Art is important for children. They can be creative and express who they are. But allowing your children to draw and paint is not only fun, it is educational. Painting and crafts help improve motor skills and build confidence.
If your kids enjoy painting, but you hate the mess, try an outdoor easel. Kids enjoy them, and they are super easy to clean. To make your buying decision easier, here are 10 fun outdoor painting easels that kids will love.
Our Outdoor Easels 3 Top Picks
Best Overall
ECR4Kids Deluxe Dry-Erase Art Easel
If you are looking for something that will keep your child busy for hours, the ECR4 Kids Deluxe Easel is a perfect choice. It has a multi-function design that allows your children to stand and draw, sit at the table, or play in the fort.
Premium Choice
Colorations 4WAPE Adjustable Indoor-Outdoor Metal Frame Easel
The Colorations 4WAPE Easel is perfect for large families or parties. There are 4 acrylic panels, so each child will have their own side.
Great Value
Dwell’n Toucan Giant Inflatable Easel
You cannot go wrong with the price of the Dwell’n Toucan Giant Inflatable Easel. And kids will adore the toucan design.
Top 10 Kids Outdoor Easels
1. Colorations – 2WAPE 2-Way Adjustable Acrylic Panel Easel for Kids, 23″L x 29-1/2″W x 45″H
The Colorations outdoor easel is fun for kids of all ages. It has an adjustable height, so your kids can enjoy it for many years.
Why We Like the Colorations 2WAPE Easel for Kids
The acrylic painting easel is easy to clean and store. Simply hose it off and fold it up.
- Non-rust Frame
The metal frame is powder-coated, preventing rust. The frame is ideal for indoor and outdoor use. - Clear Acrylic Panels
Your children can attach some paper to the panels or paint directly on the clear acrylic panels. - Easy to Clean
Simply spray the easel off with a water hose or wash it with soap and water.
Pros and Cons of the Colorations 2WAPE Easel for Kids
Pros:
- Adjustable
- 2-way easel
- Clear acrylic panels
- Non-rust metal powder-coated frame
- Sturdy plastic trays
- Easy to clean
- No paper is needed
- Folds
- Reusable panels
Cons:
- Wobbly if you do not secure it
- Panels scratch easily
2. Colorations 4WAPE Adjustable Indoor-Outdoor Metal Frame Easel
This Colorations outdoor easel is perfect for large families. Four children can use it at once.
Why We Like the Colorations 4WAPE Indoor/Outdoor Easel
The Colorations 4WAPE outdoors easel is the perfect size for sleepovers or parties. No more taking turns or arguing who gets to go next. There is room for four kids at a time.
- 4-Way Easel
Everyone will have a place to work with this large 4 sided acrylic easel. - Adjustable
The height of the easel is adjustable, making it easy for all kids to use. - Acrylic or Paper
Children can paint directly on the acrylic panels, or they can clip on paper.
Pros and Cons of the Colorations 4WAPE Indoor/Outdoor Easel
Pros:
- 4-way easel
- Adjustable
- Sturdy plastic trays with drain holes
- Metal powder-coated frame
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Designed with rounded corners
- Clear acrylic panels
- No paper is needed
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Wobbly if you do not secure it
- Panels scratch easily
3. ECR4Kids Deluxe Dry-Erase Art Easel with Light-Up Tracing Desk for Kids
The ECR4Kids Deluxe Dry-Erase Art Easily will keep your kids busy for hours. And you will appreciate its multi-use design.
Why We Like the ECR4Kids Deluxe Dry-Erase Art Easel
This easel has so many uses. Kids can stand and draw, sit at the table, or play in the fort.
- Dry-Erase Board
You can use a dry-erase marker directly on the easel or attach some paper with the built-in clips. - Converts to Desk
One side of the easel folds down and can be used as a desk. - Multi-Use Design
The play and fold learning centre can be used as a dry-erase board, easel, a light desk and a play fort.
