Stokke Tripp Trapp: The Complete Guide and Honest Review

Why the Tripp Trapp Has Been the Standard for 50 Years

The Stokke Tripp Trapp is one of those rare products that has lasted half a century without fundamentally changing, simply because the design was right from the beginning. The chair was designed in 1972 by Norwegian industrial designer Peter Opsvik, with the core idea that a high chair should grow with the child instead of ending up in the attic after a few years. The result is an iconic Scandinavian design now found in more than 12 million households worldwide. In the Netherlands, the Tripp Trapp is by far the most popular high chair and you see it in nearly every home with children. The reason for that popularity is simple: the chair literally grows from newborn to adult thanks to the adjustable seat and footplate, is made of strong lacquered beech wood that lasts for years, and is available in dozens of colors that match any interior. The price of around 250 euros for the base chair sounds steep, but calculated per year of use, it is one of the cheapest high chairs on the market.

Ergonomics at the Table: Why It Matters

The Tripp Trapp is not just a high chair but an ergonomically thought-through piece of furniture. The adjustable design ensures that a child sits in the optimal position at every age: feet flat on the footplate, knees at a 90-degree angle, and the seat at the right height relative to the table. This sitting posture is important for motor development, digestion, and learning to eat. When a child sits on a regular chair with dangling legs, they have to hold on to avoid falling, leaving less attention for eating. With feet firmly on the footplate, the child has stability and can use both hands to eat. This is particularly relevant with baby-led weaning, where the child picks up food and brings it to the mouth. The adjustable footplate is also important from an orthopedic perspective: correct sitting supports the development of the hips and spine. It is recommended to check and adjust the seat and footplate every three to four months as your child grows.

The Different Sets and Accessories

Stokke offers various accessories for the Tripp Trapp, and it can be confusing to determine what you really need. The Newborn Set is a bouncer that is placed on the Tripp Trapp and is suitable from birth until approximately 9 kilograms. With this, your baby sits at the family table from day one, which is good for social development and convenient during meals. The Baby Set is by far the most important accessory: this is a high back and a belly bar that make the chair suitable for children who can sit independently (from about 6 months) until they are stable enough to sit without it (around 3 years). The Baby Set is in my opinion a must-have and not optional. The Tripp Trapp Cushion is a seat cushion for extra comfort and grip. It is not strictly necessary but nice, especially for younger children who are still somewhat unsteady. The Stokke Tray is a detachable eating tray that clicks onto the Baby Set and is handy for the first complementary feeding phase, but not needed if your child eats directly at the table. My advice: buy the base chair plus Baby Set as a minimum, and add the Tray if you do BLW.

From What Age Until When?

The Tripp Trapp is designed to grow from birth to adulthood, and this is not a marketing claim but reality. With the Newborn Set, you can use the chair from birth: your baby lies comfortably in the bouncer on the chair and is at eye level at the table. Around 6 months, when your baby can sit independently, you switch the Newborn Set for the Baby Set. The Baby Set stays on the chair until about 3 years, after which most children are stable enough to sit without the bar. From 3 years, you use the chair with just the adjustable seat and footplate, which you adjust as your child grows. Stokke guarantees that the chair can support a weight of 136 kilograms, meaning adults can also sit on it. Many families use the Tripp Trapp as an extra dining chair when the children have outgrown it, or save it for a possible next child. The chair is so sturdy that it easily lasts twenty years or more.

Safety and the Anti-Tip System

Safety is a core aspect of the Tripp Trapp and Stokke has thought carefully about this. The chair comes with an extended glider system at the back that prevents the chair from tipping backward, even when a child leans back or stands in the chair. This anti-tip system is only effective when correctly mounted, so check during assembly that the gliders are set to the correct length. The Baby Set adds an extra safety layer with the high back and removable belly bar that prevent your child from climbing out of the chair or sliding forward. Optionally, a 5-point harness is available for extra security, which is especially recommended for active children who tend to stand or climb in the chair. The maximum load capacity of the chair is 136 kilograms for the seat and 20 kilograms for the footplate. Never use the chair as a step stool or ladder. When adjusting the plates, always check that the metal rods click properly into the grooves and tighten the mounting bolts firmly.

Setup and Maintenance

• •Adjust the seat plate so the top of your child's thighs is horizontal and the knees are at a 90-degree angle.
• •Set the footplate so the feet rest flat and the knees are at a 90-degree angle. Check every 3-4 months.
• •Clean the chair with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not use abrasives or aggressive cleaning products on the lacquered wood.
• •Check all bolts and screws every few months for loosening. The Allen key included with the chair is the only tool you need.
• •For lacquer damage, you can touch up the spot with a furniture pen in the matching color. Stokke also offers a repair service for more serious damage.

Comparing Alternatives

The Tripp Trapp is not the only grow-with-me high chair on the market, and it is fair to mention the alternatives. The IKEA Antilop is the budget king: for just 20 euros you get a functional high chair with a removable tray. The downside is that the Antilop does not grow with the child, has no footrest, and is less stable. The Hauck Alpha+ is a direct competitor to the Tripp Trapp at about half the price. The design is similar but the finish and material quality are noticeably less. The Cybex Lemo is a more modern-looking alternative with a similar grow-with-me concept and a slightly lower price. The quality comes close to Stokke. The BabyBjorn High Chair is a compact option that folds, ideal for small apartments, but does not grow into adulthood. My conclusion: if budget is the deciding factor, the Hauck Alpha+ offers the best price-quality ratio. If you are willing to invest in something that lasts decades and offers the best ergonomics, the Tripp Trapp is still the benchmark.

Second-Hand Tripp Trapp: What to Look For

The Tripp Trapp is one of the few baby products you can confidently buy second-hand, provided you know what to check. The chair is so robustly built that it lasts for decades, and the design has barely changed in 50 years, meaning older models are still functional and safe. When purchasing, check that all wooden parts are free of cracks, splinters, or severe scratches. Verify that the metal mounting rods are straight and fit properly in the grooves. Ensure all screws and bolts are present and can be tightened properly. Missing a part? Stokke sells individual parts through their website, including seat and footplates, gliders, and screws. The Baby Set and Newborn Set are also available second-hand, but check extra carefully for cracks in the plastic and the functioning of the locks. A second-hand Tripp Trapp in good condition typically costs between 80 and 150 euros on Marktplaats or Vinted, which is a significant saving compared to the new price. You can also repaint the chair if you do not like the color.

Conclusion: An Investment That Pays for Itself

The Stokke Tripp Trapp has been the most popular high chair in the Netherlands for fifty years for good reason. It combines timeless Scandinavian design with excellent ergonomics and a lifespan that virtually no other children's product can match. The price is higher than most alternatives, but calculated over the years you use it, it is one of the most cost-effective purchases you will make. With the Baby Set, the chair is safe from the moment your baby can sit, and without the Baby Set it grows into adulthood. Whether you buy new or second-hand, invest in the Baby Set as the minimum accessory and regularly adjust the plates to your child's growth. The BabyProof app includes the Tripp Trapp in the preparation checklist with direct product links and helps you choose the right accessories based on your baby's age.