What height should a kid's desk be?

The height of a child's desk remains unique to that child. You'll want to make sure that they can sit comfortably and work on the surface without having to reach their arms too high or too low. If a desk comes in an adjustable design, opt for that, since it means you can change the height as your child grows.

At what age should a child have their own desk?

While there is no "right time" to buy a desk, many will agree that a child should have a desk when they reach school age. Evidence suggests that a structured environment for youth ages 4 to 18 can help keep them organized and focused on the task at hand. This environmental construct is why you often see uniformity amongst classrooms, libraries, and the sort. [ 1 ] By offering a child a space of their own to work and foster creativity, you give them one of the critical tools in their cognitive development.

How do you choose a desk chair?

Like you, your child will want a comfortable yet supportive chair at their desk. Look for a chair that offers seat padding, sturdy legs, or one with a back. You can also consider supplemental features like wheels, the ability to rotate, or chairs with an adjustable height.

The 8 Best Kids' Desks of 2023

Commerce Photo Composite — The Spruce / Sabrina Jiang

A durable, thoughtfully designed desk is quintessential for developing children and teens.

We researched and tested numerous desks to find options for smaller spaces, travel, and varying maturity levels. Our top pick, the ApexDesk Little Soleil Adjustable Desk, offers an adjustable height, easy-to-clean surfaces, ample room for work, and added storage.

Here are some editor-approved desks for kids.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall :

ApexDesk Little Soleil DX Children's Study Desk at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Classic :

Harriet Bee Glaser Writing Desk and Chair Set at Wayfair

Jump to Review

Best for Small Spaces :

Porch & Den Lincoln Corner Desk at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Teens:

West Elm x PBT Mid Century Wall Desk at PBteen

Jump to Review

Best Features :

Artist Hand Kids Study Desk and Chair Set at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Lap Desk :

QIELIZI Pets Lap Desk at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Wooden :

Etsy Preschool Learning Set at Etsy

Jump to Review

Best Wall-Mounted :

Zipcode Design Antique White Andersonville Floating Desk at Wayfair

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
FAQ
Why Trust the Spruce

4.8

Apexdesk

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart

What We Like

Adjustable height
Tilted top

What We Don't Like

Expensive

With the ApexDesk Little Soleil, you can adjust the height—so as your child grows, the desk changes with them. This adaptability means that parents won't have to continue to purchase a desk every few years.

It also features a considerable amount of surface space for your child to do school work, pursue creative endeavors, and use their electronic devices. Part of the tabletop even tilts to allow for easier writing or drawing. We love that the drawer and bookshelf allows more open space to use.

Another standout of the Apexdesk is its safety measures: The banded and rounded edges prevent injury if your child accidentally runs into their desk during playtime. The lead-free paint that coats different metals and surfaces of the desk is CARB (California Air Resources Board) Phase Two compliant, so you'll feel comfortable knowing they are not exposed to toxic chemicals.

Dimensions: 27.5 x 43 x 42 inches | Material: Engineered wood | Shape: Rectangle | Style: Modern

How to Design the Perfect Kid Homework Area

Harriet Bee

View On Wayfair

What We Like

Various organizational compartments
Corkboard featured in hutch

What We Don't Like

Not adjustable

Older children will love the classic design and organizational components of this writing desk from Harriet Bee. The five color options and included chair help justify this pick's high price point.

The addition of the upper hutch allows for storing school assignments, art projects, and journals or notebooks. Yes, the shelves at the bottom of the desktop are missing drawers, but they can easily accommodate any laptops or textbooks your child might have and provide easy access.

Dimensions: 40 x 44 x 24 inches | Material: Solid and manufactured wood | Shape: Rectangular and hutched | Style: Classic

Porch & Den

View On Amazon View On Overstock

What We Like

Eight colors to choose from
Closable drawer
Doesn’t take up a lot of space

What We Don't Like

Not a lot of storage

Small spaces require more practical interior styling, but that doesn't mean you need to sacrifice furniture. Choosing a corner desk can be a chic and easy-to-manage addition to your space.

Our editors love the included drawer for storage, along with lower shelves for books, organizers, and everything in between. This classic style piece comes in eight painted shades of manufactured wood to fit every child's taste. As for clean-up, be sure to use a mild cleanser to keep from degrading the paint.

Dimensions: 30 x 42 x 28 inches | Material: MDF and pine wood | Shape: Corner | Style: Classic

The 11 Best Places to Buy a Desk Online of 2023

View On PBteen View On West Elm

What We Like

Real FSC-certified wood
Ample surface space

What We Don't Like

Pricepoint

Buying a desk for a teen is no easy feat. You have to consider the style of their room, your teen's personality, and their future aspirations. Therefore, investing more money into a quality desk that will last them throughout college and into adulthood is a wise choice.

The West Elm Mid-Century Wall Desk offers a design that can work with just about any bedroom style. It extends vertically, making it perfect for dorm rooms or city apartments. Our editors also love the added storage drawer and double-doored cabinet.

The only downside to this West Elm find is the price. It differs considerably from other desks on the list, but the quality and durability help make it more splurge-worthy if it is within your budget.