Pros and Cons of the ECR4Kids Deluxe Dry-Erase Art Easel
Pros:
- 4-in-1 Play Fort
- Dry-Erase
- Converts to a desk
- Is also a play fort
- Folds for easy storage
- Built-in clips
Cons:
- No written instructions for assembly
- Screws need to be removed to fold the easel
4. Excellerations Indoor-Outdoor STEAM Easel (Item # STEASEL)
The Excellerations Indoor-Outdoor Steam Easel was designed to invite kids to play and learn with magnets, suction cups, and drawing.
Why We Like the Excellerations Steam Easel
This versatile easel has can be moved from the indoors to the outdoors easily thanks to the swivel casters. Simply unlock the two locking casters and push.
- Casters
The swivel casters make it easy to push the easel around. Two of the casters lock, so children can draw without the board moving around. - Large Storage Basket
There is plenty of room for art supplies, manipulatives, magnetic letters and numbers, and more. And the basket is not solid, so water will easily pass through. - Magnetic
You can use magnetic numbers and letters to help teach spelling and math.
Pros and Cons of the Excellerations Steam Easel
Pros:
- Double-sided
- Magnetic whiteboard
- Large storage basket
- Four swivel casters (2 locking)
- Stainless steel hardware
Cons:
- Does not fold
- It can be hard to push the casters through the grass
5. Manta Ray S3102 46″W x 22-1/2″H Double Fence Easel
If you are looking to create a designated outdoor art area, hang this 46” wide easel to a chain link fence. It will be ready to go whenever the kids want to play.
Why We Like the Manta Ray S2102
The Manta Ray Easel is perfect for families that have a chain link fence. And if you do not, you can use it as a tabletop surface.
- Dual Use
Can be used as an easel or a tabletop. - Wide
The board is wide enough for two students at once. - Hangs
If you have a chain link fence, you can hang this easel at any height.
Pros and Cons of the Manta Ray S2102
Pros:
- Dual Use
- Extenders
- Wide
- Easel trays
Cons:
- Need a chain link fence
6. HearthSong Vinyl Inflatable Indoor and Outdoor Easel for Kids, 39″ L x 27″ W x 50″ H
Kids will enjoy painting on this inflatable easel. And you will appreciate how easy it is to clean.
Why We Like the HearthSong Easel for Kids
The HearthSong Heavy Duty Vinyl Inflatable Easel is lightweight and easy to move around. And when the kids are done playing with it, deflate it and store it away.
- Washes Easily
Simply hose the paint off the washable surface when the kids are done playing. - Size
The easel measures an impressive 39″ long x 27″ wide x 50″ high. - Accessories Included
The inflatable easel comes with four paints (1 oz. each), four shaped sponges, a paintbrush and a built-in art tray.
Pros and Cons the HearthSong Easel for Kids
Pros:
- Constructed of super-durable vinyl
- Simple set-up
- Easy to clean
- Accessories are included
- Easy to transport
Cons:
- No hooks to hang paper
- Does not include a pump
7. SHANI Heavy-Duty Vinyl Inflatable Indoor and Outdoor Easel for Kids, 39 L x 27 W x 50 H
You can use this large easel indoors or outdoors. It is easy to carry and inflates and deflates quickly.
Why We Like the Shani Easel for Kids
The Shani Heavy Duty Vinyl Easel is easy to set up. There is an air pump included and once you have it inflated, use the pins to keep the easel from blowing away.
- Easy Deflation
The easel will deflate in seconds when the deflation valve is fully opened. - Anchor Points
Push the included anchors into the ground through the anchor points to help secure it. - Water Can be Used as Weight
The easel was designed so that you can add water to the base for more support.
Pros and Cons of the Shani Easel for Kids
Pros:
- Comes with an air pump
- Can be anchored to the ground
- Includes an e-book with drawing examples
- Accessories are included
- Water can be used as a weight
- Double mechanism in the air valves
Cons:
- No clips to hang paper
8. HearthSong Giant Inflatable Indoor and Outdoor Easel, 62″ L x 38″ W x 61H
The HearthSong Giant Inflatable Easel was designed for two children or one really creative child. There is plenty of room to be creative and have fun.
