The best kids' desk should help keep the kids productive and motivated. After a long day at school, most kids aren't so keen to do homework, which is certainly valid. However, it has to be done, and they might be encouraged to do so if they've got their own comfortable space to do it in that's distraction-free.
Desks aren't exactly the cheapest "school supply item" on the list, but back to school sales have started to pop up in anticipation of the next school year. So, it's the perfect time to invest, especially if now that it's back to school 2023 and you're also planning on purchasing a new student laptop for your matriculating mini-mes.
Don't let this higher cost of living issue prevent you from investing in your kids. They deserve more than a place at the dining room table or the couch in the TV room to do their homework in and study for a quiz. They deserve a space that's not only free from interruptions, but has everything they need – pens, notebooks, and all the other accessories – within reach.
We've tested more than our share of desks, including standing desks and kids' desks. So, we know a thing or two about what makes the best ones for your maximum productivity and comfort. To help you in your hunt, below are the best kids' desks we've found so far, whether you want a desk-and-chair set, something with drawers, or a more minimalist option.
The best back to school kids' desk sales in the US
- Amazon: 40% off kids' desk and chair sets
- Walmart: up to 50% off on desks for kids and teens
- Target: save big on kids' desks
The best kids' desks in the US
This table and desk chair is made of natural bamboo, and while that might not be for everyone, especially those who prefer hardwood, it does mean that this is more durable, lighter, and more eco-friendly. While it is affordable, you're not just getting a set here but also your money's worth thanks to its shelves - it has six compartments total, enough to keep the kids organized and maintain a clean study space.
In addition, both the desk and the chair are height adjustable, although you do need to do so manually, meaning that you have to unscrew some parts to adjust. But that makes it perfect for fast growing kids. The only thing is that the seat itself is a tad small, which means you might have to replace the chair when your kid can't fit in the seat anymore. Although it does say that it fits kids up to 10 years of age.
This enjoys a 4.7 out of 5 rating, with some verified Amazon customers calling it the "best desk ever." So, while we haven't tested it ourselves, we are comfortable to recommend it as the best kids' desk overall on this list.
Coming in several shades, including this adorable mint green one pictured above, the Vecelo Writing Desk is a great affordable option for parents looking to save. While it's compact to fit small spaces, it still offers enough desktop space and comes with two shelves for storing things like school supplies, books, and other devices. You also have the option to remove the top shelf to accommodate a desktop PC so you're getting a versatile, if minimalist, option here.
While we haven't tested this desk ourselves, it does enjoy a 4.6 out of 5 option on Amazon, with many reviewers praising it for its easy, fuss-free assembly, compact design, and nice aesthetic. And the company's customer service is very responsive.
The only problem, it seems, is that it isn't packed well, and some customers received a unit damaged during shipping. But, if you like this enough to risk it, this is a great affordable option.
With six colors to choose from, your kids can match their desk and chair set from Guidecraft with their bedroom's decor or simply pick their favorite shade. It's spacious, durable and easy to assemble, according to multiple customers on Amazon. But it does come with a few extras as well.
The most important of those features is its collection of cubbies, which is excellent for storage and organization - we know how messy kids can be, especially elementary and middle school aged ones. Worth mentioning though are the corkboard panel to post their artwork, calendar, and notes, and the handy cutout for cable management.
It's a little on the pricey side, but it is made of solid, engineered wood, which means it will last your child for years. It's great for the price and a good value for your money.
This adjustable Filsat table from Ikea is the best kids' desk if you have kids who like to get creative while in their bedrooms, whether it's sketching, painting, writing, sculpture or anything else – it's like giving them their own personal easel to work with, and the desk can grow higher as your youngsters do.
While you can't draw or paint directly on the work surface here, it is easy to clean, and there's a removable roller at the top of the desk that you can attach a roll of paper too. When your kids want some more canvas, they just need to pull down to get another sheet of fresh paper, and away they go again.
The desk can be used for whatever you want of course, but it's definitely geared towards arts and crafts, and the adjustable legs mean you can tilt it too, if required. There is a chair that goes with the desk if you need one, but it's sold separately.
At first glance this looks like the most ordinary of children's desks, but look a little bit closer and there's a lot to like about the Micke from Ikea – like the hole at the back of the workspace for hiding away cables, or the spacious drawer that slides out underneath (perfect for pens and calculators).
One benefit of the unfussy aesthetics of the Micke desk is that it can fit just about anywhere, into any sort of bedroom setup, and you can get it in three different colours as well: black-brown, oak and white. If you like the look of the unit, then one of those should suit your needs.
This being Ikea, there's plenty more furniture from the same series that you can get to accompany this, including a chair if you need one. Due to the size and the style of the unit, this is more for older children and teenagers rather than the youngest kids.
The best kids' desk sales in the UK: quick links
- Amazon: 30% off children's desk and chair sets
- John Lewis: up to 70% off on kids' desks
- Argos: save big on kids' tables and chairs
The best kids' desks in the UK
Perfect for older kids who've moved beyond a need for bright colours and shiny extras, the Nubi 1 Drawer Pedestal Desk is stylish and subtle in a very grown-up way (which might get your youngsters in the mood for getting down to some serious work). You get four shelves (two behind a door), a deep drawer, and a wide top space.
We think the aesthetics of this Nubi desk are going to go with most kids' bedrooms, and it's been designed to look like some of the heavy duty industrial furniture that's proving popular right now. With a clean, open workspace on top, it's up to you (or your child) how you arrange a laptop, books, lamps, and so on.
The flexibility and the form of this unit appeals, with a lot of space underneath the desk as well as on top and it's an easy pick for one of the best kids' desks of 2022. It's a two-person assembly job though, and check the dimensions carefully – it's maybe a bit bigger and more bulky than it appears in the picture.
School-age kids will appreciate all the organizational compartments the Habitat Kids Pagnell 3 offers; as will, of course, their parents who have to deal with whatever mess they leave behind. Three drawers with smooth metal runners, the bottom being a deeper one, offers plenty of space for their pens, markers, crayons, and papers, leaving its desk top clutter-free.
It's also more spacious than it looks, so whether you've got a school-age kid or one that's a little older, they've got more than enough space to work in. Chair isn't included, unlike some of the desk-and-chair sets on this list. However, if you're looking to save money – and you've already got a chair on hand – this is a great budget kids' desk.
With the Scandinavia Pine Desk and Chair from the Home department of Argos, your kid is going to feel that school vibe, even at home. One for the younger children out there, this is a desk that has a definite classroom feel to it, and the lid also opens up for easy storage of textbooks, pencils, apples and so on.
While the dimensions of this desk aren't going to suit everyone and every situation, the furniture can be placed just about anywhere and even moved around – have it up by the window one day and over in the corner the next day. You've got plenty of options to play around with in terms of location.
As well as the pine version shown in the picture above, you can also get this with a white finish, if that's a better fit for your interior decor. Built from solid wood and with an easy-to-follow assembly process, this is a kids' desk that we think is going to prove very popular during the back to school season.
