Kids Easel Accessories: Paper Rolls, Magnets, and More

Quick answer

Buy the refill that matches your easel surface first, then add paper, magnets, and storage. If your easel is magnetic and double-sided, prioritize an easel paper roll, a magnet set, and dust-free chalk; if you already own a bundled art kit, skip duplicate supplies. For most families, one roll of paper, one magnet set, and one chalk pack cover daily use without clutter.

Most easel frustration comes from mismatched supplies, not from the easel itself. A paper roll that is too narrow curls off the board, magnets that are too weak slide down a chalkboard, and chalk that crumbles leaves grit on the tray. This guide gives you decision rules for choosing kids easel accessories that actually fit your easel and your child's age.

You do not need every accessory at once. Start with the supplies your child reaches for daily, then add specialty items only when a real need appears. The sections below cover paper rolls, magnetic easel accessories, chalk and erasers, storage, and how to tell when a bundled art kit already has you covered.

Match the accessory to the easel surface before you buy

The single most useful decision rule is surface-first. A chalkboard side needs chalk and a felt eraser; a whiteboard side needs dry-erase markers and a soft cloth. Magnetic easel accessories only work on a magnetic surface, so check whether your easel is magnetic on one side, both sides, or neither. If you are unsure, test with a fridge magnet before ordering.

Double-sided easels often have one chalkboard side and one whiteboard side. That means you may need two sets of supplies, but you can keep them separate with a small caddy so markers never touch the chalkboard. If your easel is not magnetic, skip magnetic letters and shapes entirely and put that budget toward paper and chalk instead.

• Test magnetic function with any small fridge magnet before buying magnetic accessories.
• Keep chalk and dry-erase markers in separate containers to avoid cross-contamination.

Paper rolls: width, length, and how they attach

An easel paper roll is the highest-use accessory for most families because it turns any easel into a fresh canvas in seconds. Check two measurements before buying: the roll width and the holder style. A roll that is wider than your easel board will overhang and tear; a roll that is narrower leaves the tray exposed and wastes paper. If your easel has a built-in dowel or holder, match the roll's core diameter to it.

Length matters more than most parents expect. A longer roll costs more upfront but lasts through many drawing sessions, which is usually cheaper per use than short rolls. If your child mainly paints or uses water, choose a thicker paper weight so wet media does not bleed through. For crayon and marker work, standard weight is fine.

• Measure your easel board width and the paper holder diameter before ordering a roll.
• Buy thicker paper only if your child regularly uses wet media like paint or water.

Magnets, letters, and shapes: what actually stays on the board

Magnetic easel accessories are only as good as their hold. Flat magnetic letters and shape tiles work well on a magnetic chalkboard or whiteboard, while thick plastic magnets can slide on a vertical surface. Look for thin, fully magnetic backs rather than partial magnets. For toddlers, choose larger pieces that are easy to grip and too big to swallow.

A small set of 20 to 30 magnetic pieces is enough for letter practice, shape sorting, and storytelling. Buying 100 pieces usually means half end up on the floor. If your child is learning to read, prioritize lowercase letters over uppercase, since most early reading uses lowercase forms.

• Choose thin, fully magnetic backs for the best hold on a vertical board.
• Start with 20 to 30 pieces and add more only when your child asks for specific letters or shapes.

Chalk, markers, erasers, and the mess trade-off

Chalk is inexpensive and forgiving, but it creates dust. Dust-free chalk reduces the mess but can feel slightly waxier. Dry-erase markers wipe away cleanly, yet they stain if left on a whiteboard for days. The practical rule: use chalk for free drawing and markers for tracing or letter practice, and wipe the whiteboard at the end of each session.

Erasers matter more than most parents expect. A felt eraser for chalk and a microfiber cloth for whiteboard are the two tools that keep the surface usable. Replace felt erasers when they become shiny and start smearing instead of lifting. Keep a small brush or cloth in the tray so cleanup is part of the routine, not a separate chore.

• Wipe whiteboards at the end of each session to prevent marker staining.
• Replace felt erasers when they smear rather than lift chalk.

Storage and setup: keep accessories where kids can reach them

Accessories only get used if they are reachable. A small caddy or tray that sits on the easel's bottom ledge keeps chalk, markers, and erasers in one place. If your easel folds flat, choose a caddy that lifts off easily so storage does not become a two-person job. Clear containers help kids see what is available and put things back without help.

