The Stokke Tripp Trapp chair is one of those big ticket items that are on the “must-have” list for many new parents. It’s natural to wonder, is the Stokke Tripp Trapp worth the money? After all, it’s a bit of an investment once you factor in not only the chair, but also the Tripp Trapp accessories that you’re likely to want as well.
My short answer is: yes, the Tripp Trapp is worth the money.
After having three young children and going through countless so-so baby items, I’ve learned to recognize the products that stand out from the rest in terms of quality, function and durability.
Stokke’s classic Tripp Trapp chair is definitely one of those items.
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There are many Tripp Trapp accessories you can choose from. If you’re on a budget, you can prioritize what you really need from what you can do without.
We started using the Tripp Trapp chair with my second son, Thomas, when he was about 2-years-old.
Before getting him the Tripp Trapp, he was using a regular dinner chair. That worked ok, but it was obvious that it wasn’t the right size for him.
He would regularly end up kneeling or standing on the chairs to reach the table.
As you can see in the photo below, adult-sized chairs really don’t put younger kids at an appropriate height to be able to eat comfortably!
Once Thomas started using the Tripp Trapp, he was at a much better height for the table. He also had a place to put his feet for balance. This is important for toddlers and preschoolers! It really helps them to sit still at the table when they’re not squirming around trying to stabilize themselves.
When we had our third child, Ani, we ended up using that same chair for her as a high chair.
The fact that the Tripp Trapp is extremely useful for babies and toddlers and older kids is largely why I feel that the Stokke Tripp Trapp is worth the money.
At first, when Ani was mainly being spoon fed, we would just pull her right up to the dinner table in the Tripp Trapp.
The Tripp Trapp is at a perfect height to bring even young children up to a standard sized table. Ani is about 8 months old in the photo above.
If you’ll be using the Tripp Trapp with a baby, you’ll definitely want the harness. You can see my daughter secured in the harness in the pictures.
The harness includes straps as well as a plastic enclosed piece that your baby sits right up against. You really need to use both the straps and the plastic seat. Babies can climb out of the chair without these pieces.
Stokke sells a “Baby Bundle” if you want the harness included with your set.
You can also get a Baby Bundle that comes with not only the harness, but also a tray and cushion.
When we first bought the Tripp Trapp, we just got the chair as a stand-alone. This is because it was initially intended for our older toddler, who was already getting too big for the Baby Set.
We added the Stokke Tray once my daughter started using the chair to feed herself finger foods.
I love the Tripp Trapp for my youngest baby. But I would still like to be using it with my now 3-year-old son! We only had it in the budget for one Tripp Trapp, not two. So I prioritized using it for the baby for the time being.
I may end up getting a secondhand Tripp Trapp so that my two youngest kids can use them at the same time.
Tripp Trapp for Toddlers
I like the Tripp Trapp for the toddler age group for lots of reason. Again, the long-term utility of this chair is why I feel that it’s worth the higher price-point.
The Tripp Trapp offers great ergonomic support for toddlers, including a footrest for added balance and stability.
One of the reasons that young kids find it hard to sit down for meals is that it’s challenging for them to balance in chairs that aren’t well designed for their size. I like that this chair can give you an advantage in that department.
Plus, the design makes it possible for even young kids to eat dinner right up at the table with the rest of the family. Eating dinner at the dinner table is something that we’re working toward doing more often, even though at this point (my kids are ages 7, 3, and 1) we still end up at the kitchen island a lot.
Check out these 20 easy, kid-friendly pantry meals if you need some inspiration at dinner!
Why I like the Stokke Tripp Trapp
The Tripp Trapp is a really nice looking chair, which I appreciate after using some very clunky high chairs in the past. It has a relatively small footprint, so it doesn’t take up too much space in the kitchen.
Of course, no matter how attractive the chair is, your child will still make a huge mess. You can’t blame Stokke for that!
The Tripp Trapp’s clean, streamlined design looks good regardless of the style of your home. It blends in with adult furniture, while of course being built for kids. After years of having “kid stuff” all over the house, it’s a nice change to have a piece that actually looks good.
Looks aside, this is a highly functional chair, and can be used for years and years as your child grows up. The Tripp Trapp can be used (with an attachment) from infancy until adulthood! (Although I can’t say I know any adults who use the Tripp Trapp as their personal chair).
The point is, you will get plenty of mileage out of this chair, significantly more than with almost any other item you’ll purchase for your child.
If you want to see how the The Tripp Trapp “grows with your child” in action, you can check out this video by Stokke:
Tripp Trapp Sets
If you want to maximize the usefulness of your Tripp Trapp, you’re going to want some of the accessories that go along with it. And while there are individual accessories that work well with the Stokke Tripp Trapp, there are also “bundles” you can get for your chair.
