When your child no longer needs a highchair for babies, but still needs help reaching the dining table, a booster seat is ideal. Meal times with a young child can get a little stressful, so having your little one level at the table, so you can communicate properly with them is always a great start.
Booster seats are also a portable option for dinner with a child, so whether you're in your dining room or at a restaurant, the best booster seats for the table can be used with most dining chairs. They help your child feel more grown-up, and take up less space than a highchair too.
For all meal times, as well as the best weaning products, a booster seat is a must-have for your table – they may not make dinner with a toddler completely stress-free, but they'll definitely make things a little smoother. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a booster seat can make all the difference.
Editor's choice:
• Best booster seat for versatility - Apramo Flippa Dining Booster
• Best for kid appeal - Baby Polar Gear Portable Booster Seat
• Best for chair grip - Safety 1st Essential Booster
• Best overall travel option - Munchkin Portable Travel Child Booster Seat
If your little one ready for some independence while sitting at the table, take a look at our carefully curated list of the best booster seats to help your toddler or child take part in family meal times.
The best booster seats
Best booster seat for versatility
Description
The Apramo Flippa Dining Booster is the perfect travel companion for when you're out and about with your little one, or for use at home. It can be safely attached to almost any chair whether you're in a restaurant or visiting friends. The seat has a supportive back, a fully adjustable harness, and a large tray that is ideal for dinner and playtime and can easily be removed so baby can come closer to the table.
One reviewer said: "Bought this seat for my Great Grandson who is 9 months old. He is very happy to sit and play as well as have his food. This seat is very easy to open up and close, and carry bag is an added bonus. It is lightweight and easy to store. Excellent, so happy with it."
This booster seat won Bronze in the 2022 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Travel Product Over £30. Check out our full review here, tried and tested by real mums.
Pros
- Tested by mums
- Attaches to most chairs
- Perfect for travel
Cons
- Some reviews say it wasn't sturdy enough by itself
Best 2-in-1 booster seat
www.samueljohnston.com
Description
A versatile booster seat that not only acts as a highchair, but also as a baby bag too. The Jane Avant 2in1 Highchair Seat-Bag has a rigid interior structure so when being used as a seat, the inside doesn't get squashed, making it durable. It also has external compartments for storage and can fasten to your pram.
Review: "This bag easily converts to a cute and stylish seat booster with a 3-point harness. It is made of a really soft and good quality material, and can be wiped clean as well as washed. When the bag is folded, there are 3 compartments inside the bag, which can contain baby wipes, some baby food, bottle, and a beaker. The bag itself is quite light, ideal for travelling and feeding on the go. Great to use for places like restaurants, or when visiting friends and family."
Pros
- Convenient bag and highchair seat
- Durable
Cons
- There are no reviews
Best for kid appeal
Description
This versatile booster seat weighs just 700g, yet offers both a height boost and a three-point harness to help keep little diners in place at the table. The cushion is inflatable so can be packed up and chucked in a drawer or under your pram, and the harness comes higher up than a lap belt, making this a sensible choice for younger toddlers. At the end of your meal, just wipe the Baby Polar Gear Portable Booster Seat and fold it up to form a neat and compact shoulder bag, which comes complete with an extra pocket that contains a portable changing mat.
One reviewer said: "Great booster seat. Due to the style of my table it was difficult to find one that would fit under and still leave room for my granddaughter's legs, this one fits perfectly and feels very secure. Would highly recommend it."
Pros
- Cute design
- Lightweight
Cons
- It doesn't hold its shape
Best for feeling grown up
Description
The simple Prince Lionheart Soft Booster Seat is perfect for older toddlers who want to feed themselves but can’t reach the table. It’s made from soft waterproof material and has absolutely no awkward corners, so it’s extremely easy to clean and comfortable, too. It’s sold in a choice of three colours and is suitable from 18 months.
One review said: "Excellent booster seat! My 2y9m old daughter was growing out of her high chair - it was getting a mission to lift her in and out of it. This seat is perfect for us - sturdy yet not totally hard to sit on, we just place it on a dining chair, no faffing with straps etc which I think are no longer needed at this age. She climbs in herself - we just ensure she doesn't push the seat off too far, but it tends to stay put quite well (the material will grip a little on leather, faux-leather or plastic). When we push the chair forward, she's pretty well placed not to spill too much food on her clothes or lap. We love it!"
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Cons
- Doesn't have straps
Best for security
Description
The brilliant just 4 baby portable feeding dining booster seat will keep your baby secure and the three-point safety harness will keep them safe and can be adjusted as your child grows. We all know that babies can be messy at dinnertime, but this booster seat has an easy-to-clean surface.
One review said: "Not too bulky, child loves sitting at the table now. Easy enough to take off and move around for cleaning."
Pros
- Two fixing straps
- 3-point safety harness
Cons
- Straps can be difficult to adjust
Best for style
Description
Available in several sweet designs, this comfy booster seat will add height of 3.1" to your tot. Two extra strong adjustable straps, easily and safely fasten under the chair meaning it won't slip and slide about. Handily, the cover can easily be removed and machine washed.
One review said: "I have a 2yr old who climbs out of high chairs even when strapped in - often shooting across the table at dinner times! We decided to bite the bullet and get rid of the high chair - this cushion is just what we needed. It's firm and fits the chair perfectly - he can safely get up and down as well."
Pros
- Washable
- Easy to adjust to chairs
Cons
- Smaller children will need help to sit as it makes the chair higher
Best travel option
Description
This clever travel bag easily transforms into a booster seat for your youngster, offering convenient and protective storage section for those much needed essentials such as bottles, cups, nappies and more. A great option if you're on the go a lot, it's ultra-portable with a carry strap included and folds away neatly so is ideal if you don't have much space at home.
