Is the Stokke Tripp Trapp Worth It? I Tried It to Find Out!
Picture this: a high chair that grows with your child from birth, seamlessly blending into your home decor, and making baby-led weaning a breeze. Intrigued? I was too.
But then I looked at the price of the Stokke Tripp Trapp and went for the Clikk instead on my registry, only to regret it and ultimately sell it. Now that I’ve put the Tripp Trapp to the test, these are my honest thoughts as a mom on whether or not it’s worth buying:
Is The Stokke Tripp Trapp a Quality Investment?
I had a business coach who said the poor man spends more on suits than the rich man because quality suits last a lifetime. When it comes to baby gear the same is true. The Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair, and the brand in general with its Scandinavian design and robust construction, stood out to me is a sturdy and reliable choice that lasts. After testing it, not only is it much easier to not trip over, but it’s solid enough to stay in place in a way that the Clikk did not.
The design has a smaller footprint than most high chairs, and it has a foot plate that catches food better than high chairs that don’t have one. Plus, it can hold up to 242 pounds, making it a chair that truly grows with your child – and even beyond!
I particularly appreciate the attention to detail in the design, making the Tripp Trapp not just a functional piece but also a stylish addition to anyone’s home with the beechwood construction and wide array of neutral finishes and seat pads. It’s also quite easy to take apart and clean, and I find the harness easier than many other high chairs I’ve tried.
In a nutshell, even though it’s pricey, I think it’s worth it, especially if you can get it secondhand or will be using it for multiple kids.
Here’s the breakdown on the different features, add ons, and downsides:
From Birth to Childhood – How to Use the Tripp Trapp from Day One
One of the standout features of the Stokke Tripp Trapp is its versatility that adapts as your child grows from the newborn days to the toddler years.
Newborn Set
The Newborn Set attachment allows you to bring your newest family member to the table from day one. It’s a cozy design that provides a safe and comfortable spot for your baby, fostering a sense of togetherness during mealtime.
While I love the look of it, I found that our hand me down Fisher Price swing achieved the same thing, although it didn’t bring my baby to the table with us. He was further down below and couldn’t see what was going on at the table, but he didn’t seem to mind.
However, if you don’t need yet another thing in your home and want baby involved in meals from day one, even if just as a spectator, it’s a fantastic way to promote bonding and ensures that your baby is part of the family dynamic right from the start. It’s also a good place to dock your baby even when it’s not mealtime.
Baby Set
As your baby starts to explore the world of solids, the Baby Set comes into play. This attachment includes an ergonomic backrest and five point harness, though annoyingly, the tray and padding is sold separately. Still, the adjustable footrest with many potential positions makes this great for babyled weaning, where a footrest is important to keep baby’s posture to avoid choking. This is one of very few high chairs that has such an adjustable footrest and is one of the biggest reasons I’d have gotten this from day one if I could turn back time.
Nordstrom has a full, complete set with cushion and tray for $419. It comes in a pleasing array of colors and all of them are classy. As someone who is quite fond of patterns and things that match, it checks my boxes.
Toddler Settings
Fast forward to the toddler years, and it goes into chair mode. Removing the high backrest and tray and moving down the footrest, this set transforms the Tripp Trapp into a chair that accommodates your child’s growing independence and allows them to climb into their seat on their own.
Since most high chairs don’t do this, it’s nice to have the chair continue to be useful. My friends with a 2 and 4 year old still use theirs, and comment often about how nice it is to still have the footrest that’s big enough to catch food when it falls.
It’s worth mentioning here that there’s another option with even more potential adjustability – the Ergobaby Evolve, which is now the high chair we use at home. It isn’t quite as adjustable or stylish as the Tripp Trapp, but it can be made into a kitchen helper stool, and I love that about it. Read my full Ergobaby high chair review.
Baby-Led Weaning: Adjustability Is Key
The biggest reason I wish I’d had this from the start is for baby-led weaning. The Stokke Tripp Trapp is a dream come true for moms who embrace this approach. Its adjustability allows you to tailor the chair’s height to your child so that they have the support they need. Very few high chairs offer this kind of adjustability.
As I mentioned earlier, we had the Stokke Clikk during the babyled weaning months and I immediately saw the downsides. Yes, it was cheaper, but there were only two foot pedal heights and neither of them worked for our baby. It also had such a wide seat, even our 100th percentile baby was too small for it. Finally, the legs stuck out so much that were constantly tripping over it, and it wasn’t sturdy enough to not be moved quite a bit when we did so, which my baby didn’t appreciate (and neither did we).
The Other Stokke Contenders
While the Tripp Trapp steals the show, Stokke offers alternatives that cater to different needs and preferences.
Stokke Steps: A Modular Approach
If you’re looking for a versatile high chair that adapts to your child’s changing needs, the Stokke Steps is worth considering. With a modular design that includes a bouncer and a high chair, it offers flexibility from the newborn days through toddlerhood.
While the Steps provides a comprehensive solution, the Tripp Trapp’s design makes it much easier to navigate around without tripping, which is so easy to do when a high chair has a wide footprint like the Steps or Clikk.
Stokke Clikk: Affordable and Portable (but still, I hate it)
I will never understand why the Clikk had so many positive reviews. It’s got a wide footprint and isn’t very adjustable, and once my son figured out he could move it on his own by rocking really hard forward, we had to finally get rid of it. It wasn’t sturdy nor safe.
Stokke boasts that it can break down and for easy portability, and while I agree it’s easy to assemble and disassemble, why not get something like the Hiccapop or Inglesina if you’re worried about portability? They’re much smaller and you can actually fly with them.
Stokke Nomi
A newcomer for Stokke, the Nomi looks like part high chair, part space ship chair to me. The foot pedal looks even easier to adjust to truly any height you need, and the chair height can also be adjusted.
The footprint is entirely on the floor, so it would be less likely, though never impossible, to trip over it. It’s also slightly cheaper at $369 for the complete set.
However, if you’re looking for a high chair that grows with your child and offers a wide range of accessories, the Tripp Trapp remains my go-to choice.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – the price tag. The Stokke Tripp Trapp is undeniably an investment.
However, when you consider the quality, longevity, and versatility it brings to the table (literally!), it becomes clear that you’re not just buying a high chair – you’re investing in a piece of furniture that evolves with your family.
It eliminates the need for multiple high chairs as your child grows. The Tripp Trapp’s durability ensures that it can be passed down to younger siblings or even generations to come, making it a sustainable choice for eco-conscious moms.
So if you’re ready to elevate your dining experience with a high chair that’s as stylish as it is functional, the Stokke Tripp Trapp might just be the perfect choice with a touch of Scandinavian flair!
*Some links in this post are affiliate links that support this site at no extra cost whatsoever to you. Rest assured we only recommend what we’ve used an love. Everybody wins!
