Your little ones deserve the best of everything, the best baby swings, bouncers, cribs, and of course, the best wooden highchairs. Why wooden you ask? Because they have multiple health benefits, are sturdy to use, and are visually very appealing.
Highchairs are a necessity when you are introducing your child to solid foods. It encourages correct posture and keeps your child restrained in a small space and limits their range of destruction. Er, we mean, the mess they make.
We have done extensive research and chosen the five finest wooden highchairs for you. However, there are a few factors you might want to consider before you make a purchase, so we have included a little buying guide as well.
What to Look for Before Buying the Right Wooden Highchair
Once your babies start using their high chairs, they will be using them until they reach the age of three and start declaring themselves too old to use baby chairs. Regardless, you will have the chair around for a long time, so you need to consider the factors below to find the perfect fit.
The Amount of Space You have
Maybe now you will stop dancing around your furniture like a ballerina.
When every inch of your house is covered with baby toys, the last thing you need is a highchair taking up more space. If you have a small kitchen or dining room, a portable chair that can be pulled up to the table would be an ideal choice.
You also need to be able to step around the chair to strap your child in and reach them while feeding, so getting a humongous one would be highly nonsensical. We have another article for the list of best space saver high chairs for you. Check now.
Longevity of Use
Why spend a fortune on multiple chairs when you can get one that will last and last?
Children grow up in the blink of an eye, their heights shooting up in what feels like seconds. There are some chairs which they can use from infancy till toddler phase.
The seats and footplates are adjustable and will accommodate their growth spurts. Some chairs can even sit adults up to 250 pounds!
Clean-up
When toddlers learn to feed themselves, make clean-up a little less of a nightmare.
Toddlers can get food and grub in the most impossible places. They will spill, splatter, and throw food like it’s a sport. You should consider a chair that is super easy to clean with a quick wipe or two. Most chairs can handle rigorous and frequent cleaning without showing signs of wear and tear.
Removable parts that can be thrown in the dishwasher will also save you some trouble.
Comfortability
A comfortable and snug baby during mealtimes is nothing short of a blessing.
Babies are fussy during meal hours, and an uncomfortable seating arrangement would mean they would be more cranky than usual. A well-shaped seat with comfortable cushion paddings will help the baby feel more at ease and ready to nosh the food in.
Ergonomic Design
Stability, sturdiness, and safety- the three s’s that you really need.
If you have an active child who loves bouncing up and around, you should look for a chair that has a good balance and has zero risks of toppling over. It should also be durable and strong enough to handle severe abuse.
You should be looking for a restraint system having a 3- or 5-point harness strap and a crotch post that would prevent your child from slipping out. Make sure you can lock-in the wheels when you need to, so the chair does not skid around. And it would be even better if all the edges have no right angles and are rounded over.
Aesthetics
Long gone is the era of ugly baby furniture, and now you can have them to match the rest of your interior.
While personal style always comes second to safety, it is still something to be considered when buying high chairs. Toddler chairs nowadays come in different designs or colors, so they blend right in with the aesthetics of your home.
That is why the best wooden high chairs are super popular amongst many parents. They have a nice natural finishing that can be noticed even though stains.
Besides, why shouldn’t kids get to live in style?
Foldability and Portability
When space becomes an issue, add stashing ability to your checklist.
Some chairs can be folded and tucked away in a corner while some can be stashed on top of others to save coveted space in your kitchen.
Also, consider portability before making a purchase. Trust us, you will be dragging the chair around the house more than you might think. Just check to see if they have rubber soles underneath so they do not damage your floors.
5 Best Wooden High Chair Reviews
You can let your child use a high chair from the age of 6 months, right as you transition them to solid foods. And having the right chair can make this change happen more smoothly.
Keekaroo Height Right Highchair
The Keekaroo Height Right is a modern-looking seat that has a price point so low that it will make you weep with joy.
It comes with multiple accessories like an infant insert seat and a tray to hold all the food and nosh them in. The tray liner is removable and dishwasher safe, reducing your clean-up workload and making it ready to use for every mealtime.
One of the best features is the difficulty in outgrowing the chair. You can modify it according to the age and growth of your child.
Start by using the infant insert included, which is made with a BPA and latex-free peel and tear-resistant material, providing superior anti-microbial protection.
Not only are the seat and footplate depth adjustable, but the height is too. So, you can adjust these as your kid passes through different phases of life.
