Art Tables

1. A well-stocked art easel is an irresistible kid magnet. With paints and markers at hand and fresh paper ready to go, you won't have to coax anyone to draw or paint.

2. Art tables help children communicate with you. Look over their creations, and ask questions. Resist reading too much into things, but listen with an open mind to what they say. Kids easily express through images what they sometimes have trouble putting into words.

3. Children like having an art table that is their own. It helps them feel grown-up and respected. It's also a good opportunity to teach them respect for their tools by expecting them to clean up. Snap-out cups make washing a snap, even for little hands.

4. Setting up a regular table for an art day is a challenge. Art tables have handy shelves and bins to hold all the supplies, so set-up is as easy as saying, "Let's draw!"

5. Art easels double as gallery displays. Whether it's a chalkboard, watercolor pad or dry-erase board, kids like setting it up and displaying their masterpiece for all to see.

6. Two-sided easels take up no more room than singles do, and allow kids to share equipment, ideas, and giggles, face to face.

7. Art tables with scrolling paper rolls are a luxury for both you and your kids. They don't have to keep asking for more fresh paper, and it's fun to turn the scrolls. You don't have to keep picking up spent sheets, or scrounging up more stock. The fun never has to wait.

8. Put your recycling eyes on, and look around the house to see what kids might like to decorate, paint, or cut up. Stock your art table with paper towel rolls, empty milk cartons, used catalogs and magazines. Bottles turn into vases, plastic cartons become treasure chests.

9. Chalkboard on one side, dry-erase surface on the other: it's like getting two easels in one, and keeps the fun fresh.

10. They call them toddlers for a reason. Art tables and easels have secure bins and cups for supplies, and sturdy, stable legs so the table won't teeter if your toddler does.