FOR ALL AGES
There are two situations in which you're likely to need a booster seat for your baby or toddler.
One is in the car, the other is at the table. This article will cover the best booster seats for your baby or toddler to use at a table.
A booster seat is typically a portable seat for your baby or toddler, enabling them to eat away from home with the least possible stress for you, the parents. There are typically four main types from which to choose. These include travel highchairs, chair booster seats that strap onto dining chairs boosting a child's height, a clamp-on seat that grips onto the table top, or a fabric seat harness. Our list includes the first three, opting out of fabric seat harnesses as they don't give your baby any extra height when feeding at the table.
In terms of knowing when to move your baby from a highchair to a booster seat when your family are eating at the table, it inevitably varies, but a good guideline is that if your child can sit up consistently without falling over - roughly between nine and twelve months - then they're okay to move to a booster seat. That said, some children don't transition until they're between eighteen months and two years old, so don't panic if it seems too soon to move them at only nine months.
If your child is strong enough to shift the booster seat around, it may be time to move on from a chair booster seat. Be aware, too, that it's a good idea to attach a booster seat to one of your more sturdy dining chairs, and for the kitchen or dining table to be equally heavy, so that even the wiggliest toddler isn't in danger of pushing it over.
Kidadl has also put together a list of the best high chairs for your baby, too, so be sure to check that out whilst you're researching the best booster seats. Plus, if you're in the market for a new swivel car seat for your baby, we've researched the ten best.
Bumbo is a well-loved brand delivering quality products for babies and toddlers, and this is one of the best booster seats out there for your little one. The three in one seat works as a floor seat, booster, and feeding seat, so will serve you for a while. It has retractable, adjustable straps that you use to secure the seat to a dining chair when your child is ready to move from floor seat to booster, the height is also adjustable, and there's a removable padded foam insert for comfort. Kids are secure with the three-point harness, and is super easy to clean - just wipe down. Plus, the tray stores in the back when you're not using it. We also love the colour options.
Ideal for home and travel, this is one of the best budget seats for kids who are making the move to joining the adults at the dinner table. The straps secure the seat to a dining chair - it should fit most models - and the three-point harness secures your little one safely. The plastic seat is wipe clean. Note that this is good for children ages six months and above.
It's bright, it's bold, but it's also comfortable and convenient. Perfect for either playtime or snack time, the sturdy base is wide for stability and the soft fabrics assist babies in learning to sit up on their own. There are linkable activity toys, and snail and butterfly foot pads which reward your child when kicked with fun squeaky sounds. Great for encouraging curiosity and creative play, this booster seat is also portable, has a padded seat for comfort, a safety harness to secure your child safely, the seat is machine washable, and the tray removes should you wish it to do so - plus it is dishwasher safe. Breezy.
If you're looking for your child to just have a bit of a boost when sitting at the table, rather than a full-blown seat, this cushion is ideal. It comes in a variety of colours and is high-density sponge covered in soft PU leather, making it resistant to long term deformation and also soft against the skin. Plus, the leather can be wiped easily, making spillages less of a drama. Simply adjust the safety buckles to the back and bottom of the table chair and away you go - plus it'll travel easily too.
This is another Fisher-Price booster seat which we've chosen for its long-term potential. The fact that the baby feeding seat is adjustable means that it adapts and grows with your child - ideal for busily growing bodies. It's suitable for children from six months and up, has an easily cleanable seat and dishwasher safe feeding tray. The seat also folds for easy portability, and there's an adjustable shoulder strap too, to make it easier for parents to handle. Plus, there's a three-point safety harness, and the base tray has three height positions; it will also remove entirely should your toddler no longer need it.
Munchkin is a brand with a major following, its products are that good. This is one of their most popular booster seats, and it's easy to see why. A convenient and protective travel bag with a carrying strap unfolds as if by magic into a secure, strong, and stable booster seat. There are Xtra-Grip traction pads to ensure a no-slip grip on chairs, and an adjustable three-point harness to secure your child. It also wipes clean easily.
