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Best Kids' Desk & Chair Sets

Updated January 2023
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Melissa & Doug Wooden Lift-Top Desk & Chair
Melissa & Doug
Wooden Lift-Top Desk & Chair
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Solid & Easy to Assemble
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An elegant desk and chair set suitable for kids between ages 3 and 8.

Pros

The lift-top desk has storage space inside. Available with a white painted finish or a light wood finish. Reinforced legs for longevity. Easy to assemble. Solid construction.

Cons

Some buyers find it smaller than expected.

Best Bang for the Buck
Delta Children Chair Desk with Storage Bin
Delta Children
Chair Desk with Storage Bin
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Portable Convenience
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This portable chair desk allows your child to work anywhere from the living room to your home office. Our baby and child expert appreciates that it encourages practicing arts and crafts.

Pros

Made from engineered wood. Has removeable cup holder and fabric storage bin. Easy-to-clean surface. Scratch-resistant. Machine-washable bin. Comes in solid colors or designs of iconic cartoon characters. For kids 3-6, holds 50 pounds.

Cons

Some buyers have noted paint chipping off.

Diroan Kids’ Functional Desk and Chair Set
Diroan
Kids’ Functional Desk and Chair Set
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Long-Time Use
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A highly functional desk and chair set that's height adjustable and can grow with your child well into their teens.

Pros

Features a handy book stand, LED light, and storage drawer. The backrest and angle of the desk are adjustable, along with the desk and chair height. Three color options.

Cons

Functional design has a utilitarian look.

Kidkraft Star Table and Chair Set
Kidkraft
Star Table and Chair Set
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Seating for 2
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Its storage bins are useful for holding supplies. With this set, kids can sit down and get straight to work.

Pros

Star cutout designs on the table and 2 chairs. Made from wood. Durable, long-lasting material. 4 plastic storage bins. Sturdy construction. Easy-to-clean surface and bins. Recommended for children 3-6.

Cons

Buyers have had difficulty with assembling table set.

Step2 Deluxe Art Master Kids Desk
Step2
Deluxe Art Master Kids Desk
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Its multiple features make this set functional for busy students and aspiring artists alike.

Pros

Plastic desk and chair. Has built-in raised shelf, vertical storage bins, hidden storage space beneath white board surface, and large workspace. Includes a desk light. Easy to assemble and scratch-resistant.

Cons

Desk can be difficult to clean.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for Best kids' desk and chair sets

All children need a spot to do their homework or get creative with art supplies, and kids' desk and chair sets are the perfect proportions for young bodies. By purchasing a desk and chair as a set, you know the chair is just the right height to fit comfortably at the desk, plus the desk and chair match, which many find more aesthetically pleasing than mismatched furniture.

You first need to look at desk and chair sets that are the right size for the age and height of the child who'll be using them. Some are the right size for preschoolers, while others are large enough for middle schoolers, so you don't want to get it wrong. Built-in storage space in the desk is a huge bonus, allowing kids to store paper, workbooks, and other supplies. You might also want to consider the desk’s appearance — whether your child will like the way it looks and if it fits with their bedroom décor.

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Your child might like a desk that's brightly colored or adorned with cartoon characters now, but they will eventually outgrow the design. A more neutral-colored desk and chair set ages better.

Key considerations

Age range

Most kids' desk and chair sets should indicate the age range that they're suitable for. Of course, this is only an estimate, since some children are taller or shorter than average for their age, but you'll know if this is the case with your child and can adjust accordingly.

For those desk sets that don't indicate an age range, you'll need to look at the dimensions of both the desk and the chair to figure out if it will be a decent fit for your child. Consider that you'll probably want a desk that your child can grow into. So, if you're buying a desk for a 10-year-old, it's better to choose one suited to ages 10 to 15 than ages 7 to 11 because your child will be able to use the desk for a longer time. 

Storage

Built-in storage space in a desk, while not essential, is nice to have. Some desks have a traditional lift-up lid with storage space inside, which is reasonably practical but can end up getting messy since it's just one large space for everything. Plus, it's a little risky with young children because it's easy for little fingers to get pinched when closing the lid. Drawers are a little safer and having several small drawers rather than one large one makes it easier for kids to separate different items and stay organized. Some kids' desks also feature a hutch on the desktop for additional storage.

