DIY: Make your own tabletop easels for preschool

I have been hanging on to a stack of left-over boxes trying to decide what I could do with them. I am terrible about throwing something like this away so I decided to try making my own tabletop easels…

I had already cut the boxes into pieces and so I started with the boxes all flattened out with the extra flaps cut away leaving me with a set of long, rectangular, cardboard strips.

I took the cardboard strips outside and painted them with fast drying high gloss spray paint. Painting the strips isn’t something that has to be done but I had a bunch of paint left over from a previous project and thought it would be fun to add some color…

Once my pieces were dry, I folded each cardboard strip into three parts and then taped the ends together with a strip of colorful duct tape…

So this is what I had completed so far…

To finish off the tabletop easels, I added a clothespin to the top of each easel for holding the paper…

The clothespins were attached to the easels with Velcro…

Now that my easels were all completed, I put paper on each one and set them out ready for the children to give them a try. The children can try a variety of tools like crayons…

And watercolor paints…

The easels don’t just have to stay on a table. We will try them on the floor and outside too!

The one tip I can already share with you is to be sure to select fairly heavy boxes for the easels so that they will hold up under a bit of pressure. I think mine just might need a little reinforcement but we will see how it goes!

Update: See these easels in action by clicking here!

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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