Your child is starting school soon and you are looking for a suitable children's desk chair? Then keep in mind that children have different requirements for an office chair than adults. They are smaller and lighter, have a greater urge to move and are of course still growing. With a special desk chair for children you have come to the right place
We want to help you find the right chair for your offspring. From ergonomics to seat covers, you will find everything you need to know about desk chairs for children in our guide.
- Why is an adapted desk chair for children so important?
- When does my child need a desk with a desk chair in the children's room?
- Which desk chairs for children are there?
- Features of children's desk chairs - what you should consider before buying
- How do I properly adjust a desk chair for children?
- What should you pay attention to when choosing? Checklist and conclusion purchase advice for the children's desk chair
Why is an adapted desk chair for children so important?
Children are not yet used to sitting still for long periods of time. The skeleton and muscles tend to give way more quickly. The neck and shoulders fall forward and the child's back tends to arch. This also applies to older schoolchildren who often have to spend long periods of time at a desk. In the worst case, this unhealthy posture leads to a shortening of the muscles and can thus promote tension, headaches and pain in the back and shoulder area.
The solution: an ergonomically designed children's office chair. Its design prevents rigid sitting postures. For example, many children find it great to spin around in circles on swivel chairs like on a carousel. They are movable, height-adjustable and can be adjusted precisely to the small body.
Children's desk chairs are great. They are often laterally movable and well sprung. This allows children to sit actively. The back and buttocks muscles are happy. A pleasant side effect: the child can live out his need for movement and does not feel “tied” to the chair. And learning and doing homework will be more fun.
When does my child need a workstation with a desk chair in the children's room?
Desk chair for children aged 4 and over
Your child is still in preschool, but already likes to retreat into the room for long periods of time to do crafts and paint? Then a children's desk chair with a matching children's desk can be useful at this age to ensure a back-friendly and comfortable sitting position.
Children's desk chair from 6 years
When primary school begins, your child needs a nice workspace with a suitable desk chair. For fun with your first arithmetic and writing homework. The ergonomic office chair also supports children in sitting healthily and actively. To prevent neck and back pain and to simply avoid poor posture
Which desk chairs for children are there?
If you want to buy an ergonomic desk chair for your child, you have a variety of options to choose from:
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Classic children's swivel chairs with wheels
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Swivel chairs without wheels but with floor gliders
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Office chairs that do not swivel
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Swivel stool without backrest
But which model is best for your child? We have listed the different aspects of the chairs for you. Because every child is different. Smaller children grow even faster, so the chairs should be adjustable. Others are quieter or have a great need to move - stable chairs on wheels are certainly a good idea here.
Just get an idea of the different options. This means you are sure to find the right model for your child.
Features of children's desk chairs - what you should consider before buying
The ideal desk chair for children should meet a few requirements. Ergonomics is very important. And the special needs of the offspring. These include:
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Weight and size
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The more pronounced urge to move
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A function that grows with you
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The special ergonomics
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Stability
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Optics, colors and shapes
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The ease of care
In addition, many youth and children's desk chair test and comparison sites also discuss the differences between the individual models. These variants are available:
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With and without armrests
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With and without backrest
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With wheels or with gliders
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With and without rotation function
Should a desk chair for children come with or without wheels and gliders?
Most desk chairs for children are equipped with wheels so that your little one can move freely around the room with the chair. This is not a problem as long as the office chair has a stable base or a foot ring and therefore has sufficient stability. If your child tends to roll around more in the chair instead of concentrating on schoolwork, children's chairs with gliders instead of wheels may be better. This means that the chair can no longer be moved so easily. Ideally, you can simply replace the desk chair's wheels with gliders.
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Children's desk chair with wheels |
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+ Active sitting is encouraged + The children remain mobile while sitting + Your child doesn't have to get up to fetch something, for example (fewer interruptions) + The chair can be moved more easily + Rolling is fun for the children ∼ Children may be more easily distracted by rolling around ∼ The child moves less because he doesn't have to get up to get something ∼ Make sure that the casters are suitable for the respective floor |
Does my child need a swivel chair or not?
