You've seen it. It’s that massive box in the Target aisle or the perennial bestseller on Amazon that looks like it’s trying to be five different pieces of furniture at once. Honestly, the Graco Made to Grow 5 in 1 is a bit of a shapeshifter. Most people buy it thinking they’re just getting a place to shove mashed peas into a toddler's mouth, but it’s actually a long-term play for your kitchen space.
It's weird. We spend weeks researching cribs and car seats, yet highchairs are often an afterthought. We grab whatever is on sale. But if you think about it, your kid is going to sit in this thing thousands of times. If the straps are a pain or the tray doesn't slide right, you're going to feel that frustration every single morning at 7:00 AM.
The Graco Made to Grow 5 in 1 tries to solve the "I have too much gear" problem by evolving. It starts as a reclining infant seat and ends up as a toddler chair and a stool. It's ambitious. But does it actually work in a real, messy kitchen where milk gets spilled in cracks you didn't know existed? Let's get into the weeds of what this chair actually is—and what it isn't.
The Reality of the 5-in-1 Stages
Graco markets this thing with five distinct modes. Usually, when a product claims to do five things, it does two of them well and three of them... okay-ish.
Stage one is the infant highchair. This is for when they’re tiny. It reclines. Why? Because sometimes you want to put the baby down while you’re actually trying to eat your own cold pasta, and having them at eye level is better than the floor. It’s sturdy. It feels like a tank.
Then you hit stage two: the full-size highchair. This is the bread and butter. You’ve got a machine-washable seat pad (thank God) and a tray that you can theoretically pop off with one hand.
Where it gets interesting (and a bit crowded)
Stage three is the infant booster. You take the top part off the legs and strap it to a kitchen chair. This is a lifesaver if you have a small dining room. But here’s the kicker—and what most people don't realize until they open the box—because you can separate the pieces, the Graco Made to Grow 5 in 1 can actually seat two kids at once.
You use the booster on a chair for the baby, and the highchair frame becomes a toddler stool for the older sibling. This is probably the strongest selling point for growing families. You aren't buying a second highchair. You're just splitting the one you have in half.
The Mess Factor: Can You Actually Clean It?
Let's talk about the "crumb cracks." You know the ones.
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Every highchair has them. The Graco Made to Grow 5 in 1 uses a synthetic leatherette or polyester cover depending on the specific trim you buy. The leatherette is vastly superior. You can wipe it. Truly wipe it. The fabric ones? They claim to be machine washable, but after three washes, they start looking a bit sad.
One thing Graco got right: the tray insert. It’s dishwasher safe. You just snap the top layer off and throw it in with the plates. It’s a small win, but when you’re dealing with dried oatmeal, it feels like a massive victory.
However, the harness straps are still made of that woven nylon material. If your kid squishes a blueberry into those straps, you’re going to be scrubbing with a toothbrush. I wish brands would move to coated straps, but we aren't there yet with this model.
Why the Footprint Matters More Than You Think
Highchairs are trip hazards. They just are.
The base of the Graco Made to Grow 5 in 1 is wide. It’s designed for stability, which is great because you don't want a leaning toddler to topple the whole rig. But in a small kitchen, those splayed legs are magnets for your toes.
It doesn't fold.
Read that again. If you’re looking for a highchair that you can tuck into a closet when company comes over, this isn't the one. It’s a permanent piece of furniture. It’s going to live in your dining area for the next three to four years. If you have the floor space, the stability is worth the trade-off. If you live in a tiny urban apartment? You might find yourself cursing the legs every time you walk by.
Comparison: Made to Grow vs. Blossom
People always ask about the difference between this and the Graco Blossom. It’s confusing. They look almost identical.
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Basically, the Blossom is the "premium" version. It usually has a few more height adjustments and a slightly more refined finish. But the Graco Made to Grow 5 in 1 is the workhorse. It hits a price point that makes more sense for most budgets without sacrificing the core functionality of the dual-kid seating.
