When most parents start school at the latest, the question of the right desk for their children starting school arises. Then keep in mind that children have different demands on their work table than we adults. They are constantly moving and growing quickly. Therefore, the children's desk should not only grow with you, but also be robust and last for several years.
From the best desk for those starting school, to the right desk height, to the right accessories - with our guide we will help you find the right desk for your little one. Let’s work together to create the perfect learning environment for your child.
- What is special about a children's desk?
- When does my child need a desk in the children's room?
- Which desk is the best for those starting school?
- Should the children's desk be height adjustable?
- Why should the children's desk be tiltable?
- What is the correct table height for a children's desk?
- This means your child sits ergonomically at the desk
- What accessories should a children's desk be equipped with?
- Where in the children's room should the desk be located?
- Which material is suitable for children's desks?
- Children's desks in white, colorful, pink...which design would you like?
What is special about a children's desk?
A desk for children is specifically designed to meet the needs of children and adolescents. This affects the table shape, height and handling. These characteristics depend primarily on the body size and growth of children and young people. You can also find children's desks under the terms youth desk or student desk.
When does my child need a desk in the children's room?
Children's desk from 3 to 4 years
If your child doesn't go to school yet, but paints a lot and for a long time or has fun writing their first letters, then an ergonomic children's desk makes sense at preschool age. Sitting on the floor or at the kitchen table for long periods of time can quickly cause your back to become unhealthily curved. With a tilting work table that is adapted to the child, sitting is much more upright and therefore healthier.
Children's desk from 6 years
As soon as your child starts primary school, we recommend a suitable children's desk. This means your child sits healthy and upright and doesn't have to worry about poor posture. Combine the table with one suitable, ergonomic children's desk chair.
Which desk is the best for those starting school?
At the start of school comes the question of the right children's desk. But how do you find the perfect table? There are some independent testing institutes such as Stiftung Warentest, TÜV and Öko-Test that address this issue and test these desks with regard to functions, possible pollutants or durability. You can use these tests as a good guide, but they do not replace detailed advice from specialist retailers. However, there are a few interesting guidelines and functions that are important when buying a high-quality desk for children:
1. Children's desk that grows with the child
This adapts to the child's growth. It can be adjusted in height so that your children can benefit from it for several years and sit ergonomically at the desk at any age. In most cases it can even be used as a teenager's desk. It is important that you can adjust the table easily and, if possible, do this without tools.
2. Stability and quality
Since the children's desk should of course last for a few years, it has to be able to withstand a lot. For example, test whether the drawers can be opened and closed silently. Get advice and pay attention to the following: How much weight can the table top withstand? Does the table have a stable base? Can it be moved easily?
3. Pollutant content
Pay attention to the level of pollutants in the children's desk. In Germany, manufacturers must be able to prove that they are free of harmful substances using a quality seal. A possible pollutant is e.g. B. formaldehyde. Of course, the children's table should not contain this. It is therefore important to pay attention to test seals such as the GS seal (“Tested Safety”).
Should a children's desk be height adjustable?
Height-adjustable desks basically consist of a table top that is mounted on free-standing feet. You can usually adjust the table to the appropriate height by hand. Some models are even electrically height adjustable. This means you can easily switch between sitting and standing at any time. A height-adjustable children's desk has a few more advantages
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A height-adjustable desk for children grows with them
As already mentioned, it is a great advantage if the table can grow with you. So your child can still benefit from it as a starting school student or as a secondary school student.
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Protection of the child's back
Your child is still growing. Therefore, special protection applies to children's backs. Thanks to the height adjustment, you can always optimally adjust the desk to the size of the child. It is generally important that your feet are completely on the floor and your arms rest loosely on the table top.
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Not to be neglected – have fun while learning
Pretty neat: raising and lowering a modern children's desk. And this makes working much more fun than at a conventional table. Positive side effect - your children have fun learning and, in the best case, this also has a positive effect on their school grades.
Why should the children's desk be tiltable?
The tilt has a really clever purpose - with tilting worktops your child sits much more upright and straighter than at a flat tabletop. This means children automatically assume the “correct” position when they study and do their homework. A particularly great side effect is that the kids sit more ergonomically and at the same time protect their sensitive backs.
How big should the slope be? Optimally, the inclination is at least 16°. This creates the correct distance between the eye and the work surface. It is important that tilting children's desks are equipped with an edge at the bottom of the table top. This prevents the notebooks, books and pens from slipping off the table. This edge can also be folded back on some models so that it does not press against the child's forearms when it is not needed.
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Tiltable and height-adjustable children's desk |
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+ Can grow with the child + Relief of the spine + Active sitting and changing sitting positions possible + Increased performance and concentration ∼ The table often has to be cleared up to tilt it ∼ Slightly more expensive to purchase |
What is the correct table height for a children's desk?
Children grow quickly, so the desk should ideally be height-adjustable. In addition, your children can then adjust the table and chair optimally to each other.
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First, the chair must be adjusted correctly. To do this, your child should touch the floor with both feet and their upper and lower legs should form a 90 degree angle.
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When the child sits ergonomically, the table is adjusted.
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Ideally, your child should be able to rest their forearms relaxed on the table and form a 90 degree angle with their upper arms.