Desktop size

We recommend checking the dimensions of the desktop so you know whether your child will have ample room to work. Kids' desks often have a fairly small desktop, which is fine for young children. Once kids enter middle school and high school, however, they tend to have more complex homework, which might require additional space to compile research materials, gadgets, and supplies. Even if a desk and chair set fits your child’s height, it's not much good if the desktop isn't large enough to work on.


Features

Adjustability

Height: The height on some kids' desk and chair sets can be adjusted, which is excellent news if you want a desk that will grow with your child. You can even find models that fit kids ages 5 to 15 and potentially longer depending on the height of your child. Some kids could use the same desk until they leave for college.

Tilt: A tilting desk surface can make drawing and writing by hand feel more natural. It enables the user to adopt a more comfortable hand and arm position and means they don't have to bend over to look down at the page.

Colors and designs

You can find kids' desk sets in a huge array of colors, finishes, and designs. Some keep it fairly neutral in white or gray or a stained-wood finish. Others are much brighter or feature designs that appeal to little kids, such as cartoon characters or wild animals.

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Did You Know?
Kids' desk and chair sets generally require some assembly. It shouldn't be tricky, but you might need some simple tools like a screwdriver.
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BestReviews

Kids’ desk and chair set prices

Desk and chair sets for kids can cost as little as $40 or as much as $250.

Inexpensive

Basic kids' desk and chair sets start at around $40 to $100. At the lower end of this price range, you'll generally find small desks made for young children, but you can find plenty of desks for bigger kids for between $75 and $100.

Mid-range

You can find plenty of great desk sets for $100 to $175, including some highly adjustable desks that will see your kids through high school.

Expensive

The costliest desk and chair sets are priced between $175 and $250. These are generally durable wooden desks with plenty of storage, but you can also find some high-end metal and plastic options at this price point.
 

If your child is approaching their teenage years, it's best to get them a full-size desk and an appropriate desk chair that will last them longer.

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Tips

  • Consider how long your child will be using the desk. If it's adjustable enough to fit your offspring well into their teens, that's great, but not all desks and chairs are durable enough to last that long. Plus, teenagers tend to need a significant amount of space on their desk to fit books and other materials.
  • Choose function over form if necessary. If presented with a choice between an attractive desk set that isn't all that functional and a less pleasing desk that's adjustable and has loads of storage space, the latter is the better option, though you can find sets that offer both form and function.
  • Don't overlook storage. We've touched on storage already, but it can't be overstated. Having space to store essentials such as exercise books, textbooks, and writing utensils is extremely useful, especially as your child grows and has more complex schoolwork.
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Check whether your chosen desk and chair set has a maximum weight limit, and make sure you replace it before your child reaches that limit.

FAQ

Q. Why should I buy my child a desk and chair set?

A. Having their own desk and chair gives children a dedicated spot to sit and do schoolwork, art, or creative writing. Sure, they could do it all at the kitchen table, but having their own space can help children focus. If your child is being schooled at home, a desk is vital, but even if they just use it for their own creative hobbies, it's still a worthwhile investment.

Q. What's the best material for a kids' desk and chair set?

A. There is no material that's clearly better than others — each has its pros and cons — so first consider what you want from a set before deciding on the material. Wood is probably the most popular material for these sets. It's a classic choice that works well with practically any decorative style. A quality wooden desk and chair can be extremely durable, but cheap models can be flimsy, so buy with care. Desk and chair sets with a plastic seat and desktop and metal legs are also common. The plastic is sturdy yet lightweight and can easily be wiped clean, while the metal legs are durable. This combination of materials might not be especially attractive, but it is practical.

Q. Are kids' desk and chair sets comfortable to sit at all day?

A. If your child is educated at home full time, you're probably wondering whether a kids' desk and chair set is comfortable enough to sit in for a whole day of schooling. The chairs that come with these sets aren't usually ergonomically adjustable, so they're not the best option to sit in all day. The fact of the matter is, however, that many kids don't learn best when they're sitting at a desk. While a desk is useful when your child needs a flat, hard surface to work on, if you're homeschooling full time, you should take advantage of the fact that your child isn't forced to stay seated at a desk all day like they would be in a classroom. You'll likely find your child is more productive when you allow them to work where they feel most comfortable, whether that's curled up in an armchair or sprawled under a tree in the backyard.