Stylish and sturdy, the Kiddicare Handy Chair is a useful booster seat that fits most chairs and will help your tot join in with family meals, although you might find it a bit too cumbersome to use as a travel product on day outings.
Kiddicare’s Handy Chair comprises of a wooden seat and backrest on a metal and plastic frame. The feet rest on the seat of a dining chair, while the hooks grip onto the back of the chair. There are also woven fabric straps that clip round the chair back and underneath the seat, for extra security. The frame adjusts telescopically to fit most chairs, and there’s a 3-point harness to keep your little one safe.
Weighing 2kg, the Handy Chair easily folds flat for travel or storage, and is suitable from approximately 18 months to 3 years.
What we love
Some parents like to ditch the bulky highchair and move on to a booster seat once their little ones enter the toddler stage. The Handy Chair is perfect at this point. Because it straps onto a normal dining chair, it means a toddler can join the rest of the family at the table.
The Handy Chair feels very stable and sturdy once it’s in place; even with my young toddler tester wriggling, there was no sideways or forward movement. The telescopic frame means you can adjust it to chairs of different sizes and always get a good fit - it seats a toddler at just the right height for our kitchen table. I would definitely be happy to pack away the highchair and use this full-time.
In wood and metal, the Handy Chair looks modern and stylish, and feels well made. It’s easy to fold, too, so I can whip it off the chair and into a corner once kiddie teatime is over.
What to watch out for
Although the Handy Chair folds flat, it’s still rather large when folded, and weighs a fairly hefty 2kg. It wouldn’t fit into the basket on my buggy, and because it doesn’t have a storage bag, it’s not that easy to carry. I could imagine using it in an apartment on holiday, for example, but not taking it on a day trip. There’s no tray, either, which may be an issue if you’re out and about.
The Handy Chair has a 3-point harness that goes around the waist and between the legs, but I’d be happier if it had over-the-shoulder straps too. I worry that if a little one leaned over too far, they could possibly unbalance themself.
If you plan to use the Handy Chair at home, you’ll need to make sure that it will fit your dining chair widthways, as it’s not adjustable in this direction - it is almost too wide for our kitchen chairs. I’d be concerned about using it on leather or fabric covered chairs, too, in case the hooks or feet damaged the surface.
The other thing to be aware of is that your toddler could push against the table top with their hands or feet and possibly topple backwards, so make sure they're supervised.
Who is the Kiddicare Handy Chair best for?
Families who want a stylish, sturdy booster seat to use at home, encouraging their child to join in with family mealtimes.
MadeForMums verdict
If you’re looking for a highchair replacement that will allow your toddler to sit at the table with the rest of the family, the Handy Chair ticks all the boxes. It’s solidly built, looks good and will make your tot feel very grown up – but do check it will fit your dining chairs first, and be prepared to find it a bit cumbersome if you’re taking it out and about.
the Kiddicare Handy Chair!
