The 11 Best Travel High Chairs If Your Take Your Kid Out for Meals Often
The portability will make feeding baby — sometimes a fraught endeavor to begin with — a bit easier.
If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
If you've never bought one before, you're probably overwhelmed by all of the options and don't know how to determine which travel high chair is best for you — but don't worry, we have you covered. They're a great thing to add to your registry because of their more affordable price point, and they make a great gift for new parents if you're shopping.
The Best Travel High Chairs
- Best Overall: Cozy Seat Cover
- Best Budget Soft Seat: Nuby Travel Seat
- Easiest to Set Up: Chicco Travel Seat
- Great Silicone Placemat: PandaEar Travel Seat
- Most Stable for Baby: Ingenuity 2-in-1
What to Consider
Buying a travel high chair isn't a huge task, but there are a few things that you should look at when you're considering buying one. First and foremost, take into account portability , how easy it is to clean, and cost.
Portability
You want a travel high chair that's lightweight, easy to fold, and easy to stow away. If it doesn't travel well, is it even a travel high chair? We don't think so. Some come with a carrying bag, some have a strap for easy travel, and some fold up tight for small spaces.
Cleanability
Cleaning fabric on high chairs can be a pain. Is it machine-washable ? Thankfully, most travel high chairs are a cinch to clean. The more parts involved, obviously, the trickier cleaning it is, so keep that in mind if you're going to be using it a lot.
You could go with a classic high chair that attaches directly to a table, with arms that serve as cantilevers to hold the baby up safely. You can also opt for booster-style seats that strap onto a regular chair at a restaurant or someone's home.
Another option is pop-out foldable boosters, which are suited best for older children who don't need as much lift to get to the table. Rounding out the list are travel high chairs that are compact versions of the real deal. These are generally made with rugged nylon and aluminum posts and conveniently fold up like an umbrella.
How We Chose
We chose these high chairs based on extensive testing and real-parent reviews. We compared prices, materials, and overall quality to determine usefulness, durability, and value. We put them through their paces with several young and messy humans, and these are the best. Check out these picks if you're shopping for travel high chairs.
Cozy Cover The Original Easy Seat Portable High Chair
Have a washing machine? Have a baby over six months or a toddler up to 35 pounds who wiggles a ton? Like to eat out and need a place to keep them contained? Meet the Cozy Cover Easy Seat.
It has a five-point removable harness for babies and a three-point strap for toddlers, and it just slides over a chair, secures at the bottom, and then you're off to the races. It comes with its own cover that is machine-washable (which is the biggest benefit that parents love about it), but they also remark on how durable it is. This chair can really take some abuse.
The only downside is that it doesn't work on all seats. Our tester noted that low backs on chairs or chairs of odd shapes don't work as well.
More: The Best Suitcases for Kids
Nuby Easy Go Safety Lightweight Travel High Chair Booster Seat
This is a toddler seat designed for kids from nine months to 55 pounds. It can be secured to most chairs, but it doesn't fold as compactly as a slip model. That's not to say it's not compact —you can easily fit this in a standard Skip Hop diaper bag — but it's just a little bit bulkier.
Another great little option is that the high-density foam seat can be removed for comfort. It features a wipe-clean oil and water-resistant fabric, and a three-point harness. It’s a great travel high chair and it’s nice to have “just in case” in your trunk or under your stroller.
Even when we repeatedly used Lysol wipes on this chair while testing it out, the slick finish of the seat remained strong and unwarped. Lysol wipes can deteriorate finishes — and they didn't on this one.
PandaEar Portable Baby Seat Travel High Chair
This product came as a personal recommendation from a few parents. It's a great option because it folds up tiny when you're not using it.
The chair itself is made of typical camp chair material that's easy to clean off. The tray has this wonderful silicone placemat that fits inside that you throw in your dishwasher. You could even throw the entire thing on the porch and hose it down with some dish soap.
Ciao! Baby Camping Travel High Chair
If you go camping, spend a lot of time outside, or just want an ultra-light, collapsible high chair that doesn't need a table and chairs, this is our favorite .
This chair has a five-point harness, so it can be used for babies as soon as they can sit up on their own. It's made of a vinyl-coated canvas, which means it can easily be sprayed off with a hose, wiped clean with a cloth, or sprayed down with your favorite cleaning spray. It also has a cup holder for babies, which may not completely prevent them from flinging their bottle, but it may help. It collapses into a small bag and only weighs about eight pounds.
Users note that this is the perfect choice for the beach, the woods, or the backyard, thanks to the fabric's ease of cleanup and durability. It's an outdoor fabric, and it can take a beating.
Baby Delight Go with Me Venture Travel High Chair
Your child can start using this chair starting at 3 months of age, and they can use it virtually until second or third grade or until they reach 75 pounds. It’s not just a high chair or camp chair with a canopy — it’s also a beach chair for kids .
It has a five-point harness, removable tray, and cup holder, but the sneaky part is that the whole top piece and footrest come off to make it into a shaded chair for your kids.
Even better, the entire thing fits into a sling bag, and the extremely durable polyester can be hosed or wiped off easily.
Wiggly-butt babies have something to push against with the footrest, and you can rest easy knowing it’s safe and stable because they’re so close to the ground.
Chicco QuickSeat Hook-On Travel High Chair
Chicco is good at making it easy for parents to remove their product covers for washing — and the Quick Seat is no different. With the unsnapping of just a few snaps, it's off and ready for the machine in a jiff.
It's suitable for babies from six months or up to 37 pounds, and the generously sized tray is also super easy to clean.
But that's not even the best part. Most claw-style chairs use some sort of twist or crank to attach them to the table. Not the Chicco — it does it with just a pull of a cinch in the back, making it the easiest travel high chair to set up by a mile.
And that's the biggest reason people love this chair: There's no guesswork. Users note they can hold the baby in one hand and easily get the seat attached using their other hand and their hip. (Your hip becomes a third hand when you're parenting a baby, it's true.)
Ingenuity Baby Base 2-in-1 Booster Feeding and Floor Travel High Chair
You get a lot of mileage out of this travel high chair that also happens to double as a baby floor seat . It's a soft seat molded to help keep the baby in a comfortable seated position with a removable dining tray and straps to affix it to the seat at a restaurant or home.
It has a luxe feel and keeps babies from wiggling around so much while they eat. It's sort of like a hug around the lower torso and legs, rooting them into the seat. Think of any assisted-sitting chair, and this is a little like that, but not quite as high-backed.
It's easy to clean thanks to the non-porous surface, and though it would be better if it were easier to carry around, it's overall a great product.
Summer Infant Pop ‘n Sit Portable Travel High Chair
We get that a camp-style chair just doesn't cut it sometimes — so if you're on the hunt for one with a hard tray, this is the one for you.
It's good for babies six months or up to 35 pounds, and the fabric is removable and machine-washable.
It all folds up into a carrying case just slightly larger than an umbrella, save the tray. This chair has a fun zippered pocket on the side to hold whatever you want like plastic cutlery and wipes.
Parents love how much legroom this model has. It's good for chunky baby thighs or bulky sweatsuits. Plus, pretty much everyone loves the cheerful fabric and the grippy bottoms of the feet for stability.
Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat Travel High Chair
You can be on the go or just in your dining room with this Pocket snack booster seat from Chicco. It folds completely flat, and it has a carrying strap. So no matter where you are or where you're going, you'll have a place for your baby.
Chicco made this utterly washable, multi-height position chair with a removable tray so that it works as a booster as well. Suitable for babies from when they can sit up unassisted to 50 pounds. And the easy 3-point harness? It takes a ton of effort to get it gunked up. (Our testers said not even grits could take it down!
Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Washable Booster Seat Travel High Chair
If you are a major fan of Lysol or Clorox wipes , this is the travel high chair for you.
It's not as compact as some of the others, though it does fold up. But the whole thing can be wiped down easily. The straps are even easy to clean. Plus, it stays clean, thanks to having such few spaces for food to get trapped in.
And it is meant for the long haul. Two different tray options click together for storage: One is plain and flat and the other is portioned out. It goes from a high back travel high chair and also transforms into a booster, giving it a second life. It can be used for babies from six months old until they no longer need it.
Phil & Teds Lobster Clip-On Travel High Chair
More than a few parents use this narrow travel high chair as their everyday high chair. It's suitable for use from six months or up to 37 pounds, and because it takes up such little room, it can be a great option for smaller spaces.
The chair itself is extremely durable. The cover is machine-washable and the tray is dishwasher-safe. The only drawback of this chair is that it doesn't work with round tables or glass.
Parents love how small it is, fitting well in tight kitchens. They also love how easy it is to attach, noting that the clasps are simple and durable.
Baby Essentials
The Best Double Strollers for Growing Families
The 15 Best Pacifiers to Soothe Your Baby
13 Best Jogging Strollers for Every Type of Runner
The Best Baby Gates for Safety and Style
13 Best Baby Bassinets for Safer Slumber
The Best Baby Swings to Soothe Your Little Ones
The 6 Best Car Seats of 2024
8 Best Toddler Car Seats You Can Trust
15 Soft and Chic Crib Sheets for the Nursery
Best Travel Systems for Bringing Baby Everywhere
The Best Breast Milk Storage Bags
Best Portable High Chairs
These small high chairs are convenient for travel and restaurants and are great space savers at home., by jen labracio.
Love checking out new restaurants and going on weekend adventures? With the right gear, those things don’t have to stop once you have a baby.
Portable high chairs, sometimes also called travel high chairs, are designed to provide a safe and clean spot for your little one to chow down wherever you go. Most either latch onto a table or strap around a dining chair and, because they take up far less space than traditional high chairs , some parents even use them full-time to save space .
Both kinds of portable high chairs have a harness so your little one can’t push out of their seat or slip through the bottom, but don’t use them until your child can sit up independently without slumping over (around six months ).
Do You Need a Portable High Chair?
A portable high chair is great for eating out at restaurants that don’t provide any baby-friendly seating options or when you want to avoid the sticky, crusty broken-safety-belt loaners many places offer. (Another option is bringing a seat cover to place over the loaner high chair.)
If you plan on traveling frequently—whether to grandma’s house or overseas—having a portable high chair ensures your child always has a safe spot at the table. But you could also feed your child from your lap if you don’t mind the mess.
What Type of Portable High Chair Is Best?
Portable high chairs that clamp onto tables are small, light and easier to pack. But they might not work with round or oval-shaped tables, tables with thin lips or ones that aren’t solid enough to support your baby’s weight. Sometimes the fabric seats on these chairs are hand-wash or spot-clean only, making cleanup difficult. They also lack footrests, a feature recommended by most pediatric feeding specialists to help your little one facilitate a safe swallow.
Portable high chairs that strap onto dining chairs are often easier to clean, and sometimes more versatile—you can remove the tray to use them as a simple booster seat for toddlers. But this type of portable high chair can be bulky and a pain to tote around. And, depending on what type of table and chairs you’re working with, the high chair might not put your child at level height with the table or may not fit correctly on the seat.
Deciding what type of portable high chair to buy depends on what features matter most to you. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Usability: Is the seat safe and sturdy? Will it work with multiple types of tables or chairs? Is it easy to attach?
- Portability: Can you pack it in a suitcase or diaper bag? Does it have a carrying case or strap to put over your shoulder? Is it lightweight?
- Cleaning: Can you wipe it down? Is the fabric removable and washable?
Best Portable High Chair for Travel
Inglesina Fast Table Chair - Black
There’s a reason this is called the Fast Table Chair: This portable high chair clamps onto tables in no time flat with a few twists of the knobs, making it perfect for travel but just as good to use at home, too. It’s even easier to pack up, with a drawstring carrying case that’s attached (and hidden) on the bottom of the seat. Just pull it out and package up the seat that folds flat when you’re ready to go.
The seat is removable and washable and there’s a small pocket in the back to stash a bib. There’s also a custom-fit dining tray , sold separately. The seat will fit most tables from about 0.8 inches up to 3.3 inches thick.
Additional Specs
Best Portable High Chair for Outdoors
hiccapop OmniBoost Travel Booster Seat
If you’re headed to the beach, the pool or even adventuring to your yard or roof deck to dine alfresco, you could feed your little one on your lap—but odds are everyone will be more comfortable (and safer) in their own seat. This portable booster is the ideal solution. It’s lightweight, easy to open and close and packs up compactly in the included travel bag. There’s a tray and a three-point harness, and you can use the chair either on the ground or strapped to an adult chair. And it’s no match for any type of mess your baby or toddler can throw at it; the entire cover pulls off the frame in seconds and can be tossed right into the washing machine.
Another Outdoor Option
Baby Delight Go With Me Venture Deluxe Portable Chair - Grey
Baby Delight’s Go With Me Venture Chair is another option to consider if you’re looking for an outdoor seating solution—but there’s a lot more going on with this chair than just a picnic in the park. You’ll be able to use the Venture for a long time; three stages grow with your baby from about three months old until they hit 75 pounds. It’s also really stable, with a wide base that stays put even in grass and dirt. There’s a detachable canopy for shade and the whole chair folds up into the included carry bag quickly and easily.
Just note that although the polyester fabric is resistant to fading, stains and mold, it’s wipe-clean only.
Best Affordable Portable High Chair
Dreambaby Travel Booster Chair - Blue
This travel booster chair is easy to pack up and sling over your shoulder when you’re on your way to anywhere you’ll need a safe seat for your little one, and it won’t cost you a ton, either. The Dreambaby booster weighs under 2.5 pounds and fits most adult chairs using the long, adjustable safety straps. There’s a three-point harness, a built-in shoulder strap and a removable cover. (Just note that the cover is hand-wash only.) There’s even a storage compartment inside the seat that’s large enough to stash a bib, bottle and wipes.
Easiest to Install Portable High Chair
Chicco QuickSeat Hook On Chair - Graphite
This seat does exactly what its name implies—attaches to your table in only a few seconds. The QuickSeat features a one-pull tightener that cinches the seat into place rather than the screw-on clamps used by most other portable high chairs. It folds down for travel and there’s a built-in carrying strap; just keep in mind that the seat isn’t super compact when folded and the cinching mechanism adds a good amount of weight. There’s also a snap-on tray included. The seat cover snaps off for washing without having to remove the seat from the table.
Most Compact Portable High Chair
Bombol Pop-up booster - Pebble Grey
Nope, this isn’t a cool piece of art—it’s a (very cool) portable high chair. This 3D seat is incredibly compact. It folds flat to about the size of a large book, so you can easily slip it into your diaper bag or tote and be on your way. It’s also incredibly light, weighing in at about two and a half pounds, so carrying it around is super convenient. It holds a child up to 75 pounds and the seat’s fabric is stain, abrasion and odor-proof.
Keep in mind that although it’s approved for babies six months and up, we found it works best once your little one is a bit older and more stable. It’s also expensive.
Best Full-Size Portable High Chair
Summer Pop ‘N Dine SE Highchair
Think a full-size high chair can’t be portable? Think again. This seat works for kids up to 45 pounds but folds compactly into the included carry bag. It sets up in seconds thanks to the pop-and-fold design and can be used either indoors or outside. (It can also be pulled right up to the table since the seat’s footprint is fairly small.) The fabric seat cover is machine washable and the included tray is dishwasher safe, and there’s a three-point harness for safety.
Easiest to Clean Portable High Chair
Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat - Grey
Being able to toss your high chair cover in the wash is an important feature to look for when you’re shopping for portable seats, but what if you don’t have to deal with the washing machine at all? This sturdy, portable seat has no fabric or sneaky crevices to worry about—simply give the entire seat a quick wipe after use and you’re good to go. It’s designed to work on top of a dining chair and features three height adjustments and three tray positions so you can find the position that’s most comfortable for your little one. It also folds up for easy portability.
Best Portable High Chair for Small Spaces
Fisher-Price SpaceSaver Simple Clean High Chair
The SpaceSaver High Chair proves that just because you have a small dining area doesn’t mean you have to compromise on cushy features. It sits atop a dining room chair—no need to make room for more baby gear—and provides a just-right seat for your little one with two height adjustments and three recline positions.
It’s a popular replacement for a traditional high chair and it’s easy to see why: the seat and tray are dishwasher safe, the seat pad and harness are machine washable, and later it can be turned into a booster seat. Also, unlike other portable high chairs, this one can be used from the newborn stage and features a five-point safety harness (the kind that goes over the shoulders). Just keep in mind that it’s not the best for taking with you to restaurants or for traveling since it’s bulky and doesn’t fold down.
- Trying to Conceive
- Signs & Symptoms
- Pregnancy Tests
- Fertility Testing
- Fertility Treatment
- Weeks & Trimesters
- Staying Healthy
- Preparing for Baby
- Complications & Concerns
- Pregnancy Loss
- Breastfeeding
- School-Aged Kids
- Raising Kids
- Personal Stories
- Everyday Wellness
- Safety & First Aid
- Immunizations
- Food & Nutrition
- Active Play
- Pregnancy Products
- Nursery & Sleep Products
- Nursing & Feeding Products
- Clothing & Accessories
- Toys & Gifts
- Ovulation Calculator
- Pregnancy Due Date Calculator
- How to Talk About Postpartum Depression
- Editorial Process
- Meet Our Review Board
The 7 Best Travel High Chairs for Families on the Go
We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .
Travel high chairs provide your baby with their own space to eat solid foods while you're on the go. The best travel high chairs are easy to set up, equipped with many safety features, and, above all, portable.
From booster seats to clip-on to floor chairs, travel high chairs come in a variety of styles. Regardless of the style, you'll want to look closely at its durability, weight capacity, and how easy it is to clean. Many portable high chairs can be wiped down with a damp cloth or will have removable pieces that you can throw in the dishwasher or washing machine once you're home. We researched the top options from trusted brands with these features in mind. A board-certified pediatrician on our Review Board also reviewed this article for medical accuracy and integrity surrounding travel high chairs, safety features, and size limitations.
Here are the best travel high chairs on the market.
- What to Look For
- Why Trust Verywell Family?
Best Overall
Summer infant deluxe comfort folding booster.
Dishwasher-safe removable tray
Removable machine washable cover
Portable design
Not safe for use until baby is 6 months old
We love this booster because it's affordable, durable, and easy to clean. Crafted with BPA-free materials in three adorable designs, this chair has two height levels and two separate straps that secure it safely to a standard chair. It also has a 3-point harness to buckle your baby in and keep them secure. It's safe to use for babies 6 months and up and has a 33-pound weight limit.
Other features include a removable tray and fabric seat cover. The tray can be used for eating or removed so your baby can scoot right up to the table. It has three different position options and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Meanwhile, the seat cover provides some soft support against your baby's back. It can be removed and tossed in the washing machine when it needs to be cleaned. The bottom of the seat is made of durable plastic which can simply be wiped down if dirtied.
Finally, this seat folds down neatly for easy carrying, transport, and storage.
Key Specs: Product Weight: 0.82 pounds | Type: Booster | Weight Limit: 33 pounds
Best Budget
Nuby easy go booster seat.
Super lightweight
Has storage space
Folding design for easy transport
No food tray
Needs to be wiped clean
This seat is super lightweight and folds down compactly so it is perfect for travel. It features two straps to safely secure it to a chair as well as a removable pad for extra comfort and height.
There is a storage pocket on the back of the seat that can hold utensils or a small toy, and the seat is equipped with a strong three-point harness for extra safety. While it does not include a tray, this seat can accommodate toddlers weighing up to 50 pounds.
Key Specs: Product Weight: 1.83 pounds | Type: Booster | Weight Limit: 50 pounds
My Little Seat Travel Highchair
Machine washable
Securely attaches to the chair it’s sitting on
Does not provide extra height
It doesn’t get much simpler than this travel seat, which slides over the back of a chair and ties on for a secure attachment. Once the seat is secure, you just slip the baby through the five-point harness and let them sit directly onto the chair.
It’s made for babies and kids weighing up to 35 pounds and can be tossed into the washing machine whenever it gets dirty. When it’s not in use, this seat folds down to the size of a diaper and tucks away into a small bag, making it super portable.
Key Specs: Product Weight: 0.7 pounds | Type: Booster | Weight Limit: 35 pounds
Best Clip-On
Inglesina fast table hook-on high chair.
Compact design is great for travel
Features storage pocket on the back
Might not be ideal for babies/toddlers with thicker thighs
Hand wash only
This lightweight seat uses adjustable, non-slip clamps to firmly attach to tables between 0.8 and 3.3 inches thick. When it’s not in use, it folds down compactly into the small carrying case that it comes with.
It features a storage pocket on the back of the chair that’s just the right size for utensils and small toys, and it has a high-back design to offer full support to smaller babies. The chair can also be combined with a removable tray (sold separately).
Key Specs: Product Weight: 4.2 pounds | Type: Clip On | Weight Limit: 37 pounds
Best Pop-Up
Summer pop ‘n sit portable highchair.
Easy set-up/tear-down
Includes dishwasher-safe tray
Harness can be difficult to buckle/unbuckle
Available in several fun colors, this chair can be set up as a floor seat. It features a removable tray that is dishwasher safe and comes with a storage backpack for easy transport. The company also sells a nearly identical booster seat with a strap that will attach it to a standard chair.
Kids between 6 months and 4 years old (or up to 45 pounds) can safely use this floor seat, which is equipped with a three-point harness. When it’s not in use, simply fold the seat up like a camping chair and then pop it back up the next time you need it.
Key Specs: Weight: 5 pounds | Type: Floor | Weight Limit: 45 pounds
Best Traditional
Lalo the chair.
Removable cover is washing machine safe
Great longevity
Converts into play chair
On the pricier side
Does not include transport bag
If you want the option of traveling with a traditional high chair, this 10-pound option is perfect. It breaks down into several pieces (depending on the model you choose) so that it can be easily transported wherever you go. The high chair includes a removable tray that is dishwasher safe, comes with a removable pad, and has the option to convert into a play chair.
It’s equipped with a five-point harness and is safe for babies 4 months old (if they are sitting independently ) up to 3 years old, while the play chair is made for kids at least 1 year old and weighing up to 200 pounds.
Key Specs: Weight: 10 pounds | Type: Floor | Weight Limit: Up to 4 years old (Play chair weight limit is 200 pounds)
Best 2-in-1
Chicco pocket snack booster seat.
50-pound weight limit
Compact and easy to transport
Tray is not dishwasher safe
This chair attaches to a standard dining chair and features three height options to help your little one reach the table. It includes a removable tray with three position options and a three-point harness for safety.
When it’s not in use, this seat folds down compactly and features a carrying strap for easy transport. It’s designed for babies 6 months old who can sit unassisted, to kids up to 3 years old or under 50 pounds (whichever comes first).
Key Specs: Weight: 5.75 pounds | Type: Booster | Weight Limit: 50 pounds
Final Verdict
The Summer Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster ( view at Amazon ) ranks top on our list because of its versatility and overall portable design. Cleanup is easy with the removable tray and cover, and it can hold toddlers up to 33 pounds, meaning it offers a few years of use.
What to Look for in a Travel High Chair
Set-up options.
There are various types of travel high chairs which can be set up in different ways. The one that is best for you depends a lot on how you plan to use it.
