A great educational tool (Ikea Mala Easel)

Member Name: aksram

Product:	Ikea Mala Easel
Date:	10/08/09 (225 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: foldable, cheap and very useful

Disadvantages: pale looking-not colourful for kids

Every time we go to Ikea my son would run to children's area and start scribbling on the blackboard/whiteboard. That's when we decided we would buy the Ikea Mala Easel. Although it says it is for 3+ aged children, my son who was 2 then liked to use it. There are no small parts in it except the chalk/pens that can be left on it. But I usually make sure that they are kept away unless I am with him.
Its price is £14.99. But just when we wanted to buy it last year Ikea (Cardiff) had a huge sale and grabbed this for a great bargain of £7.99. Very impressed with the price and generally with the Ikea products we brought this home. It is sold folded and wrapped in a plastic cover and can easily fit in car boot. It was very easy to set up too- just unfold it and fit the storage compartment.
It is a two sided easel- one side is the blackboard for chalks and the other is the whiteboard for felt pens. It is made of wood and wouldn't say that it is very colourful and attractive for kids but I let my son stick some of his favourite character stickers over it just for fun. When we have some guests, we just fold it and keep it below my son's bed- it's that easy.
My son has enjoyed drawing, writing, scribbling on this ever since we bought it. It is a great educational tool and is very helpful for us to teach him too.

Summary: It is a great product-entertaining and educational-keeps the kids busy for hours