Would I be crazy to buy a Tripp trapp for a 7 year old?

[Fabuleuse]

I'm setting up a spare dining table at the back of our living room so that my two DSs aged 7 and almost 4 can do drawing, jigsaws etc on it to keep the kitchen table clear. Although DS1 is a tall 7 year old, he doesn't look totally comfortable on a normal dining chair for extended periods (although he does use one at mealtimes). DS2 has the Hauck Alpha+ for mealtimes and I was originally going to buy two more for the new table, however I noticed the footrest in its lowest position on this is still quite high up, which isn't so suitable for an older child. The footrest on the Tripp Trapp goes down a lot lower so it seems better for an older child. They are obviously very expensive though, £170 compared to £50 for the Hauck/Aldi dupes. I'd appreciate any thoughts or any other recommendations for chairs. There's nothing suitable on Gumtree or Facebook marketplace near us right now unfortunately.

Seems crazy to me. What's wrong with cushions to raise the height?

His legs dangle on a normal dining seat- he looks more comfortable with a footrest. He's tried out his brother's Hauck chair and he says he feels more comfortable on that even through the footrest is a bit too high.

Good grief

I wouldn’t, seems like a waste of money and won’t he be embarrassed when friends come round and he’s sat on a baby chair (my niece had a friend say this). My 4YO sits on a normal dining chair to do art etc. Is the 7YO actually complaining of being uncomfortable?

Didn't we all just sit on like normal chairs to do drawing when we were growing up....

Could you get a taller chair e.g from IKEA and tie a tea towel or something across the front two legs?

Or a separate foot stool

Have a look for a "junior dining chair" - IKEA have loads. They are like a ordinary dining chair but with long legs - a bit like a bar stool shape but table height.

My feet still dangle off the sofa as it happens...bonkers

IKEA do higher seated chairs that are cheaper and look more like normal chairs. That might be a good compromise.

Try the octopus club, they always seem to have them second hand. They are expensive but they are excellent for posture and can be used until adult age. They also hold their value really well when you’re done with them. When my sons no longer need theirs at the dining table will move them to be desk chairs in their bedrooms.

Well, obviously it is completely unnecessary and a case of 'more money than sense' but on the other hand some of us have handbags or dresses that cost a lot more than the price of the chair and get a lot less use . It's an unnecessary luxury but that doesn't mean you shouldn't get it if it will give you pleasure and you can easily afford it.

Thanks for the recommendations for IKEA, that sounds great - off to have a browse. Thanks also for those who so politely confirmed I'm bonkers given I have to buy two new chairs regardless, thought it best to consider what's ergonomically best for comfort and to encourage him to actually sit and do stuff at the table.

I've known families who were still using Tripp trapp chairs as dining chairs/desk chairs at 12+ years, but these were chairs that were bought when the children were babies. I would look at trying to find or make a footrest for a normal chair first before spending all that money. I know you can buy footrests for the Ikea antilop chair on line, it might be possible to make something similar for a bigger chair.

If you are setting up a table for drawing and craft instead of eating, could you get a children's office style chair so it can swivel, adjust height etc? Then it can be used for homework etc when he is older.

My son is 6 and I would get him a Tripp trap if I could afford it. He struggles with motor skills and a footrest would help him. Do what makes him comfortable

We still use our 3, the eldest is 10 and the younger 2 twins are 8! To be honest I wouldn't buy a new one at this age but they are really well designed and very supportive.

I got a very similar knockoff (SO much cheaper and brand new) off Facebook marketplace, if you think he'd benefit from the footrest it might be worth a look on there!

I would go ahead and buy one if you can afford it. We have 2, one which DD uses as she's still in junior school and the other one which 16 year old 6'1" DS uses. It's also used by DD's friends and adults when we need extra chairs at the dining table so is well worth the money

I use one of my kids' Tripp traps every day for work it is the most comfortable chair we have for working at the dining table but I wouldn't buy one for a 7yo or if you do get a second hand one.

He's 7 and it's not a car seat. Why would you consider a high chair at this age?!

You’re going to buy your 7 year old a high chair?

I'm using our Tripp trapp as a desk chair for wfh, I'm 5'3". I know lots of kids who use them as desk chairs and they just look like wooden chairs. There are always second hand ones on ebay so if he finds it comfy then buy one, you can easily sell it when it's outgrown.

@Wnikat

My son is 6 and I would get him a Tripp trap if I could afford it. He struggles with motor skills and a footrest would help him. Do what makes him comfortable

You can get removable footrests.