I vote for chalkboard, but am assuming you're talking about the paint technique. The white board paint is pricey and I don't know how it's going to work when you want to cover it over some day, while the chalkboard paint is very reasonable, a little goes a long way and it's FUN! The dust is minimal. Now if you're talking about a separate board, then a big white board is great. But my experience is that the markers get used other places, the caps get lost, etc. Chalk is easy to find, easy to use. And you know that chalk and chalkboard paint comes in all kinds of colors!

If your child has allergies that could be a factor. I only mention this because I decorated our son's room with some burlap curtains and he got so sick from them. But then some markers have allergens. I am loving the look of chalkboard paint on a wall, though. Recommend using a damp sponge to "erase" rather than an eraser. That would keep the dust to a minimum. And maybe try with a little bit first to test it out. Like an 11x14 piece.
Just a thought.

We did both and a rolling paper board. Our designer did it in a very cute way! She painted vintage frames in the same colors as our sons room and then had the chalk board and white board cut to fit inside the frames. She bought cute little buckets from Ikea and hung them next to the frames to hold all the drawing utensils.

Oh, I like that idea. Do you get the glass at a glass supplier and what do you use to write on it?

I used an old picture frame with glass in it as a memo board in my kitchen. I framed a funky bit of wallpaper which looks very fun. We use dry erase markers and it works great.

Actually - I'd use stainless steel board-Magnet Boards. Then there is no mess, no weird pens that dry out all the time. GO MAGNET!
They can be purchased at Ikea too - great price point...

Love those magnet boards--especially when you can personalize the background. Depends on the age of the child, though. I don't like magnets around small kids or young pets--just my own quirky fears. But older kids can make, collect and enjoy them!

I'd take my chances with magnets over chalk dust any day!

Thanks for all the great input!
Ishermer, do you have a picture, that sounds darling!
C_Marie Hebson, can you write on the ikea magnet boards, if so with what?
Thank you

You can also get magnetic chalk board, which i recommend when i design kitchens all the time. It allows you to write notes and keep loose invitations and notes.

Or you can paint magnetic paint under your chalkboard paint--I didn't know they have it as one step. That's fantastic.

I would not recommend magnets around children at all. Very dangerous! I'll take pics and post shortly. The more opportunity children have to be creative the better in my opinion. Our son draws on all three and when he has friends over they don't fight over drawing on the same boards.

We had the frames mounted to the walls so if our lil guy hung on it they will not come off. The paper pulls thru the frame and the behind the paper is another chalk board. Yes it my be overkill on drawing mediums but he and all his friends LOVE it!

So cute! thanks so much for sharing these!