Typically, booster high chairs will sit on top of a standard chair and attach to its back with a clip or strap of some kind. Keep in mind that boosters should always be securely attached to a sturdy chair in order to be used safely. Also, be mindful of your child's age and development before transitioning to a booster chair . Most babies are booster chair-ready by 18 months old while older toddlers are typically too big for them.
The booster may come with a tray that can slide on and off of the front of the seat, much like a standard high chair, or it may be designed for you to push the chair right up to the table without needing a tray at all. These types of chairs are usually pretty bulky, so they aren’t great for restaurants but work well for visits to friends or family members’ homes.
Clip-On Chair
Sometimes called “lobster chairs,” these chairs are usually super compact and attach to tabletops using clamps that can be adjusted to fit most tables. The clamps are what support the seat, and this type of chair is ideal for restaurants, counters, or high-top tables (as well as air travel) because it’s compact.
However, many of these kinds of seats are designed for babies, so they aren’t good for families with toddlers.
Floor Chair
Instead of pushing up to a table, this type of chair comes with a tray and sits right on the floor. They can be small or closer to the size of a standard high chair but easily break down for travel. Since there are multiple variations of floor chairs, there are a lot of different uses for them. They’re especially good for outdoors where there may not be a standard table and/or chair to attach a travel seat to.
Safety is the most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a travel high chair. If it’s a booster, you’ll want to make sure it has a strap that will securely attach it to the chair it’s sitting on and that it has a level bottom that will stay put even if your child is wiggling. For clip-on chairs, make sure the clamps are high quality and will not loosen as your child moves around.
Also, make sure the seat’s fabric is strong and secure since it will be supporting your child’s weight. Different high chairs have different weight and age parameters so ensure your baby meets these and is showing signs of readiness for a high chair before buying.
Finally, regardless of the type of high chair you get, it should have some kind of harness to keep your kid in the seat. Children shouldn’t be able to crawl or wiggle out of the chair due to the potential risk of injury. It’s also important to note that parents should never leave their babies unattended or let them sleep in any high chair.
Portability
The whole point of getting a travel high chair is that you can easily transport it. Depending on how you plan to use the chair, you may want it to fold down compactly for easy storage or travel. No matter what style you get, though, you will want to be sure that it is light enough to carry (most likely when you’re also carrying a baby and a diaper bag).
Frequently Asked Questions
There's no specific age when your kid should stop using a high chair. Instead, it depends on whether or not they're steady and strong enough to support themselves sitting through an entire (or most of) a meal. That said, generally, children use a high chair until anywhere from between 18 months to three years old.
So, your kid is finally ready to graduate from the high chair. Congrats! You can now move them to a booster seat, which secures to the top of a normal-sized chair and belts them in to enable them to reach the table comfortably and safely.
Ideally, your child's high chair should have a foot rest. This is because it gives them better support and stability while they're eating. (Bonus: This can also help develop their sense of balance.)
When it comes to our little ones, safety is rule #1. By buckling them into their high chair, you can help ensure they don't slip or fall out of it and end up hurting themselves. So, always be sure they're snapped in snugly, but not too tight—you should be able to fit two fingers in between their body and the belt, no more, no less.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products, and key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include materials, design, and user reviews.
The 8 Best Portable High Chairs of 2024
From standalone versions to table-edge clamps
We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .
Unless you plan on eating one-handed with your baby on your lap for the first few years of their life, you’ll need to invest in a high chair. And, if you plan on traveling as a family or even just eating out regularly at restaurants and friends’ houses, a portable one makes life considerably more manageable. Portable high chairs come in many different styles, from space-saving fabric harnesses and table-edge clamp seats (great for storing in the car or as a backup at Grandma’s, respectively) to sturdy seats that grow with your baby and can be strapped to a chair or set on the floor for outdoor dining.
As Lisa R. Trofe, managing director of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JMPA), points out, different models “have various attachment means and location requirements,” and choosing the one that best suits your needs is vital. Other things to consider include how long your baby will be able to use the chair; how easy it is to set up, clean, and store; its weight and dimensions; and above all, whether it has all the features necessary to keep your child out of harm's way. According to pediatrician Dr. Jonathan Jassey, these include “a harness to keep them secure, and high-quality straps or clamps to hold the chair in place.”
Final Verdict
- What to Look For
Why Trust TripSavvy
Best overall, bumbo multi seat.
Three stages allow for versatile use
Removable parts stow away for easy transport
Low-maintenance
Not suitable for earlier developmental stages
Tray fills with water if submerged
If your little one can already sit up unaided, the Bumbo Multi Seat is a fantastic option that ticks several boxes. First, it’s designed to be used between the ages of 6 months and 36 months, affording good longevity and value for money. Second, it grows with your child’s changing needs. It can be used as a floor seat with a nonslip base that prevents tipping even if your baby is a champion wiggler. It also attaches easily to an adult dining chair for use as a traditional chair seat thanks to retractable straps.
And when your toddler outgrows these stages, you can remove the soft foam pad and use the Bumbo as a booster seat. Removing the pad also makes the seat roomier for larger children. It has two height settings, a waist strap, and a feeding tray that attaches to the front of the seat but can be easily removed with one hand for storage in a slot behind the backrest. The entire Bumbo is easily cleaned using a damp cloth and mild detergent and comes in a full range of colors, from powder blue to cradle pink.
Type: Floor seat, chair seat, booster seat | Weight: 4.4 pounds | Weight Limit: 35 pounds
Best Runner-Up
Hiccapop omniboost travel booster seat.
Designed for stability on uneven ground
Easy to clean
Great portability
Lower maximum weight than many competitors
Only available in three similar colors
Coming in at a lower price than the Bumbo, the Hiccapop OmniBoost Travel Booster Seat is an excellent alternative for parents who don’t need quite as much versatility from their portable high chair. Also designed for use from 6 months to 36 months, it resembles a foldable adult camping chair with a locking mechanism that ensures it can’t collapse once fully opened. Removable duck feet allow the chair to be used as a floor seat even on unstable surfaces (think grass or sand on your next trip to the beach ).
The seat also has straps for attaching to an adult chair at the dining table, while a comfort-fit, three-point harness with an easy one-handed release keeps your baby securely in place. You can store bibs and utensils in the rear mesh pocket, and when it gets grubby, the removable swivel tray is entirely dishwasher safe. The fabric cover is designed to wipe clean but can also be removed and put in the washing machine. When not used, the chair folds into a carry bag that measures just 7 x 7 x 16 inches.
Type: Floor seat, chair seat | Weight: 4 pounds | Weight Limit: 30 pounds
Best Budget
Summer infant deluxe comfort folding booster.
Quality design at an affordable price
Dishwasher-safe tray
Limited to use as a chair seat
Does not include carry bag or strap
The Summer Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster is the cheapest option on this list—and almost a quarter of the price of the most expensive choice. Nevertheless, despite its budget price tag, reviewers praise its comfort, compactness, and ease of use. Intended for babies 6 months and older who weigh up to 33 pounds, it can be used in two stages. First, it is a chair-top infant feeding seat with the tray attached, and later it can be a chair-top toddler booster seat with the tray removed. Foldaway legs allow for two different height adjustments.
Other features include a three-point harness, dual straps for securing to an adult dining chair seat, and a removable, machine-washable cover. The tray is conveniently large so that it can be used as a feeding surface in its own right or as a support for the baby’s favorite plate. In between meals, fold the booster up for easy transport and storage. There are three colors to choose from: gray/teal with an elephant motif, pink/cream with flowers, and tan/striped with multiple animals.
Type: Chair seat | Weight: 3 pounds | Weight Limit: 33 pounds
Best Clamp-On Seat
Seebaby z2 portable table side chair.
Easy to transport and store
Impressive weight capacity
Choice of seasonal materials
Requires a table for use
Not suitable for all tables
If you prefer the idea of a traditional clamp-on seat, we love the Seebaby Z2 Portable Table Side Chair. Its adjustable U-type clamps allow it to be fixed to the edge of any table with a thickness of between 0.8 and 3.1 inches, with reinforced, anti-skid pads for added peace of mind. And although it’s a common misconception that clamp-on seats aren’t as strong as their competitors, this one is designed for babies 6 to 36 months with a maximum weight of 40 pounds. A waist strap keeps wrigglers in place.
The chair comes in a choice of winter (cotton) and summer (fully ventilated mesh) fabrics, in a variety of colors that range from gray to blue or pink. The cloth can also be fully removed whenever the seat requires a deep cleaning. Best of all, the Seebaby Z2 folds almost flat and can be neatly packed into its included carry bag. With folded dimensions of just 16.5 x 14.2 x 2.7 inches, it’s ideal for leaving at friends’ and grandparents’ houses or keeping handy in the car.
Type: Clamp-on seat | Weight: 4 pounds | Weight Limit: 40 pounds
Best Floor Seat
Upseat baby floor seat.
Suction-cup-friendly tray
Detachable booster seat conversion straps
Made in Canada
Only meant for children up to 24 months
Many of the other options on our list rely on the assumption that the child can already sit up on their own. Not the Upseat Baby Floor Seat. It was designed in collaboration with physical therapists to help train the muscles necessary for upright posture and allow hips to rest in a natural position. The seat is made of soft foam with enough give to provide a comfortable experience, making it an excellent choice for babies as young as 4 months. Parents of chunky-thighed infants appreciate the generous leg openings.
The included removable tray has a raised perimeter that functions perfectly for feeding times and as an activity space with toys. Detach it to clean and offer your child an obstruction-free seat to engage with their environment. It doesn't collapse down, but there is an integrated grab-and-go handle at the back for one-handed transportation.
Type: Floor seat | Weight: 5.4 pounds | Weight Limit: 30 pounds
Best Standalone Seat
Summer pop 'n dine se portable high chair.
Self-contained unit
Heavier and less compact than other options
Not suitable for babies under 6 months
Looking for an option that could realistically serve as your everyday, at-home chair as well? The Summer Pop ‘N Dine SE Portable High Chair differs from all the others on this list in that it brings your baby to table height without having to piggyback off any other furniture. This also makes it ideal for outdoor scenarios. The fold-and-pop design is easy to set up and pack away and features a wide stance and locking mechanism for added stability. Use the three-point harness to secure any child older than 6 months, with a maximum weight of 45 pounds.
The chair is also easy to clean thanks to its machine-washable fabric and removable dishwasher-safe tray. The latter is BPA-free, so your baby can eat directly off it if you forget to bring a plate. Other highlights include a mesh storage pocket on the back of the chair and an additional wet/dry bag (perfect for storing dirty bibs, plates, and utensils). When not used, it folds into an over-the-shoulder carry bag. Choose yours in green, mango, or aqua sugar.
Type: Standalone | Weight: 10.6 pounds | Weight Limit: 45 pounds
Most Lightweight
Dreambaby grab ‘n go travel booster seat.
Roughly half the weight of other picks
Easy to transport
Roomy storage space
Doesn’t include a tray
Better suited to older babies
If being lightweight is a priority (if you’re planning on packing the seat in your kids' luggage , for example, or carrying it with you when traveling by public transport), the Dreambaby Grab ‘N Go Travel Booster Seat tips the scales at just 2.3 pounds. It’s also exceptionally portable, featuring a booster seat base with a fold-out backrest and side/crotch panels. It resembles a satchel with a built-in shoulder strap for hands-free carrying when packed away, and it’s designed to fit most chairs with two adjustable securing straps.
The chair is rated for babies between 6 and 36 months. However, several reviewers mention that despite the adjustable three-point harness, it can feel less secure for smaller babies, so it’s imperative to wait until your little one can sit up confidently by themselves. In addition to a removable, hand-washable polyester cover, the seat also boasts a zippered exterior pocket and a hollow interior big enough to accommodate baby bottles, toys, and snacks. This section is much more spacious than other storage options on this list.
Type: Chair seat | Weight: 2.3 pounds | Weight Limit: 33 pounds
Best Fabric Harness
Liuliuby travel harness seat.
One of the most affordable options
Very compact and easy to store
Couldn't be easier to clean
Suitable for younger and growing babies
Requires a chair for use
Only available in heather gray
For ultimate portability, it’s hard to beat the Liuliuby Travel Harness Seat. This fabric sling is designed to strap on to almost any dining chair with a seat back width of 21 inches or less, weighs in at just 8 ounces, and can be rolled to fit easily into your purse or diaper bag . Made from 100 percent polyester, it’s padded for added comfort and designed for babies older than 6 months and up to 35 pounds. Your baby must be able to sit up unassisted to use it.
It includes two straps for attaching to the chair, with anti-slip pads on the top strap to prevent it from shifting and sliding as your baby moves. Use the five-point harness to keep them in place, adjusting it to three different height levels as your child grows. Parents of younger babies will appreciate the additional side loops at the waist, which are meant to keep little ones extra secure. In between uses, you can throw the whole harness into the washing machine without having to remove any parts.
Type: Fabric harness | Weight: 8 ounces | Weight Limit: 35 pounds
The best portable high chair for you depends on your baby’s age, size, developmental milestones, and what you plan on using it for. However, for a sturdy, simple to use, and clean option that can be deployed in multiple ways and grows with your little one to provide added value, we love the Bumbo Multi Seat . If you're looking for a cost-effective option to use for the infant through toddler years, reach for the Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster .
What to Look For in Portable High Chairs
Safety is the primary concern when choosing a portable high chair. Dr. Jassey sums up the essentials by advising parents to “make sure there is a buckle to keep them securely in the seat, and that there isn’t room to squirm out.” Beyond that, Trofe stresses the importance of purchasing a chair suitable for your child’s height, weight, and developmental milestones (e.g., the ability to sit unsupported): "Using a product for a too-small or too-big child can significantly impact their safety and may even cause incident or injury.” Choosing a chair that meets current safety requirements is also essential since these are revised regularly. For example, models marked with the JPMA Certified Seal have passed stringent laboratory safety tests.
Ease of Cleaning
It’s easy to be tempted by portable high chairs with added gadgets, toys, or buttons designed to keep little ones entertained; however, the more complex the design is, the more difficult it is to keep the chair clean (and hygienic). It’s best to focus on the chair’s primary purpose, which is providing a secure place to sit while eating and choose the simplest design possible. Specifically, children’s food blogger, teacher, and mom-of-two Rachel Kidson recommends avoiding “lots of fabric that can stain easily, or places food can hide including tiny gaps or creases between materials.” Wipe-clean plastics or machine-washable fabrics are best for the main body of the chair, while removable trays that can be placed in the dishwasher are a lifesaver for busy parents.
There are many types of portable high chairs, ranging from sturdy plastic seats that are meant to be placed on the floor to fabric slings that slip over the back of an adult dining chair to chairs that clamp onto the edge of a table. Each has pros and cons depending on your child's age and the circumstances you're most likely to use the chair for. Need something you can keep in your purse for impromptu meals at a restaurant or friend's house? A fabric sling is your best option. Planning a family camping trip with no chairs or tables to piggyback off? An ultra-stable floor seat or collapsible standalone chair might work better. As Trofe says, "Purchasing a chair for the correct need and use will ensure that your baby can enjoy meal time with you safely."
As long as you can fit your portable high chair into your checked luggage or carry-on bag, there’s no reason you can’t bring it on a plane. Ultra-lightweight, compact options such as fabric harnesses are best for this purpose since most airlines do not include a high chair as part of the free excess baggage usually allowed for infants and small children. You won’t be able to use the seat on the plane itself. That’s because little ones under 2 are typically required to sit on their parent or guardian’s lap or in their FAA-approved travel seat. High chairs (portable or otherwise) do not meet this classification.
Suppose you buy a portable high chair from a manufacturer that complies with the latest safety regulations (and use it only for the situations and child age/size stipulated). In that case, you can probably rest assured that it’s safe. Suppose you are considering buying secondhand or using a hand-me-down. In that case, Trofe advises making sure that the product “has not been recalled, is mechanically and structurally sound, that all parts (including restraining straps and buckles) are included and in good working order, that screws and fasteners are tight, and the product can still be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.”
As the mom of a 4-year-old with another child on the way, Jessica Macdonald has plenty of experience with portable high chairs. When her daughter was little, her Bumbo Multi Seat was an essential accessory for family road trips and camping adventures. For this article, Jessica also consulted the expert opinions of pediatrician Dr. Jonathan Jassey ; JPMA managing director Lisa R. Trofe ; and children’s food blogger, teacher, and mom-of-two Rachel Kidson . She read articles from industry experts reviewing the best options on the market before comparing prices and user reviews to come up with the final product selection.
The 9 Best Beach Chairs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
The 9 Best Travel Strollers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
The 7 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024
The 8 Best Backpack Coolers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
The 8 Best Baby Carriers
Mountain Buggy Nano Travel Stroller Review
The 12 Best Carry-On Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
The Best Travel Cribs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
The 10 Best Beach Canopies of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
The 9 Best Travel Pillows of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
The 8 Best Bags and Backpacks for Disney of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
The 14 Best Survival Kits of 2024
The 12 Best Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboards of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
The 9 Best Hitch Bike Racks of 2024
The 10 Best Towable Tubes of 2024
The Best Bike Trailers to Transport Whatever You Need
- Nursing & Feeding
The 4 Best Portable High Chairs
Looking for a portable high chair for your child? We've researched over 30 options and ranked the top 8 portable high chairs available today in this review. Knowing there's more to a high chair than meets the eye, we evaluated factors including weight and size, portability, and ease of cleaning. Our review breaks down the details you need and the pros and cons of each chair to make your decision-making easier. Whether you need a travel-friendly or space-saving chair, there's likely a contender in our lineup that meets your needs and budget. Read on to see which portable chair is right for you.
We have you covered if you need feeding accessories . We've also tested the best high chairs for everyday use, baby plates , toddler utensils , and mess-free baby bibs .
Top 8 Product Ratings
Best overall portable high chair, inglesina fast table.
- Portability 7.0
- Ease of Use 9.0
- Ease of Cleaning 4.0
The Inglesina Fast Table is a sturdy, portable highchair that keeps a baby's comfort in mind and doesn't skimp on user-friendly features for parents. The chair is relatively easy to attach to a table or bar using the twist-tight clamp system, and sleeve-like covers zip and enclose the hardware. We appreciate its lifted backrest, high-quality canvas, and sufficient seat padding, making the Inglesina experience a comfortable one for babies. Plus, it has a rear pocket to store thin and compact items, like baby bibs and utensils. The fabric is easy to wipe clean, but the canvas seat is removable for hand washing if a deeper clean is needed. Thanks to an attached carry bag hidden within the seat, the chair folds flat and is conveniently contained and ready for travel. A tray accessory is available for purchase.
The Inglesina compactly collapses, but its weight and dimensions are not the smallest in our lineup, so it might not be the right one for you if the smallest is your main criterion. Despite this, we love the quality and functionality of this versatile seat and highly recommend it. If you want a similar style for a less expensive price, the Mountain Buggy Pod is a good option that costs less, hooks onto the side of tables and weighs less, making it more portable.
Read more: Inglesina Fast Table review
Best Budget-Friendly Chair
Hiccapop omniboost.
- Portability 5.0
- Ease of Use 8.0
- Ease of Cleaning 8.0
The hiccapop OmniBoost is a travel booster seat that looks similar to a foldable camping chair but with some attractive features that can make mealtime away from home more enjoyable. It is easy to pop and close with very few steps, and it includes a handy carry bag to grab and go. The removable tray is easy to click on and conveniently fits in the carry bag. There is a mesh pocket on the backside of the seat that we like to use for essentials, such as baby utensils or an extra bib. The chair includes "duck feet" that slide over the chair's standard feet for added stability. Use this chair outdoors or inside, on the ground, or at the dinner table, as it has straps that can attach to an adult chair. Not only is this option budget-friendly, but we think it is sturdy and functional.
The tray is wide yet narrow and will not catch everything your little one drops. Also, some users report the chair's fabric seat can stretch over time. While testing, we did notice some "give" in the fabric. However, the hiccapop will not be your primary highchair, and we think it is satisfactory for traveling needs; plus, the price tag is attractive, making it a good option for those on a budget. The Mountain Buggy Pod could be more compelling if you don't have a separate chair for little ones, and hanging from a table or counter is more viable.
Best Light and Compact Hook-on
Mountain buggy pod.
- Portability 9.0
- Ease of Use 6.0
- Ease of Cleaning 5.0
The Mountain Buggy Pod is an easy-to-use hook-on chair compact enough to fit in a large diaper bag or a stroller basket. Coming in at only 2.2 lbs, it is one of the lightest portable chairs in our tests. The simple design is easy to attach and remove from tables by twisting or untwisting the clamps. The Pod has a solid aluminum frame and a zippered fabric cover that makes the chair highly portable, thanks to the winning combination of sturdy yet lightweight materials.
This portable high chair only fits tabletops thinner than 1.8", so it may not work in every location. Also, one of the significant downsides is the size of the leg holes. They are much smaller than we would expect with the weight limit. The problem becomes especially apparent if your baby wears shoes or has adorably chunky thighs. Another drawback is that the fabric is not machine washable. Luckily, it is easy enough to wipe down, but you will have to unzip and wash it by hand when it requires a deep cleaning. Before each use, you will need to make sure the zippers are secure when putting them back on, as there have been reports of the cover unexpectedly unzipping. Overall, the Pod is one of the lightest and smallest seats, making it a handy travel companion. An alternative could be the Inglesina Fast Table , which was significantly easier to use in our tests.
Best for Easy to Clean
Fisher-price healthy care booster seat.
- Portability 4.0
- Ease of Cleaning 9.0
Mealtime messes will happen, so having a super easy-to-clean portable high chair can make a world of difference. For this reason, the Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat earns an award. We appreciate that the design has minimal small crevices for crumbs to hide, and a good wipe-down is sufficient to keep this chair clean. Plus, the removable feeding tray is dishwasher safe - although we recommend handwashing to extend its longevity. The adjustable straps attach to the underside and back of an adult chair for a secure fit, and it has three height settings. When you're ready to hit the road, the back of the chair folds down for travel and storage.
Some crafty toddlers can figure out how to remove the upper feeding tray, leading to a big mess on the floor. Also, users report that the t-straps holding the harness straps to the chair can work themselves free. Since the tray cannot keep a child in place, it is essential to check that these straps are secure before each use. The hiccapop OmniBoost also has a tray, and the canvas seat is removable for machine washing, making it a potential contender if you are looking at options with trays. Despite these drawbacks, the Healthy Care Booster is an excellent, easy-to-clean choice that can last for years.
Read more: Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat review
Compare Products
Why You Should Trust Us
When choosing and ranking portable high chairs, we wanted to ensure we thought of everything . After over 70 hours of combined testing and research, we found the top contenders. We measured, used, cleaned, and compared. We conducted an extensive analysis of the products and, most importantly, used the seats with young children to help us determine our favorites. We then took all the information we gathered and condensed it into test metric results and helpful buying advice, so you can be confident in your purchase.
