what car seat for 5 year old

[VonElena]

For a 5-year-old, a high-back booster seat is typically the most appropriate and safest choice. The key factor is your child's size: they must have exceeded the weight or height limit of their forward-facing harness seat, which is usually around 65 pounds. A booster seat's purpose is to properly position the vehicle's adult lap and shoulder belt over your child's stronger skeletal points—across the hips/thighs and the chest/shoulder—rather than the softer abdomen or neck. The high-back design provides crucial head and neck support, especially for side-impact protection and if your child falls asleep. Your child is ready to move to a booster only when they can sit properly for the entire ride without slouching or leaning out of the belt.

The transition is based on maturity and size, not just age. While some larger 5-year-olds might still fit in a forward-facing harness seat (check your seat's limits), most are ready for a booster. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommend children use a booster seat until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years old, passing the 5-step seat belt test.

Here’s a quick comparison of seat types suitable for a 5-year-old:

Feature	Forward-Facing Harness Seat (if still within limits)	High-Back Booster Seat	Backless Booster Seat
Best For	Children under the seat's max weight/height (e.g., 40-65 lbs)	The majority of 5-year-olds; provides head/neck support	Older, mature children in vehicles with high seatbacks/headrests
Key Safety Benefit	5-point harness restrains the child independently of the car's seat belt	Positions seat belt correctly; offers side-impact protection	Positions seat belt correctly; highly portable and affordable
Weight Range	Typically 40-65 lbs	40-100 lbs	40-120 lbs
Height Range	Up to 49-52 inches	Up to 57-60 inches	Varies by model
Installation	Uses LATCH system or seat belt	Uses the child's weight and vehicle seat belt; LATCH often available for stability	Uses the child's weight and vehicle seat belt

Always prioritize a seat that fits your child, fits your vehicle, and is one you will use correctly every single time. The safest seat is the one that is properly installed and used on every trip.

[McPiper]

My 5-year-old is in a Graco Tranzitions high-back booster. It was the perfect next step after her convertible seat. She loves the cupholders and that it feels like a "big kid" seat, which makes her more cooperative. I chose a high-back model because our car's seats are low, and this gives her the needed head support. The important thing is to make sure the lap belt sits low on their hips, not on their belly. It’s super easy to move between cars, too.

[LucyRose]

Focus on the fit of the vehicle's seat belt. The lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should cross the center of the chest and shoulder, not ride up on the neck or face. If it's on the neck, a high-back booster is necessary—don't be tempted to put the shoulder belt behind their back. The child must be mature enough to stay seated correctly. Check your state's laws, but safety guidelines exceed most legal minimums.

[RyderRose]

We opted for a combination seat—a Britax Grow With You—that started as a forward-facing harness seat. Now that he's bigger, we've removed the harness, and it functions as a high-back booster. It was a great value because it lasted us from age 3. The harness was great when he was wiggler, and now the booster mode gives him a sense of independence while keeping him safe. It’s all about finding a seat that grows with your kid to get your money's worth.