The 12 Best Desks for Kids

My kids are always taking over the kitchen table (and every other available surface in our home) with their projects, whether school-related or their own creations. To keep the chaos under control, it's time to invest in a desk that is all their own. (And that I don't have to clean off so that we can eat dinner together.)

How to Choose a Kids' Desk

Comfort and function are key to finding the right desk for your child. We'll walk you through the main points to consider when looking for a kid's desk.

Size

Get your desk search in motion by measuring your space to figure out what size desk you'll need. Be sure to allow for 30 inches behind the desk to make room for the chair. An ample workspace is important, but you also have to envision the footprint of the desk.

Adjustability

Because you want your child to be comfortable, look for a desk that is the right height for them. Their desk chair should let them sit with their feet flat on the floor, and the desk should be around eight inches above the chair seat. Several of our finds are height adjustable so that you can make sure the desk fits your kiddo to a tee.

Activity

Think about what your kid will be using the desk for. Do you have littles that need space for crayons and coloring sheets? Teenagers that will be working with heavy textbooks and a laptop? Decide how much storage the actual desk needs, such as a hutch or additional drawers, or if you'll use other furniture for organization.

Scroll on to find our top picks for kids' desks — from space-saving to versatile, from storage-ready to budget-friendly.

Best Classic Kids' Desk

Not too big, not too small, this is the Goldilocks of kids' desks — just right. With multiple storage areas, including the hutch, drawer, cubby and cabinet, your kiddo will be able to keep their essentials organized. The desk meets the CPSIA Juvenile testing requirements for child safety and also comes with a wood chair that fits comfortably.

Best Wall-Mounted Kids' Desk

This clever design is ideal for the most petite spaces, or if you simply want a desk area that takes up minimal room. The half-moon desk (no sharp corners!) folds down to provide a flat surface area and a little extra storage. Since you can hang it at any height, it's a great piece to grow with your child.

Best Budget Kids' Desk

Design a space for your kids to finish up homework while maxing out the square footage of the room. The small footprint of this desk still provides ample desktop space for kiddos to get their projects done, and the storage bag on the side has plenty of room for books, headphones and other essentials.

Best Grow-With-Your-Kid Desk

With more than 1,000 five-star ratings, this desk is a favorite of parents and kids alike. Reviewers praise its ease of assembly, sturdiness and versatility. Suitable for kids ages three to 15, the desk and chair are height adjustable, and the desktop is tiltable for better writing, reading and drawing.

Best Kids' Desk and Chair Set

For an all-in-one solution, it's hard to beat this highly-rated set. The clean-lined desk comes with a hutch and chair and is available in five fun hues. Cubbies under the desk and plenty of shelving in the hutch allow your kiddos to keep their schoolwork organized.

Most Versatile Kids' Desk

This multipurpose set is incredibly adaptable for kids ages two through nine. Made of sturdy birch bentwood, it's compact and lightweight with chairs designed for two seat heights. In addition to using it as a desk and chairs, the pieces can be rearranged as a bench, stools, ottomans or shelves.

Best Smart Kids' Desk

Since a good portion of our learning revolves around a screen now, it's helpful to have a desk designed specifically for that purpose. Integrated USB and electric outlets keep laptops, phones and tablets ready for tackling a history paper or staying in touch for group projects. The sleek, clean style of this modern desk allows it to seamlessly blend in with any room's design.

Best Kids' Desk With Storage

Grounded by two mesh drawer units and topped with a melamine desktop, this kid-sized table has ample space for organizing and storage. Easily stow away and see notebooks, pencils, crayons, gadgets and all other school supplies. As with the rest of The Container Store's Elfa systems, their kids' coloring table is simple to convert to a standard desk height as your kids grow up.

Best Adjustable Kids' Desk

This budget-friendly find is one of the cleverest. With three adjustable heights, the desk grows with your child by simply moving the pins on the base. For younger children or for when your older ones need an arts-and-crafts break, a drawing paper roll can be added. Don't forget the matching solid pine bench.

Best Kids' Desk for a Small Space

When working with a small space, you need a desk that's functional but on the petite side. This simple, classic kids' desk (available in white or charcoal) is less than three feet wide and two feet deep, giving your child plenty of space to finish up homework or work on a project without taking up a massive footprint.

Best Kids' Desk With a Hutch

Crafted with built-to-last materials, this hardwood-framed desk and hutch (you can also buy the pieces separately if you don't want the hutch) will last your kids well into their teen years. Drawers and cubbies offer plenty of open and hide-away storage, and cutouts allow for easy management of computer cords so they can maintain a tidy workspace.

Best Foldable Lap Desk

This on-the-go lap desk has a large writing surface as well as a storage compartment to hold paper, pencils and books. The desk folds up so it's easy to take on road trips, outside, in the bed or on the couch.