BabyGearLab has been purchasing and reviewing top-ranked baby gear since 2013. Leading the portable highchair review is our founder, Dr. Juliet Spurrier . Dr. Spurrier is a board-certified pediatrician and mother of 2. As a doctor, she has a background in childhood safety concerns and the potential results of poorly designed or inappropriately used gear. Dr. Spurrier approves all final competitors using this background and her time as a mother to guide her. The team also includes Senior Review Editor, Wendy Schmitz , mother of 2 and an invaluable team member at BabyGearLab. Between her scientific training and analytical background, plus knowledge of baby products and motherly experience, Wendy helps analyze test results and rank the competition. Providing additional support to the review is Senior Review Editor, Molly Bradac , who we consider the 'Mary Poppins' among the team. Molly has accumulated an impressive profile as a career nanny with over 15 years of experience. Most of her positions included national and international travel, allowing her to bring a unique perspective, experience, and knowledge base to identify qualities of top-performing products and provide recommendations to families based on their needs and budget.
Analysis and Test Results
There are multiple portable high chairs on the market. Considering a few key factors can help you find the perfect portable option for your family. We tested the chairs side-by-side to determine which options stand out and which fall short. Our hands-on testing provides you with the details required to make an informed decision.
The hiccapop OmniBoost chair is wallet-friendly and a great value. It's versatile, use it outside or inside, and we don't doubt you'll get your money's worth. The Fisher-Price is another attractive low-cost product that is easy to clean. But, if your budget is slightly more flexible, the Inglesina offers higher quality and compatibility with various tables you may encounter when out and about. We realize there's a higher upfront cost with this option, but we believe there's value in this purchase, especially if you plan to use it frequently to dine out, trips to the grandparents' house, or as your primary high chair. We think it is worth the cost if you meet these parameters. However, a cheaper option may better suit your needs if you don't.
Portability
There are several types of portable high chairs, and they all have different features that make them portable. To evaluate portability, we took a close look at weight and dimensions. These factors influence how easy a product is to transport; some might even fit in your diaper bag, stroller basket, luggage, or car trunk.
We consider weight to be an essential consideration when making your purchase. We suggest considering how and where you plan to use the chair and how weight might impact your daily use. Situations can include occasional visits to grandparents, restaurant outings, everyday home use, or far-away travel. We found the hook-on chairs to be more travel-friendly than boosters, as they fold down and usually fit inside an included carry bag. Honestly, folding the chair flat, slipping it in a travel sack, and tossing it over your shoulder is all too convenient.
Among the competition, the Mountain Buggy Pod ranks high in this metric. Compared to others, this hook-on style chair has an impressively low weight, is one of the smallest when folded, and includes a carry bag, making it travel-friendly for most scenarios. The OXO Tot Perch with Straps also ranks high compared to others, thanks to being lightweight (although it doesn't beat the Mountain Buggy) and folds up small for travel. Also, this option doesn't include a carry bag if this is a deal-breaker for you.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Summer Pop 'n Dine SE Highchair ranks the lowest. Compared to others, this portable high chair is one of the largest and heaviest, and these factors hurt its overall portability score. This option includes a carry bag with a handy carry strap, which adds convenience when transporting. Still, it will take up space in your vehicle's trunk, or if you're on foot, carrying your baby and a diaper bag, plus a heavy chair, is likely not something you want to add to the mix.
Ease of Use
For this metric, we determined that the complexity of assembly and disassembly are the two main factors at play and the comfort of babies. Therefore, we kept these factors in mind when evaluating the lineup. We also asked things like: How many parts does it have? How long does it take to put together and pack up every time? Are there any features that add to the chair's ease of use?
In our opinion, less is more, and a product that can be ready to go in seconds is invaluable, especially when you toss a hungry toddler into the mix, creating the perfect recipe for a meltdown.
Among the competition, the the Inglesina ranks high in this metric. This contender has qualities of luxury that we admire, such as a high-quality canvas that offers more padding and a cockpit with more support than others, which collectively create a more comfortable sitting experience for babies. Ranking right below the Inglesina, yet higher than many others, are the hiccapop OmniBoost and Summer Pop 'n Dine SE Highchair . These options don't offer impressive comfort like the Inglesina, but they have super quick and straightforward folding systems, whereas many others take more time to set up and takedown.
The Chicco Pocket Booster Seat ranks low in this metric for many reasons. Although it offers height adjustability, which can be helpful, we believe the chair's hard plastic and bare minimum design lack comfort for babies compared to other contenders. Plus, we struggled with getting the tray on, leaving us feeling frustrated because the task should be easy. We noticed ourselves preferring to use other options over the Chicco.
Ease of Cleaning
Babies are messy, especially during mealtime, so finding an easy-to-clean chair is a big plus. Conquering mealtime mess with a quick wipe-down can simplify your life, and we prefer chairs with smooth surfaces and minimal cracks and creases for crumbs to collect and hide. After all, if you are cleaning up after little ones by the hour, why not make it as painless as possible?
The Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe ranks the highest in this metric. This hard plastic exterior option is quick to wipe down and has minimal creases to trap food and liquid. Plus, its tray is dishwasher-safe - score! The Summer Pop 'n Dine SE Highchair and the hiccapop OmniBoost are other easy-to-clean options, thanks to their removable, machine-washable canvas covers, making the overall cleaning task more manageable.
On the contrary, many hook-on portable high chairs rank low in this metric. The phil and teds Lobster ranks the lowest, and the Inglesina Fast Table and Mountain Buggy Pod rank slightly higher, but still low. These hook-on portable high chairs have hard-to-clean areas, particularly where the canvas sides meet the padded seat. Food crumbs love to accumulate in this area, which is easy to overlook. Using a slightly dampened cloth, you can brush the crumbs out of this area, but you'll need to remove the canvas and hand wash it for a deep clean. We consider this task more time-consuming compared to hard plastic options or those with machine-washable covers. Also, removing the canvas covers varies among this small group of hook-on chairs. The Mountain Buggy Pod has a zipper system that makes removing the canvas more accessible and relatively quick. The Inglesina's cover is easy to remove but takes longer to thread it back on the frame, and the phil and ted seat requires the most effort as it requires a tool, which isn't as handy.
Best High Chairs
Best Baby Food Storage Systems of 2024
Best Baby Bibs of 2024
The Best Baby Plates of 2024
The Best Toddler Utensils of 2024
Best Baby Gear of 2024: Top 88 Products
Best Sippy Cups
Are Plastics Safe for Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups?
Best Baby Food Makers
Advertiser Disclosure
Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .
The 15 Best Portable Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats [2023]
Erin Miller
Content Contributor
Countries Visited: 26 U.S. States Visited: 28
Keri Stooksbury
Editor-in-Chief
Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28
The Different Types of Travel High Chairs
Things to consider with a travel high chair or booster seats, 1. find the right position for your baby with this adjustable booster seat, 2. a foldable travel chair with its very own carry case, 3. high chair complete with wipeable food tray and cute looks, 4. a fabulous, full-height folding high chair for meals on the go, 5. an award-winning booster seat from chicco, 6. compact storage on a wrap-style booster seat, 7. slip over adult dining chairs for relaxed meals, 8. inflatable booster seat that keeps your child close by, 1. let your little one eat with you using this portable booster seat, 2. a stand-alone high chair that feels just like home, 3. a hook-on high chair for discerning little diners, 4. this reclining high chair is great for toddlers, 5. store your infant’s extra items in the base of this booster seat, 1. best hook-on travel seat for curved tables and hungry babies, 2. award-winning high chair for those in the know, final thoughts.
We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.
Feeding on the go can be a messy business if you aren’t able to seat your little one at the table with you. A travel high chair or booster seat can make mealtimes far less stressful.
Don’t rely on restaurants, cafes, and other eateries to be able to seat your baby — take your own portable high chair with you instead.
Hook-on High Chairs
Perfect for babies 6 months or older, hook-on high chairs attach to the side of any table using rubber handles that can be securely tightened to remain stable and safe.
Your child will sit close to the table at the right height to enjoy eating and communing with you as you enjoy a family meal together. There are no folding trays to worry about or straps to attach to chairs. Although there is a maximum weight restriction of around 40 pounds depending on the chair, these are the most convenient way to seat your child when traveling.
Bottom Line: Collapsible and lightweight, you can take your hook-on high chair virtually anywhere.
Booster Seats
Booster seats do just that — raise the seat height of your child’s chair to enable them to reach the table. Compact enough to fit into their very own carry bags in transit, these easy-to-clean high chair alternatives are a popular choice for children 12 months or older.
The only thing you need to ensure the success of your booster seat at dinner time is a stable dining chair with a back to tie it to.
Bottom Line: Designed for children weighing up to 50 pounds, booster seats are a highly portable addition to your child-friendly vacation kit.
Made entirely from fabric, chair wraps are just about the most portable feeding devices ever made. Small enough to fit in any purse or carry-on , these oversized scarves are designed to harness your toddler to an adult chair.
While your inner hippie may be happy that you have chosen a natural and traditional way to help your child eat with the grown-ups, you need to be very adept at attaching the wrap to the chair by pulling a cover over the back and tightening the ends to secure your baby.
Bottom Line: Fantastic for those who know how to use them, a huge amount of stress for those that don’t.
When choosing the right travel high chair or booster seat for your next vacation, consider the following:
Keeping your baby safe while sitting at the table is a crucial concern for every parent. While high chairs with straps and large plastic trays feel somehow more secure and sturdy, a child can still fall out if not securely strapped in.
When using a travel high chair or booster seat, be sure that it offers a durable and robust harness , and that the one you choose has enough support to suit the developmental age of your baby.
Hot Tip: To reduce the risk of falling, your child should not exceed the suggested maximum weight for the product.
Wipe-clean fabrics and plastic cushions are best suited to the messy business of babies, and your travel high chair should be just as easy to clean. Foldable booster seats are incredibly easy to clean, and their flexible design makes it possible for you to reach all the tiny seams and creases where crumbs tend to gather.
Hot Tip: Hook-on high chairs with washable, fabric covers are pretty low maintenance as long as you can throw it in the machine.
Size and Portability
Portability is the key to traveling light with a baby, so big, bulky folding high chairs are best left at home on this occasion. You should, however, look beyond the dimensions of any potential travel high chair, and instead focus on a combination of size, weight, and portability.
While wraps are the most lightweight and portable option out there, a compact booster chair that folds up small and weighs very little is still a good alternative. A hook-on that can be folded and kept in a carry bag should also be considered, especially if you are traveling by car or public transport where weight is less of an issue.
Ease of Use
Feeding time with your children can be stressful enough without having to worry about shoehorning your 1-year old into an overly complicated high chair harness. Likewise, holding a baby in your arms while you try to attach a wrap to a chair without any success is also likely to put you off taking your little one out to eat with you.
Whatever type of travel high chair or booster seat you decide to go for, make sure that it’s easy for you to use. Hook-on chairs are more fiddly as you need to screw the handles onto the table to ensure that they are safe, and wraps take some getting used to.
Bottom Line: Booster seats are straightforward to use and easy to insert your child into.
The 8 Best Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats Under $30
Summer infant deluxe comfort folding booster seat.
The Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster Seat is a convenient addition to your baby travel gear and one that will allow them to safely eat their food at the same level as you. Weighing just 3.66 pounds, this booster seat is suitable for children from 6 months to 33 pounds. The compact folding mechanism makes it small enough to take anywhere with you.
Your little one will be safe in the 3-point harness, and you will be able to find the right height setting with 2 different levels of height adjustment. Use it without the feeding tray for a toddler booster seat at the table, or let your younger baby use the tray. Simple to use and highly portable, this little booster seat is brilliant.
What We Like
- Has 2 height levels
What We Don’t Like
- The chair cover isn’t great
Hiccapop Omniboost Travel Booster Seat With Tray
This very useful little travel chair is perfect for letting your little one eat with you wherever you may be. The folding frame pops open to form a low-level camping chair complete with a food tray that toddlers and small children will be happy to sit, eat, or play in. Wide, stable feet help to keep the chair balanced at all times, and the tray is removable so your child can join you at the table.
The 3-point adjustable harness will keep your little one safe as they eat, and when you are finished, simply fold the chair back down and pop it back into the carry bag . To ensure that the chair is always clean and hygienic, the cover can be machine washed and the tray is made from dishwasher-safe, BPA-free material.
Cute and completely portable, this is the perfect camping chair for junior diners.
- Has a removable and washable cover
- Tray table can be difficult to get on and off
Summer Infant Pop and Sit Portable Booster
Looking every bit as cute as a tiny camping chair, this incredibly portable booster chair from Summer Infant is a little bit different from the rest. Designed to be used on the floor, or a chair, your little one can eat independently or with you.
Featuring a lightweight, folding frame that can be erected in sections , this little booster seat even comes with its own carry case. The detachable, dishwasher-safe BPA-free tray is perfect for playing or snacking, and the 3-point safety harness will keep your precious little one safe and secure. By using the built-in safety straps to attach the seat to an adult chair, you and your child (ages 6 months and older) can eat and play together, everywhere you go.
- Folds up small to save space
- Harness straps sit very low
Summer Infant Pop and Sit Portable High Chair
With its lightweight design and full-height feeding chair, the Summer Infant Pop N’ Sit Portable High Chair is perfect for families on the go. Easy to fold down into its very own compact carry bag, this is an easy-to-use travel high chair for your baby.
Suitable from 6 months onwards, the chair comes complete with a removable, BPA-free tray that can be popped into the dishwasher for easy cleaning. The non-slip rubber feet will grip to most surfaces, making this a stable and safe place to feed your children. The easy pop-up unfolding mechanism makes it a dream to use on vacation, at Grandma’s house, or even just at home.
- Has a rear storage pocket
- Leg holes might be restrictive for some children
- Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat
Having already been awarded 5 stars in the “Best Baby and Toddler Gear Awards,” this easy-to-fold portable high chair will transform the way you and your little one eat out. Your baby will be able to sit right at the table and join you for a meal using this easy-to-secure, super-safe booster seat from Chicco.
With 3 tray positions, your child can also enjoy a snack or meal independently, and the harness straps will keep them safe while seated. With a wide padded seat and an easy-to-clean, dishwasher-safe food tray, you can be sure that this booster seat remains hygienic at all times. The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat is an excellent value for money.
- Adjustable to 3 heights
- Securing chair straps are quite short
- liuliuby Travel Harness Seat
So portable it can roll up to the size of an umbrella, the liuliuby Travel Harness Seat is a functional fabric booster seat. Designed with safety in mind, this may look lightweight and unsupportive, but it incorporates a 5-point harness and comfortable straps for added reassurance and unrivaled strength and durability.
Suitable for babies approximately 6 months and older that can sit up unassisted, the simple design hooks over the back of an adult chair and supports your baby while they join you to eat at the table. Machine washable, wipeable, and incredibly stylish, this is the perfect compact travel seat for eating on the go.
- Anti-slip pads mean your child will stay put
- Doesn’t fit all chairs
Cozy Cover Easy Seat Portable High Chair
Suitable for babies from 6 months old up to 33 pounds, the portable Easy Seat is a convenient companion for families on the go. You and your child can avoid the questionable hygiene of restaurant high chairs and have your little one eat at the table with you.
Compact enough to carry in your bag (in its own matching carry bag), the Easy Seat simply slides over the top of your adult dining chair, and with just a quick click of the straps, your child is secured in a 5-point harness . The 100% polyester material is easy to clean in the washing machine, and the brightly-colored design helps this fabulous petite seat stand out from the rest. A great buy for busy parents.
- Comes with a matching carry bag
- Doesn’t include a tray for eating
The First Years On-The-Go Booster Sea t
Quite unlike any of the other high chairs and booster seats on our list, the On-The-Go Booster Seat inflates to keep your child comfy and ensures that they can always reach the table.
Simply pull out the valve and watch it self-inflate into a full-size booster seat, then press out the air and fold back into its carry pack when the meal is over. This seat comes with an adjustable safety belt with a T-restraint to help hold your child securely and even has its own carry bag for taking it everywhere with you. A perfect addition to your baby kit.
- Portable and inflates quickly
- Not suited for extensive use
The 5 Best Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats Under $60
Fisher-price healthy care deluxe booster seat.
Designed to fit at the table so that your little one can eat with the grown-ups, this foldable and incredibly portable booster seat secures to most dining chairs, both at home and away.
With a snap-on feeding tray and cup holder that is completely removable and dishwasher safe, you can let your child eat at the table or eat independently. The 3 height adjustments and super-secure 3-point harness will help you to find the safest position for your baby while they eat.
With a shoulder strap for ease of mobility and a simple, ergonomic design made from easy-to-clean and durable materials, this is a clear winner for moms and dads on the go.
- No crevices to trap crumbs
- Tray table comes off too easily (infant may remove it)
Ciao! baby Portable High Chair with Tray
This stand-alone high chair is an excellent option for anyone who wants their child to feel totally at home in their high chair. Mimicking the height and feel of a regular full-size high chair , this little beauty folds up into a compact size, making it perfect for camping, keeping as a spare, or taking on vacation with you.
Made from highly durable nylon, this high chair is built to last, and the clear vinyl food tray is wipeable and easy to keep clean. There is also a built-in cup holder for your little one’s bottle or cup. Suitable from infant to toddler (your child must be able to sit unaided to use this high chair), your baby will stay safe and secure with the lap belt and 5-point safety harness.
Easy to use and transport, this is the perfect portable high chair for children who want to be reminded of the one they have at home.
- 5-point safety harness
- The opening for the child is a bit of a squeeze
Chicco Caddy Hook-on Chair
In theory, this sturdy and durable hook-on high chair has plenty to offer both you and your baby. It folds down to take anywhere with you, it is made from high-quality materials, and the twist-and-tighten design fastens securely to most tables. In reality, it is very bulky and weighs a lot more than most portable high chairs, at a whopping 7 pounds, even without its carry bag.
That said, the rubberized arms are well-designed and will firmly grip any table without scratching , making it an excellent choice for parents who want their baby to eat with them. The seat cover is removable for easy cleaning and the cushioned back support adds comfort for your little one.
Suitable for 6 months onwards, we are not sure if the pure size and weight of this one prevents it from truly being a travel high chair, but it would still make a useful extra if you have room to transport it.
- Attaches directly to a table
- Not suitable for fidgety children
- Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair
Offering easy-to-clean, customizable seating for your little one, the Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair is an affordable, reliable, and well-made travel booster seat that will make eating out a breeze.
Offering full-size seating dimensions in a portable package that folds up super small, this seat fits on most adult high back chairs. Suitable from around 6 months, this booster offers 2 height adjustments and 3 recline positions . The removable and dishwasher-safe feeding tray is easy to clean, and the cushioned seat will keep your little one comfy at all times.
Designed to grow with your child, the tray can be removed, and the secure strap attachments are designed to stay safely affixed to your adult chair.
- Has a machine-washable seat pad
- Doesn’t slot under the table at certain heights
Brica GoBoost Travel Booster Seat
Perfect for dining on the go, the Brica GoBoost Booster Seat folds up small and comes complete with its own convenient carry strap. Stable and secure with a robust internal frame and wipeable, easy-to-clean material, this is the perfect booster seat for older infants on the go.
There is no 5-point harness on this seat, and it has a fixed position backrest, but with a built-in storage unit that can hold your bottles, wipes, cups, and even diapers. Xtra-Grip traction pads offer a non-slip grip on adult chairs.
- Includes storage for bottles, diapers, or other items
- Not machine washable
The 2 Best Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats Under $90
Inglesina fast table chair .
Incredibly versatile and perfect for use at curved dining tables, this hook-on high chair really is one of the best on the market. With twist-tight couplings that secure the chair to virtually any table and a deep seat with an adjustable 3-point harness, this high chair is also incredibly secure to keep your little one safe while snacking.
With a deeply padded seat, high backrest, waist harness, and easy-to-clean, breathable polyester material , your little one will be super comfortable. With an additional storage pocket on the rear side of the seat for a pacifier and other essentials, and a carry case for journeys away from home, this is an excellent hook-on high chair that is well-suited to families who like to dine out often.
- Comes in a range of colors
- Not the easiest material to clean
phil&teds Lobster Clip-On High Chair
Fans of the phil&teds stroller brand will already be familiar with their unique, high-quality designs, and the Lobster high chair is no exception. Super lightweight and incredibly compact, the Lobster has a first-class aluminum frame with padded support and a shoulder harness system that won’t let you down.
Suitable for infants 3 months old up to 3 years, or a maximum weight of 37 pounds, this high chair is still compact enough to fit into your travel bag for families on vacation. With stylish good looks and award-winning design, the world is your oyster with this high chair.
- Quick to set up and pack down
- Not compatible with all table types
Travel high chairs need to be portable, stable, and easy to clean. Younger babies need a secure harness, while older toddlers need a seat that won’t wobble about when they do.
From the simplicity of a sling-style high chair to hanging out in a hook-on, your next travel high chair or booster seat needs to be small enough to take with you, yet strong enough to hold your child safely. Make more of family mealtimes on your travels with any of the high chairs and booster seats on our list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hook-on high chairs safe.
Hook-on high chairs are safe as long as you adhere to the manufacturer’s maximum weight restrictions. Some other tips are:
- Make sure that the clamp is securely fastened
- Don’t use a hook-on high chair on glass tables
- Ensure all straps are securely fastened
What age can a baby sit in restaurant high chair?
Babies can use a high chair when they are able to sit up unassisted. For most babies, this will happen around the 6-month mark but can happen as early as 4 months.
What are the best travel high chairs?
Some of the best travel high chairs and booster seats include:
- Summer Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster Seat
- hiccapop Omniboost Travel Booster Seat
- Summer Infant Pop ‘N Sit Portable Booster Chair
- Summer Pop ‘n Sit Portable Highchair
- The Original Easy Seat Portable High Chair
- The First Years On-The-Go Booster Seat
- Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat
- ciao! baby Portable High Chair
- Chicco Caddy Hook On Chair
- Munchkin Brica GoBoost Travel Booster Seat
- Inglesina Fast Table Chair
- phil&teds Lobster Clip-On Highchair
Are travel high chairs portable?
While wraps are the most lightweight and portable option out there, a compact booster chair that folds up small and weighs very little is still a good alternative.
Was this page helpful?
About Erin Miller
An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.
INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™
Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...
Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.
We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.
Related Posts
UP's Bonus Valuation
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
- First Trimester
- Second Trimester
- Third Trimester
- Baby Showers
- Baby Registry
- Maternity Style
- Nursery Design
- Unmedicated
- Birth Stories
- Breastfeeding
- Formula-Feeding
- Newborns (0 - 2 months)
- Babies (3 - 11 months)
- Toddlers (1 - 2 years)
- Preschoolers (3 - 4 years)
- School-Aged Kids (5 - 12 years)
- Teens (13 - 17 years)
- Potty Training
- Travel w/ Baby
- Health for Kids
- Entertainment
- Crafting/DIY
Chinese Gender Calendar
Due date calculator, chick picks: our favorite products, meet the baby chick.
Hey mama! Don't miss a thing
Top 8 portable high chairs for babies and toddlers.
Learn all about portable high chairs, why you should have one, what to look for when shopping for one, the different kinds, and our favorites!
- Parenting Guides
by Baby Chick Editors
What is a Portable High Chair, and Why Do You Need One?
What to look for in a portable high chair, different kinds of travel high chairs, which is the best portable high chair for your baby.
Our team of specialists and parents review everything we recommend and only endorse products and services we genuinely believe in. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more .