Why We Like the Hearthsong Giant Inflatable Easel
Inflatable easels can tip over or blow away easily. This giant easel has a water compartment you can use to make a weighted base.
- Washes Easily
You can use soap and water to clean off the easel, or simply spray it off with a garden hose. - Size
The easel is huge. It measures 62″ long x 38″ wide x 61″ high. - Accessories Included
The inflatable easel comes with four paints (1 oz. each), four shaped sponges, and 2 paintbrushes.
Pros and Cons of the Hearthsong Giant Inflatable Easel
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Built-in tray
- Accessories are included
- Large
- Easy to inflate and deflate
- Water weighted base
Cons:
- Air pump is sold separately
- No clips to hang paper
9. HearthSong Double-Sided Indoor/Outdoor Inflatable Easel, 35”L x 31”W x 50”H
With the HearthSong Double-Sided Easel, you will no longer have to deal with painting messes inside.
Why We Like the Hearthsong Double-Sided Inflatable Easel
The easel is the perfect size for families with 2 children. Each child has their own side and each side has its own built-in trays.
- Double-Sided
This inflatable easel is large enough for 4 kids to use at once. - Built-in Tray
There is a built-in tray that you can fill with the paints to make cleanup even easier. - Accessories Included
The inflatable easel comes with eight tubes of paint, eight shaped sponges, and two paintbrushes.
Pros and Cons of the Hearthsong Double-Sided Inflatable Easel
Pros:
- Double-Sided
- Heavy-duty vinyl
- Accessories are included
Cons:
- Air pump sold separately
- No clips to hang paper
10. Dwell’n Toucan Giant Inflatable Easel
This fun toucan design coupled with a washable open canvas will invigorate your child’s imagination.
Why We Like the Dwell’n Toucan Giant Inflatable Easel
Kids love cartoon characters, and they will want to play with this Dwell’n Toucan Giant Inflatable Easel.
- Toucan
Children will like the fun toucan design. - Easy to Clean
Simply spray the easel off with a water hose or wash it with soap and water. - Price
Kids can get bored of toys quickly. If you are unsure if your kid will use this easel, you do not want to spend a fortune.
Pros and Cons of the Dwell’n Toucan Giant Inflatable Easel
Pros:
- Cute toucan design
- Sturdy
- Easy to clean
- Stores away easily
Cons:
- Falls over easily
2021 Outdoor Easels Top Picks
Best Overall
ECR4Kids Deluxe Dry-Erase Art Easel
If you are looking for something that will keep your child busy for hours, the ECR4 Kids Deluxe Easel is a perfect choice. It has a multi-function design that allows your children to stand and draw, sit at the table, or play in the fort.
Premium Choice
Colorations 4WAPE Adjustable Indoor-Outdoor Metal Frame Easel
The Colorations 4WAPE Easel is perfect for large families or parties. There are 4 acrylic panels, so each child will have their own side.
Great Value
Dwell’n Toucan Giant Inflatable Easel
You cannot go wrong with the price of the Dwell’n Toucan Giant Inflatable Easel. And kids will adore the toucan design.
LET YOUR KIDS BE CREATIVE AND MESSY WITH AN OUTDOOR EASEL. THEY ARE SIMPLE TO SET UP AND EASY TO CLEAN
Kids need time to be creative. It is important for their developmental growth. But creativity can lead to a mess. That is why we love outdoor easels. If you are looking for a project that your kids can do outside, try painting.
Speaking of painting, don’t miss our Easter Egg Painting Kits, Painting Stones Ideas and Best Face Paints that your kids will surely have a blast.
Kids love it and parents will not have to worry about paint getting on the carpet or the furniture. These outdoor easels make crafting fun and worry free.
