My kid came running in with that look—the one that means another commercial has lodged itself in their brain. ‘Dad, we need this easel, it’s the one from the ad, it’s perfect.’ I sighed, opened a tab, and typed. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel. Of course it’s a Melissa & Doug. Of course it’s deluxe. Let’s see if this one holds up or if we’ve got another impulse buy on our hands.

See it, Dad? →
Kid
Dad, dad, dad—we HAVE to get this easel! It’s the one that spins and has paint cups and everything!
Dad
Uh-huh. And what happened to the easel we bought last year that’s now a laundry rack?
Kid
That one didn’t have a chalkboard on the other side! This one is DIFFERENT, I promise!
Dad
Let me guess—you saw the reviews. 4.7 stars, almost ten thousand of them. Fine, I’ll look into it. But I’m not promising anything.

What Is It?

The Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel is a two-sided wooden easel with a chalkboard on one side and a dry-erase board on the other. It comes with a paper roll, paint cups, and a sturdy frame that adjusts height. Perfect for the kid who can’t decide between drawing, painting, or writing—or just wants to double the mess.

What Does the Internet Think?

This thing has 4.7 stars out of 5 from nearly 10,000 reviews. That’s not a fluke—that’s a lot of parents saying, ‘Yes, this actually holds up.’ Common praise? Sturdy, easy to clean, and the two-sided design keeps two kids busy. No major complaints beyond the usual ‘my kid spilled paint on the carpet,’ which, come on, that’s on you. ★★★★½ across 9,800 reviews.

✅ Yes.
★★★★½ 4.7 stars  ·  9,800 reviews

Look, I wanted to say no just to be contrary, but the research doesn’t lie. 4.7 stars and 9,800 reviews means this easel has survived countless tiny artists and still stands. It’s a solid buy if your kid is serious about art (or just serious about making a mess in a designated spot). Dad approves. Get the easel. You’re welcome.

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💡 We Have Something Like That At Home

Step2 Easel for Two
A budget-friendly plastic alternative that's lighter and easier to wipe down, but lacks the wood durability and double-sided chalk/dry-erase setup.
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