How to Choose Kids Desks: A Complete Buying Guide

If you're in the market for a child's desk, no doubt you want to provide your kid with the the best desk set up possible to aid their education. But deciding which desk is best can be tricky! That's why we've put together this buying guide, to help you navigate the different options and help find the key piece, around which you can build your kid a fun and functional workspace.

We'll cover the types of desks you have to choose from, the features you should look out for when choosing a kids desk, as well as covering some of the key questions you should ask yourself when selecting a new kid's desk.

What Type Of Kids Desk Is Best?

There are a variety of different types and styles of desks available, so selecting which is going to be best for your kid is not going to be easy. We've listed the main types of child's desk, their strength's, and sometimes weaknesses, to help you choose.

Ergonomic Kids Desks

An ergonomic desk will be designed to suit your child's body shape, and will be built in such a way that it helps your child work in a natural position, which doesn't place undue strain on their neck or back. In many instances they will be adjustable, so you can alter the height at which your child interacts with the desk. Developing good postural habits is important, and ensuring your child has an ergonomic desk (and chair) will help you to teach them to sit correctly at an early age.

Wooden Desks

The classic children's desk design, the solid wood desk has been around for as long as we've had schools! Wood is a great material for desks, being strong and generally hard wearing. However, for the rough and tumble which a kid's desk is likely to experience, wood does have some draw backs.

Some woods mark easily, and are susceptible to damage from spillages and knocks - not to mention colouring pencils and pens. For this reason some wooden kids desks have laminated desktops, which are easy to wipe clean and protect the desk itself from damage.

Kids Desk and Chair Set

Very often you'll find kids desks and chairs sold together - which makes sense, as the desk is not much good without a chair. And just like adults, it's important that your child has a comfortable, supportive chair for when they use their desk. Buying as a set has the advantage that the desk chair will be suited to the desk, both in style and size - so you should be able to set chair seat height at the correct height relative to the desk with ease.

Height Adjustable Desks For Kids

Adjustable desks come in many shapes and sizes, but with children's desks, you tend to see two main adjustable factors: height, and desktop tilt - and sometimes both in one desk. Height adjustments are important for two, very important reasons. First, setting the desk at the right height for your child is crucial to them maintaining good posture.

Your child should be able to sit with back straight, shoulders back, and easily access the desk, with the arms flat by their side bent at right angles, with out stooping or reaching. Height adjustable desks (and chairs) allow you to find this sweet spot easily.

Second, children are growing all the time - and a adjustable student desk allows you to compensate for this too. Not only can you alter to find the new optimum position: often the range of adjustments will mean you can keep the same desk for years, 'growing' as your child does. See our previous post for a more in-depth look at the benefits of study desks for kids.

Tiltable Desktop

As mentioned above, a tilting desktop can also help with your child's posture. It could also encourage your child's creative side, providing their own drafting table to let their imaginations run wild (or complete their art homework).

Kids Desk With Hutch

Another classic, the hutch is a great idea for a kids desk setup- not just a cute addition, it provides ample storage space too. The shelves in the hutch are ideal for storing pens, pencils, papers and everything else, and help keep the space organised and neat.

It does however eat away at the available desktop space, so their is a small compromise to be made. Many modern desks also have ample draws and built in storage, whilst keeping the maximum desktop study space free.

Where's The Best Place For A Children's Desk?

There are many factors to consider when selecting a spot for your kids study area. Ideally, you want somewhere with good natural light, and minimal distractions. It's up to you, and your kid of course, as to whether you set up their study area in a bedroom or a shared room. This to an extent depends on the age of your child, and how much supervision or encouragement they require.

Some kids study best alone, with minimal distractions, so you might consider using the bedroom to give them their own space as they work. Depending on their age group though, they may need more supervision to keep them on track, in which case an area where you can keep an eye on them is better.

The right desk to an extent will be the one which best fits the area you deem most appropriate for your child. Sometimes, a small desk is better - if the ideal plot doesn't have enough space for anything bigger. It should go without saying, but do be sure to check the desk you are looking at actually desk fits in the space you have selected!

What Should I Look For In A Kids Desk?

There are are many important factors you should look for when selecting a kids desk, and what works for one child may not for another. We've listed the factors for you to consider below, to help you make your choice!

Kid Friendly Design

As a general rule, children will have accidents: so you need a desk which is designed sympathetically, and with your kids safety in mind. Curved edges are a plus, and check to see there are no moving parts in which a child could trap a hand or finger.

Turn handle mechanisms are ideal, as they lift the desk slowly and are hard to activate accidentally. Beyond this, look for features like cup holders - things that as adults we don't need, but for kids become super important!

Height Adjustable

For all the reasons stated above, we would always recommend you select a height adjustable desk. Setting the desk and chair to the optimum height is the best way to foster good posture, and a comfortable position will aid your child's concentration.

But just as important, the desk will be able to grow with your child, ensuring you can always find the best position - and saving your hard earned dollars on replacement desks. Plan ahead and buy a desk that can serve you for the next few years.

Ergonomic Features

An ergonomic desk will allow you child to get as close to the desk as possible and keep the best position, helping develop good habits that will serve them well in the future. But many desks have additional ergonomic features you can look out for.

Tiltable desktops prevent your child from having to stoop over to write, draw or colour, protecting them from bad postural habits which could lead to problems as they grow.

Tough and Durable

A kids desk is likely to take a bit more punishment than your average desk - so sturdy construction is a must. Wooden desks can tend to get scuffed and marked, although a harder wood will often be able to take the blows - but can prove expensive and heavy.

Many desks, especially for younger students, are build from durable plastic combined with metals like steel, making them ultra tough, but also lightweight and more affordable.

Easy to Clean

Despite your best intentions, at some point your child is going to spill something on the desk. We know it, you know it, so choose a material that is easy to clean, and doesn't stain easily.

Many desks have laminated surfaces for this reason, although it is often more cost effective to go for a plastic desktop - easy to clean, with soft edges and often very tough, don't underestimate the plastic kids desk.

Storage Space

Keeping your kids stuff organised can be a nightmare, and that's assuming you have enough space to store it in the first place! A desk with built in drawers can solve both of these problems, providing a home for your kids learning aids, neatly organised in a place your child has easy access to while they study.

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Many kids desks feature drawers designed to store pens, pencils, pads and exercise books, so be sure to check what's actually inside the drawers before you buy!

Keyboard Tray

A keyboard tray has a few key benefits for your kids desk. Number one, it keeps the keyboard at the perfect height to protect your child's posture while they work at their computer. Two, it protects the keyboard while it's not in use, as it can be stashed away under the desk. And three, it clears space on the desktop, giving your child more space to spread out.

Multi-Purpose

As much as we want to create a dedicated study space for our kids, children are children, and will no doubt re-imagine the space on their own terms while it's not being used for study. It's worth bearing this in mind, and trying to select something that is adaptable and can be used for fun as well as learning.

Tilting desktops can be great for this, as they provide a space for your child to draw and develop their creative side in their downtime.

What Is The Best Desk for Study?