When families start nailing down travel plan, it also means figuring out which travel gear to prioritize packing. Space-saving items are essential when planning time away from home with the kiddos. A portable high chair is an absolute must if you’ve got a baby or toddler in tow. We’ve rounded up some excellent travel high chair options for you to pick from.
A portable high chair is designed for on-the-go use. It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to travel with. Whether you’re a frequent flier family, visiting the grandparents who live 10 minutes across town every week, or escaping to warmer weather for an annual getaway, you need a portable high chair. Trust us.
They can save you space in your luggage with its small size, be brought along to your great aunt’s tiny apartment or a crowded restaurant, and help make all your family’s trip — or everyday — adventures go much more smoothly. Plus, they’re typically much more cost-effective than renting a full-size seat.
There are several factors to consider when shopping for a portable high chair. Here are some to consider:
- Convenience : Make sure it is easy to pack up and travel with — the more lightweight and the less bulky, the better.
- Functionality : It should be easy to open, set up, and break down. It should also include features you know you’ll need to get the most out of using it, such as a removable tray.
- Safety : Like any product for babies and small children, safety should be a top concern. It should have easy-to-buckle (and unbuckle) straps and a clearly stated size range suitable for your little one.
- Cleanliness : Look for one that’s easy to wipe down when you’re out and about. Since not all travel accommodations have easily accessible laundry facilities, your travel high chair should be relatively simple to keep clean.
- Comfort : A supportive back and enough room for your baby to sit comfortably in their portable seat can significantly affect how successful mealtime is.
Travel high chairs come in several styles. The most common are hook-ons, foldable, portable booster seats, sling-like seats, and pop-up portable ones. Let’s look at what makes each kind unique.
Hook-on Style
This type of portable high chair is also known as a clip-on high chair. It’s small and compact and attaches to tables with built-in clamps. No other full-size chair is needed for your baby to use this high chair, so it’s incredibly convenient for tight spaces.
Foldable Style
A foldable high chair is typically a full-size high chair that folds to a compact, space-saving size. While this type of high chair is not quite as simple to travel with as others, you might prefer it for longer stays away for the sense of familiarity (and comfort for your kiddo).
Portable Booster Seat
A portable booster seat can often be used as a stand-alone or atop a regular, full-size chair. This is a convenient option for families planning to spend plenty of time in and out of dining settings while traveling.
Travel Harness Seat
Sometimes known as a sling-like high chair, this portable high chair accessory is made of lightweight cloth material and harness straps. It attaches directly to the back of a full-size chair, allowing your tot to sit virtually anywhere everyone gathers.
Pop-up Portable Style
This type of travel high chair is self-explanatory; it pops open anytime, anywhere (and folds down just as easily). Depending on the make you go with, a pop-up portable high chair can either be used as a stand-alone seat or attached to a regular, full-size chair.
With so many kinds of travel high chairs, choosing the perfect one for your tiny human can be a head-scratching task. We’ve selected some top picks to help take the load off your plate.
1. Keekaroo Café Booster
This is arguably the best portable booster seat out there. It’s soft to the touch and known for its comfort. It features a skid-free, non-toxic material that conforms to odd surfaces and has a three-point safety harness and a high back for proper posture. Keekaroo’s Café Booster is perfect for toddlers and comes in many bold colors.
2. Evenflo Eat and Grow Four-Mode High Chair
This versatile, four-in-one adapts to your child’s needs from 6 months old to 50 pounds — so you won’t have to worry about replacing it by next year. It features a five-point harness, a machine-washable seat pad, wipeable surfaces, and a removable tray. You can use the Evenflo Eat and Grow Four-Mode High Chair for infants, toddlers, or big kids, and its configuration is an incredibly convenient, lightweight solution for on-the-go use.
3. Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair
At just over 7 ½ pounds, this portable high chair straps onto any regular dining chair. It features a five-point harness with two height adjustments and three recline positions, and you have the option of using it as either a portable high chair with a tray or a booster seat. It also includes a deep, easy-to-clean tray and a cushioned seat pad for added comfort.
4. Nuby Easy Go High Chair Booster Seat
This uber-lightweight, compact booster seat is made of stain-resistant coated nylon and fully collapses for a portability that’s hard to beat. It features a three-point harness, adjustable security straps, and an easy-access storage pocket. This booster seat also includes removable foam padding — and folds into a handy carrying case.
5. Summer Infant Pop ‘N Sit Portable High Chair
This pop-up portable high chair is an excellent choice for indoor or outdoor use. Its pop-and-fold design, quick and compact fold, and included travel bag make it suitable wherever your travels bring you. It also features a three-point harness, a rear storage pocket, and an easy-to-clean removable tray. Children between six months old to 4 years (or up to 37 pounds) can use this portable chair.
6. Chicco QuickSeat Hook-On Chair
This compact hook-on seat offers a simple solution to dining anywhere with its one-pull setup. It features a three-point harness, a snap-on and snap-off seat cover for easy washing, and a removable tray. This hook-on high chair features a compact fold with an attached carrying strap. It’s suitable for toddlers up to 37 pounds.
7. Liuliuby Harness Seat
This incredibly lightweight harness seat features adjustable back straps for various dining chairs and Velcro strap closures for hassle-free setup. It also offers three height options, additional side security loops for smaller babies, and anti-slip straps for added safety. The padding is soft for babies, machine-washable, and a budget-friendly option perfect for traveling with.
8. Regalo My High Chair Portable Travel Fold and Go High Chair
This foldable option features an oversized, removable tray, a simple fold-and-go design, and non-skid, non-scuff feet. This chair offers sturdiness and safety with an all-steel frame, reinforced stitching, and a safety lock feature. It’s simple to open (and close), and you can use it indoors or outdoors. Recommended for use from 6 months to 45 pounds.
Whether you’re brainstorming your packing list for your family’s travel or want to take your general baby travel gear to the next level, a portable high chair should be at the top of your must-haves. Your options are endless, from foldable ones to hook-on ones and everything in between. We hope this list helps you find the best travel high chair for all your family’s travel needs.
Baby Chick’s Editors are here to help parents find the best information and products for their growing families. We believe in inclusivity and cover everything from trying to conceive, pregnancy,… Read more
Experts Share Tips To Help Toddlers Remember Their Vacations
Disney Reservation Requirements Ending, Dining Plan To Return
Pro Tips for A Magical Disney Vacation with Kids – Podcast Ep 126
Why You Should Take the Trip With Your Kids (Even if They Won’t Remember It)
Best Pack-and-Play Products of 2024
Flying With a Baby? Travel Tips for Parents
Trending articles
115 Things to Do While Your Child is Still Little
The Importance of Guiding Emotional Development in Children
How to Unspoil Your Child
Related articles, related podcasts, navigating mommy burnout & reclaiming motherhood with dr. sheryl ziegler – podcast ep 131, discovering your parenting style that best suits you and your baby with dr. sears – podcast ep 130, most popular.
Why I Give My Kids a Crazy Early Bedtime
As a sleep consultant, I give my kids an early bedtime. And I think you should too! Here are four reasons why.
Related products
25 Best Toys for 3-Year-Olds
Best Gifts for 5-Year-Olds
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Don’t miss a thing! Receive our latest articles, pregnancy to parenting news, recalls, trends, the best deals, new products, and more! We’ve got you, mama, during pregnancy, birth, postpartum, parenting, and motherhood!
Our mission is to educate, inspire, and uplift mothers.
Don’t you want to stay up to date on pregnancy and parenting information, new products, and all other things motherhood? Of course you do!
You can’t learn anything from a popup.
But you can learn a whole lot from our website and our experts and contributors who write here. Get all their valuable insights delivered to your inbox every week.
- Work With Us
- Blogging Resources
- Trip Planning
- Destinations
- Solo Travel
- Couples Travel
- Family Travel
- Expat Tips + Stories
- Expat Interview Series
- Inspiration + Musings
13 of the Best Travel High Chairs for Babies + Toddlers
The best travel high chairs? Not exactly the most thrilling of topics… until you start travelling with your little one and realise how crucial they can be!
Travelling with a little one of any age can add some stress to your trip, and the last thing you need to do is figure out how they’re going to eat their meals. Sure, you could have them sit on your lap, and that’s fine every once in a while but doing that every meal while you’re away isn’t that fun. Trust us.
We think travelling with our little boy, Baby B, is really important for his development and our own sanity! You can read more about why you should travel with a baby here.
Why do you need a travel high chair?
Once you’re eager to travel and thinking about packing you may be considering a travel high chair. While it has been fun at times to see all the different styles of highchair wherever we’ve travelled, it also hasn’t always been ideal!
There’s nothing worse than arriving at a planned stop (or unplanned!) to find either they have no highchairs, they are not age-appropriate or worse, they are so badly looked after that you spend a pack of baby wipes cleaning up 6 months worth of baby food.
These are extreme examples of course but when you travel as much as we have sometimes it is just easier taking your own travel high chair so that you eat where ever you choose rather than being at the mercy of such a small thing.
Travelling with a high chair may not suit everyone. It very much depends on how you’re travelling but also how much you are able to take with you. Many won’t fit in a carry on bag for example or aren’t suitable to take camping/use outdoors.
The first thing you need to consider when thinking about your purchase is where will you be using it and how will you get it there.
This might mean you end up having a couple of different options, which we is what we did too. Something light and packable for overseas travel, and something a bit sturdier for visiting family/friends and road trips.
Here we list some of our favourite travel high chairs but also some that you may be curious about and that we know friends have used. Anything to take that extra stress away from travelling with a little one!
Different types of travel high chairs
Solid booster seats .
A booster seat does exactly what it says. It’s able to attach to most normal chairs and it’s the perfect way to give your little one a little security as they try and eat with you. These may not be suitable for really young children but are a great way to help a toddler feel included at mealtimes.
Another aptly named seat, these travel highchairs “clamp-on” to the edge of the table creating a seat at the perfect height for the majority of tables. Again these may not be suitable for very young babies or older toddlers or for the more nervous parent but they work very well and are relatively easy to travel with.
A foldaway travel high chair is a lighter or smaller version of a normal high chair. They can be slightly bigger and bulkier than other types of travel high chairs but some would say more stable as well.
These work very well and maybe more suitable for smaller children as they generally offer more support and have their own table. However, do check the size and weight to be considered from a travel point of view, they shouldn’t hinder your trip!
Probably the most space-conscious travel high chair option! The fabric high chair folds down to a very small size and fits snugly over the back of a normal-sized chair creating a safe attachment to support your little one.
Again, works for a slightly older baby with good head and neck control, the fabric high chair allows for the chair to then be pushed into the table to allow the family to eat together. We found this a great option for overseas travel and days out because it fit in the nappy bag.
Yep, you read that correctly, you can also find inflatable travel high chairs! They tend to take the shape of an inflatable cushion that works as a booster. Only you will know if this will work for you. Baby B doesn’t tend to sit still long enough to find this helpful just yet but we’re working on it!
Things to consider when choosing a travel high chair
Portability.
How and where you’re travelling or at least the way you travel the most often should be the focus. Plane, train or automobile? Each of these forms of transport throws up their own requirements. Will your chair be for daily use, weekly or just for the family holiday each year?
We travel predominantly by car as we explore Scotland and the UK so we have the luxury of looking at the slightly bulkier travel high chairs (find more tips about road trips with a baby here ). We also travel abroad often and love our fabric high chair for its ability to just be thrown into the suitcase!
Obviously, this depends on your own budget and like many baby products there seems to be no ceiling to the amount companies are happy to charge.
However, read up on the products you’re interested in and compare prices with similar products, You’ll soon get a grasp of the average price. There’s no need to spend more for no reason.
This, of course, is crucial. We spend time before each purchase checking reviews both on Which? and on Mumsnet to see what issues other parents may have had. There will always be negative remarks and you will have to draw your own conclusions.
One thing to remember is that travel high chairs generally are for little ones 9 months or older who are able to sit up by themselves. Make sure the high chair you choose not only is suitable for the age of your child and the stage they’re at but also is able to grow with them as they develop further!
We’re a big fan of a gadget but being easy to clean is a real game-changer for us. For those more fraught meals where food ends up everywhere but inside your little one you need to be able to get into every nook and cranny. Make sure you check for the ease of cleaning as well as feedback on using the chair itself.
If it seems too complicated then look into it further. For example, you’ll need to feel 100% confident in clamping the chair to a random table to then be able to sit and enjoy your meal together.
The best travel high chairs
Polar gear go anywhere booster seat.
This seat is perfect for bigger babies and toddlers as it straps to any chair for easy grab-and-go travel. It folds into a messenger bag and even has a 5-point harness.
- Packs down into its own carry case
- Suitable for large kids
- Only weighs 1.5 pounds
- Carry case means that it counts for luggage when travelling if you can’t fit it in your suitcase
- Not suitable for younger or smaller babies
Check the price and more features here
Chicco Pocket Snack
This travel high chair attaches to the top of any dining chair and is suitable for children who are under 50 pounds and can sit up on their own. It’s all plastic, but it’s compact and a bit more sturdy than the compressible cloth chairs.
- Comes with a carry strap
- All plastic outer pieces mean it’s easy to clean
- Folds up into your luggage
- Not too expensive
- 3 adjustable heights
- Adjustable tray table
- Not suitable for bigger children
Phil & Teds Lobster High Chair
This small, compact portable high chair attaches with clamps to any table and includes a 4-point safety harness. The setup is super-quick and the chair itself is suitable for smaller babies.
- Small and packable – fits into its own carry case or nappy bag
- Dishwasher safe food tray included
- Secure clamps
- Easy to set up and has a 5 point safety harness
- Easy to clean as the fabric slides off the frame
- Not suitable for all types of tables (see product details)
- Limited to use up to 37 pounds only
- On the more expensive end of travel highchairs
Bumbo Baby Sitter and Play Tray
The combo floor seat and play tray baby bumper is a simple, yet effective chair. It is essentially a booster seat with no moving parts and no cloth for easy cleaning. The shape is made to fit the baby’s posture, promoting healthy sitting habits.
- Simple, no set up required
- Very stable
- Easy to clean (although see point below about the tray)
- Comfortable for children still learning to sit steady
- Limited uses as it’s not as easy to take with you, although we have taken this on road trips
- Straps can be awkward on some chairs
- No packability
- Tray table can get dirty so be sure to flush it out fully in case food/liquid gets inside. Some people have drilled holes in the back to help!
Tomy Freestyle Three-in-One Booster
This tiny, no-frills booster seat is about as basic as it gets. Simply open up the seat and go. An ideal choice for those looking for a small booster seat without any bells and whistles.
- Folds into itself
- Simple design
- Easy to clean
- Kid-proof buckles
- Difficult to open one-handed
- Not suitable for smaller children
Sit n Style Compact Folding Booster
A great booster seat for larger babies that includes a removable, dishwasher safe tray for easy cleaning. Folds flat for a more compact on-the-go storage option. Not everyone loves the tray design, but you can still use the booster without it.
- Simple set up and easy storage
- Straps to an adult chair
- Carry handle
- Straps are separate from high chair
- Tray design isn’t the best – flimsy and difficult to use for some
Pod Mountain Buggy
Another clamp-on style high chair that works well on a variety of surfaces and is suitable for bigger babies. Easy fold-and-go storage, with an included carry case, makes this a great choice for travel.
- Cloth seat removes for easy cleaning in the washing machine
- Small and compact (2.2 lbs) for easy travel
- Padded back for comfort
- Doesn’t work on all tables – tables over 2 inches thick are difficult to clamp safely
- Some parents thought the seat is a bit flimsier than other similar highchairs, making it tough to remove children
Ciao Baby Portable Highchair
Like a foldable camping chair for kids, the Chai Baby Portable High Chair comes in a variety of colours and is well-suited for outdoor use, and like a true high-chair, it sits a bit taller than the other chairs in this review and folds up accordion style.
- Great for camping, road trips, and outdoor pursuits
- Safety latches keep the chair stable
- Standalone, no need for another chair
- Fabric is quick-drying, although it doesn’t come off to clean
- Soft tray slants towards your child
- Isn’t suitable for plane travel
- A bit heavier and bulkier than some other options
Totseat High Chair
A unique take on portable travel chairs, the Totseat High Chair slips over a conventional adult chair to provide support for your kiddo. At £25 it is a semi budget-friendly portable high chair option that can be taken anywhere.
We own this seat and have taken it all over the world, it really has been an excellent buy!
- Compact and easy to use – stores in your suitcase or a daypack easily
- Works for smaller babies who can hold themselves up
- Easy to clean by washing
- Might not fit all chairs as easily
- Not suitable for larger kids
Summer Infant Pop ‘n’ Sit
Another tiny camping-chair style booster seat, this chair folds up in a superfast for easy grab-and-go travel. It includes a removable dishwasher safe tray and a three-point safety harness. Can be attached to another chair to use at table height, or used on the ground if you’re somewhere like the park or the beach.
- Easy fold-and-go and comes with carry case that fits the chair and tray
- Lightweight
- Works well for children under 35 pounds
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Not easily washable although does wipe clean
- Straps can be awkward on older children
Baby Delight Go With Me Chair
This deluxe folding high chair has a variety of bonus features that make it a great choice for outdoor use. It includes a cushioned seat along with a sunshade, tray and carry bag.
This travel high chair is adjustable as your child grows, fitting from 3 months up to 75 pounds. The feet are angled for stability and there are 8 points of contact with the ground, which is much higher than many other travel high chairs for outdoor use.
- 5 point removable harness
- Lots of added features for outdoor use, including sun canopy
- Comes with a carry case and folds up easily
- Not as lightweight or compact as some other outdoor chairs
- Lower to the ground and not suitable as a booster seat
- Some people find the drink holder too small for their child’s cup
- More expensive
Inglesina Fast Table Chair
Another clamp-on style travel high chair! This table chair clasps quickly to virtually any table, including curved tables, for a quick seat suitable for travel.
Suitable for smaller kids and available in a variety of colours, the sleek design makes for a great addition to any baby travel essentials. There’s even a storage pouch in the back.
The deep seat and higher back than some other clamp-on chairs add increased security and comfort.
- Fits almost any table
- A deep seat and high backrest
- The outer cover is removable and machine washable
- Pocket on the back to the seat to store utensils etc
- Compact and simple to store with a built-in carry bag
- 3 point harness as opposed to the 5 points of the Phil & Ted’s Lobster
- Carry bag doesn’t have a shoulder strap
- Can be a process to remove all the parts to wash
- Doesn’t come with a tray although you can purchase one separately
Concord Lima
The Concord Lima travel high chair folds down quickly for a small booster seat with a harness and tray. Its quick storage helps to make set up and take down a breeze. It isn’t as easy to travel with if you’re planning on walking around with it and you wouldn’t take it as hand luggage on a plane for example, but it’s suitable for more leisurely trips.
- Folds up for quick storage
- Easy to set up
- Lightweight but robust
- Doesn’t work on bench seats or seats with thick padding
- Tray table can be a bit small
- Not almost perfect table height but tray table makes up for this
Consider how you will need to transport it and how often you will be using it to make sure that your purchase suits its purpose. You may find that you don’t need one at all but we have found it really handy to always have the ability to sit Baby B comfortably wherever we find ourselves, be it in a local cafe, on a visit to grandparents or halfway around the world.
We have swapped between a bumbo-style seat and fabric travel highchair and found those worked in most situations for us. However, we also have friends who have used the camping-style foldable chairs and clamp-on with success too!
Let us know what you decide!
Sonja and Phil x
Sonja - Migrating Miss
Sonja is from New Zealand but now lives in Scotland with her husband and two little boys, after having lived in 5 other countries along the way including the USA, Australia, Canada, and Spain. Travelling has always been her passion and she has now made it her full-time job and worked in the industry for the last 8 years. She shares her living abroad experiences and best tips to make your travel experiences the best they can be!
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Sign up for tips, info, and travel antics delivered once a month to your inbox. Go on.
9 Best High Chairs for Babies, Tested by Experts
Give your baby a safe spot to learn to love broccoli (hopefully).
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Some parents want to plunk their baby down in a reclining high chair as soon as the infant can hold their own bottle. Others would rather wait until baby foods are introduced, then get a chair with an easy-to-clean tray that helps them serve homemade purees or begin baby-led weaning. For still others, gathering around the table is important, and they want a high chair that pulls up close to the family. And pretty much everyone these days wants a high chair that will be useful for more than a few months to save money and help the environment. There's a premium put on products that transform to last for years.
The Good Housekeeping Institute staff has evaluated nearly two dozen high chairs in the last two years . In the Lab, we test high chairs to determine how easy it is to do a number of important things: assemble the chair, secure the child, adjust the harness, set the height and tilt of the chair, remove the tray and clean everything. We also looked at how easy high chairs are to move around the kitchen and store. Bonus points were given for high chairs that are good from infancy or that stretch into the preschool years. Finally, in nearly every case, we had families keep and use a high chair at home and tell us about their experience.
Our top picks:
Best Overall High Chair
Graco everystep 7 in 1 high chair.
Best Value High Chair
Ikea antilop high chair.
Best High Chair for Use from Birth
Peg perego siesta high chair.
Best Wooden High Chair
Stokke tripp trapp.
Best Minimalist High Chair
Lalo the chair.
Best Travel High Chair
Inglesina fast table chair.
Most Adjustable High Chair
Maxi-cosi minla 6-in-1 high chair.
Best High Chair For a Big Baby
Safety 1st 3-in-1 grow & go high chair.
Best High Chair For Small Spaces
Pottery barn nuna zaaz high chair.
Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair
Whether you're looking for a high chair for your kitchen or for Grandma's house, we're confident that you'll find a good one here. After our guide, read more about why it's important to buy a new chair, see our tips for what to think about when shopping for a baby's high chair and read more about how we test high chairs.
For a really reasonable price, the Graco EveryStep offers functionality for years by morphing from a baby's first high chair to a booster seat to a preschool step stool . "This seems like it will keep solving problems and saving me from needing other things," one tester noted, echoing a sentiment a lot of families have.
It starts as an infant seat with three reclining positions, so you can lay a young baby in it with their bottle. Then it becomes a traditional, upright baby high chair with seven adjustable heights. Wheels on the front help you position it around the kitchen. The tray-within-a-tray feature means the top tray can go in the dishwasher and you still have the bottom tray if needed. Note that the main tray is a little awkward to remove and put back on. In toddlerhood, the seat and the base can separate, so the seat can become a booster that sits on top of a regular dining chair. (A clip-on booster does not work on every kind of adult kitchen chair; check the manufacturer's photos to see if it will work on yours.) The base becomes either a youth seat or a step stool for a big kid. This is extra handy when Kid #1 enters the "I do it" phase of wanting to help in the kitchen and Kid #2 is starting solids and can sit in the clip-on booster — this one product will serve them both.
Testers found the different configurations easy to use but said that the high chair has a large footprint, about 30 x 24 inches. If you'll be keeping it around for some years, note the space needed in your kitchen. Also, any high chair with comfortable padding like this one takes longer to clean; food crumbs get in the crevice where the cushion meets the plastic seat. Many reviewers say you have to take the padding off to clean it thoroughly, but the good news is that it's machine-washable.
