Every detail matters in an early childhood classroom, including the size of your tables and chairs. Appropriately sized tables and chairs will reinforce posture and foster independence as children make friends, explore their imaginations, and connect with teachers during group activities.
But when tables are too tall or chairs are too low, it can lead to frustrations and distractions that interrupt the flow of the day and limit children’s engagement. Incorrectly sized tables and chairs can cause poor posture, unsound writing and eating habits, and reduced participation in table activities.
If you’ve ever asked yourself questions like “What size tables and chairs do I need for a toddler classroom?” or “Is it better to buy one size up so children can grow into the furniture?” know that you are not alone. These are some of the most common questions we hear from education professionals as they shop for classroom tables and chairs.
With over 50 years of experience in early childhood education, Kaplan knows that choosing the right size furniture is about more than comfort—it's about supporting children’s independence, promoting healthy development, and creating classrooms where every child can thrive. In this article, you’ll discover different ways to determine correct table-and-chair sizing, learn how to match sizes to various age groups, and gain purchasing tips to help you make the best decision for your classroom.
Correctly sized tables and chairs enable children to get the most out of classroom experiences. When furniture fits well, children can fully participate in crafts, centers, and other classroom activities that broaden their knowledge, deepen their interests, and strengthen their skills. Unfortunately, furniture that is too large or too small can limit children’s ability to engage in these activities, causing them to become distracted or even miss out on valuable developmental opportunities.
Now that you know why correctly sized tables and chairs are crucial for maximizing children’s learning and development, let’s talk about how you can determine the right sizes for the children in your care.
The most important thing to know when choosing tables and chairs is that there should be 7-8 inches between the seat of the chair and the bottom of the table. This spacing promotes proper posture, giving children enough room to fit their legs under the table, rest their elbows on the table, and keep their feet flat on the floor.
To choose the correct tables and chairs, you will need to account for more than the spacing recommendation we just shared. Children grow quickly, and different age groups have different needs. Your tables and chairs should accommodate these realities.
To make the process easier, we are going to share the best table-and-chair sizes for infants, toddlers, twos, preschoolers, and early elementary children. These measurements will enable you to purchase tables and chairs that create nurturing environments, foster independence, and stimulate learning.
The measurements that we recommend below will ensure that you maintain 7"-8" between the chair seat and the bottom of the table.
Our recommended table sizes for each early childhood age group are as follows:
|
Age Group |
Recommended Table Size |
|
Infants (6-12 months) |
12" |
|
Toddlers (1-2 years) |
14"-15" |
|
Twos (2-3 years) |
16"-19" |
|
Preschoolers (3-5 years) |
20"-23" |
|
Early Elementary (5-6+ years) |
24"-26" |
Our recommended chair sizes for each early childhood age group are as follows:
|
Age Group |
Recommended Chair Size |
|
Infants (6-12 months) |
5" |
|
Toddlers (1-2 years) |
6"-8" |
|
Twos (2-3 years) |
8"-12" |
|
Preschoolers (3-5 years) |
12"-16" |
|
Early Elementary (5-6+ years) |
16"-18" |
Beyond size and age, we encourage you to think about other factors such as flexibility, accessibility, and inclusion. Tables and chairs that accommodate these considerations will make engaging classroom materials and powerful learning experiences accessible to every child.
Purchasing tables with adjustable legs is one practical way to bring flexibility to your classroom. Whether your program has mixed-age classrooms or serves a range of ages across several classrooms, adjustable tables will allow you to meet the needs of all children without buying different tables for every age group. Adjustable tables can also keep up with the continuous growth of children.
Kaplan offers many adjustable tables that permit child-care centers to serve multiple age groups. For example, our tables with adjustable heights of 15"-24" can seat toddlers, twos, and preschoolers.
Flexible seating will also help you facilitate inclusion. Flexible seating promotes independence by empowering children to sit, move, and learn in the ways that are most comfortable to them. The freedom to obtain additional sensory input will enable children with attention or sensory processing issues to focus on and fully engage in classroom activities.
This article has given you the guidelines, specifications, and measurements you need to determine the correct table-and-chair sizing for your space. However, we know that size is not the only factor to consider when buying tables and chairs. Other parts of the buying process, such as pricing and quantity, also need careful thought.
If you are nervous about navigating these issues, the articles in the Cost Breakdowns section of our Learning Center are here to help. These articles will give you product quantities and ballpark cost estimates for multiple types of early childhood spaces. With Kaplan by your side, you will have everything you need to purchase tables and chairs with confidence.