When the swivel chair becomes a carousel, children will definitely have fun. But if you want them to concentrate, then a children's swivel chair with a locking mechanism makes sense. The seat is simply fixed and nothing stands in the way of quiet working.
Young students often switch back and forth between laptops, books and notes at their desks. Here we recommend a swivel office chair. A plus point: the backrest simply rotates with you. This effectively supports the back in its movements.
Classic children's swivel chair
As an alternative to children's swivel chairs, there are cantilever desk chairs. You may also be familiar with cantilever chairs from dining rooms. Thanks to the spring effect, the chairs relieve the lumbar spine and shoulder area. And thus ensure a loose fit. If they are not height-adjustable, you should definitely get a good, fitted one Footrest Use something your child can comfortably rest their feet on.
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Swivel chair for children |
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+ Active sitting is encouraged + The children have freedom of movement + The backrest moves with you and provides back support in every position + Spinning is fun for the children ∼ Children may be distracted by spinning ∼ If the office chair is not stable enough, the risk of accidents increases. Especially if the chair is also equipped with wheels. |
Does a children's desk chair need armrests?
Little boys and girls do not need armrests when sitting. Because that restricts their freedom of movement too much. For example, if you want to quickly grab something from your school bag. Then the armrest tends to get in the way. The armrests also invite you to sit on them or climb around on the chair. Be careful to prevent accidents.
Armrests are useful for older children and teenagers who sit at a laptop or desk for longer periods of time. These support and relieve pressure on the arms as well as the shoulder and neck area. This prevents tension. An armrest can also be useful when standing up, as the support provides pleasant relief for the intervertebral discs. Basically, your child should always decide for themselves whether they prefer an armrest. If he decides to do this, make sure that it is height adjustable. Our tip: There are also models with folding armrests. If necessary, these can simply be folded back for extra freedom of movement.
Should a children's desk chair have a backrest?
A backrest is not absolutely necessary. Active sitting is particularly important for children who already have a greater need to move. By moving while sitting, the brain is better supplied with blood and oxygen. And by constantly changing positions, the back muscles are strengthened, which improves posture in the long term.
For such purposes, there are ergonomic, swinging children's stools that do not require any armrests or backrests. The advantage: The child automatically assumes an upright posture and can move freely at the same time. You can also easily store the stool under the desk when not in use.
If the children's desk chair has a backrest, make sure that the height and inclination can be easily adjusted to the child's back. It is also an advantage if the children's chair has an adjustable one Lumbar support is equipped. This supports the back healthily and effectively in the lower back area (lordosis).
Desk chairs for children that grow with them
To ensure that your child benefits from their helper for as long as possible, the children's chair should grow with them. This works best when several components are adjustable:
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Seat height
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Seat depth
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Seat
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Backrest tilt
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Armrests
Especially if the office chair is supposed to last for several years, various quality features are important. Overall, it has to be stable. Turning, fidgeting or rocking should only cause it to swing at most, otherwise there is a risk that the chair will tip over. The padding should not be too hard and the suspension should not be too strong. The child should be able to change their sitting position themselves. To be on the safe side, look for test seals or safety certificates when purchasing. For example, the GS mark.
Safety is important with children's desk chairs
Special safety applies to children's chairs. The material and construction of the chair must meet the needs of the child.
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Stability: The chairs must be robust and able to withstand improper handling or one-sided loading.
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Security roles: If the children's swivel chairs have wheels, built-in safety wheels are necessary so that the chairs are safe and stable.
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Flooring: The Office chair wheels must be suitable for the corresponding floor covering. Different rollers are suitable for carpet than for hard floors. But there are also universal wheels that are suitable for any surface.
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Stability: The diameter of the base or turnstile must be sufficiently large. This prevents the chair from tipping over easily.
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Weight: The weight of the children's office chair should be slightly more than the weight of the child. This ensures a secure footing.