However, it takes a bit of work, and you need to spare a few minutes and show off your DIY skills.
To keep your baby safe, you can trust the 3-point safety belt and the tip-resistant base. Besides, both kids and adults can comfortably enjoy seating without worrying about its durability.
With its plant-based lacquerer finish and BPA-free plastic tray covers, this highchair is ideal for your children.
Pros
- Anti-microbial protection
- The depth and height-adjustable seat and footplate
- Soft cushion for snug seating
- Infant insert and removable food tray for versatile functionality
Cons
- Wood scratches and dents easily
Tripp Trapp by Stokke Adjustable Wooden Highchair
The Stokke Tripp Trapp was produced in 1972, but it is still one of the best wooden highchairs you will ever come across. With a minimalist design, this chair would look great with all your furniture.
It is a classic for all the right reasons; the product is stylish, sturdy, and will last for many years.
The baby set and cushion accessories will ensure your children will sit comfortably and will not fuss as they join you for dinner. And they will be strapped in securely with the matching 5-point harness and extended gliders included as the Tripp Trapp Baby Set.
If you are a stickler for maintaining the aesthetics of your home décor, you will love how seamlessly it blends right in because of its simple beechwood design.
There are several gorgeous colors to choose from, like natural, serene pink, soft mint, storm grey, and more. Just buy the shade you prefer and stop worrying about it sticking out.
Even though this chair is for children, adults under 242 pounds will not have trouble fitting in. There are four adjustable seat and footplate positions, and you can change them as you need to.
Tripp Trapps do not include any food trays so you can pull them up to the table. However, if you are planning on purchasing the add-ons, it can get a little expensive.
Pros
- Has a high weight capacity that can fit adults
- Grows with your baby and has adjustable positions
- Clean and modern aesthetic to match your home décor
- Can be pulled right up to the dinner table
Cons
- Very expensive, especially with add-ons
- Difficult to assemble.
Excellante Wooden Highchair
Excellent has rightfully earned our trust for having unique furniture pieces with amazing features. And amongst their many products, we find their wooden highchairs to be the best.
It has a solid construction and can handle all the bouncing and jumping of an excited child. Your toddler’s safety will never be compromised with a durable safety harness strap and a pyramid design to prevent tipping.
This highchair is targeted towards toddlers and is designed to deliver good back support to the child. With a walnut and commercial-grade finish, this chair will blend right in with the rest of your décor.
The unit is easy to assemble and effortless to move around as it’s lightweight. So, you can drag the chair in front of the TV or have your little ones join the rest of your family at the dinner table.
You can also put your worries about cleaning to rest, as a quick wipe with a damp cloth can clean away most dirt and grub.
It is a great inexpensive alternative to ugly plastic chairs that have the bare minimum longevity. And it does not take up much space either. You can expect this piece to last through all your kids’ childhood and probably even more.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to move around
- Made with good quality wood to ensure longevity
- Designed to deliver good back support for your child
- Harness and pyramid design to protect your child’s safety
Cons
- The seat is a little hard and can be uncomfortable
Winco CHH-103 Unassembled Wooden Highchair
Why should you spend a fortune on something frail when you can get the Winco CHH-103 and have it last forever?
It is crafted with the highest quality of wood, and you will be pleasantly surprised at its sturdiness and robustness. The mahogany stain gives off a polished look that would go well with every type of furniture and interior.
The restraint strap with side release buckles will keep the little ones in place and stop them from running around as you dine. It has an easy-to-reach height, which can also be modified according to different needs.
This highchair comes unassembled, so you can easily store it or carry it around. They can be stacked on top of other chairs for efficiently saving space.
Moreover, you do not need to be a pro at DIY-ing as assembling takes neither time nor any advanced skills.
The Winco high chairs will be your new favorite baby product, especially if you have twins. Mealtime will hardly be a nightmare anymore, and the only thing you will regret is not getting this chair sooner.
The rubberwood used in it for strength, insect resistance, and safety can handle abuse and stand strong for many, many years to come. You can safely keep these chairs for future offspring or pass them off to other mommies in the family who will cherish this family heirloom themselves.
Pros
- The sleek finishing blends in with most interiors
- Easy to assemble and transport
- Can be stacked in a corner to save space
- Ergonomic design provides good support and is super comfortable
Cons
- Rubbers on the bottom come loose when transporting.