A final note: This Graco high chair does not come ready to go out of the box. Part of the low price is that you will spend 20 minutes or so assembling the high chair, which comes in many pieces. But once it's ready, you're set for years! The similar Blossom Convertible High Chair does not turn into a stepstool but does turn into a youth seat and clip-on booster, and costs about the same.
RELATED: The Top Baby Registry List Items You'll Actually Use
If you're looking for a cheap high chair that works great, you can't beat the price of IKEA's Antilop . With zero padding, the whole thing wipes clean without much effort, and it's incredibly light to carry around. But the price also means it has no frills: In addition to not having any sort of cushion, there's no footrest and it doesn't fold (though you can take the legs off to store it). Also, the height doesn't adjust.
The Antilop only has a three-point safety buckle at the waist and not a five-point harness, so it's safest for kids who don't try to climb out of it. Always keep an eye on your child in this. (The lack of a footrest, though not great from a comfort perspective, does prevent a toddler from pushing down with their feet to try to lift themselves out.) There is a safety bar at the crotch to prevent a baby from slipping down.
Our minimalista tester was happy to use this during the early starting-solids phase. It's a snap to piece together and doesn't overwhelm the kitchen. This does its job!
We found this chair to be easy to set up out of the box and a breeze to push around, even in a tight space, thanks to the four wheels. The wheels can be locked and unlocked using a foot pedal. The chair can be adjusted to nine different heights (including very low settings) and fully reclines flat, making it a perch you can use for infant bottle-feeding long before it becomes a place where you are serving finger foods. There are even three positions for the footrest, a point of comfort that is sometimes excluded from less-expensive high chair models.
There's both a five-point safety harness and a large restraint bar at the crotch that prevents your baby from sliding down, making this among the safest high chairs we tested. It's convenient, too, with a handy back pocket for bib storage and a dishwasher-safe tray that can be folded up with the chair, which stores very compactly.
Once again, any high chair with comfortable padding such as this one will take a bit longer to clean, and this pad can be wiped down but is not machine-washable. Also, there's no conversion option with this chair. While you can use it from birth, you likely won't use it past toddlerhood.
This is a classic Scandinavian beauty, and the Stokke Tripp Trapp, first designed in 1972, still blends with modern adult décor. It's ergonomic and long-lasting, able to go all the way from a baby's high chair to a teen's desk chair . One of our Good Housekeeping writers attests to sitting in this herself if all the other dining room chairs are taken. It can hold up to 242 pounds!
The Tripp Trapp comes in many color options including natural oak, mint, blue, pink and red. The sleek, polished-wood design is very easy to wipe clean. As your child grows, you can adjust the seat and footrest up or down to keep them comfortable.
The seat's various attachments are often sold separately. We like this buy because it comes with the removable five-point baby harness and baby leg restraints for optimal safety at mealtime. It's meant to be pulled right up to the family table, or you can buy a Stokke tray so it can stand alone.
One consumer tester noted that, over time, the footrest got loose in its pegs and sometimes crashed to the ground. Also, there's no folding this high chair and hiding it out of the way, nor is it on wheels. But it is a lovely, lasting piece of wooden furniture.
"I've seen that on Instagram!" is a common reaction to a Lalo sighting in real life. It's a simple, charming baby high chair that's essentially a plastic bucket seat on four wooden legs. Add the cushion and the tray, and you're ready to go.
That modern simplicity has spawned a lot of imitators but Lalo, which sells direct to consumers, stays ahead with cute colors (including pink, green, white, and black in addition to this blue) and a slew of equally easy-modern accessories , from a Splat Mat to a full dish set . It's a high chair but also a lifestyle brand. "It looks nice in my kitchen and has a great aesthetic," said Stefani Sassos , Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, who uses this at her mom's house for her 1-year-old.
As cute as it is, there are not a lot of functions to this high chair. We appreciate that it doesn't waste much space, but there's no way to adjust the height, lean the chair back or fold it up for storage. "The curve of the seat is comfortable for a baby," Sassos noted, but it's not especially luxe. And testers tell us that, even though the footprint is pretty standard, they tend to trip over the wooden legs as they pass by in the kitchen.
For cleaning, the tray easily fits into your dishwasher, and the cushion can be thrown in the laundry on cold. It's a smart idea to buy an extra cushion so one can always be up to bat. The five-point harness and crotch bar provide safety, so be sure to strap your child in every time.Finally, a big selling point is that you can purchase Play Legs and turn this into the cutest living room chair for your preschooler when they outgrow the high chair. Go big and buy the Play Table too and you'll have a whole play space set up. We love a high chair that can be upcycled!
The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is a game-changer when it comes to traveling — it clips onto most tables (so long as they don't have an apron or lip) so you can bring it to restaurants, Airbnbs or a friend's house . And it comes with a convenient carrying case. "If you're at all iffy about germs when you take your baby out, this is for you," one tester said. Our Good Housekeeping Executive Technical Director, Rachel Rothman , said "I used this with all three of my kids and found it super easy to pack away into its carry case, which you can keep under your stroller or in your car's backseat so you're always ready for a lunch or a playdate snack."
At home, you can use this as your everyday high chair. It was designed with Montessori principles in mind; your baby can join the rest of the family at the table and learn to eat food off of that surface. You could also buy the Fast Dining Tray for an extra $34 and have that rest on your table so that finger foods are somewhat contained. Whatever you chose, your baby will have a closer view of how everyone else eats and can listen more closely to the dinner conversation, picking up vocabulary. It comes in a wide range of colors and has a back pocket for bib storage.
Crumbs do slide under the clips, so you should remove the chair from the table for cleaning. There's only a three-point harness for safety — no shoulder straps, unfortunately — so keep an eye on any active toddler who is in this. The product is for use for up to 36 months of age.
This unassuming high chair can do pretty much everything. It is far more adjustable than most baby seats : You can position your baby at any of nine different heights and five different reclines, so this works for a newborn or a sleeping toddler. You can even adjust the tray to any of four positions, closer or further from your kid. It folds up compactly for storage — at least in theory. We had to look up a video of the high chair in action to understand that you must move the seat to a low position before you can fold the high chair.
Looks-wise, the metal legs are printed to resemble wood to a nice effect. There are two cushions that can be removed and machine-washed, and the tray on top of the tray fits into a dishwasher for cleaning. In testing, we really appreciated the four wheels that make this high chair easy to move around a kitchen.
There's a five-point harness for maximum safety and a substantial stopper between baby's legs so they can't slip down. Finally, this seat does grow with your kid. It becomes a clip-on booster seat able to sit on an adult kitchen chair. You can also set it to be a youth seat, first using the high chair seat and later swapping that out for a strapless, backless seat that could be used as a preschooler's desk chair, though the frame adds some bulk.
Safety 1st 3-in-1 Grow & Go High Chair
This high chair has a nice amount of customization for its low price: It works as an infant recliner with three different angles of recline, a toddler high chair with six different height positions and an adjustable footrest, plus it turns into a child seat. It also wheels away when you don't need it and folds up for storage. In addition, it has a five-point harness for safety.
Testers loved how easy-to-clean the cushion was — all it needs is a wipe-down after meals. It's not an especially attractive high chair given that it is entirely plastic and fairly bulky. But with its 60-pound weight limit, this can easily hold a big and messy toddler who needs their own mealtime space that can be cleaned up in a jiffy. Pasta party!
Rugged and durable, the small Nuna Zaaz is also among the most robust high chairs , able to hold over 200 pounds when you use it as a regular seat after the baby years. The chair itself, which has steel in it, is a sturdy 23 pounds, so it's not easy to move around but it's definitely easy to keep in place with few worries about tipping.
The unique foam seat wipes clean. We like this for small spaces because the legs are low and close together, giving it a smaller footprint. The overall high chair is wider when you add the tray. Its five-point harness has magnets in the buckle to help it snap together.
The seat can slide up and down to adjust the height, though it's a little awkward to do and is likely something you'll change only as your child hits new milestones, such as losing the tray and moving up to eat at the table. When your kid gets big the footrest can be removed, too.
When space is at a premium, you can strap this right onto a kitchen chair and not lose any floor space. It's a high chair design that's been around for more than a decade, popular with apartment-dwellers and the less-is-more crowd that seeks simplicity.
The SpaceSaver has a recline option, but in our testing, we felt it doesn't work well with all kitchen chairs, so it's tough to depend on it. There's a tray-within-a-tray feature for easy cleanup, and the cushion is machine-washable. It has all the standard safety features we look for including a five-point harness and restraint bar. Just be sure to have this securely attached to an adult chair so it doesn't tip.
A clip-on chair like this is not height adjustable, but the tray and cushion do come off to make this a booster seat for your preschooler, prolonging its usefulness. Since it holds up to 50 pounds , you should be able to use it as a booster up until kindergarten. It also weighs less than 8 pounds, so if you want to throw it in the trunk on a road trip, it can easily come along.
Why buying a new high chair is best
Starting in mid-2019, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) implemented updated safety standards for high chairs . Before the switch, high chair injuries were responsible for more than 18,000 emergency-room visits, mostly caused when a child tried to climb in or out of a high chair; when the chair tipped over as a child pushed or rocked backwards; or when parts of the high chair (like the restraint) failed to work properly.
Now, all chairs are required to have a passive crotch restraint and a three-point restraint system that goes around a child's waist. If you can find a five-point restraint that also goes over the shoulders as shown in our photo, even better.
In addition, new chairs are harder than vintage ones to tip over, so think carefully before asking for an heirloom or hand-me-down. If you must grab one through a Buy Nothing site or elsewhere, be sure the high chair was made in the past three years.
As with all baby gear, when you buy new it's best to register it with the manufacturer so you can be notified of any recalls; you can also sign up for general baby-related recalls at the CPSC website .
How we test high chairs
We evaluated the following when we looked at baby high chairs:
✔️ Assembly: We clocked how many minutes it took to get the high chair set up for a 6-month-old baby to use.
✔️ Folding/unfolding: We rated, on a scale of 1 to 5, how easy a high chair was to fold and store, as well as how easy it was to move around our test kitchen. Some high chair options are not meant to be stored away at all; others not only fold, but they also have wheels that make them easy to move.
✔️ Ease of securing the child: We snapped a weighted baby doll into and out of the high chairs in our Lab, and took user feedback into account here. Five-point harnesses that go over a baby's shoulders take a little more time to use but are the safest way to secure a child in a high chair. All of the chairs that made our list also have a "passive restraint bar" which is a bar at the baby's crotch to keep them from slipping down.
✔️ Adjustability of the harness: We took points off for high chairs that have a harness that is hard to rethread when a child grows taller.
✔️ Height and recline: Not all high chairs have adjustable heights or a recline feature, but we gave points to chairs that did. We tested the height adjustment and recline on each chair that had them.
✔️ Ease of using the tray: Some high-chair trays can be removed with one hand, but most require an adult to pinch both sides and lift. We gave points to high chairs with easy-to-remove trays and made sure that if there was a tray-within-a-tray feature, the top tray fit in a dishwasher.
✔️ Cleaning: While we could rate how long it took to wipe down a chair in our Lab, we also leaned on user reviews for this. There is almost no reproducing the mess an actual toddler can make when they grab a high-chair harness with sticky fingers, then crumble a cracker into their lap. The easiest high chairs to clean are the ones with no padding. But those did not rate as highly in our next category.
✔️ Comfort: We gave points to chairs with cushions that can be used to keep an infant or older baby sitting comfortably for longer. But we do acknowledge that those do take extra cleaning.
✔️ Convertibility: Finally, we gave points to chairs that convert for use from infancy through the preschool years or even beyond. We like products that last for years!
What to consider when shopping for a high chair
Here are our tips on what to consider when you're shopping for a baby's high chair:
✔️ Decide if you will use the seat in infancy. Your young baby is safe and contained when strapped into a reclined high chair seat with their bottle while you cook, clean or otherwise work in the kitchen. It can be a lot less stressful to have your baby up high, rather than in a bouncer seat on the floor where it is harder for you to see them. If you'd like to use a high chair during your baby's first 6 months, you'll want a full-size chair that can recline (as shown in our photo). On the downside, these usually have a large footprint. But the plus is that they have comfortable cushioning.
✔️ If you'll only use the high chair when your baby starts solids, there are more options. If you start using a high chair at about the 6-month mark, when your baby begins eating baby foods and finger foods, you can use one of the more modern high chairs. Some are clip-on chairs that sit right on an adult kitchen chair or attach to the kitchen table. These simple chairs often take up less space. Some have less cushioning, and you just wipe them down after a meal.
✔️ Decide if you want a chair that grows with your kid. Just as there are baby cribs that turn into toddler beds and then bed frames, there are high chairs that become toddler seats, youth chairs or even step stools. Some require separate conversion kits, but many do not.
✔️ Price is also a factor. The good news is that there are safe, useful high chairs at every price. If you have a budget, you'll likely be able to stick to it without much compromise.
How to clean high chairs
We asked Carolyn Forté , executive director of our Home Care & Cleaning Lab, for some advice:
✔️ Take special care with the tray. "The tray comes in contact with food, so I would only use a cleaner that says on the label that it's safe for food-contact surfaces," Forté says. (This one from Seventh Generation fits the bill.) "Even with one of those, for a baby, I would probably still rinse the tray after I cleaned it since they pick up food and put it directly in their mouths."
We like high chairs that have a tray-within-a-tray feature (shown in this photo) because the top tray can pop into the dishwasher. We have read comments from parents, though, that say some older children figure out how to take that top tray off — for flinging to the floor, not for cleaning.
✔️ Some cushioning is machine-washable. Read the instruction manual to be sure. Most high chair padding should be washed in cold water and allowed to air-dry.
✔️ When needed — once a day or once every few days — wipe down the legs, straps and the hard plastic seat. "I think it's fine to clean the seat and legs with any cleaning wipe or product, but for safety, also rinse it afterward," Forté says. "If you are using a product that disinfects, after letting it sit for the required time to kill germs, I would rinse and dry it, too. "
Note that many high chair manuals ask that you do not use straight bleach on their products. A solution of water and dishwashing liquid, on a clean sponge or paper towel, is a better bet.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute has been staffed with scientists, engineers and journalists for more than 100 years. Making solid product recommendations is in our brand's DNA.
Chief Technologist Rachel Rothman led the testing for this story. She's directed parenting-product coverage during all of her 15+ years with the Good Housekeeping Institute and is now the mother to three children age 6 and younger. Read her recent recommendations for double strollers and car seats .
Senior Parenting Editor Marisa LaScala added tried-and-tested high chair picks to this story. She's collected 50 Best Baby Shower Gifts for New Parents and 30 Fun Activities for 1-Year-Olds to Get Them Learning and Moving and is mom to a 7-year-old.
Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn worked on the 2023 edition of this roundup and continues to test baby high chairs as they hit the market. She previously worked at Parents magazine and also helped update the Top Baby Registry Items of 2023 . Her two kids are now ages 17 and 20 and no longer smash blueberries into the floor.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents .
Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.
@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Product Reviews
The Best Mattresses
13 Best Travel Hair Dryers of 2024
Best Pressure Washers
The Best Compost Bins
The Best Stanley Cup Dupes
Everything You Need to Know About Allbirds Shoes
The Best Barefoot Shoes
54 Amazon Must-Haves You Need to Shop in 2024
The Best Toasters
The Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors
The Best Latte Machines
- The WEE Method of Feeding
- For Toddlers
- One-on-One Coaching
- Small Group Coaching
- Starting Solids: Setting the Foundation Course
- Mastering Mealtimes Toddler Feeding Course
- Workshops, PDFs, and Guides
- Recommended Gear
Baby Nutrition
The Best Travel High Chair for Babies
When it comes to traveling with babies, there are a ton of things to think about. And a ton of stuff to bring! One of the most useful things you can add to your bags is a travel high chair for your baby, but which one should you choose?
The importance of a good high chair for babies
If you haven’t heard me talk about it already, I am a huge proponent of getting babies in properly fitting high chairs . It can make all the difference in the world at mealtimes with how your baby will eat.
The thing is, I would rather you spend your money on the best high chair for your baby that you will use 95% of the time at home. That is a much better option than just an okay one at home and an okay one for traveling.
Because when it comes down to the best portable high chair, convenience is really what we are looking for. And that usually comes at the sacrifice of proper fit. What your child is in at home is going to provide the base of their mealtime experience, and we want that to be our number one priority!
More: For more help with baby led weaning and how to help your baby succeed with eating, be sure to check out this article with a comprehensive guide to baby led weaning and first baby foods !
What to look for in the best travel high chair
The best chair might look different for different families. There are three general categories for travel chairs. Ones that fit on top of adult chairs, ones that hook to the table, and ones that stand by themselves. Each one of these have pros and cons. And how you are traveling most of the time is going to determine which one is the best option for you.
If you tend to go on road trips, you might not be as concerned about how much of a compact fold a chair gets. If you usually fly places, something that doesn’t take up much space in your luggage might be key. If you frequently go where there is no chair or one that doesn’t move (think a picnic table) then a hook-on chair might be your best bet. And if you camp a lot, something that is good for outdoor use and can stand by itself might be important to you.
No matter what type you are looking for, there are some important things we want to consider across the board.
Safety Features
First and foremost, safety features are going to play a key role in our travel chair pick. Most travel-friendly high chairs don’t come with a five-point harness, which is standard in a more traditional high chair style.
Instead, you will find a 3-point harness is standard on most travel chairs. This means that they don’t have shoulder straps for your baby. For most kids, this doesn’t raise a big red flag.
The 3-point safety harness still does a great job at keeping your baby secure. But it won’t help if your child flops from side to side frequently, likes to lean excessively far forward, and sometimes just when they try and push off something to stand up. As with any chair, the important thing is going to be that you don’t leave your child unattended while they are in the chair.
If you are considering a travel chair that straps on top of a dining chair, the straps that secure it to the chair become an issue, as well. Sometimes the straps securing the travel chair do not get tight enough, or will slip loose while the child is in it. This doesn’t usually happen for the ones at the top of the market, but it is something to be on the lookout for.
Easy Cleaning
As with all high chairs, how easy it is to clean is key! Kids are messy, and when you are traveling you won’t always have easy access to soap and water, or whatever is recommended for cleaning it.
Most travel high chair manufacturers recommend that you wipe their chair, and they are often not machine washable. But many parents of young children have had success using a washing machine with the chairs that have removable covers. Making a removable cover another thing to consider in the best chair for your family.
Ease of use
When you’re traveling with kids, things can get stressful really quick. The last thing you need is a chair that is a pain to set up. Especially since meal times while traveling tend to be some of the most volatile times for young kids!
How easily something straps to the chair or hooks on the table is going to be key! Imagine your normal travel situations. What will be easier for you, strapping something to a chair, or getting it attached to the table? Both options will have a learning curve one way or the other, but you might find yourself gravitating towards one option over the other.
The other thing to keep in mind is if it lends itself to easy storage. Is it so big it’s going to be taking up a corner of your hotel room or a good portion of the trunk of your car? Or will it fit somewhere easily without getting in your way?
The Top Picks for Travel High Chairs for Kids
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get down to the specific options out there. Since there are so many different styles, I’m going to share with you my top picks for each category of travel chairs out there. Use your own habits while traveling to help you determine which style will best fit your needs.
The Best Hook On High Chair
A hook on high chair is one that attaches directly to the table with no chair needed. Like all things baby related, there is no one answer when it comes to the best one. Different travel chairs will answer different needs. If I had to choose one of this style of chair that will fit most needs, it would be the Inglesina Fast Table Chair , shown above.
The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is a little on the pricier side for a travel high chair, but it is one of the easiest, and most loved, portable travel chairs. It will fit on most tables, and has its own carry bag to make it easy to take to restaurants or store it in your car. The seat cover is not technically machine washable, but many people have successfully washed it in a washing machine with no problems.
A similar clip on travel chair is the Chicco caddy hook-on chair . It has slightly different clips to accommodate different tables. If you travel somewhere with a table that the Inglesina won’t work on, this is another option to consider.
If you are looking for a chair that is even lighter and more compact than the Inglesina or Chicco ones, the Mountain Buggy Pod clip on chair is a great option. It is so small that it and it’s included carry bag can fit inside of a diaper bag. The chair part will also get your child a bit closer to the table, which is always a plus. Although there are still many other fit concerns to it, as is to be expected in this category.
Hook On High Chairs Are Not Good Day-to-Day High Chairs
It can be really tempting to buy just one chair for travel and daily eating. I highly encourage you not to do that with these chairs! By design, these chairs have a very deep seat that puts many kids very low at the table or counter. Fine for a bit of traveling. Not good for eating every meal in.
They also tend to have a deep back and wide sitting area. Again, not great for positioning our babies and toddlers for eating. If you have room, I’d even consider sticking in some extra towels in your luggage when traveling to help improve the fit on these chairs.
Try sticking a folded towel behind your child to get them closer to the table in the chair. And try placing a towel in the bottom of these chairs to get your child a bit higher up at the table, especially if you have a smaller baby.
The goal isn’t to make them so high at the counter or table that they are unsafe and can fall out. But to find a happy medium that positions them a little better for eating. I also recommend aiming to find a dining chair to place under the hook-on chair. This can give your baby someplace to rest their feet, and help with overall eating.
The Best Travel Booster Seats
This style of travel high chair is specifically designed to fit on top of a dining chair. They have safety straps that go from the edges and clip underneath the adult chair to keep the booster seat secure.
When it comes to traveling, the best seats in this category tend to be the ones that are foldable booster seats. Often they have some form of box or cushion at the bottom of them to provide height to your baby in the chair. Then they have a back and side to secure your baby to the booster. The back folds down on top of the booster for easy storage.
These portable booster chairs tend to be very versatile, and fit to most regular chairs you will find in houses and restaurants.
They also tend to be better options for older children, as they often have a higher weight limit of around 50 pounds and can function as a toddler booster seat when traveling.
With that said, they also don’t tend to be the best option for younger babies. They are generally marketed for babies 9 months and older.
This is primarily due to the fact that the sides don’t securely hold in a child that is flopping around. If you have a child who is a good sitter, they will likely be fine. Many babies have the trunk strength needed to sit in this chairs closer to 6 months. But it is something to keep in mind.
One small perk to these is that they often come with storage pockets inside the booster part of the chair, which makes carrying bibs or plates and utensils a bit easier. They also have very compact folds that make for easy transport, with carrying handles or straps standard.
My Favorite Travel Booster Seat Options
Most of these travel boosters are really interchangeable. My favorite in this category is the Munckin Brica GoBoost Travel Booster Seat . Its shoulder strap and extra storage make it especially convenient for travel and keeping in the back of the car.
The First Years On-The-Go Booster Seat and the Nuby Easy Go High Chair Booster Seat are also easy, and easily accessible, options. Their main features, weight limit, and almost every other important aspect are very close to the Munchkin chair.
Travel Booster Seats Are Not Good Day-to-Day High Chair Options
As with the hook-on chairs, these type of seats are not good daily options for your child. They do not provide the support, positioning, and a myriad of other things you will find in more traditional high chairs. Having your child properly positioned in a high chair for most of their meals will infinitely help with their ability to eat well.
