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Whether it’s for homeschooling, remote learning, or just doing homework, a comfortable and supportive desk chair is essential to a child’s productive home study environment. Developing good posture starts at a young age, and the right desk chair can help.
While studying at the dining room table is a workable short-term solution, investing in a chair that is specifically designed for children is important to create an optimal setting for your child to complete homework and even learn from home. Read on to learn about several key features to consider when shopping for this style of chair, and then explore some of the best kids desk chairs available online.
- BEST OVERALL: GreenForest Office Task Desk Chair Adjustable
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Flash Furniture 2 Pack Green Plastic Stackable
- UPGRADE PICK: SitRite Ergonomic Kids Desk Chair
- BEST SWIVEL: GreenForest Children Student Chair, Adjustable Swivel
- BEST WOBBLE CHAIR: Kore Kids Wobble Chair
- BEST BALANCE BALL: Gaiam Kids Balance Ball Chair
- BEST ERGONOMIC: SIDIZ Ringo Kid Desk Chair: 4-Level Easy Adjustment
- BEST FOR SMALL DESKS: Skip Hop Explore & More Toddler’s Activity Chairs
- ALSO CONSIDER: Office Factor Kid’s Chair
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Kids Desk Chair
While it’s easy to assume that all kids desk chairs offer similar performance, a number of factors affect their functionality. A children’s desk chair should be sturdy, comfortable, and the proper height for them to sit with a neutral posture. Keep reading to learn more about several of the most important features to consider when choosing the best kids desk chair to provide a comfortable study environment for your child.
Size and Adjustability
The appropriate size for a kids desk chair will depend primarily on a child’s height and weight. Ergonomics experts recommend that children have a desk chair that allows them to sit with their feet planted firmly on the ground—not dangling—and their knees bent at a 90-degree angle. If the child is working at a computer, the chair should be high enough to type with their wrists parallel to the keyboard. Seat width and depth are also important. The seat should be large enough to be comfortable but not too deep or wide to prevent the child from maintaining a straight posture while sitting back in the chair.
This criterion makes an adjustable-height chair a smart purchase because it can adapt as your child grows. Chairs featuring pneumatic height control are easier to adjust than those that require manual adjustment.
Material
A kids desk chair can be made with a number of different materials, each of which has its own benefits.
- Plastic chairs are easy to wipe down, making them a logical choice for younger children who are more likely to make a mess while studying or doing arts and crafts projects. Think spilled juice or a sticky glue bottle.
- Wood chairs are solid and durable but may be uncomfortable to sit in for several hours at a time.
- Steel frames make for sturdy office-style chairs for older children and teens.
- Mesh often covers the cushions of office-style chairs to provide added breathability.
- High-density memory foam is used for the backrest, the seat, and the armrest padding on ergonomic desk chairs.
Comfort
Comfort is paramount when choosing a desk chair for a child. Since kids will potentially be sitting for hours at a time, the best kids desk chair should be comfortable enough to encourage proper focus.
Ergonomic desk chairs are typically designed with lumbar support as well as padded seats, backrests, and armrests for optimal comfort. A child’s shoulders should be relaxed while sitting at a desk, and armrests help to achieve this position if they’re adjusted to the correct height.
While office-style chairs are usually more comfortable, they are also often more expensive. Remember that while in school, children tend to sit on simply designed chairs that don’t swivel or have cushioning (although it’s definitely parental prerogative to offer them more comfort at home).
Children who find it difficult to sit still may enjoy an alternative option like a wobble stool or a balance ball chair, both of which provide and encourage continuous motion to help them focus.
Aesthetic
These days, children’s furniture is often designed with aesthetics in mind, replicating the appearance of on-trend home decor pieces rather than an item you’d find in a school or a day care center. This trend is especially beneficial for those living in smaller homes where children may be working in common living areas.
Fun, kid-friendly designs and brightly colored pieces work well for children who have a dedicated work space in a bedroom or playroom. Office-style chairs are better suited for older kids and teens who want a more grown-up, professional setup in the work space.
Backrest
For ideal posture, a desk chair should allow the child to sit with their entire back touching the backrest. Ergonomically designed chairs usually have an S-curve, as well as lumbar support, to fit the curve of the spine. A padded backrest makes a chair more comfortable, and some backrests offer adjustability, which makes it more likely that ideal posture is achievable.