Dimensions: 70.25 x 37.75 x 14.7 inches | Material: Eucalyptus and engineered wood | Shape: Leaning wall | Style: Mid Century Modern

What Is Midcentury Modern Style? Here's What You Should Know

Artist hand

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

LED light
Book and technology stand

What We Don't Like

Maximum adjustable height is small

Having a functional working space is a top priority for school-age children. The Artist Hand Kids' Study Desk offers amenities like a tilting tabletop, a media or book stand, and a hook for their backpack.

Also, the added LED light features allows for any late-night study sessions. One drawback worth noting: Even though the height of this desk is adjustable, the maximum height might not be enough for an older child over 12 years old.

Dimensions: 30 x 26 x 19 inches | Material: Medium-density fibreboard, steel, plastic | Shape: Rectangle | Style: Architectural

QIELIZI

View On Amazon

What We Like

Travel-friendly
Protective lap cushion

What We Don't Like

On the smaller side
No storage compartments

Having a portable lap desk allows for activities and productivity even when you're on the go. The QIELIZI Pets Lap Desk for Kids comes in five different character iterations as well as options for adults (just in case you want one, too). The firm wood top provides a flat, stable surface while the cushioned underside provides comfort and further support from shakes and wobbles.

While this model doesn't offer areas to store things like markers or crayons, the resulting smaller size means it can be stored easily in a car or at home when not in use.

Dimensions: 15.67 x 11.1 x 2.68 inches | Material: Wood, fabric | Shape: Rectangular with round edges | Style: Lap

Etsy

View On Etsy

What We Like

Real wood
Includes book shelf

What We Don't Like

Suitable for a specific age range

A hand-crafted desk made from high-quality wood is exactly what you get with this preschooler-friendly desk from Etsy creator WoodandRoomUA. While cleaning up crayon marks might be more difficult with a solid birchwood desk, other messes, like crumbs, can be swept away without difficulty.

Our editors love the minimalist style of this desk and the bookshelf featured on the top of the table, perfect for storing store arts and crafts tools, coloring books, and even electronics if your child uses them.

Dimensions: 25.6 x 25.6 x 22 inches | Material: Birch wood | Shape: Rectangle | Style: Minimalist

Zipcode Designs

View On Wayfair

What We Like

Compact
Interior Shelving

What We Don't Like

Difficult to set up

A collapsible or wall-mounted desk is a lifesaver for any family looking to optimize space.

This floating desk from Zipcode Design comes in four different shades, which fold into a neat, cabinet-sized rectangle. It features an interior corkboard and bill filer, which can be repurposed to hold books or coloring pages. It is on the heavier side, so be sure to work with another person to install it properly.

Dimensions: 58 x 22 x 36 inches when opened | Material: Manufactured wood | Shape: Rectangle | Style: Modern

Final Verdict

The ApexDesk Soleil Adjustable Study Desk earns our best overall spot. This adjustable pick grows with your child, offers ample writing space, and comes in tons of fun colors. For those working with a small space, we recommend the Porch & Den Lincoln Corner Desk. This desk fits snugly in any corner and includes a drawer for storage and an easy-to-clean surface.

Durability

Children tend to be rough with objects they play with or use day-to-day. If the desk is poorly manufactured or uses a material that cannot be cleaned easily, you'll risk wasting money as you'll need to purchase a replacement desk sooner rather than later. That is why desk durability should be at the top of mind. You'll want to pick one with a material that can handle arts and crafts, electronics, and withstand the test of time.

Design

When it comes to the design of a desk, you want to consider the theme of the room and how much open space you have available in the room.

For example, a desk with a classic or modern style could work in any space and continue to be used as the child matures. Alternatively, a desk that features a character or is in a trendy color might only last a year or two before the child grows tired of it. The goal is to have a desk that fits into a space both in size and style.

Storage

Children love to draw, color, write, read, and everything in between. Therefore, ample storage space should be critically considered when shopping for a desk.

Components like drawers, shelves, holders, and media stands allow a few things. First, the child will have tools accessible and won't have to tote them around from space to space within the home. Storage also means more space for the child to engage in whatever task they choose to do at their new desk. Finally, parts like shelves or cork boards allow the child to display photographs, postcards, and other sentimental things, which allows the desk to feel like their own.

FAQ

What height should a kid's desk be?

The height of a child's desk remains unique to that child. You'll want to make sure that they can sit comfortably and work on the surface without having to reach their arms too high or too low. If a desk comes in an adjustable design, opt for that, since it means you can change the height as your child grows.
At what age should a child have their own desk?

While there is no "right time" to buy a desk, many will agree that a child should have a desk when they reach school age.
Evidence suggests that a structured environment for youth ages 4 to 18 can help keep them organized and focused on the task at hand. This environmental construct is why you often see uniformity amongst classrooms, libraries, and the sort. [1]
By offering a child a space of their own to work and foster creativity, you give them one of the critical tools in their cognitive development.
How do you choose a desk chair?

Like you, your child will want a comfortable yet supportive chair at their desk. Look for a chair that offers seat padding, sturdy legs, or one with a back.
You can also consider supplemental features like wheels, the ability to rotate, or chairs with an adjustable height.

Samantha Parsons wrote this article to include children’s desks that were durable, functional, and catered to a wide age range. Hours of research, reading of reviews, and analyzing product sales lead her to select the above desk options.
Multiple members of her family are in education, so she understands the importance of creating a safe and productive workspace for a child is.
When she is not spending her time writing for The Spruce, Samantha works for a beauty brand and is constantly reading up on the latest product launches and design trends.