The Best Travel High Chair Is One That Works for Your Family’s Lifestyle
Travel chairs are not daily high chairs. The same things don’t need to be primary in your head when choosing the best one. Which means that using what I’ve talked about here to decide on the type of chair you want for your family, and then choosing whichever one I’ve mentioned in that category that fits your budget and aesthetics is all you need to do.
Spend your time and money finding a high chair for your baby that will position them properly at the table the majority of the time. Because proper positioning is hands down the number one thing to consider in a high chair. But it’s not something that is anywhere close to being available in a travel chair that is currently on the market.
And if you’re curious about what I have in my car? It’s the Munchkin Brica GoBoost Travel booster . I have used it successfully in many different travel situations, and on the rare times when it doesn’t work I will just safely hold my child on my lap to eat. (But remember, that doesn’t mean it’s the right one for your style of traveling!)
Get Age-Specific Help for Your Child!
Join our email list to receive weekly feeding tips and help, tailored specifically to your child's age. Get the help you never knew you needed, just when you need it!
- 0 years
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years
- 4 years
- 5+ years
- 0 months
- 1 month
- 2 months
- 3 months
- 4 months
- 5 months
- 6 months
- 7 months
- 8 months
- 9 months
- 10 months
- 11 months
We'd love to give you all the help that we can when it comes to feeding your child! By sharing with us your child's age, we can tailor the information we send so that it is the most helpful for you. We won't share your child's age with any one else, and it's optional. See our full privacy policy .
Learn how to foster a healthy relationship with food for your child. Start now!
Session expired
Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.
Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
kids department
- 61 Easter-Basket Ideas for Every Type of Kid 61 Easter-Basket Ideas for Every Type of…
- The Best Gifts for 11-Year-Olds, According to Experts The Best Gifts for 11-Year-Olds, Accordi…
- 21 Non-Junky Party Favors for Kids’ Birthdays 21 Non-Junky Party Favors for Kids’ Birt…
- The 12 Very Best Pregnancy Pillows The 12 Very Best Pregnancy Pillows
- The Best Board Games for Toddlers and Preschoolers The Best Board Games for Toddlers and Pr…
- How I’d Redo My Baby Registry: With a Scandinavian Baby Nest How I’d Redo My Baby Registry: With a Sc…
- The Only Toy Gift Guide for a 10-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Toy Gift Guide for a 10-Year-Ol…
- How I’d Redo My Baby Registry: With a Smoother Stroller How I’d Redo My Baby Registry: With a Sm…
- Our Favorite Swaddles (of the 29 We’ve Tried) Our Favorite Swaddles (of the 29 We’ve T…
- The Only Gift Guide for a 9-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 9-Year-Old You…
- How Hilary Swank Would Redo Her Baby Registry How Hilary Swank Would Redo Her Baby Reg…
- The Only Gift Guide for a 7-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 7-Year-Old You…
- The Only Gift Guide for a 6-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 6-Year-Old You…
- The 11 Best Bike Helmets for Kids The 11 Best Bike Helmets for Kids
- The 6 Very Best Baby Swings The 6 Very Best Baby Swings
- The Only Gift Guide for an 8-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for an 8-Year-Old Yo…
- The 12 Very Best Glider Rockers for Nursing The 12 Very Best Glider Rockers for Nurs…
- The 7 Very Best Face Masks for Kids The 7 Very Best Face Masks for Kids
- The 13 Very Best Play Mats for Babies and Kids The 13 Very Best Play Mats for Babies an…
- The 7 Very Best Baby Mattresses The 7 Very Best Baby Mattresses
- 30 (Non-Candy) Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids 30 (Non-Candy) Valentine’s Day Gifts for…
- The Only Gift Guide for a 5-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 5-Year-Old You…
- The Only Gift Guide for a 4-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 4-Year-Old You…
- The Best Kids’ Sneakers, According to Cool Parents The Best Kids’ Sneakers, According to Co…
- The 6 Very Best Baby Sound Machines The 6 Very Best Baby Sound Machines
- The Best Gifts for 6-Month-Olds, According to Experts The Best Gifts for 6-Month-Olds, Accordi…
- The Best Board Games for Kids, According to Experts The Best Board Games for Kids, According…
- The Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
- The Only Toy Gift Guide for a 3-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Toy Gift Guide for a 3-Year-Old…
- The Only Gift Guide for a 1-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 1-Year-Old You…
- Strategist Editors on the Gifts They’re Getting Their Kids Strategist Editors on the Gifts They’re…
- I Want My Daughter to Look Like a ‘Haunted Victorian Doll’ I Want My Daughter to Look Like a ‘Haunt…
- My Son’s Travel Car Seat Fits in a Backpack My Son’s Travel Car Seat Fits in a Backp…
- 44 (Under-$20) Stocking Stuffers for Kids and Babies 44 (Under-$20) Stocking Stuffers for Kid…
- The Best (Strategist-Approved) Children’s Books The Best (Strategist-Approved) Children’…
- The Best Gifts for New Grandparents The Best Gifts for New Grandparents
- The Very Best Washable Rugs The Very Best Washable Rugs
- All the Best Toys for Kids That We’ve Ever Written About All the Best Toys for Kids That We’ve Ev…
- What Are the Best (Nice-Looking) Cribs for Babies? What Are the Best (Nice-Looking) Cribs f…
- The Best Gifts for 12-Year-Olds, According to Experts The Best Gifts for 12-Year-Olds, Accordi…
- The Strategist Toy Store The Strategist Toy Store
- Candyland-Like Plates Got My Picky Eaters to Try Sprouts Candyland-Like Plates Got My Picky Eater…
- The Best Toy Doctor Kits for Kids, According to Teachers The Best Toy Doctor Kits for Kids, Accor…
- The 8 Very Best High Chairs The 8 Very Best High Chairs
- The Best Toy Storage, According to Professional Organizers The Best Toy Storage, According to Profe…
- The 11 Best Bikes for Kids The 11 Best Bikes for Kids
- The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids, According to Experts The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids, Accordin…
- Who Makes These Daisy Kids’ Pants I See All Over Instagram? Who Makes These Daisy Kids’ Pants I See…
- What Are the Best Kids’ T-Shirts? What Are the Best Kids’ T-Shirts?
- The Best Swim Diapers According to Parents and Swim Teachers The Best Swim Diapers According to Paren…
The 8 Very Best High Chairs
To take you from the baby stage and beyond..
In this article
- Best overall
- Best for small spaces and travel
- Easiest to clean
- Most comfortable
- Best for infants
- Best all-in-one convertible
- Best folding
Starting your baby on solid foods is a milestone that’s both exciting and a little nerve-racking, but getting the right high chair can set you and your child up for success. Registered dietitian and founder of popular feeding resource Kids Eat in Color Jennifer Anderson recommends caregivers start solids when their child is able to sit up on their own or with assistance in a high chair (among other readiness signs like reaching for a food) “because that’s going to help them have proper positioning to help them manage the food and swallow it safely.” So what should parents look for when choosing a high chair? While a lot of it depends on personal preference, Anderson considers one question: “Is the child supported and able to sit up?” As Anderson explains, it requires so much energy for a baby to explore their food and focus on the task of eating that “we want to reduce the load of them having to figure out how to stabilize themselves,” which is why an upright seat and a footrest are key features Anderson looks for in a high chair.
Besides those two elements, everything else depends on what works best for your family in terms of space, budget, maintenance, and aesthetics. To find the best high chairs out there, whether you’re looking for a convertible chair to take your kid past the baby stage, one that folds up for easy storage, or one that’s a cinch to clean, I spoke to experts, a.k.a. parents who’ve had plenty of experience dealing with fussy eaters and food-throwers (including yours truly) about their favorites. And as Anderson notes, “You don’t have to buy something really expensive. You can absolutely make the $30 Ikea chair a supportive and perfectly healthy option for your child.”
What we’re looking for
Upright seat.
According to Anderson, it’s surprising to her just how many high chairs on the market have seats that have a reclining or sloping backrest, making the child sitting in it lean back. “Adults don’t usually eat like that, and that’s not how we want our babies to eat either,” she explains. The best way to figure out whether the seat is fully upright is to go to a physical store to look at all the options in person. That being said, if your only option is a chair that has a slight recline, Anderson recommends placing a rolled-up towel or blanket or a cushion behind the baby (and on the sides, if necessary) to give them extra support.
As Anderson mentioned above, a footrest can make a baby feel secure in their high chairs while eating, but not all of them have them. If your preferred high chair doesn’t come with one, Anderson says it’s easy enough to hack one by tying resistance bands around the legs of the chair so your baby has a place to put their feet. “It doesn’t have to be fancy. You can retrofit whatever high chair you have and that support is going to go a long way,” she says, or find some on Etsy , too.
Convertible
A lot of high chairs are designed to grow with your child, from the infant stage to their toddler years and even beyond. These convertible chairs are adjustable in height, have removable seats that turn into stools or boosters, or can be outfitted with accessories. If this sort of adaptability is important to you, just keep in mind that something that worked for your baby might not be a great fit when they get older even with the conversion.
Most high chairs on the market stand on four legs that are placed fairly far apart to ensure stability, so if you have limited space, you should take a look at the model’s footprint to make sure it fits in your home. (If you’re clumsy like me and are prone to tripping, the wide stance of these types of chairs won’t help.) Or you can look for a high chair that folds up so you can put it away when it’s not in use.
Easy to clean
High chairs can get filthy fast, depending on how good your kid is at putting food in their mouths (when they’re babies, they’re terrible at it) as opposed to everywhere else. You’ll be cleaning it after every meal, which becomes a huge drag, so one that’s easy to wipe down or wash is going to make your life a lot less stressful. Look for a high chair with a removable tray and a hard seat and frame made of wood or plastic, which will be the easiest to clean. Chairs that have padding, cushions, or cloth covers, especially if they don’t come off, will inevitably become stained and gross, no matter how good you are at spot-cleaning.
Best overall high chair
Upright seat: Baby seat insert has slight incline | Footrest: Yes | Convertible: Newborn to adulthood (all accessories sold separately) | Size: Smaller footprint | Easy to clean: Removable tray; optional removable cushions
With the caveat that it’s the most expensive option on this list by far, the Stokke Tripp Trapp chair was the most recommended chair among the experts I spoke to, including several Strategist staffers. (Senior editor Winnie Yang owns two, and senior editor Simone Kitchens and I also have it.) The Tripp Trapp is a versatile, convertible, grow-with-you high chair that works from infancy to adulthood (it has a weight capacity of 242 pounds). Designed in Norway in 1972, it’s also a very well-made, nice-looking piece of furniture that you won’t mind keeping around for years. Babylist senior gear editor Jen LaBracio told me that 20 percent of its surveyed users chose it as their favorite. It’s also the high chair she personally uses, as it checked all the boxes: Not only is it “ergonomic, stylish, durable, safe, and easy to use,” it also has a smaller footprint than most high chairs thanks to its Z-shaped frame, making it relatively compact. Co-founder of beauty brand Eadem , Marie Kouadio Amouzame, whose children are 3 and 5, also swears by the Tripp Trapp: “It’s super modular, comes in cool colors, and the entire family can use it.” Anderson also used Tripp Trapp chairs when her kids were older (without the inserts) and said that sitting in them with the footrests helped improve their ability to sit comfortably at the table.
The Tripp Trapp’s basic model comes with just the chair ($239), but you can add on a baby seat with straps (for 6 months and up) ($95), tray ($69), seat cushions ($65), and a newborn insert for newborns up to 20 pounds that brings them to table level, but isn’t meant for feeding ($149), all sold separately. (The bundle shown above includes the baby set.) While each accessory is pricey, you can choose what you need instead of going for a bundle, though Tripp Trapp sells bundles, too, depending on the stage of your child. When my older son was a baby, we used the chair with the baby seat (which has a slight slope but is still pretty upright), cushions, and tray. Removing those accessories was easy enough when he outgrew them, and now that he’s 4.5 years old, we pull the chair right up to the table. It’s easy to adjust the height of the seat and the footrest, allowing your child to sit comfortably, no matter their size or feeding stage. As LaBracio puts it, “I love how it supports any size baby or child in a safe and correct position for eating.”
Best (less expensive) high chair
Upright seat: Yes | Footrest: Yes | Convertible: High chair to toddler chair | Size: Folds up | Easy to clean: Dishwasher safe upper tray
Anderson reiterates that you can find solid high chairs with good support that aren’t high-end models like the Tripp Trapp, calling out the Primo Cozy Tot Deluxe, which she says “has a pretty good upright back to it and it’s not $300.” It also converts from a standard high chair to a toddler chair, no extra accessories required. It comes with an adjustable tray that has a detachable double tray that you can throw in the dishwasher and is generally easy to wipe down. Plus, the already compact high chair folds up, tray and all, to just ten inches, making it a breeze to stow. For $100, it hits all the marks, making it a great choice for families that are looking for the best support for their babies, the value of a two-in-one option, and the convenience of being able to store it.
Best high chair for small spaces and travel
Upright seat: Yes | Footrest: No | Convertible: No | Size: Attaches to table or counter; compact; good for travel | Easy to clean: Spot clean or remove cover and machine wash
The other high chair that got multiple recommendations from the parents I spoke to is the Inglesina Fast Table, which isn’t a traditional high chair but rather one you attach to a table or a counter. It’s ideal for small spaces, since it doesn’t take up any real estate on the floor, and it brings your baby right up to the table. It doesn’t require a separate tray, though there is the option to get one if you want to spare your dining tabletop of the inevitable mess. (The model listed here includes one.) No fewer than four Strategist staffers — Yang, Kitchens, senior editor Jen Trolio, and I — all used it with our children. It was also the one that Jennifer Saxton, founder of parenting support network Tot Squad , used the most with her kids. She loved being able to attach it to the counter so they could watch her cook and generally be part of the action. Trolio used it exclusively with her older daughter, and Kitchens and I used it when our babies were small before moving on to a full-size high chair. (Kitchens now keeps it in the trunk to pull out at restaurants or on road trips.) It has an upright backrest but no footrest, though you could probably find a way to DIY one, and a padded seat. Because it’s made out of fabric, the seat cover is a little harder to clean, but both Trolio and Yang say it’s easy enough to take off the cover and the padded inserts from the frame, scrub off dried-up food with a stiff brush, then throw it in the washing machine. “You hang it to dry, and it’s amazing how well it cleaned up,” says Trolio, “but a scrub brush was the crucial step to getting dried food out of the textured fabric.” Installing and removing the seat from the table is easy, too, and leaves no marks behind. One note is that it works only with tabletops without an underside lip and are less than 3.5 inches thick.
Easiest-to-clean high chair
Upright: Yes | Footrest: No | Convertible: No | Size: Wide four-legged stance | Easy to clean: Yes
Several experts told me that you simply cannot beat the $30 price tag of Ikea’s Antilop high chair, which, in addition to being a good value, is the easiest to clean. It’s also super lightweight, easy to assemble, stackable, and hackable. Yes, it’s no-frills — it’s not adjustable, doesn’t have a footrest, and it’s really difficult to remove the tray — but if you’re looking for something basic and affordable, this is it. Trolio used it with her second kid and says the biggest pro is that it’s easy to clean. Simply wipe the seat and chair down with a damp cloth, and everything comes off. I used it for a month when visiting my parents in California with our 16-month-old who is an incredibly messy, chaotic eater, and can attest to how quickly it cleans up. While the tray snaps in during assembly, it’s unclear whether it’s meant to be removed after each meal for cleaning, so I just kept it in there and used a cloth to wipe everything down. And while it doesn’t have a footrest, there are plenty of add-ons from Etsy you can buy (or use resistance bands, like Anderson suggested). Trolio says that you can also find other accessories to beef it up, like full-coverage silicone place mats for an even quicker cleanup session and cushion covers (Ikea sells a cushion if you need extra support or padding). LaBracio likes the footrest and cushion covers from Yeah Baby Goods , if you want to shop around.
Most comfortable high chair
Upright seat: Yes, with adjustable recline | Footrest: Yes | Convertible: Infant to youth (accessories included) | Size: Self-standing fold | Easy to clean: Dishwasher-safe tray; machine-washable seat pad
As stylish as the Tripp Trapp is, it’s made out of wood and doesn’t come with in-built with padding or cushioning. “I tried the hip high chairs and found them to be so austere and rigid that I gave them away,” says Audrey Gelman, founder of the Six Bells boutique in Brooklyn. What she ultimately settled on was the Graco DuoDiner, which she calls “comfortable, easy to clean, and durable.” Like the Tripp Trapp, it’s a convertible high chair that grows with your child and accommodates six different stages, from infant to toddler, and even comes apart into a booster chair and separate stool, allowing you to seat two kids at once. It comes with a machine-washable seat pad, has five adjustable height positions, and includes an adjustable footrest. Gelman also especially likes that “it has a big tray unlike the others, which minimizes the amount of food you have to clean off the floor.” And unlike the Tripp Trapp, it folds up for easy storage (and stands on its own, too). “We’ve used it for two kids and I stand by it,” says Gelman.
Best high chair for infants
Upright seat: Yes, with infant insert | Footrest: Yes | Convertible: Highchair to booster to play chair with parts sold separately | Size: Wide four-legged stance | Easy to clean: Dishwasher-safe tray; machine-washable cushion
Three of our experts — Saxton; Gabby Slome , co-founder of Cooper (a new online parenting platform); and Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo — recommend the Lalo high chair, a three-in-one convertible chair suited for babies to age 3. Corsillo was sent a sample to test after the clip-on chair she put on her registry turned out to be too small for her baby, who was born early. “It has an extremely handy infant insert and cushion that help him sit up straight, which means he is less likely to choke and is more confident in his eating,” says Corsillo. While the infant insert ($45) is sold separately, it clips on to the chair to provide added back support, bringing the baby closer to the tray. The chair itself comes with a tray, adjustable footrest, and cushion, making the price tag of $235 a little more reasonable (the Tripp Trapp at $239 only includes the chair). It can also convert into a booster seat ($60) and a lower-to-the-ground play chair ($40) with conversion kits that are sold separately. (If you buy these accessories at the same time as the chair, you get a slight discount.) Infant insert aside, Corsillo, who’s been using it for two months, says her baby loves getting in the chair and “bangs his head around a lot from excitement, but the padded cushion means he never hurts himself.” Plus, it’s a very stylish high chair: “It looks beautiful in my apartment and despite taking up more space, it makes my home look more spacious and more stylish than before.” Slome, who uses it with all three of her kids (ages 6, 3.5, and 1), agrees and loves its “sleek, Scandinavian design” and the fact that it’s “super user-friendly to assemble.”
Best all-in-one convertible high chair
Upright: Slight slope | Footrest: Yes | Convertible: Eight different modes | Size: Wide four-legged stance | Easy to clean: Yes
Saxton also used the Moa and loves it for how versatile it is, saying that it’s “so cool”: “It eventually turns into a kids’ table with a chair, which is how I have it at my house because my kids are bigger.” With eight different modes, it works from age 6 months to 5 years, and starts as a high chair, then turns into a booster seat to a toddler stool, and then comes apart into a desk and seat, like Saxton mentioned, until they outgrow it. The Moa comes with an adjustable footrest, a removable dishwasher-safe tray insert, and a machine-washable and water-repellant removable seat pad, making it exceptionally easy to clean. It also looks a lot more high-end than it is, if you compare it to the Lalo, which has a similar shape.
Best folding high chair
Upright: Slight slope | Footrest: Yes | Convertible: High chair to chair to optional kitchen helper | Size: Folding | Easy to clean: Removable tray and dishwasher-safe tray insert
If you need a convertible high chair that’s stylish and also folds, consider Ergobaby’s Evolve chair, which the brand sent me for testing. When my second baby became too fidgety for the Inglesina, we transferred him to the Evolve high chair, and he’s been comfortably eating in it ever since. It’s a two-in-one model that can go from a standard high chair to a toddler seat and also to a kitchen tower stand with an add-on (sold separately). It’s a pretty hefty chair with a wide footprint, but it also folds up, which makes it super easy to transport from room to room and, of course, to get out of the way, if not to store. It’s also very easy to clean, thanks to the molded seat and removable tray. I can either wipe everything down or wash the tray in the sink. The only thing that I have a gripe about is the tray insert that slots onto the top of the full-size tray. It’s removable and dishwasher-safe, which is supposed to cut down on cleaning the actual tray, but because it doesn’t snap into place, it’s pretty much useless with my 16-month-old, who can easily lift it out and chuck it on the floor. It’s not a deal-breaker, though, since we can just use the regular tray without the insert. We haven’t tried the other settings, but I’m looking forward to not having to buy another chair when the baby gets to his toddler years since this one feels well made and robust. It’s on the higher end of the spectrum at $300, but you don’t need to buy additional accessories (aside from the kitchen tower) to take advantage of its full functionality.
Some more feeding products we’ve written about
Our experts
• Jennifer Anderson, Kids Eat in Color founder • Liza Corsillo, Strategist senior writer • Audrey Gelman, the Six Bells owner • Simone Kitchens, Strategist senior editor • Marie Kouadio Amouzame, Eadem co-founder • Jen LaBracio , Babylist senior gear editor • Jen Saxton, Tot Squad founder • Gabby Slome , Cooper co-founder • Winnie Yang, Strategist senior editor
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments , rolling luggage , pillows for side sleepers , natural anxiety remedies , and bath towels . We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
- the strategist
- best in class
- kids and babies
Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
Deal of the Day
Micro sales, greatest hits, most viewed stories.
- 22 Things on Sale You’ll Actually Want to Buy: From Aesop to Brooklinen
- The 20 Very Best Sunscreens for Your Face
- What Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross Can’t Live Without
- The Very Best Area Rugs
- The 14 Very Best Protein Powders
- The 11 Very Best Vitamin-C Serums
Popular Products From Athleta
10 of the best travel highchairs and booster seats
Travel highchairs and booster seats are great for making eating out and about that bit easier. Take a look at our top picks tired-and-tested by parents
- Chloe Brightwell
- Share on facebook
- Share on twitter
- Share on pinterest
- Share on whatsapp
- Share on reddit
- Share on tumblr
A travel highchair, also known as a booster seat is a portable seat, designed to make feeding your baby or toddler easier whilst out and about.
With a booster seat there'll be no more balancing your child on your lap, trying to feed them a messy sandwich, whilst also trying to eat yourself. They aim to make going out for dinner, where you may usually worry about whether the restaurant will have suitable seating for your baby that little bit less stressful. With a travel highchair you can rest assured that there'll be safe seating for your baby or toddler.
Not only are travel highchairs and booster seats fabulous for when you're on the go, they're also great as an alternative to larger, bulkier highchairs for babies and toddlers , if you have less room.
Another great thing about booster seats is they include your child in mealtimes. As they get older they can sit around the table on their booster seat.
For more ideas to make eating and drinking enjoyable for your child, take a look at our roundup of the best plates and bowls for kids and best cups and beakers for babies and toddlers .
More like this
To compile this list of best travel highchairs and booster seats we've asked parents to tell us all about the ones they use with their children.
