A tabletop easel can be used for a variety of art activities. This easel can be placed on a table with a chair on each side of it. One base can be used for different easels:
- acrylic easel
- two-sided easel—chalkboard on one side and dry erase on the other side
Teachers can imagine boys and girls thinking I like to go to church (Psalm 122:1) as they plan art activities for children.
Supplies for Making Tabletop Easel—Acrylic:
- 2-by–10-inch board, 16 inches long
- 1-by-4-inch board, 2 pieces cut 9 inches long
- piece of 1/8-inch Plexiglas® (acrylic sheet), 16 by 20 inches
- 2 pieces of quarter round, 16 inches long
Supplies for Art Activities:
- tempera paint, watercolors, or washable markers
- disposable moist wipes to clean the glass during use
Instructions for Acrylic Easel:
1. Nail the 9-inch boards under the base, one on each end to support the base.
2. Cut a groove in the center of the board, half the thickness of the board.
3. Attach a piece of quarter round on each side of the groove.
4. Insert the Plexiglas® in the groove. (The quarter round pieces will help support the glass.) The Plexiglas® can be removed for cleaning.
Note about Plexiglas®: Purchase the glass at a home improvement store and request cutting the desired size.
Instructions for Two-Side Easel—Chalkboard/Dry-Erase:
1. Use another piece of Plexiglas® to make the two-sided easel.
2. Order Chalkboard Contact Paper and Dry Erase Paper from Amazon.com. The paper is on rolls with instructions for using.
3. Cut a piece of chalkboard paper to cover one side of the Plexiglas® and a piece of dry erase paper to cover the other side for drawing or printing words.
4. Remove the clear acrylic piece from the easel base. Insert the covered piece of Plexiglas®. Place chalk near the chalkboard side of the easel and dry erase markers on the other side. Dry tissue can be used to clean the chalkboard and dry erase sides of the easel.
Teaching Tips:
- Photograph a child at the easel. Mail him a printed copy to show what he did..
- Comment to a child:”God gives us things to enjoy. You enjoy drawing and painting, and I enjoy watching you draw and paint.”
Click Here to View A Printable Version