The right seat cover – soft, washable, durable
Especially when schoolchildren are younger, one or two stains tend to end up on the chair. Make sure that the seat and upholstery are easy to clean and ideally removable. The cover material should be pleasantly soft and not scratchy. Ideally, you can wash it in the washing machine. If a mishap happened – no problem.
Simply change or wash the cover! And if your child's tastes change, you can also change the color of the fabric cover. If you would like to find out more about cleaning, you will find everything in our Advice on the topic of seat covers.
Also make sure you have the right padding. This also helps ensure that boys and girls sit correctly and healthily. Above all, it should be comfortable and not too hard. A hollow seat is also recommended, on which the children automatically assume a better and more comfortable sitting position.
Colorful and colorful – children's desk chairs
Children's office furniture can be found in different material variants. For example, children's stools and chairs made of wood, metal, plastic or a mix of materials. Of course, the look is much more important for the kids. Blue, pink, green, black - children's chairs in white, with unicorn or football motifs - luckily there are a wide variety of colors and patterns. It's best to choose the fabric and color of the cover together with your little one. And if you then pay attention to the ergonomics and quality of the children's chair, then parents and child will be equally happy!
How do I properly adjust a desk chair for children?
Only when the office chair is perfectly adjusted can your child fully benefit from it. How to optimally adjust the chair:
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The seat height should be adjusted so that the child has both feet completely on the floor.
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The back should rest against the backrest. The upper and lower legs should form a 90 degree angle.
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The front edge must not press and the thighs should rest fully on the seat.
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There should be about three to four finger widths between the lower leg and the front edge so that the legs have better blood circulation.
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The backrest should reach at least to the shoulder blades. This provides sufficient relief for the back.
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The rocker function of the backrest should support the child's back well and give gently if necessary.
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The lumbar support must be located in the lower back area. It should support the lumbar vertebrae so that an upright posture is maintained.
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If the child's chair has armrests, these should be adjusted so that the upper and lower arms form a 90 degree angle. The armrests should be level with the edge of the table.
An exception is a freely movable children's stool. The stool moves with the child's movement. This means that the stool adapts to the child and not the other way around.
What alternatives are there to a children's desk chair?
In addition to the swivel chairs, there are other seating options for your kids. For example, a small stool or an exercise ball. However, for longer periods of sitting, the chair should always be ergonomic to protect your back. Then the Swoppster, an ergonomic, padded children's stool with a rocking function, is suitable. This also promotes active sitting and thus strengthens the back muscles.
What should you pay attention to when choosing? Checklist and conclusion purchase advice for the children's desk chair
In summary, you should pay particular attention to the following points when choosing a new desk chair for your child:
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The office chair for your little one should definitely grow with them. An armchair that is only height-adjustable but whose backrest cannot be adjusted to fit is not suitable.
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The chair must be suitable for your child's height and weight and adjusted ergonomically right from the start.
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The seat height, depth and inclination of the backrest and seat are adjustable.
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The child should be able to adjust the chair themselves. Handling must be safe.
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The model has a test certificate such as the GS seal.
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The desk chair should in no way restrict the child's freedom of movement.
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Active sitting should be possible and your child should be able to change sitting positions regularly.
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A backrest could also be a hindrance and is more suitable for older school children and teenagers. If there is a backrest for the back, it is ergonomically adjustable.
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If there is no backrest, it is an ergonomically shaped and slightly swinging children's stool.
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The chair should be sufficiently padded. Ideally, the chair is equipped with a hollow seat so that your child can sit comfortably on it for a long time.
Finally, please remember: Always coordinate the children's desk chair and the children's table with each other. For example, if you already have a desk, make sure that the chair fits together in terms of size and ergonomics. If you are still looking, please feel free to stop by our shop. We have a great selection of children's office furniture for you.
Do you want to know more?
In our guide you will find further interesting content on the broad topic of sitting. Of course, we are also happy to provide you with advice and assistance: via telephone, email or online chat. We are here for you and look forward to hearing from you!