Basically, you can also use the following table as a guide for the table height.
| size of the child | Table height |
| 93-116cm | 45cm |
| 108-121cm | 53cm |
| 119-142cm | 59cm |
| 133-159cm | 64cm |
| 146-177cm | 71cm |
| 159-188cm | 76cm |
| 174-207cm | 82cm |
However, these are just recommendations. It's best to test sit with your child to find out the right height for the desk.
This means your child sits ergonomically at the desk
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Seat height: Adjust the chair correctly. Ideally, your child should sit high enough so that their upper and lower legs form a 90 degree angle. Feet should be flat on the floor.
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Table height: The table top must be high enough so that the child can easily rest their elbows on the table top. The table should therefore be just below the elbows.
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Tilt: Adjust the angle so that your child sits straight at the table without slouching forward.
If the position of the chair, the table height and the inclination are set correctly, the ergonomically correct sitting position usually arises automatically. This is a good way to ensure that poor posture is prevented at an early stage.
What accessories should a children's desk be equipped with?
So that your child can benefit from their desk for a long time, it should be equipped with a few functions or at least be able to be expanded to include them:
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Drawer/storage space: Children's desks often already have some drawers and storage compartments integrated into them. This means that small items, pens and paper can be stored practically in place.
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Storage compartments: You can also ensure order with additional storage compartments. But there should be enough space on the work surface for this. There are simple stacking boxes made of cardboard and plastic or storage racks for this.
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Roll container: Of course, all the writing utensils, books and notebooks have to be stored somewhere when they are not needed. If the existing drawers in the desk are not sufficient, it is worth purchasing a rolling container. This will prevent chaos in the children's workplace. The container can also be conveniently stored under the desk. In different colors they can also be perfectly combined with a desk.
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Desk pad: The pad protects the table from scribbles and possible damage to the table surface. Children also like desk pads because they are available with a wide variety of motifs and patterns.
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Pen tray/pen tray: Some models are equipped with an extra pen groove on the bottom edge or side of the table top. It offers space for several pens and other small items. The small shelf is particularly practical when you need to quickly switch back and forth between pencil, eraser or fountain pen. The channel also makes sense when the table is tilted, so everything stays in place and doesn't fall off the table.
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Storage for school bags: Some children's desks are equipped with a shelf for school bags. This is usually attached to the side like a kind of holder. This means your child can get the utensils they need out at any time and I don't have to bend down.
Where in the children's room should the desk be located?
The perfect location depends on the daylight. This means your child always has the best light to work with. It would be perfect if the light came from the side. Or from the front. However, in such a way that the eyes are not blinded. Another plus point: If your child sits at the window, he or she can take a look outside every now and then. And relax your eyes wonderfully.
The light in the children's workplace should ideally come in from the side
In fact, the hand with which your child writes and paints is also crucial. Simply to avoid unpleasant shadows when writing. Our tip for you:
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Right-handed people: Light comes from the right – shadows should come from the left
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Left-handed people: Light comes from the left - shadows should come from the right
As your child enters adolescence, he or she will typically need a computer. Both for school and for leisure. Also make sure that the light coming from the window is correct. The sun should not hit the screen. If you use a desk lamp, place it so that the light does not fall on the picture. It is best if the light comes from the side.
Which material is suitable for children's desks?
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Wood fiber boards (also MDF boards) are particularly robust. They can also be easily removed from dried stains and are resistant to dents or scratches. However, some inexpensive models may contain harmful substances. It is therefore important to pay attention to a corresponding test seal.
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Solid wood tables Although they look elegant, they are often more sensitive than wood fibers. Small scratches can quickly appear. However, wood can also be easily sanded. And with appropriate care with oil or wax, the table will quickly become like new again. Hardwoods such as beech or oak are best suited for children's desks as they are very resistant. If you want to use the children's desk for a long time, for example for siblings, then you can definitely think about purchasing a slightly more expensive solid wood desk.
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Metal tables are usually painted. The material makes the table extremely stable and robust. But also difficult. Especially with metal desks, make sure that there are no sharp edges or corners. So that no one gets injured while romping around at the desk. By the way, with many children's tables only the frame is made of metal and the worktop is made of a different material.
Here you will find another overview of the most important properties of the materials:
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Children's desk made of solid wood |
Children's desk with coated worktop |
Metal children's desk |
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+ Chic optics ∼ More sensitive than wood fibers + But with proper care it lasts a very long time + Largely free of harmful substances ∼ Slightly more expensive |
+ Plastic coating is extremely robust and easy to care for ∼ Pay attention to harmful substances → Look at the test seal + Low price segment |
+ Extremely stable ∼ Paint can chip but can also be repainted ∼ There must be no sharp edges or corners |
Children's desks in white, colorful, pink...which design would you like?
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Simple in white: Most children's desk models are white. The color is simply practical and fits harmoniously into any child's room. Especially if the rest of the furniture is also white. Of course, you can also combine the simple desk with colorful carpets, curtains or great wall decorations. Another advantage: The white table also fits perfectly into a teenager's room if the children don't want it to be so colorful later.
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Wooden country house style: If the room is already furnished in cozy natural tones, a wooden children's desk will of course also fit in. For example, a corner desk made of beech for the teenager's room. A table made of light wood also looks good with a white, country-house style bed.
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Colorful, pink, colorful: The little ones especially love colorful things. That's why there are also children's desks in pink, blue, red and green... basically in every color a child's heart desires. The best thing to do is to choose the table together with your children. In addition to the design, please don't ignore the quality.
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!