. A wall-mount easel or art space is one way to give them the opportunity to create this way, a table-top easel is another, and a free-standing children’s art easel is a third.
   
   You can leave an easel set up with paper and drawing or painting materials. If the reverse has a chalkboard, equip it with chalk.
   
   
   
   Four Ways to Make Standing Art Spaces for Kids:
   
   – A traditional easel is wonderful and can be an art space in itself. We have used this Melissa and Doug adjustable easel for years and love it. It is inexpensive and sturdy.
   
   – Buy or create a wall-mount easel, which is a big space saver.
   
   – Buy or make a wall-mount chalkboard.
   
   – Or make your own cardboard easel to set atop a table, as Bar Rucci of Art Bar Blog did for her students.
   
   If you use an easel, remember to change it up so it doesn’t just become a piece of furniture (and thus ignored).
   
   Further Reading: 6 Ways to Encourage Continued Interest in Your Children’s Easel
   
   
   

3. Make Space for Painting

   Having a space for painting is great  (This could be the same as numbers 1, 2, or 4), but if a dedicated painting space is out of the question, consider setting up painting activities periodically.
   
   Use a space that you don’t mind getting messy or that is easily washable (such as the kitchen, utility room, porch, garage, or basement). Or simply take the painting activity outside if weather permits.
   
   Spread a drop cloth or newspapers to catch the paint drips if you like. You can leave out paper, paint, and brushes or, if your child is very young, leave the painting space set up and just bring out the paint itself when your child is ready to paint.
   
   Further Reading:  Finding a space for messy art
   
   

4. Take the Art Outdoors

   Consider using the outdoors as an art space, especially in the warm weather months. You can set up an easel outside or bring out a table and chair. The bonus with being outside is that you’ll be less concerned about the mess factor.
   
   Further Reading: 21 Outdoor Art Ideas for Kids
   
   

5. Use a Portable Art Kit

   Equip an art caddy, box, basket, or bag with a pad of paper, some drawing materials, stickers, etc. Keep the caddy within reach so your child can grab it and work whenever and wherever she likes—whether at the kitchen table, the floor, or in the car.
   
   Further Reading: What’s in Our Art Supply Caddy and  DIY Portable Art Kits for Kids 
   
   

6. Set Up a Kids Art Studio

   I know that I’m lucky to have a room dedicated to art, but it’s not like our house is huge (less than 1,000 square feet). I’ve just made art and creativity a priority in our house. If you do have an extra room, consider making it a space for art, crafts, creativity, learning, and exploring.
   
   An art room makes a great play room.
   
   
   
   It’s wonderful to be able to leave out an art project that is in progress, to have a space that is okay for getting messy, to be surrounded by art materials, and to have a place for drying and displaying art.
   
   Further Reading: How to Set Up a Kids Art Space That Builds Creative Confidence and Independence