Booster Seats Key Terms

Learn terms that will help you seat your smallest customers comfortably and safely

By Kristina Seleshanko

When families dine out, they expect restaurants to have clean, attractive, comfortable and safe booster seats. There are plenty of choices among commercial booster seat manufacturers, and many important considerations for restaurant owners to keep in mind. Safety is among the most important things to ponder. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2007, about 9,000 injuries occurred from children using high chairs and booster seats. One way to ensure your restaurant uses the safest and most appropriate booster seats is to understand common booster seat lingo.

High chair

High chairs are a type of booster seat designed for smaller babies and toddlers. Most high chairs have long legs and safety straps. Some are V-shaped, with the point near the floor, in order to hold infant car seats. High chairs ensure the smallest children don't fall and injure themselves.
Try: Overstock.com offers a consumer high chair buying guide with important safety considerations for those buying restaurant high chairs.

Dual booster

A dual booster seat is molded plastic that has seats on both its top and bottom. One seat is larger than the other, so the booster seat accommodates two sizes of children. This makes it less likely a child will be too small for the seat, which can help resolve safety issues.
Try: Wasserstrom describes and depicts the classic dual booster seat for restaurants.

Single height

Unlike dual booster seats, single-height booster seats have a seat only on the top. The height of the booster is not adjustable, so this style isn't as effective for various-sized children.
Try: Surfasonline showcases a typical single-height restaurant booster seat.

System seat

System seats are booster seats that stack into a cart for storage. You will generally see them used in movie theaters and stadiums, but some restaurants also use them for older children who still need a little something to make eating at a table comfortable.
Try: Supply Hero explains a popular brand of system seats.

Bistro chair

A bistro chair is a uniquely designed high chair for restaurant settings. It features a small plastic molded seat ideal for small children. It encourages parents to use high chairs in the safest manner.
Try: Architectural Builders Supply describes the benefits of bistro high chairs.

KidSitter

A KidSitter is a brand name for a special kind of high chair that holds car seats more easily and safely than most other types of restaurant high chairs.
Try: Rapids Wholesale Equipment Company features the KidSitter and explains its benefits.