While it is preferable that a child can sit with their back naturally supported by the backrest, a cushion or a rolled-up towel can also provide back support if the chair is slightly too large.
Additional Features
Some desk chairs are equipped with additional features.
- Chairs that swivel offer extra mobility during study time.
- Seat tilting allows kids to make small adjustments and switch positions to increase comfort and support.
- A built-in footrest is a handy addition for kids who still need to grow into their desk setup or just want to elevate their lower legs and feet for added comfort.
- Casters provide kids the freedom to move around the room without leaving the chair.
- Nonslip feet secure stationary chairs that are placed on tile or hardwood floors.
Assembly
The following recommendations take into account the above-mentioned features to consider when shopping for the best kids desk chairs, in addition to overall quality and value. Keep reading to discover some of the top options on the market to create a comfortable studying space.
Our Top Picks
The following recommendations take into account important features to look for in kids’ desk chairs, including size, style, and ergonomics. Whatever your needs and budget, one of these products will make a top-notch desk chair for your child.
Best Overall
GreenForest Office Task Desk Chair Adjustable
This office-style kids desk chair from GreenForest is adjustable and swivels 360 degrees, making it a versatile choice that can grow with a child. Raise and lower the height of the chair with one-touch pneumatic functionality from 29.5 to 34 inches. The base is white-painted metal, the backrest is crafted from breathable polypropylene plastic, and the seat is a thick, cushioned mesh fabric. Choose from several kid-friendly colors: pink, purple, turquoise, and blue.
Some office-style chairs are notoriously difficult to assemble, but this model only involves screwing in several bolts—the manufacturer notes that children can even assemble it themselves in just 10 minutes. The seat measures 15.2 inches by 15.7 inches, and the backrest is 14.1 inches wide by 12.9 inches tall. The maximum suggested weight is 200 pounds.
Best Bang for the Buck
Flash Furniture 2 Pack Green Plastic Stackable
This two-pack of stackable chairs from Flash Furniture is ideal for a family with multiple children. Each chair has a weight capacity of 154 pounds, and because there are no metal parts, younger children can safely use them without risk of injury. Made of contoured polypropylene plastic, these chairs are easy to wipe clean and best suited to younger children for homework, arts and crafts, or snack time.
Each chair measures 43.5 inches by 13 inches by 17 inches, with a seat height of 10.5 inches to accommodate tinier legs. Select from blue, green, red, or a natural wood shade to match just about any decor.
Upgrade Pick
SitRite Ergonomic Kids Desk Chair
The SitRite ergonomic kids desk chair is fully adjustable, making it a solid investment that can grow with a child. The silent gas-lift cylinder raises the seat height from 17.25 inches to 19.75 inches from the floor, and the thick, padded seat is also adjustable, allowing the child to toggle it backward and forward to find the most comfortable position. The base features a five-point design with lockable wheels and a 360-degree swivel for optimal mobility. For added comfort, the chair provides an ergonomic, cushioned backrest and rounded armrests.
With the footrest installed, this chair is best suited for children ages 5 to 8; without the footrest, the recommended age range increases to kids ages 9 and up. The chair measures 23.5 inches by 23.5 inches by 35 inches, and the maximum recommended weight is 300 pounds. It’s easily assembled in under 5 minutes. Choose from a variety of colors.
Best Swivel
GreenForest Children Student Chair, Adjustable Swivel
This swivel-style kids desk chair from GreenForest boasts an adjustable height and an ergonomic design. The seat height is pneumatically controlled, allowing the child to easily raise and lower it with a handle. Both the backrest and the seat are made from polypropylene plastic with star-shaped holes for increased breathability, and the backrest is gently curved to provide a comfortable seated position. Choose from a pink or a purple finish.
The base features a five-point design with smooth-rolling casters, so—paired with the 360-degree swivel—a child can move around the work space with ease. Measuring 15.75 inches by 15.75 inches by 34.05 inches, the chair is easily assembled with the included tool. The recommended maximum weight is not provided by the manufacturer.
Best Wobble Chair
Kore Kids Wobble Chair
High-energy children who find it difficult to sit still may benefit from a less restrictive chair that allows for continuous movement. The Kore Kids Wobble Chair encourages active sitting and provides a child with the freedom to frequently change positions, which can aid in focus. Experts note that wobble chairs can be particularly beneficial to children with attention deficit disorders because they allow children to fidget in a nondisruptive way.
