Art & Messy Play Furniture

A good art and messy area should cater for several activities, most obviously sand and water tables and easels, but also consider tables for both standing and sitting for activities such as dough play, drawing and modelling. Also ensure that there is plenty of storage as these areas use a lot of loose parts and messy items which will need to be tidied away. Our creative storage range is designed specifically for organising art and creative resources.

Easels should be designed for collaborative play, many are double sided and accommodate 2-4 children, this will aid the development of communication skills and encourage children to work and solve single sided easel where only individual play is possible. 

Ensure you choose the correct height easel for the children in your room, maybe even consider a height adjustable easel so the height can be changed appropriately. Storage shelves and drying racks should be at the appropriate height so that children can select their own materials and be as independent as possible. Open fronted storage allows resources to be clearly visible and easily accessible.

A good EYFS art and messy play area should focus on independence, sensory exploration and easy clean-up. The area should feature hard flooring, which is easy to clean, along with close proximity to a water supply and ideally outdoor access. A defined boundary using low level units will help contain any mess and make it easier to clean up.

Are there any sharp edges or other hazards? Edges should be smooth and rounded, any hinges used should be anti-trap. Look for easels and units which have wide bases and are heavy to prevent toppling if a child leans on or tries to climb on to the item. Ensure the materials as non-toxic and wipe clean.