Chair Ideas for Children

Dining

• The dining table is usually a place where adults feel perfectly comfortable in their seats, but a small child must either kneel on an adult-size chair just to participate or struggle with sitting up to a meal that barely reaches his chin. Youth chairs are a cross between a high chair, typically used for babies and toddlers, and an adult-sized chair. The child can get in and out of the chair himself and feel like part of the dinner table conversation.

Inside/Outside

• A stackable set of child-sized plastic chairs is a handy thing to have. They are easy to find and inexpensive, and because they stack, they don't take up much storage space. Keep a few extra on hand for birthday parties or play dates. Plastic chairs are lightweight, so children can carry them, and they are washable, so they're a perfect place to sit while painting, doing a craft project or eating a messy snack. Caring for small plastic chairs is easy -- hose them off and leave them outside to dry.

Family Room

• It's nice to snuggle on the couch as a family, but kids often gravitate to the floor. Give them a comfortable place to land -- a beanbag chair. They come in a variety of sizes and with a wide range of fabric covers to suit your child's taste or complement the room decor. Look for one that has a removable, washable fabric cover.

  You can also find upholstered kid-sized chairs for children that are more expensive. Many of these require special cleaning, but add a sophisticated, custom look to the room.

  A wooden table-and-chair set is another option that you can include in the family room or playroom. Look for chairs that have a smooth finish that you can easily wipe down with a damp cloth.

Chairs That Aren't Chairs

• If you need extra seating for a child and don't have enough chairs, grab a small stool for her. Even if it's too small for most adults, a child will fit perfectly on a seating or step stool. If you don't have a stool handy, even a plastic crate or storage container turned upside down will do in a pinch.