Because this chair doesn’t have a backrest, it prompts a child to sit upright, leading to better posture. The base includes an anti-roll safety ring that prevents the chair from tipping over. This model is 14 inches tall and is recommended for children ages 6 to 7, though smaller models are available for toddlers and preschoolers and larger models are available for preteens and teens.
Each chair is crafted with antimicrobial protection to protect against bacteria. Choose from a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, green, red, blue, and more. The recommended maximum weight is 250 pounds.
Best Balance Ball
Gaiam Kids Balance Ball Chair
An exercise ball can be a good alternative to a standard chair for a high-energy child, but this kids balance ball chair from Gaiam offers additional features that make it an even better alternative for home learning. The anti-burst ball is set on a frame with casters, allowing a child to easily move around the room. The metal wire holder keeps the ball in place so there’s no chance of it rolling out from under the child. The backrest is adjustable for optimal comfort and also serves as a support bar for the ball.
This chair is designed to increase focus by allowing the child to expend energy through continuous movement. Additionally, since it requires children to sit upright, the chair engages them physically and strengthens their core. It measures 20 inches wide by 24 inches tall and is intended for children ages 5 to 7 who are between 42 and 51 inches in height. The chair has a maximum weight capacity of 175 pounds. Choose from several ball/frame color combination options.
Best Ergonomic
SIDIZ Ringo Kid Desk Chair: 4-Level Easy Adjustment
This swivel kids desk chair from SIDIZ is ergonomically designed with comfort in mind. It offers an adjustable height feature as well as padded faux leather cushions in the seat and backrest (choose from blue, green, or pink). The chair also includes a footrest for additional support. The unique sit-break casters permit the chair to easily move around the room when not in use but engage and make the chair stationary when more than 55 pounds of pressure is applied to the seat, thus encouraging the child to focus on the task at hand.
The backrest features a four-step growing function that allows children to adjust it based on their height, from as short as 3.5 feet to as tall as 5.3 feet. The seat height is adjustable from 15.7 to 19.7 inches, and the seat width is 18.3 inches. With total dimensions of 25.1 inches by 24.6 inches by 18.1 inches, this chair is recommended for children ages 6 to 13. It has a maximum weight capacity of 180 pounds.
Best for Small Desks
Skip Hop Explore u0026 More Toddler's Activity Chairs
The Skip Hop Explore & More Toddler’s Activity Chair comes in a set of two and is the optimal size for toddlers and preschoolers with smaller desks. The seat and backrest are both contoured for added comfort and can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth. The detachable legs are made of metal for durability and are outfitted with nonslip rubber feet, making these chairs a safe choice for use on hard surfaces.
Each chair measures 11.61 inches by 12.72 inches by 15.1 inches and is designed for use by children ages 12 months to 5 years. The maximum weight capacity is 80 pounds. Simply attach the legs to the seat for easy assembly.
Also Consider
Office Factor Kid’s Chair
With a maximum weight capacity of 175 pounds and an adjustable height, this kids desk chair from Office Factor is ideal for growing tweens and teens. The child controls the seat height with the easy-to-use lever, so raising and lowering it is a breeze. The seat is cushioned for optimal comfort, and the polypropylene mesh backrest is breathable and simple to clean.
The ergonomically designed chair swivels 360 degrees, and the three-star base and six casters are compatible with all flooring types, including carpet. The total dimensions are 17.5 inches by 16 inches by 32 inches. Choose from four colors: pink, blue, grey, or white.
FAQs About Kids Desk Chairs
Ready to shop? Check out these answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about kids desk chairs—and the desks that accompany them.
Q. How high should a child’s desk be?
The height of a child’s desk should ensure the child can sit with feet firmly planted on the floor, knees bent at a 90-degree angle, and wrists parallel to the desk while writing or typing.
Q. How long does it take to put together a desk?
Many basic children’s desks take just a few minutes to assemble, while more complicated models may take up to an hour.
Q. How do you set up a desk?
A child’s desk should be set up so the child can sit in a comfortable position with back support and feet on the floor. If the child is using a computer, place it at least 20 inches from their eyes.
Q. How tall should a chair be for a desk?
A desk chair should be tall enough to ensure that the child can type with wrists parallel to the keyboard. Generally speaking, there should be at least 8 inches of space between the desk and the seat of the chair.