Best travel highchairs and booster seats at a glance
- Best budget booster seat: Venture Bubble Booster Seat, £19.99
- Best for playtime: Mamas & Papas Baby Bud, £55
- Best foldable seat: Chicco Pocket Snack, £19.99
- Best for high maximum weight threshold: Ingenuity Baby Base 2-in-1 Seat, £40
- Best for growing with your baby: Bumbo Multiseat, £66
- Best for fun colours and prints: Cosatto Grubs Up, £69.95
- Best for storage: Munchkin Travel Booster Seat, £24.99
- Best for toddlers: Bumbo Booster Seat, £48.50
- Best fabric harness: Totseat Seat Harness, £24
- Best for short trips: Baby Polar Gear Booster Seat and Placemat, £19.99
Types of travel highchair and booster seats
Travel highchairs – a bit like the seat part of a highchair, minus the long legs. They sit on top of a dining chair and are strapped on. They can be folded to a compact size for portability.
Booster seat – much like a travel highchair, it straps onto a dining chair. You can get either foldable or unfoldable booster seats. They're designed to give your child a boost in height so they can reach the table.
Clamp-on seats – a seat that attaches to the table’s edge, rather than the chair.
Fabric seat harnesses – a piece of fabric you put around your baby with clip restraints that fasten at the back of a chair. They're easy to fold, but don't give your baby any additional height to help them reach the table.
What to consider when buying a travel highchair
Age suitability – travel highchairs and booster seats tend to not be suitable until 6 months and some backless ones may only be suitable for older toddlers. Make sure that the one you choose is age appropriate for your baby or toddler.
Maximum weight – much like age suitability, consider whether the travel highchair can hold the weight of your toddler. Also, if you want it to last a long time, think in advance, if your toddler is already nearly the maximum weight, it might be a good idea to choose a different one.
How long will your baby or toddler be sitting in it? – you need to think about how long your child will be sitting in the travel highchair. If it's a long time then comfort is key and you may need one that has padding or some kind of cushioning.
How you will have to carry it around – as it's a portable highchair this means you will be carrying it around with you. Bear this in mind when choosing which one you want. You may have to squeeze it into your bag, in which case, a fabric seat harness would be a good shout. However, you may be able to carry it around in a buggy basket.
Do you want up-to-the-table feeding? – you may be buying a travel highchair to have your child dine with you at the table. If you want up-to-the-table feeding a clamp-on seat ensures your child is table height. For up-to-the-table feeding it's a good idea to have a removable tray, that way the tray doesn't get in the way of the table.
Do you need height? – if you want to give your child some height, consider how much. Booster seats are a great option for boosting your child that little bit higher. However, as previously mentioned, if you want to ensure they're table height, a clamp-on one is your best bet.
Where are you going to use it? – Do you plan on using the travel highchair at lots of different places? If so, you need a flexible one that's suitable for different chairs and tables.
Safety – Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the harness. Keep reading at the bottom of this article for expert advice on how to use a travel high chair or booster seat safely.
How did we choose our 10 of the Best?
Best travel highchairs and booster seats, 1. venture bubble booster seat, £19.99, – best budget booster seat.
Age suitability: 6+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Blue, coral, grey, yellow
The Venture Bubble Booster Seat has an ergonomic design and a 3-point baby harness to secure your baby in. Its long adjustable chair straps mean it can be attached to different seats.
When it comes to cleaning, it can be wiped clean and the removable tray component can go in the dishwasher. The removable tray is telescopic and has 2 adjustable distances. If you wish to use the booster seat as a way to reach the table, simply remove the tray.
Additionally, the tray comes with 2 highchair toys that can easily be removed.
The bright and bold plastic booster seat was a hit with our home testers who felt it was a great budget option. Tester Susan said, "overall we thought the quality was great and the seat feels very robust, secure and easy to use." It fastens to a dining chair with fabric straps, and has a harness and removable tray.
The colourful design with its little toys definitely appeals to toddlers, with MFM home tester Rachael saying, "my son loved this seat and was excited as soon as we unpacked it." Some testers commented on the fact there's no cushion, which could make it uncomfortable for long periods of time (if you're lucky enough to have a toddler who'll stay seated for more than 10 minutes). They also advised you check the dimensions carefully as it won't fit all chairs perfectly.
Pros: Good value, removable toys, dishwasher safe tray,
Cons: No cushion, does not fit all chairs perfectly
Available from: Amazon , Venture , Tots and Lots
2. Mamas & Papas Baby Bud, £55
– best for playtime.
Age suitability: 6+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: One design- white and grey
The Baby Bud is a table top feeding and booster chair that has four clip-on, non-slip feet that can be adjusted to three different height settings to fit to a variety of different chairs and tables. The cushioned seat insert can be removed as your child grows, to increase the longevity of the seat.
There's a safety harness to keep wriggly toddlers safe, and a removable tray. As an added bonus, you can also buy an activity centre to place on top of the tray to keep your baby occupied while food is being prepared.
To make carrying it around with you easier, it has a carry handle.
MFM home tester Maggie, mum of 3 year old said, "it lasts really well, my 7 year old can still fit in it without the insert, definitely worth the money we spent on it". She likes that it attached to a chair and you can either use the tray or have them pulled up to the table. She joked "the only trouble we had was getting the middle child out of it ready for the third".
Pros: Safe, sturdy, comfortable, easy to wipe clean, comes with attachable tray
Cons: Big, bulky, doesn't fold, expensive
Read our MFM review of the Mamas and Papas Baby Bud
Available from: Mamas & Papas , Boots and Amazon
3. Chicco Pocket Snack, £19.99
– best foldable seat.
Age suitability: 6+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Blue, grey, purple, orange
An award-winning compact booster seat, the Chicco Pocket Snack is easy to assemble and comes with adjustable straps and a base with multiple height settings designed to fit a variety of chairs. It also has a safety harness to keep baby wobble-free.
The Pocket Snack tray clicks on and off in three positions, and it has a cute spoon and fork design on the seat unit. The booster seat is highly recommended by our MFM reviewer, Katherine who said it offered "wonderful value for money" and claimed, "at home, it’s replaced the old highchair."
It is also recommended by MFM home testers. Hayley uses it with her 3 year old and said, "it's brilliant for at home and for visiting family/friends too". Cat also loves it, "it's fantastic, I just binned the highchair and use this for my 10 month old". Finally, Louise was "very pleased with her Pocket Snack for her 15 month year old".
Read our MFM review of the Chicco Pocket Snack
Pros: Compact, comfortable, simple to adjust, lightweight, easy to clean, good value for money
Cons: Fiddly to wrap up the straps when transporting
Available from: Very , Boots and Amazon
4. Ingenuity Baby Base 2-in-1 Seat, £40
– best for high maximum weight threshold.
Age suitability: 6+ months | Maximum weight: 22.68Kg | Colours available: Cashmere, peacock blue, pink, slate, ultramarine green
The Ingenuity Baby Base 2-in-1 Seat is great for if you want to keep using your booster seat for a long time as it has a higher maximum weight than most of the others on this list.
The seat is wipeable, as is the removable tray. The safety harness keeps your baby secure inside the seat whilst the adjustable straps secure the seat onto a dining chair.
This seat can grow with your baby and toddler, like the Mamas & Papas Bud, this too has a removable cushioned insert.
One thing this seat has that not all the others on this list do is, a removable tray that stores neatly under the booster seat. This means you won't be searching high and low for the tray when you've removed it, it can be stored tidily together.
MFM home tester Kelly-Anne, mum of little girl said, "it's brill, I like that it has a toddler attachment that can be removed so older toddlers can use it too".
Pros: removable storable tray, toddler attachment, high maximum weight
Cons: Big, bulky, doesn't fold
Available from: Amazon , Argos and John Lewis
5. Bumbo Multiseat, £66
– best for growing with your baby.
Age suitability: 6+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Slate grey, mimosa, hemlock, cradle pink, cool grey, pink, powder blue | Awards: Silver – Weaning and feeding product, MadeForMums Awards 2022
The Bumbo Multi Seat comes in a large variety of colours for you to choose from. However, that's not the best thing about it. This seat grows with your child. It has two adjustable height settings to accommodate your growing toddler. It can be used as a floor seat, or it can be used as a booster seat when attached to a dining chair. Finally, as your toddler grows, it has a foam cushion which you can remove to allow for your child to fit.
This chair is convenient in other ways too; it has retractable chair straps, a removable tray which can be stored away at the back of the chair. When the cushion insert is removed, this can also be stored inside the seat.
Our home tester Gail, mum of 2, said, "“Overall, this is a great booster: really easy to fit into chairs, stylish, well-made, and super-easy to clean: very important for a mum. I also loved how the padded cushion tidies inside the seat so it won’t get lost."
Pros: storable removable tray and cushion insert, retracting straps, lots of colours, versatile, easy to clean, adjustable height
Cons: Bulky, expensive
Available from: Amazon , UberKids and Kidly
6. Cosatto Grubs Up, £69.95
– best for fun colours and prints.
Age suitability: 6+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Unicorn land, dragon kingdom, strictly avocados
Cosatto is known for its cute prints and fun baby kit, and the Grubs Up high chair is no exception. It's a clip-on seat that fastens to most tables and countertops, it comes in a number of adorable prints including avocados and eggs, dragons and castles, and pink unicorns.
But it doesn't just look cute, it also comes with a smart design that features an adjustable safety harness and a vice-style hold to keep it safely attached to the table.
It's also lightweight, folds up flat and comes with its own carry bag, making it a great portable chair to take with you on the go. MadeForMums writer Gemma has used this with her toddler son and loves how easily it folds down, and how quick it is to set up. "It looks great, feels sturdy and attaches quickly and easily. My son always seemed comfortable and very secure in it, and often asked if he could use it at home. The only downside is it won't work on glass tables, or round ones."
The seat is removable and machine washable in 30° hand wash setting, so it's easy to clean up any messes. The plastic "arms" can be easily wiped clean.
The Cosatto Grubs Up also comes with an industry-leading-4-year- guarantee.
Pros: Lots of fun designs, lightweight and folds up, machine washable
Cons: Can only be clamped to a rectangular table, expensive
Available from: Boots , Amazon and Cosatto ,
7. Munchkin Travel Booster Seat, £24.99
– best for storage.
Age suitability: 12+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Blue
The Munchkin Travel Booster Seat transforms into a portable carry bag. It has room for storing essentials such as, bottles, nappies, snacks and more.
Even though it can be used for storage, this does not affect its ability of being a great travel highchair. It's got a stable internal frame and Xtra-Grip traction pads to prevent your child from slipping off chairs and increasing the stability. Its 3 point harness also secures your child into the seat.
The material is durable and easy to clean and it folds neatly with a convenient carrying strap.
MFM home tester Elisa, mum of 5 year old boy said, "we use the Munchkin portable one with the pouch in the bottom to store bits in because we could use that when we went out too and he was always comfy in it". MFM home tester Kirstie, mum of 2 girls also used the Munchkin Booster seat, "It's good, the storage space in the bottom is handy if you're taking it out". Robyn, another MFM home tester added, "it can all go in the washing machine too as the hard bit comes out".
Pros: Has great storage, very portable, easy to clean, good value
Cons: Only one design/colour
Available from: Amazon , OnBuy and Munchkin
8. Bumbo Booster Seat, £48.50
– best for toddlers.
Age suitability: 18+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Hemlock, cradle pink, cool grey | Award: Editor's Choice – MadeForMums Awards 2022
Designed to be used with toddlers over the age of 18 months, the Bumbo Booster seat can be quickly fastened to your dining chair, allowing your child to eat with the rest of the family. It's made from a slightly squishy but very strong foam-like material that feels comfy for the child and wipes clean easily in case of spills, it also won't scratch your furniture.
Due to its lightweight design, it is easily portable and easy to carry, but it doesn't fold down so does take up some space in a car boot or buggy basket.
MadeForMums writer Gemma tested the seat with her 2-year-old son and said, "Now he's older and tall enough, we've got rid of the high chair completely and just use the Bumbo booster seat. He seems really comfortable and will sit in it for play and craft time as well as meals. He's even learned to climb up onto it himself."
Pros: Comfortable, wipes clean, doesn't scratch furniture, lightweight and portable
Cons: Expensive, have to be 18+ months to use
Available from: Scandiborn , Amazon and Kidly
9. Totseat seat harness, £24
– best fabric harness.
Age suitability: 6-30 months | Colours available: Denim blue, fruit, jungle
The Totseat falls into the fabric seat harness group. It’s light and compact because it’s made of fabric, and can be folded down into a small pouch, ready to be thrown into your handbag/change bag/buggy basket for a quick mealtime solution while out and about.
The harness is made of 100% cotton and is machine washable.
It's easily adaptable to fit all dining chairs, even wonky ones and it's really straightforward to use.
The harness complies to international standards that ensure its safety as a child support. Our MFM reviewer gave the seat four out of five stars for safety, style and value for money.
Pros: Should fit all chairs, folds up into a small pouch, machine washable
Cons: Does not give your child any height to reach the table, no tray, no padding
Read our MFM review of the Totseat seat harness
Available from: Amazon and Totseat
10. Baby Polar Gear Booster Seat and Placemat, £19.99
– best for short trips.
Age suitability: 12+ months | Maximum weight: 15Kg | Colours available: Hot air balloon
Folding down into a light and portable shoulder bag, the Baby Polar Gear Booster Seat comes with its own matching placemat and is great for keeping in your buggy or travel bag for a quick on-the-go solution for mealtimes. It fastens on quickly and easily with fabric straps, and has a harness for safety.
MFM home tester Amanda said, "the product is great to be able to take [kids] out for dinner or to family and friends houses who don't have high chairs, so you can all eat together." Home tester Sarah said, "This product is extremely handy and makes my life easier," and praised its budget price tag and ease of use. MFM home tester Sarah liked that it, "fits nearly any chair and is lightweight".
However it's worth noting that it may not be the best option for older toddlers and pre-schoolers. Amanda had concerns about the recommended age range and said of her 2-year-old daughter, "the straps didn't fit round her shoulders properly, like she had already out grown the seat."
Pros: Light and portable, comes with matching placemat, good value
Cons: Can grow out of it quickly, may not be great for toddlers/pre-schoolers, have to be 12+ months
Available from: Amazon
How to use a travel highchair or booster seat safely
We asked Dr. Harvey Karp, a paediatrician and child development expert who promotes children's rights to a healthy and safe environment, if he has any safety advice for using a travel high chair or booster seat. This is what he advises:
"Whether your child is in a regular highchair or a travel highchair, it needs to be sturdy, so they can't easily tip over. So when you're securing a travel highchair to a kitchen chair, that chair needs to be sturdy too.
"Whenever your kid is in their travel highchair, always utilise the child safety straps, including the crotch strap. Never forget to secure the safety straps that attach the booster to the chair it's sitting on. Before placing your child in the travel highchair, double, triple, quadruple check that the seat is fastened securely to your kitchen chair. You shouldn't see any movement in the booster highchair when properly fastened.
"Don't place your travel highchair near the counter or the table. Just one hard push against these surfaces can tip the chair right over.
"Never leave your child alone in a highchair, travel highchair or not.
"If you're considering using a travel highchair that hooks onto a table, they may not work well with round, thinner or lightweight tables. The table must be heavy enough to support your child's weight without tipping over and make sure it securely locks to the table. Once attached properly, there should be zero movement and your child's feel should not be able to reach the table support where they could push against it and dislodge the seat.
"Be very diligent about checking the age and weight limits before placing your child in a travel highchair".
Summary of Dr. Karp's safety advice
- Make sure the highchair is sturdy
- Utilise the child safety straps
- Secure the safety straps to attach the booster to the chair
- Check the seat is fastened securely
- Don't place travel highchair near the counter or table
- Never leave your child alone in a travel highchair
- Make sure the table can support your child's weight
- Make sure it's securely locked to the table (if using a clamp-on seat)
- Make sure child cannot reahc table support with their feet
- Check age and weight limits
Can you put a booster seat on a folding chair?
Dr Karp advises that you "Don't place your child's travel highchair on a folding chair. It's simply too unstable and risky."
When can I use a booster seat instead of a highchair?
"If it has a five-point harness, it's likely safe for babies who are old enough to sit upright in a regular highchair. But again it's very important to check the age and weight requirements before using," advised Dr. Karp.
All the booster seats included in this list are not suitable until at least 6 months. If your baby cannot sit upright by themselves they should not be using a booster seat.
About our expert
About the author, we've got more feeding products just for you....
- 10 of the best highchairs for less than £70
- 10 of the best highchairs and booster seats, as rated by you!
- 10 of the best highchairs for small spaces
- 10 of the best sterilisers
- 10 of the best baby cups and beakers
- 10 of the best toddler beakers and cups
- 10 of the best baby bibs
- 5 of the best baby food blenders and grinders
- 10 of the best weaning accessories
- 10 of the best baby and child feeding books
Chloe is a Digital Reviews Writer and Coordinator for Immediate Media's Parenting team, specialising in household and trying to help parents save money. She researches and writes articles, recommending the best products, ranging from best cordless vacuums to best playpens. She has a First-Class Honours Psychology degree where she developed a strong interest in child development. During her teenage years she worked as a play worker and Brownie volunteer to support children's play.
How NatPat's wellness patches may help your family
NatPat's range of wellness patches and stickers aim to tackle everything from allergies to lack of focus. We take a closer look at the range.
Advertisement feature with NatPat
- Skip to main content
- Keyboard shortcuts for audio player
- LISTEN & FOLLOW
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Amazon Music
Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed.
I flew to Japan with my baby. Here's the travel advice that helped me survive the trip
Emily Siner
Journalist Emily Siner went on a trip to Japan with her 8-month-old son and knew it would be daunting. What should she pack? What should she expect? Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR hide caption
Journalist Emily Siner went on a trip to Japan with her 8-month-old son and knew it would be daunting. What should she pack? What should she expect?
Last winter, my husband and I made the ambitious decision to fly 13 hours with our 8 month old for a two-week vacation around Japan.
We knew flying with a baby would be daunting. What if he has a meltdown on the airplane? What gear do we bring? How will he adjust to the 15-hour time change? And ... will we actually get to enjoy ourselves?
Siner's husband and their 8-month-old son on the 13-hour flight to Tokyo. Siner says their baby loved watching other passengers on the plane. Emily Siner hide caption
Siner's husband and their 8-month-old son on the 13-hour flight to Tokyo. Siner says their baby loved watching other passengers on the plane.
Preethi Harbuck, author of the travel blog Local Passport Family and a mom of six agrees that taking a big trip with young children — that is, babies and toddlers under age 2 — isn't easy. But with the right preparation and mindset, it can also be fun for everyone. You may even be able to "connect with people and places in a new way that [you] wouldn't have been able to experience without kids," she says.
To help set parents up for success, Harbuck and Christine Sarkis, editor-in-chief of the travel website Family Vacationist , share tips on what to pack, how to overcome travel challenges and set realistic expectations.
Take a practice trip
Before you pack your passports for a big international trip, try a shorter trip that's closer to home so you can work out the kinks of traveling with a young child. Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR hide caption
Before you pack your passports for a big international trip, try a shorter trip that's closer to home so you can work out the kinks of traveling with a young child.
The first step to preparing for a big trip is to take a smaller one, like an overnight trip somewhere close by. It can give you a sense of what it's like to travel with your little one and grow your confidence, says Harbuck. "Find what feels comfortable and keep practicing. It will become easier."
Luckily, my husband and I had a chance to take some shorter trips with our baby before going to Japan. When our baby was three months old, we stayed overnight at a cabin about a half hour away by car. A month later, we took an 8-hour road trip to Chicago to see family.
How to take better (and more distinctive) photos on vacation
From these outings. I learned how important it was to pack a sound machine, which helps my baby fall asleep, and a portable diaper changing pad. I also learned that I didn't need to bring too many toys. My kid loved watching other people talk, walk and interact with each other.
So when we went to Japan, I put those lessons to use. I packed the essentials, left half the toys behind and made sure to sit in an aisle seat on the plane so that my baby, who sat on my lap, could get a good view of the passengers and stay entertained.
Make plans your future self will thank you for
When traveling with a baby or a toddler, everything becomes a little more complicated. There's a lot more to pack (more on that later) and a lot more considerations to make (like naps and kid-friendly meals, perhaps). So the key is to prioritize decisions that will simplify travel, says Sarkis. "Anything you can do to smooth your way [will make you] so happy with yourself."
Here are some planning decisions that our experts recommend.
Put your kid in their own plane seat. Many airlines allow kids under 2 to fly in your lap for a very low rate, sometimes even for free. While that can make travel more budget friendly, Harbuck says it's worth buying your child their own seat. Placing them in a car seat is the safest place for them to sit on an airplane, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Plus, having your own seats can make long flights more comfortable for the both of you.
Consider their developmental stage. Keep in mind that your child's needs will change as they age. For example, if your kid is walking, it may be harder to "keep them busy and happy" on the airplane, says Sarkis. So you might enjoy your trip more if you choose a destination that's closer to home. Anticipate what stage they'll be in at the time of travel and plan accordingly.
Add more adults to the trip. My husband and I traveled with friends for part of our trip around Japan. They helped us carry luggage and held our baby while we ate. "If you have someone to trade off with, that's really helpful," says Sarkis.
7 tips to help you keep the peace when traveling with a group
Book a vacation rental. If you are traveling with a little one who still naps in the middle of the day or has an early bedtime, you may not want to book a single hotel room. Sarkis says she made that mistake on a trip once and had to bring pillows into the bathtub just to have a place to read after her kids went to bed. "Whereas in a vacation rental I could have sat on a couch."
Plan solo time. Carve out time for you and your travel partners to do things without the baby. On our trip to Japan, my husband and I decided we'd give each other as much time as we wanted in the guesthouse onsen , the heated communal bath, while the other watched our sleeping baby. Another night, we hired a babysitter so we could go out together and sing karaoke.
Pack well ... and lightly
It’s hard to travel light with a baby. So opt for the travel versions of strollers, cribs and car seats — they are often smaller and weigh less than the usual gear.
Credit: Becky Harlan/NPR
Portable cribs, high chairs, playpens and sleep canopies? There's no shortage of recommendations when it comes to choosing travel gear for your little one. But the No. 1 takeaway is to make sure "everything you're carrying is worth the stress of carrying it," says Sarkis.
Planning a trip? Here's how to pack like a pro
Focus on the basic gear. At the minimum, your child will likely need a stroller or baby carrier to get around, a car seat for car trips and a safe place to sleep, like a portable crib. See if you can get travel versions of that gear, which are often lighter, smaller and easier to carry. Many airlines will let you check a stroller and a car seat for free, either before you go through security or at the gate. (If you do this, get some sort of carrying case to protect them.)
Cut down the big stuff ... There may be opportunities to leave some of that gear behind, says Sarkis. Check whether you can rent a stroller at your destination. Your accommodation may offer baby cribs. And some ridesharing apps may have vehicles outfitted with infant car seats.
... and the little stuff. "Kids live all around the world so you can access most of what you really, truly need" at your destination, says Harbuck. If your luggage is getting too full, consider buying diapers, wipes, formula or baby food when you land. In Japan, we did laundry halfway through our trip to minimize the clothing we had to pack.