Which bundle you choose will depend on the age of your child. Going with a bundle is a good option if you’re starting from scratch with a new chair.
Personally, my family started out with the Tripp Trapp Baby Set, which I’ll talk about below. We never used the newborn set, because by the time I discovered the chair, we were already past the newborn stage!
If you purchase a Tripp Trapp for your new baby, you’ll likely want to consider the Newborn Set.
Tripp Trapp Newborn Set
Newborn babies obviously won’t be eating dinner with you! But the Newborn Set makes it possible for your infant to come right up to the table with the family, which is a nice setup.
The Newborn Set can be adjusted to two different angles, and can easily be removed from the chair when it’s not needed. Red-green indicators let you know that you have the seat mounted correctly. And a toy hanger is a nice addition for your baby!
I would have considered getting the newborn set if I had the chair when my kids were that young. But if you can’t afford the newborn set, I don’t think it’s a huge deal. While it’s nice to have a newborn up at the table, you can also have them in another baby seat near the table as an alternative.
In my opinion, the biggest benefit of owning the Tripp Trapp comes from the Baby Set, and for the years of use you’ll get as your child goes through the toddler and preschool years! Not to mention the school-aged years.
Tripp Trapp Baby Set
My family purchased the Baby Set. I love it! It’s easy to clean, and it’s simple to get your child in and out.
The only difficulty I’ve had with the baby set was early on, when I was first trying to adjust the straps for my child. I found it a little challenging to get them adjusted properly (which may have been user error – my sister had no issues with this!) Once the straps are adjusted they pretty much stay in the same position. So, this hasn’t been any sort of ongoing issue, and it’s by no means a deal breaker.
You have the option of a Baby Set that comes with a tray and cushion included:
Or a set that comes just with the tray (no cushion).
Tripp Trapp Accessories
One of the reasons I like the Tripp Trapp chair is that you’re able to customize it to your needs, depending on preference and the age of your children.
The bundles are a nice way to get what you need for your chair. However, if you buy the chair without any attachments you can always choose to add to it later.
There are multiple Tripp Trapp accessories that you can purchase to get the most out of this item.
Some are pretty much essential (like the tray) and some are just nice to have.
Here are some of the accessories available for your Tripp Trapp chair
Stokke Tray
We’ve been using the tray with our daughter since she was less than a year old (she’s now almost two). I love that it’s easy to clean up and has a simple, smooth design.
Unless you always plan to eat with the baby right at the kitchen table, the tray is a necessity.
Stokke Table Top
The Table Top accessory is nice if you plan to pull the chair up to the dinner table, and want a tidy way to contain your child’s food.
Tripp Trapp Cushion
I would recommend the cushion for younger babies, as it adds comfort and stability. The downside is that the cushion gets dirty, and you can’t wipe it down easily like you can with just the chair alone. It needs to be tossed in the wash.
Tripp Trapp Junior Cushion
The Junior Cushion is good for toddlers and older kids who want a comfy seat at the table. It’s compatible with all Tripp Trapp high chairs.
Storage Caddy
The storage caddy isn’t a “must have”, but it is handy if you don’t have much space available to store items you want on hand, like bibs and baby utensils.
The storage caddy is also useful to store art supplies if you’re using the chair for a preschooler. It keeps everything right on hand for your child, for added convenience.
Baby Placemat
This BPA-free placemat fits perfectly onto the Stokke tray. It’s nice that you can wash the placemat easily after meals, which makes cleanup time less of a hassle.
Stokke Munch Complete
You might want the Stokke Munch Complete if you’re looking for a durable feeding set that has everything you need for snacks and meals.
In Conclusion: Is the Stokke Tripp Trapp Worth the Money?
It’s natural to wonder if the Stokke Tripp Trapp is worth the money. This chair is a long-term investment, rather than a transient “baby” item, like your average high chair.
After using the Tripp Trapp for two of my own kids, I feel strongly that it is indeed worth the extra money.
The Tripp Trapp has so much going for it. It’s attractive and extremely useful. It’s compact, so it doesn’t take up too much of your floor space. It has a classic design. And it can be used from infancy up through all of childhood, with a few key accessories.
I love that you can pull the Tripp Trapp right up to the dinner table, or use an attached tray for lots of flexibility.
It wipes down easily and will look great in almost any kitchen.
In sum – this is an excellent chair, and worth an investment. For me, the Stokke Tripp Trapp is worth the money.
If at the end of the day the Tripp Trapp just isn’t in the budget, you can always check out some Stokke Tripp Trapp alternatives.
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