Wooden High Chairs

Wooden high chairs look nice, but aren't as adjustable

One current trend is the re-emergence of wooden high chairs. These nostalgic chairs feature several modern updates, like removable plastic trays and padded seats. However, many wooden chairs aren't as adjustable as their plastic counterparts, and they generally aren't as easy to clean. That hasn't stopped legions of consumers from buying these chairs, according to retailers, who suggest the popularity stems from purely cosmetic reasons -- wooden high chairs have a pleasing aesthetic and look like real furniture.

Wooden high chairs often fall short in reviews compared to the plastic high chairs, but the Stokke Tripp Trapp (*Est. $250) is a notable exception. Although pricey, it comes in a variety of 11 colors, ranging from the natural wood tones that attract many parents to wooden high chairs, to bright shades of red and blue. Users report the chair is an ideal way to scoot a child up to the table and include the entire family in mealtime. However, for this very reason, the Tripp Trapp does not have a tray, which is a real deterrent for some parents. The chair does have a five-point harness -- although some parents say it doesn't always prevent kids from wiggling loose -- and a wider-than-average footrest. In addition, both height and seat depth are adjustable. Both parent and professional ratings for the Tripp Trapp are good, with especially high praise for its versatility and slim design. A cushion costs extra (*Est. $35 to $50, depending on style), but it isn't strictly necessary. The Stokke chair comes with a seven-year warranty, and it can be converted into a stool when you've finished using it as a high chair.

Parents considering purchasing the Tripp Trapp should first check the safety manual for this high chair; one parent on Amazon.com says her son was able to tip this high chair and hit his head, although the manual provides an explanation for the safety features that prevent the Tripp Trapp from tipping over backwards. This chair should not be used on carpeting or soft surfaces that can prevent it from sliding backwards, because that prevents the chair from correcting itself by sliding backwards to avoid tipping. The complete Stokke Tripp Trapp manual is available at the company's website.

Graco's Classic Wood Highchair (*Est. $135) offers the traditional styling that some parents are looking for in a wooden high chair. The Graco high chair makes it into Parenting magazine's "Mom-Tested Hot High Chairs" list, and gets excellent marks in user reviews as well. Parents posting to Amazon.com and Target.com say the Graco high chair is attractive, solid and easy to assemble. The machine-washable pad gets praise for comfort and ease of cleaning, and the removable tray cover is a popular feature as well. On the downside, there are a couple of complaints about the non-adjustable crotch post and the lack of wheels for mobility. Also, one parent on Target.com notes that the height of this chair isn't adjustable, so it's often not possible to position it right up to the table, as many parents like to do so their children can be more interactive at dinner time.

We also found some reviews for European imports made in the vein of Scandinavian design. These expensive, adjustable wood chairs are designed for use with babies 6 months and older, even through adulthood. Many wooden high chairs don't have padding at all (or the padding is sold separately as an accessory). One of these, the Svan High Chair (*Est. $260) is distributed in North America by Scandinavian Child. This funky yet elegant high chair has been mentioned in many U.S. parenting magazines, and it's getting some good feedback in user reviews as well. Parents posting at Highchairs.com say it's well made and well designed, and they like the fact that it blends in with adult furniture.

Of the Svan High Chair's notable features, the most obvious is its style. The Swedish-design chair is made of bent birch wood. Kids can use the footrest to climb into the seat on their own, and parents report liking this feature in particular. While the chair weighs less than 20 pounds, it can hold up to an impressive 250 pounds, and the chair can be used as a stool for teenagers or adults. It's built for babies six months and older, with the use of the included infant kit for babies between six and 18 months. The Svan High Chair's seat adjusts vertically and horizontally to match your growing child, and the footrest also adjusts vertically and horizontally. One downfall, besides the extremely high price, is that the seat padding is sold separately (*Est. $40).