Set your expectations
Traveling with young children alters the nature of the experience. It's important to set realistic expectations for your trip. Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR hide caption
Traveling with young children alters the nature of the experience. It's important to set realistic expectations for your trip.
I'll be honest: There were a lot of moments on our trip when I felt overwhelmed and a bit disappointed. Like when my jet-lagged baby woke up crying at 1 a.m., 3 a.m. and somehow again at 3:30 a.m. — for two nights in a row.
Both Harbuck and Sarkis acknowledge that post-kid travel is harder in many ways. But there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success.
Redirect your attention to the positive aspects of your journey. "If you're focused only on the challenges, you're going to miss the joys," says Sarkis. For me, it was delightful to witness my baby do new things in Japan. He ate new foods like udon, miso soup and smoked fish. He was mesmerized by the Ryoanji Temple's rock garden in Kyoto and even more mesmerized by the steady stream of tourists' faces to observe.
A flight expert's hot take on holiday travel: 'Don't do it'
See drawbacks as opportunities. If you have to go back to your hotel twice a day to let your child nap, see it as a moment to read, journal or "recharge for the next thing you do," says Sarkis.
Look out for special ways your child is helping you connect with the world. On flights, our neighbors told us about their own children or nieces and nephews. In restaurants, servers would come over to coo at him and make conversation with us in the process, despite the language barrier.
And finally, give yourself some kudos. For us parents, traveling was a big priority for us before he was born, and the experience made us proud to realize that yes — even with a small child, we can still see the world.
The audio portion of this episode was produced by Andee Tagle. The digital story was edited by Malaka Gharib. The visual editor is Beck Harlan. We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at [email protected].
Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify , and sign up for our newsletter .
- Life Kit: Parenting
When Your Baby Is Ready to Use a High Chair
O nce your baby is ready to sit in a high chair, it makes mealtimes much less hectic. Just make sure the baby (and you) are ready for this big step.
Every baby will be different, but most parents can expect that their little one will be ready to sit up in a high chair around 4 to 6 months—often closer to the 6-month mark.
Many parents are eager for this milestone because transitioning into a chair can free you up in the kitchen and at the table. It also lets your baby join family meals , which is beneficial for their social development.
To ensure the time is right, you can look for some key developmental milestones for before placing your baby in the high chair. Sitting up without support and starting to eat solid foods, for example, are good indicators that your baby is ready. Here's what you need to know.
When Can Your Baby Sit in a High Chair?
Once a baby can sit upright without support, they're developmentally ready to sit in a high chair. They should show fairly good stability and control when seated, with only a slight bobbing. The ability to hold their head up is also a must.
High chair manufacturers usually have an age recommendation for their products; most suggest waiting until a baby is 6 months old before using a high chair. That's a good starting point, but you'll want to make sure your baby is ready first. After all, each child develops at a different rate, and for safety reasons, you don't want to rush.
Benefits of the High Chair
Using a high chair comes with benefits for both babies and parents. For example, it lets you be hands-free during mealtimes, so you can eat your own food and assist other children more easily. Your baby also gets a front-row seat to the family interaction that happens around the table—and this helps their social and language development .
What About Reclining High Chairs?
If your baby isn't quite reaching these developmental milestones , but you still want to use a high chair, consider purchasing one with a reclining seat. They can be used in the upright position, so they're also useful as your baby grows.
Never feed your baby while they're in the reclining position; infants who need reclining aren't ready for solids, so this presents a choking hazard . Instead, many parents find the reclining position convenient as a resting place for their baby—maybe as they prep dinner or eat family meals. Once your little one can sit upright, you can set the chair to the upright position for feedings.
Related: How to Choose the Best High Chair for Your Baby
Getting Your Baby Started in a High Chair
Once your baby can sit upright, consider familiarizing them with the high chair. Taking the chair for a "test drive" can help them become more comfortable in their new little throne. Give them a plate, cup, and spoon to play with, and you'll have one less obstacle to overcome when it comes time to start solid foods .
Some babies love getting to be part of the social interaction during meals, so position the high chair so your baby can see you easily, but they can't reach anything on the table. They also shouldn't be able to kick the table with their legs, which could cause it to topple over.
When Can Babies Start Solids?
Most babies are ready to begin solid foods between 4 and 6 months of age. While every baby is different, some key indicators that your baby is ready to eat solid foods align with indicators that they're ready to sit in a high chair, including the ability to sit up unassisted with solid head and neck control. They should also open their mouth when presented with food, bring objects to their mouth, and swallow properly.
Choosing a High Chair
Ready to find the best high chair for your family? Consider the following qualities, which can help you make the right choice for your lifestyle, space, and personal preference.
Cleaning : You probably won't want to completely take apart your high chair whenever you clean it. Look for high chairs with removable, washable covers. The ideal chair will also have minimal areas where crumbs and liquids can get trapped.
Durability : You'll want to be able to use the same high chair for at least two years, so make sure that it's built to last. A high chair should also be sturdy enough that it won't easily tip over.
Safety features: Well-secured safety straps will help prevent injuries, such as slipping down in the chair. A high chair with a five-point safety harness is the safest option. Ensure the chair doesn't have accessible areas where small fingers may get caught or pinched. If you're purchasing a secondhand high chair, check that it hasn't been recalled (though we don't recommend using a secondhand high chair for your little one).
Size : If need a high chair for small spaces , consider shopping for one that can be folded and stored when not in use. If you'll need to take your baby's high chair other places—like on vacation or to your babysitter's home—consider looking for travel high chairs that are easily transported.
Wheels : High chairs with wheels are convenient, but they come with additional safety considerations. The wheels should lock firmly in place when you're not using them.
Versatility : High chairs with features like a removable tray and seat height adjustments can more easily grow with your child, so you might want to consider options with these features,
After making your purchase, keep a record of the make and model number of your baby's high chair. It's also a good idea to register it with the company in case of a future manufacturer's recall.
Related: Baby Must-Haves (and Don't-Needs) for Your Registry
Baby High Chair Safety Tips
As you move your little one into the high chair, keep a few important safety tips in mind.
- Always secure your baby into the high chair with the safety straps.
- Before every use, take a moment to look over the chair. Make sure everything's where it should be and that there's no damage to the chair.
- If your chair can fold, the locking mechanism should be securely in place before use.
- Check that the high chair is stable and can't be tipped over easily. Your baby can tip the chair over by kicking a nearby wall or piece of furniture.
- Keep the high chair close to you at all times. You should be able to see your baby from wherever you go.
- Never leave babies unattended in a high chair. Kids also shouldn't play with the high chair.
It's important for your child to feel comfortable in the high chair, but it's equally vital that anyone who will be supervising the baby during meals is familiar with how it works. Know how the chair folds, where the locking mechanism is located, how to secure the straps correctly, and how to remove the tray.
For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Parents .
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="_OOvuvCnUwoUbYcCGCCcpAyNqW2Fgt9Qng5TfQRC2gk" />
W a r e h o u s e S a l e up to 40% OFF & FREE Delivery all orders over 999.
Quality kid's bedroom furniture Solid wood construction | Dovetail soft close drawers | 5 year guarentee | Greenguard Certified
Orders over 999.99, kid & parent approved hardwood construction 5 year guarantee 1000lb weight limits reinforced dovetail drawers , immediate delivery available, visit a showroom today, up to 40% off, furniture collections twin and full bedroom sets dressers | chests | nightstands desks | bookcases | mirrors .
Bunk Beds, Loft Beds, Childrens Bedroom furniture, Kids Bedroom Furniture
Full or Twin Beds With Trundle or Underbed Storage Options
Loft beds full or twin weathered espresso | white | weathered grey , built to last 5 year guarantee.
Welcome our Newest Edition!
Weathered Sand
4-in-1 Convertible Cribs
8 Piece Baby Bundles Starti ng at 2799.99
Bunk Beds Can Be 2 Separate Beds
Or 1 loft bed.
Parents Love our Bunk & Loft Beds safe for children and parents too. That's why we offer a 1000lb weight limit.
Furniture from baby to teen we understand that when buying kids bedroom furniture you want it to last their whole childhood. this is why we use hardwood construction and offer a 5 year guarantee ..
FINISHES
Bright White
Yes, A true bright white
with a smooth finish.
Weathered Grey
Weathered grey finish with just the
right touch of a distress.
A modern look with a distressed light brown finish
Weathered Espresso
This espresso is a distressed rich brown finish.
ORGANIC COMFY
Naturally gentle firm mattresses that your kids will love.
2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner
R&K Insider
Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up.
A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes
Featured city guides.
- Other Countries
- Philippines
- Birth Family Search & Reunion
- Camps & Events
- Financial Help
- Individual Travel
- Links We Like
- Project Kindness by World Ties
- Articles, Blog, Books, and Other Resources
- Workshops to Attend
Russia Possibilities
POSSIBILITIES FOR VISITING PEOPLE AND PLACES SIGNIFICANT TO YOUR ADOPTION
While traveling, families often wish to reconnect with people and places important in the life of their son or daughter. Reminiscing is an important part of the journey and these points of connection provide a foundation for your child.
The Ties Program is pleased to assist by requesting permission for families to visit orphanages and exploring the possibility of meeting caretakers. We are also happy to make arrangements enabling you to see other places important to your family such as the hotel where your family first met, a hospital, place of finding or birth. Families will travel with an English speaking guide to assist with and personalize the visits.
About International Birth Family Search & Reunion
- In many of the countries we serve, it is possible to do a birth family search. Frankly, there have been many more reunions for international adoptees than we ever thought possible when we started a quarter of a century ago.
- We are happy to help you locate a searcher, explain the process, and talk with you about the pros and cons of “finding or not finding”. We neither encourage or discourage birth family search, but rather help you understand the process and complexities so you make a decision you are comfortable with.
- When or if birth family is located, we can also help by setting up the logistics of a meeting, transportation and translation.
Here are some of the people and places families have or hope to visit as part of their journey to Russia. This list is an evolving one with frequent additions. See something missing? Or, are there other people or places on your “dream list?” Please email us . We are always open to helping you with other connections.
Baby Homes & Orphanages Angarsk City Orphanage Adygeya (Maikop) Archangelysk Astrakhan Bashkortostan (Ufa, Beloretsk, Sterlitamak) Berkut Orphanage Buryatia (Ulan-Ude) Cheraponovo Orphanage Cherepanovsky Specialized House of Child Dagestan (Makhachkala, Buinaksk) Dmitrov, Orekhovo – Zuyevo Orphanage for Babies Ekaterinburg Baby Homes #1, #5 (formerly Baby Home #2) Ekaterinburg Specialized House of Child #1 Ivanovo (Shuya) Kaliningrad (Gusev, Sovietsk) Kansk, Rayon Hospital Orphanage Kirov (Vyatka, Kotelnich, Slobodskoi, Urzhum, Yaransk) Kirov Orphanage Khabarovsk Krasnopolynasky Baby Home Krasnodar (Armavir, Eisk, Sochi, Novorossijsk, Labinsk) Krasnoyarsk Kungar – https://sites.google.com/site/fromkungur/home/english Kurgan Baby Home Leningrad (Vsevolzhsk, Lomonosov) Magnitagorsk Magnitorsk Baby Home #5 (formerly Baby Home #2) Moscow City Baby Orphanages #2, #24, #25 Murom Baby Home Nighny Novgorod Orphanage #2 Nizhny Novgorod Novcherkassk Baby Home Novocherkassk Novokuznetsk, Baby Home #2 Novokuznetsk, Children’s Home #4 Novoshantinsk Children’s Hospital Novosibirsk (Baby Orphanage #1, #2, #3, Kuibyshev, Cherepanovo) Orel Baby Home Orsk (Orenburg Region) Ostashkov Preschool Orphanage Penza Petropovlovsk Perm Perm Province Children’s Home #1 Perm Orphanage #2 Perm Regional Center of Help to Children Left without Custody of Parents Pervouralsk Children’s Home Petrozavodsk City Baby Orphanage Primorsky (Vladivostok, Primorsk, Ussurijsk) Pskov (Sebezh, Kilsk) Rostov on Don Rybinsk Rzhev Social Orphanage for Children Shakhty Children’s Hospital Smolensk, Krasny Bar Infant’s Home Smolensk (Yartsevo) Somovo St. Petersburg City Baby Orphanages St. Petersburg Children’s Homes #2, 6, 8, 10 Stavropol (Mashuk) Surgut Munitsipainaya Gorodskaya Bolista #1 Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Tagil, Krasnoturinsk, Pervouralsk, Revda, Serov, Kamensk-Uralsky) Syktyvkar Orphanage Taganrog Baby Home Tomsk Torzhok Boarding School, Tver Region Tula (Novomoskovsk) Tula Baby Home Tver (Vyshny, Zapadnaya, Kashin, Konakovo) Tyumen Ukhta Orphanage Ulyvanoysk Ulyanovsk Children’s Home Vladimir (Alexandrovsk, Kovrov, Murom) Vladivostok Municipal Baby Home Voronezh (Somovo, Pavlovsk) Vyshny Volochek Baby Home Yaroslavl Children’s Home #1 Yaroslavl
The Ties Program does not endorse any of the places listed above, but rather offers them as places families have indicated they may want to visit.
Request Information
- Meet the Team
- Work with Us
- Czech Republic
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Scandinavia
- Philippines
- South Korea
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Budget Travel
- Work & Travel
- The Broke Backpacker Manifesto
- Travel Resources
- How to Travel on $10/day
Home » Europe » Moscow
EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)
Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!
Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!
If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!
Unlock Our GREATEST Travel Secrets!
Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox.
Best Time To Visit Moscow
Where to stay in moscow, moscow itinerary, day 1 itinerary in moscow, day 2 itinerary in moscow, day 3 and beyond, staying safe in moscow, day trips from moscow, faq on moscow itinerary.
Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!
The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!
If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.
Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!
The best time to visit Moscow is during spring (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!
With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!
Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!
The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!
It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!
Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.
Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!
Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow
Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!
Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel
The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!
Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre
If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV, in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.
Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel
Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!
Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!
The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!
If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.
Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!
No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!
Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral | GUM Department Store
Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!
Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square
- Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
- Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees.
- Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!
The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!
During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!
The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic!
It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!
In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!
Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin
- Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
- Cost: USD $15.00
- Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!
The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!
It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.
The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.
The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!
The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).
The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.
The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .
Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!
Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum
- Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
- Cost: Free!
- Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!
Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.
It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!
Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!
Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.
The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!
Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.
Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral
- Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
- Cost: USD $8.00
- Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!
Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!
The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!
This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!
The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.
Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.
The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.
Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!
Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store
- Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
- Cost: Free to enter
- Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!
The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.
A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!
The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!
For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!
The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!
Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.
Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….
These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.
Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…
Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater
On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!
Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent
- Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
- Cost: USD $5.00
- Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!
The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for!
The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.
There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!
Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!
The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture!
Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.
Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure
- Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
- Cost: Free!
- Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!
Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.
You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months. A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!
Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!
If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!
The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.
With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!
Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery
- Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
- Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!
The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov. The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!
It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!
The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!
All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner!
Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!
Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center
- Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres.
- Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.
The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.
The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!
The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics.
The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.
You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!
Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater
- Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
- Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 – USD $228.00 based on seat location.
- Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!
The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!
The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.
The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!
Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!
If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!
The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!
Godzillas Hostel
Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.
- Towels Included
Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum
Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!
Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics
- Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
- This museum is fun for both adults and children!
- Admission is USD $4.00
The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!
The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!
If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!
The Alexander Garden
- A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
- Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
- The park is open every day and has no entrance fee
The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!
The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.
Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!
The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.
It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!
Ostankino Television Tower
- Television and radio tower in Moscow
- Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
- Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!
For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!
It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!
The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!
Izmaylovo District
- The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
- Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
- Most popular during the summer and on weekends
Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.
The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!
Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!
You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!
Museum of Soviet Arcade Games
- Closed on Mondays
- Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
- The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop
For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.
The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy!
Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!
The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.
Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!
If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.
The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.
However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Moscow
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!
Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)
On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!
You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!
Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!
Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal
On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.
Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!
The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!
Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside
On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.
Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.
The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!
Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge
On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.
Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.
If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!
Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow
On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!
Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided! Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.
Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.
How many days you need in Moscow?
We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.
What’s the best month to visit Moscow?
The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.
What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?
I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!
What are some fun things to do in Moscow?
The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!
We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!
Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
Alya and Campbell
Share or save this post
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
The hiccapop Omniboost travel seat is perfect for camping, at the beach or to travel with. Portability: It's bigger to carry than a fabric high chair, but can be stored at the bottom of a stroller in it's own travel bag. Safe to Use: It has removable "duck feet" and a wider stance for added stability.It's recommended for babies from 6 months to 3 years old and has a 3 point harness ...
Cons. Only good for up to 37 pounds. More than a few parents use this narrow travel high chair as their everyday high chair. It's suitable for use from six months or up to 37 pounds, and because it takes up such little room, it can be a great option for smaller spaces. The chair itself is extremely durable.
Amazon$20.29. This travel booster chair is easy to pack up and sling over your shoulder when you're on your way to anywhere you'll need a safe seat for your little one, and it won't cost you a ton, either. The Dreambaby booster weighs under 2.5 pounds and fits most adult chairs using the long, adjustable safety straps.
When it's not in use, this seat folds down compactly and features a carrying strap for easy transport. It's designed for babies 6 months old who can sit unassisted, to kids up to 3 years old or under 50 pounds (whichever comes first). Key Specs: Weight: 5.75 pounds | Type: Booster | Weight Limit: 50 pounds.
Not suitable for all tables. If you prefer the idea of a traditional clamp-on seat, we love the Seebaby Z2 Portable Table Side Chair. Its adjustable U-type clamps allow it to be fixed to the edge of any table with a thickness of between 0.8 and 3.1 inches, with reinforced, anti-skid pads for added peace of mind.
The Original Easy Seat Portable High Chairs for Babies and Toddlers - Quick, Easy, Convenient Cloth Travel High Chair - Fits in Your Hand Bag for a Happier, Safer Infant/Toddler (Chevron) Infant, Toddler 1 Count (Pack of 1) 4,123. 50+ bought in past month. $2999.
4. 5. Pros. Comfortable, high-quality, and easy to use. Lightweight, small when folded, and the seat's cover is easy to access, remove, and replace. Removable canvas is machine washable, easy to pop open and close, removable tray, backside pocket to store small items. Lightweight, folds, minimal design.
Baby Portable High Chair, Travel Booster Seat with Carry Bag by Vevoza- Travel High Chair for Toddlers with Adjustable Straps to Fit Any Chair Machine Wash Toddler Feeding/Eating Travel Seat Accessory. Baby, Toddler. 4.2 out of 5 stars. 322. 200+ bought in past month. $17.48 $ 17. 48.
Hook On High Chair, Clip on Table High Chair with Dining Tray for Babies and Toddlers, Folding Flat Feeding Seat with Convenient Carry Bag for Home and Travel (Denim Blue) Baby 1 Count (Pack of 1) 682. $5998. Save 10% with coupon. FREE delivery Tue, Nov 14.
The Different Types of Travel High Chairs; Things To Consider With a Travel High Chair or Booster Seats; The 8 Best Travel High Chairs and Booster Seats Under $30. 1. Find the Right Position for Your Baby With This Adjustable Booster Seat; 2. A Foldable Travel Chair With its Very Own Carry Case; 3. High Chair Complete With Wipeable Food Tray ...
You can use the Evenflo Eat and Grow Four-Mode High Chair for infants, toddlers, or big kids, and its configuration is an incredibly convenient, lightweight solution for on-the-go use. 3. Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair. Buy Here. At just over 7 ½ pounds, this portable high chair straps onto any regular dining chair.
Baby Delight Go With Me Chair. This deluxe folding high chair has a variety of bonus features that make it a great choice for outdoor use. It includes a cushioned seat along with a sunshade, tray and carry bag. This travel high chair is adjustable as your child grows, fitting from 3 months up to 75 pounds.
Best Travel High Chair Inglesina Fast Table Chair. $77 at Amazon. $77 at Amazon. ... It's ergonomic and long-lasting, able to go all the way from a baby's high chair to a teen's desk chair. One of ...
Baby Portable High Chair for Travel measures 23" x 23" x 32", weighs 7.4 pounds, and can hold a child up to 35 pounds. It has a 5-point safety harness and is made from a durable nylon that can be easily cleaned. A cup holder is included with the chair along with a convenient bag to make transportation easier. The ciao!
The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is a little on the pricier side for a travel high chair, but it is one of the easiest, and most loved, portable travel chairs. It will fit on most tables, and has its own carry bag to make it easy to take to restaurants or store it in your car. The seat cover is not technically machine washable, but many people ...
This item: ciao! baby Portable High Chair for Babies and Toddlers, Compact Folding Travel High Chair with Carry Bag for Outdoor Camping, Picnics, Beach Days, and More (Black) $58.76 $ 58 . 76 Get it as soon as Friday, Mar 15
Jockey Elance String Bikini - 3 Pack. I talked to experts about the best high chairs for babies and toddlers, including convertible high chairs, easy to clean high chairs, and more. Brands include ...
Best travel highchairs and booster seats at a glance. Best budget booster seat: Venture Bubble Booster Seat, £19.99 Best for playtime: Mamas & Papas Baby Bud, £55 Best foldable seat: Chicco Pocket Snack, £19.99 Best for high maximum weight threshold: Ingenuity Baby Base 2-in-1 Seat, £40 Best for growing with your baby: Bumbo Multiseat, £66 Best for fun colours and prints: Cosatto Grubs Up ...
Preethi Harbuck, author of the travel blog Local Passport Family and a mom of six agrees that taking a big trip with young children — that is, babies and toddlers under age 2 — isn't easy. But ...
Medically reviewed by Natalie D. Muth, M.D. Every baby will be different, but most parents can expect that their little one will be ready to sit up in a high chair around 4 to 6 months—often ...
Shop Bunk Beds. Parents Love our Bunk & Loft Beds. safe for children and parents too. That's why we offer a 1000lb weight limit. Furniture from Baby to Teen. We understand that when buying kids bedroom furniture you want it to last their whole childhood. This is why we use hardwood construction and offer a. 5 year guarantee.
1: Off-kilter genius at Delicatessen: Brain pâté with kefir butter and young radishes served mezze-style, and the caviar and tartare pizza. Head for Food City. You might think that calling Food City (Фуд Сити), an agriculture depot on the outskirts of Moscow, a "city" would be some kind of hyperbole. It is not.
Baby Portable High Chair, Travel Booster Seat with Carry Bag by Vevoza- Travel High Chair for Toddlers with Adjustable Straps to Fit Any Chair Machine Wash Toddler Feeding/Eating Travel Seat Accessory. Baby, Toddler. 4.2 out of 5 stars 287. 600+ bought in past month. $16.24 $ 16. 24.
Dmitrov, Orekhovo - Zuyevo Orphanage for Babies. Ekaterinburg Baby Homes #1, #5 (formerly Baby Home #2) Ekaterinburg Specialized House of Child #1. Ivanovo (Shuya) Kaliningrad (Gusev, Sovietsk) Kansk, Rayon Hospital Orphanage. Kirov (Vyatka, Kotelnich, Slobodskoi, Urzhum, Yaransk) Kirov Orphanage.
EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024) Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit! Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city ...