Fornel Heartwood Grey Adjustable Wooden Highchair
How can we not include the Fornel Heartwood highchair in our list of the best wooden highchairs? With this easy-to-assemble tool, your little one can join you during meal hours and feel like an adult member of the family.
Your baby deserves the best, and this toddler’s chair is one of them. All the materials used are FSC and CARBS certified, ensuring the top-most quality. Due to its ergonomic design and stable legs, active young diners can have their share of fun and remain secured at the same time.
All the edges have been molded and smoothed over for your child’s safety. You can adjust the height as you need amongst the 14 different levels, each having 1.5 inches between them.
The sleek finishing with a low VOC plant-based lacquer and scratch-resistant properties make it super easy to clean and keep in pristine condition.
Just wipe away any mess and dirt with a damp cloth after every use.
While the price range of this might be on the higher end, you will find that it is worth every penny once you see the adjustability features and the deep base.
Pros
- 14 adjustable levels of height
- Nice and natural wood finish which is visually appealing
- Extremely sturdy and has a proper balance without risks of tipping over
- Nice, rounded edges for extra protection
Cons
- Seat needs to be purchased separately at an additional cost
Benefits of Wooden Highchair
There are so many reasons wooden high chairs are taking the marketplace by storm. And buying one for you will be one of the best parenting decisions you will ever make.
Strength and Durability
When you compare the durability and longevity of wooden chairs with plastic or other materials, the product lifetime of the latter almost seems like a joke. Wood, no matter what kind, is robust and will stand strong against most wear and tear that comes with regular use.
The higher the durability, the lesser the maintenance. Cleaning is a breeze, and you will be enjoying excellent value for your investment. And when the time comes, you can pass it down to the next generation in your family!
Stylish Appeals
Wooden high chairs come in different colors and designs, but you can still see the natural grain finish through the stain. These chairs look pretty stylish with all interiors, whether you have a modern or contemporary outlook.
It is not hard to come across a chair that would complement your existing furniture. You may even find that looks so similar that it would look like a matching dining set.
Completely Safe
The superior construction of handmade and heavy wooden high chairs will give you nothing but peace of mind as your child enjoys eating, drawing, or simply scream around.
They are made with non-toxic sustainable wood that is safe for your little one’s health. So, your child can lick the chair to his heart’s content and will face no harm.
These are some of the many benefits you can access while using a wooden highchair besides the standard adjustability, cleaning, and sustainability features!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wooden highchairs safe?
They are completely safe! The chairs are built following the standard safety regulations and have a good balance system. This means they will not flip over and securely hold your child in place.
The sustainably harvested wood is child-friendly and is safe for your baby’s health. Without a doubt, wooden high chairs hold up well.
How long does a wooden high chair last?
There are many cases of families passing down wooden chairs from generation to generation. You can save them for a future child or give them somebody else. They make for excellent gifts, something new parents will cherish and be grateful about.
And no matter how much rough use and abuse you put them through, they will hardly age at all and still look top-notch.
How do you clean a wooden high chair?
A wet rag is the simplest way to wipe away any dirt. You can add a little dish soap if you need to scrub the straps if they are not removable.
Even water and vinegar work great as a natural cleaner to remove all sliminess and germs. And if you want something stronger to clean difficult stains, mix a little baking soda and water and it will come right off.
What is the best waterproof sealer for wood?
If you are looking for waterproof sealers, polyurethane finishes work best and are formulated to be low-odor and having low-vac. You can try the AFM Safe coat, which has three clear finish options and is made with non-toxic ingredients.
Another option is the Vermont Natural Coatings Poly Whey, where the use of petroleum-based plastic is minimized and instead whey proteins are applied as bonding agents.
How do you finish a wooden tray?
Since you will be constantly wiping down your highchairs, the finishing needs to be renewed and replenished after a while. You want to use baby-safe products that can either be oil/wax-based or urethane-based. For enhanced durability, you need to apply multiple coats that are super convenient to touch as well.
Final Words
You will make many important decisions as a parent. Some you can take in minutes while others may require a lot of thinking.
Here we have a list of 5 of the best wooden highchairs, each having multiple features that give them an edge over the others. But the Tripp Trapp by Stokke is the one that has all of us in awe. It might be a little costly, but it provides the best of all attributes which makes it truly worth the investment.
Be it safety, design, or functionalities, this classic highchair has it all.