One review said: "Purchased this for our upcoming trip away as our IKEA highchair takes up so much room in the car. Our 18 month old is very happy to sit in this and seems secure. The straps adjust easily to fit around different types of chair. The zipped compartment underneath will be really handy for storing cups, plates, cutlery etc. It easily folds down and becomes a carry bag - I like how there isn't a separate bag for it that may get lost, instead it just all folds up inside and can be carried as it is. Very lightweight too so will be great for taking abroad in a suitcase."
Pros
- Folds neatly and has a carry strap
- Convenient storage section
Cons
- Stains if not wiped properly
Best for quality
Description
Perfect for eating out or at the dining table, the Mamas + Papas Baby Bud Booster Seat with Detachable Tray comes with a carry handle for easy hauling and a removable tray; great for extending the usage of your booster seat once your little one is ready to eat directly from the table. With adjustable non-slip feet, padded seat and a harness, your child will sit comfortably and safely as they eat. Suitable for children six months and over.
One reviewer said: "Great seat with straps to hold the baby/child in. Can be used for years. Easy to put together. Looks great. Can be strapped to a dining chair to have them at a table in this booster seat. Really lovely colour. Great quality. A good buy."
Pros
- Beautiful colour options
- Adjustable non-slip feet
Cons
- Tray is easy to unlock
Best for easy cleaning
Description
If you've got a mucky-pup for a baby at dinner times, this booster seat will answer your prayers! Designed to stand up to the toughest mealtime messes, the whole seat can be easily wiped clean. Spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your little one's company. The Ingenuity SmartClean Toddler Baby Booster Feeding Seat is suitable from 16 months.
One review said: "My 14 month old decided he is now grown up enough not to use his high chair, so this was a must have purchase! It's practical, easy to use and affordable. It's also very easy to clean as the grey inner is removable. My son enjoys sitting in it and feels more involved at meal times. The straps that attach around the chairs are a good length and easy to adjust. The 3 point harness means my son is safe and secure."
Pros
- Removable foam insert
- Fits most dining chairs
Cons
- Not suitable for younger babies
Best for compact storage
www.argos.co.uk
Description
The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Seat is not only versatile with height adjustment and a removable tray, it's great for storing, too. If you're limited on space or want to be able to fold away your booster seat for another child to use when they're old enough, this removable booster can be folded down when not in use and moved with the carry straps. Suitable for ages six months and over.
One review said: "Bought to use for visiting grandchildren. Easy to set up, straps onto standard dining chair, well made. Folds away neatly for storage. Reasonably priced."
Pros
- Adjustable height
- Removable tray
Cons
- Tray table and legs can be stiff to move
Best for multiple uses
Description
This portable booster seat works just as well sitting with you at the table for feeding, or as a supportive floor seat during playtime! The removable tray stores neatly under the booster seat and the foam inserts can be removed when your baby outgrows it for extended use. The Ingenuity Baby Base 2-in-1 Booster Feeding and Floor Seat suitable for ages six months and over.
One review said: "Excellent to help a baby who can almost sit unaided. Good quality and design, handy tray that can easily be removed. We haven’t used it as a booster seat on a chair yet as he is not quite 6 months and uses a high chair but it is very secure so we will use it shortly. Will be very handy to take places as light and portable."
Pros
- Converts from baby to booster seat
- Dishwasher safe
- Tray can be stored in seat
Cons
- The strap for underneath the chair is long
How to choose a booster seat
You can choose a high chair booster seat that has a removable tray (that will fit their toddler plates and cutlery) and cushions, while others are essentially just straps. What works for you will depend on what age and stage your child is at and how portable you need the booster seat to be.
Some can be used for babies from six months. Just make sure it has a supportive backrest and harness. Most come with a three-point harness that is highly adjustable so it can grow with your child, making it a useful product for a fast-growing tot.
Avoid anything with nooks and crannies so you can clean the seat easily and make sure your booster seat of choice has a non-slip bottom, keeping toddlers safer and more secure.
Are booster seats safe to use?
Booster seats are safe to use, especially when used correctly. It is important to follow the safety instructions for the product and also these simple steps:
• Always use the safety straps provided to keep your child safely seated. Check they are in good working order and firmly attached to the chair. Also, remember that the tray alone is not sufficient for keeping them in place.
• Stay with your child during mealtimes. An unsupervised child is more likely to try to escape, kick back from the table or choke on food.
• Make sure the chair attached to the booster seat is strong, weighty and stable without wheels.
• Keep the area around the booster seat clear. As your child will have closer access to what is on the table, make sure hot foods or sharp utensils are kept out of reach.
• Before moving to a booster seat, make sure your baby is able to sit up consistently first. There's no set age that your child should graduate from the high chair. If they take a little longer, that's perfectly OK.
• Make sure to double-check your chosen booster seat's age and weight restrictions.
When can baby switch to a booster seat at table?
When it comes to moving from a highchair to a booster seat at the table, a lot of children will be ready for that when they're around 18 to 24 months old but as we mentioned, there isn't a set age so just go with what you and your child is comfortable with.
Not every child will be ready to move to eating at the same table as adults as early others. Try to get them eating with the rest of the family before they're 3 years old, but keep in mind that this may take time and patience. Trying out toddler meal ideas will encourage them to taste new flavours and textures. It's understandable to worry about what your little one eats and where they're eating it, so just do what works for your family.
Stephanie Anthony is the Deputy Digital Editor at Mother&Baby and auntie to four aged 7 to 2 months old. With a particular interest in health, she loves discovering products that make parent’s lives easier.