If you want fancy wheels and more "luxe" padding, go Blossom. If you want the thing to work and don't care about "designer" aesthetics in a splash zone, the Made to Grow is the smarter buy.
Ergonomics and Toddler Comfort
We often forget that kids hate sitting still. If a chair is uncomfortable, they’ll scream after ten minutes.
The footrest on the Graco Made to Grow 5 in 1 is adjustable. This is actually a big deal for pediatric physical therapists. Kids eat better when their feet are supported; it’s called "trunk stability." When their legs are just dangling, they get wiggly and lose focus on eating.
Being able to move that footrest as they grow is a subtle feature that actually impacts how long your kid will stay at the table. It's not just about the seat; it's about the foundation.
The Long Game: The Toddler Stool
Eventually, your kid is going to refuse to be buckled in. They want to be a "big kid."
This is where the fifth stage comes in—the youth stool. It’s basically a high-backed stool that brings them to table height. It’s sturdy enough that they can climb into it themselves.
The transition is easy. You aren't using tools or following a 40-page manual. Most of the pieces on the Graco Made to Grow 5 in 1 use a simple "click-connect" system. You push a button, pull a lever, and the chair changes.
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What the Manual Doesn't Tell You
Here is the honest truth: assembly takes about 20 minutes, and you’ll probably swear once or twice. The wheels only go on the front (usually). This is a safety feature so the chair doesn't go skating across the kitchen if your toddler kicks off the table, but it makes moving the chair a bit awkward. You have to tilt it to roll it.
Also, the "one-handed tray removal" is a bit of a marketing stretch. Yes, there is a trigger in the front. But if the tray is loaded with a heavy bowl of cereal, you’re going to want both hands.
Common Pain Points
- The Weight: It’s heavy. Don't plan on carrying it up and down stairs frequently.
- The Straps: They can be tricky to re-thread after you take the cover off for a deep clean.
- The Crotch Post: On some versions, the plastic post is attached to the tray; on others, it’s on the seat. The seat-mounted post is better for safety (prevents sliding out), but it makes the seat a bit narrower for "chunky" toddlers.
Is It Worth the Money?
In 2026, we’re seeing a lot of "minimalist" highchairs that cost $400 and look like Scandinavian art. They’re beautiful. They also don't have trays or padding or the ability to seat two kids.
The Graco Made to Grow 5 in 1 usually sits in that $150-$200 range. When you break that down over five years of use—or split it between two kids—it’s pennies per meal.
It’s not the prettiest thing you’ll ever own. It’s plastic and metal and looks like "baby gear." But it’s functional. It’s the Toyota Camry of highchairs. It’s going to start every morning, it’s going to handle the miles, and it’s going to get the job done without a fuss.
Actionable Steps for New Owners
If you've just unboxed your Graco Made to Grow 5 in 1, or you're about to click buy, do these three things to make your life easier:
1. Set the height before the baby arrives. Don't try to adjust the seat height while a crying 6-month-old is strapped in. Line it up with your dining table early. Most people forget that the chair has multiple height levels to match different table types.
2. Buy a "splat mat."
Because this chair has a wide base and doesn't fold, food is going to fall into the nooks of the frame. Putting a wipeable mat underneath the whole thing saves your hardwood or carpet from the inevitable "gravity experiments" your child will perform.
3. Test the "Two-Kid" Setup immediately.
Even if you only have one child, take the seat apart and put the booster on a chair. Understanding how the locking mechanisms work now will save you a massive headache later when you're trying to juggle a toddler and a newborn.
The Graco Made to Grow 5 in 1 is a beast of a chair. It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s built to survive the chaos of early parenthood. It isn't perfect—the non-folding design is a genuine hurdle for some—but for pure longevity and versatility, it’s incredibly hard to beat. Just keep a damp cloth nearby and watch your toes around those legs.