Don't want to buy a potentially bulky booster seat? We hear you. That's why this chair booster is so great. It'll get your kids to the table height and they'll be sitting on an adult chair like all the other grown-ups, so it's perfect for older children keen to feel that bit more mature. Plus, it's a five-star rated product with a huge following in America, so you know it comes well recommended. It easily adjusts to fit any four-legged chair with either round or square legs, and thanks to its inner rubber coating, it'll grip firmly to the chair and stays attached even when the chair is moved thanks to its adjustable spring system. The rubber feet are non-slip and won't scratch your floor, there are two height adjustments available, it snaps onto chairs easily, is compact and lightweight, and comes in four colour options. Phew!
Just look at this beauty of a booster seat. As well as being a children's booster seat for eating, it's also got loads of bits and bobs to stimulate your child, whilst still ensuring it's safe and supportive. Specially designed in order to ensure your baby doesn't wriggle out of it (we all know a good escape artist), you can rest easy knowing that your child will be secure. There's an ergonomic seat design that promotes a healthy posture in your baby, and a padded seat for comfort. The removable tray offers plenty of opportunities for play, with eight interactive features and six different toy arrangements, and everything is easy to clean with one wipe. Perfect.
A great alternative to a highchair or a chair booster seat, this makes feeding stress-free, and works ideally either at home or away. The chair clips onto the tops of any table via a twist on-and-off clamp mechanism, ensuring it doesn't take up significant space, and it folds flat for easy storage. The seat and shoulder straps are padded, ensuring comfort for any child, the fabric is wipe clean and the removable tray is dishwasher safe. There's also a four-point safety harness to make sure your little one is safe, and it's an award-winning design, just to top it all off.
Multifunctional how, we hear you ask. Well, this is another of the portable booster seats on our list, but this is great because it has changing and feeding features. It folds out to a wipe clean, cushioned changing mat, and when in its bag form, it has storage compartments for bottles and nappies. The flexible strap ensures the seat is securely attached to any dining chair, and the booster itself is easy to clean. Breezy.
If you're not in the market for a chair booster, but still think your child needs a little lift to reach table height, consider this heightening cushion, which comes in a variety of super fab prints to make dining more fun. The two straps mean you can secure it under whatever chair it's attached to so that it won't slip or slide around. The durable synthetic cover is easily wiped clean, and the high-density sponge makes for great cushioning. Mostly, it wins points for the design.
This is another of the best booster seats for table eating, ranking highly amongst parents thanks to its compact nature and lightweight design. The wide seat and adjustable belts ensure your child's security when strapped in, and the removable tray is easily wiped clean - plus it can be adjusted to any of the three height positions that work for your little one. There is a three-point safety harness too, as well as carry straps for parents, should you wish to transport it with you on family outings. It should adjust to the heights of most tables, as it has four different settings.
A table top high chair? Okay, this is not strictly a chair booster seat, but it's a great little product that ticks the boxes for comfort, convenience, and ease of use. It clips onto any table, so no worrying about safety straps, and is lightweight, making it great for carting about with you. Plus, there's a five-point harness for safety, and there's a travel bag included in the price. We also love the dancing eggs and avocadoes.
We've listed many a best booster seat for toddlers when eating out and away from home, but this one is unique as it's a nifty set that also features a placemat for your child. Lightweight and portable, this can be either carried as a bag or stashes in a buggy. When unfolded, it'll boost your child by 8cm to reach the table height, and the adjustable five-point harness combined with the shoulder straps ensures even the most wriggly baby will stay put. Plus, the placemat is great for messy eaters.
We love the dusky rose colour of this booster seat, it's so pretty, pairing nicely with the practicality of the booster. The seat itself is padded, so as to keep your baby comfortable, and can be removed once they grow to allow for extra space. The tray is removable and locks into place, whilst the four adjustable non slip feet ensure security - plus there's a harness by which to strap your little one in. The seat also has a carry handle, should you want to transport it for meals out. Perfect.
This booster easily attaches to dining chairs so your child can sit up just that bit higher, and be part of family meal times. The seat is wipeable, and the tray detaches, making it ideal to pop in the dishwasher. There's a three-point safety harness, and the padded seat provides extra comfort.
Kidadl Best Buys selects the top parent-recommended products across the web for families of all ages. If you liked our suggestions for the best booster seats for babies and toddlers, check out our list for the best baby bath seats and supports. We've also rounded up the best potties, too, to streamline your selection process, so why not have a look at that whilst you're at it?
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