Rotate supplies instead of displaying everything at once. Two or three options per week keeps the easel interesting and reduces floor clutter. When you introduce a new accessory, remove one that has not been used recently. This keeps the setup manageable and makes cleanup faster for everyone.

• Use a lift-off caddy if your easel folds flat for storage.
• Rotate two or three supplies per week instead of displaying the full collection.

When a bundled art kit already covers your needs

Before buying individual accessories, check whether your easel came with an art kit. Bundles often include chalk, markers, erasers, and sometimes paper, which means buying duplicates wastes money and creates clutter. The Tiny Land Double-Sided Arched Magnet Chalkboard & Art Kit is an example of a set that pairs a double-sided magnetic easel with an art accessory kit, so the core supplies are already included.

If you already own a bundled kit, spend your accessory budget on consumables that run out: paper rolls, chalk, and markers. Add specialty items like magnetic letters only when your child shows interest in letters or shapes. This keeps your spending tied to actual use rather than the idea of a complete set.

• Inventory what came with your easel before buying refills.
• Spend on consumables first, then add specialty accessories based on your child's interests.

Decision rules for buying kids easel accessories

• Surface rule: Match the accessory to the easel surface: chalk and felt eraser for chalkboard, dry-erase markers and microfiber cloth for whiteboard, and magnetic pieces only if the board is magnetic. Test with a fridge magnet before buying any magnetic accessory.
• Paper roll rule: Measure your easel board width and paper holder diameter before ordering. Choose thicker paper only if your child regularly uses paint or water. A roll that is too wide tears; one that is too narrow wastes paper.
• Magnet quantity rule: Start with 20 to 30 thin, fully magnetic pieces. Prioritize lowercase letters for early reading and larger pieces for toddlers. Buy more only when your child asks for specific letters or shapes.
• Consumables-first rule: If your easel came with a bundled art kit, buy paper rolls, chalk, and markers first. Add specialty accessories only after you see what your child actually uses. Skip duplicate supplies and spend on what runs out.
• Storage rule: Use a lift-off caddy if your easel folds flat. Rotate two or three supplies per week instead of displaying everything at once. Reachable storage gets used; cluttered storage gets ignored.

Product facts that affect accessory choices

• Tiny Land® Double-Sided Arched Magnet Chalkboard & Art Kit: Double-sided magnetic design with one chalkboard side and one whiteboard side, plus a premium beechwood frame and a bundled art accessory kit. Because both sides are magnetic and the kit includes core art supplies, you can skip buying duplicate chalk, markers, and erasers and focus your budget on paper rolls and any specialty magnets your child wants.
• Nature-inspired Play & Art Set — Sage Easel + Forest Play House: The Sage Easel is foldable and space-saving with a solid pine frame, smooth wood, eco-friendly MDF, and non-toxic paint; the set pairs it with a Forest Playhouse. A fold-flat easel changes your storage plan, so choose a lift-off accessory caddy and avoid heavy, permanent organizers that make folding harder.
• Tiny Land® Kids Tent – Indoor Tent for Toddlers: Made from durable, water-resistant polyester with twinkling star decorations, a peek-a-boo window, a big door, hook-and-loop fasteners, and curtain tiebacks. If your child uses the easel and tent in the same play area, choose washable, water-resistant accessories and a caddy that wipes clean, since polyester tents are easy to clean but chalk dust and marker stains are not.

Who should buy kids easel accessories

Best for

• Families with a magnetic double-sided easel who need paper rolls, magnets, and chalk that fit the board
• Parents whose child uses the easel daily and runs out of paper, chalk, or markers
• Caregivers who want a simple, reachable accessory setup that supports drawing, letters, and shape play

Not for

• Families whose easel already came with a complete art kit and who have not yet used up the included supplies
• Parents looking for a single all-in-one accessory set that works on every easel surface without measuring
• Shoppers who want magnetic letters and shapes for a non-magnetic easel

Choose accessories by surface, size, and actual use, not by the size of the set. Start with a paper roll that fits your easel, a small magnet set if the board is magnetic, and the chalk or markers your child reaches for daily. Add specialty items only when a real need appears, and keep everything in a caddy your child can reach and put back. That approach keeps the easel ready to use and your supply budget tied to what actually gets used.