Kitchen helpers, also known as learning towers for toddlers, have become a kitchen staple for moms with toddlers. They help bring children up to your kitchen counter height and help prevent your toddler from falling off due to their design.
Toddler Learning Towers
If you are wondering, What is a toddler learning tower? How do you use a learning tower? Are they safe? In this article, we answer these questions and more. We also share our buyer’s guide and our favorite six toddler learning towers for all types of families, homes, and needs.
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Our Picks – Favorite Kitchen Helpers
What is a Learning Tower?
A toddler learning tower is like an adjustable step-stool with safety rails and supports. Learning towers are an excellent way for you and your toddler to enjoy activities together in a safe environment.
For example, learning towers provide a way for your toddler to stand and work at a comfortable height with you at the kitchen counter without the dangers of standing on a chair or standard toddler kitchen stool.
Why Are Learning Towers Good for Toddlers?
With a learning tower, toddlers can more easily:
- Help with chores, such as washing dishes.
- Independently take care of personal hygiene, like brushing teeth and washing hands.
- Join in with family activities such as cooking or baking.
- See what’s going on. Toddlers love to know what everyone else is up to. Even though they may not be able to join in, a toddler tower provides a way to observe people engaging in activities more closely.
- Work and play in tandem. For example, if you’re working from home at a standing desk, your child can stand beside you in a toddler tower drawing or coloring.
All of these activities, in turn, help to build skills, knowledge, independence, and self-confidence.
The Best Toddler Learning Towers and Kitchen Helpers
We have looked at multiple toddler learning towers along with manufacturer’s information and user reviews from around the web. After combing this information with our review criteria and personal experiences, we came up with this list of our top six toddler learning towers.
Best Toddler Learning Tower
Little Partners Kids Learning Tower
The Little Partners learning tower has a large platform with room to hold two toddlers. There are four height levels for the platform and you do not need tools to make adjustments and the tower is available in five color choices.
There are multiple accessories available, including a slip-proof matt for the platform, and an art studio that mounts on the side.
In addition to passing standard safety tests, this toddler learning tower has GreenGuard certification meaning it is free from over 10,000 potentially harmful chemicals.
On the downside, this is the largest toddler tower on our list, so it’s not the best choice for smaller kitchens. Even in larger rooms, this tower can feel quite imposing.
Pros: We love it because it is so sturdy!
Cons: Very large.
| Height x depth x width | 38 x 23 x 33 inches |
| Weight | 28 lbs |
| Material | Cherry wood |
| Additional features | 4 height levels, large platform big enough for two kids |
Best Foldable Toddler Learning Tower
Guidecraft: Classic Learning Tower
The Guidcraft Classic has recently had a facelift. This latest version includes removable mesh panels on the front and back, removing the potential danger of the previous, uncovered version.
The platform has a removable, washable, non-slip mat that prevents little sock-covered feet from slipping, and the finish on the tower is easy to clean with warm, soapy water.
The legs of the tower are multi-footed, which helps prevent the tower from tipping. However, having a pair of feet on each leg means that when the tower is folded flat, the feet can prevent you from storing it in a narrow spot.
Why we love it: All around it’s a great balance of features and size.
| Height x depth x width | 36 x 23 x 23 inches |
| Weight | 26 lbs |
| Material | Solid hardwood and birch plywood |
| Additional features | 2 height levels, folds flat, |
Best Adjustable Toddler Leaning Tower
Stepup Baby: Montessori Toddler Tower
With three height settings, the Stepup Baby learning tower is suitable for kids from about 18 months to five years. Lightweight and easy to move from room to room, the minimalist design is suitable for the majority of rooms.
Available in white, blue-grey, and varnished wood, there is also a natural wood finish that can be painted, stained, or otherwise decorated to suit your decor.
Assembly is supposed to take ten minutes, but closer to twenty would be a better estimate for most people. Also, not all of the pre-drilled holes were “clean.” This doesn’t affect the final product, but can be an issue if you don’t have a drill handy when you’re putting it together.
| Height x depth x width | 33.5 x 18.5 x 18.5 inches |
| Weight | 15.5 lbs |
| Material | Birch wood |
| Additional features | 3 height levels |
Best Multipurpose Toddler Learning Tower
ComfyBumpy: Toddler Helper Tower, Chalkboard, and Desk
Of all the multipurpose toddler learning towers we reviewed, the ComfyBumpy model was the only one to convert to a desk, without a hinged conversion method. Consequently, this model is free from the potential pinch-points associated with flippable, foldable, convertible children’s furniture.
When upright, this is a standard toddler tower but lay it on its side, and the tower becomes a desk and seat. Unfortunately, if you use this on a hard or rough surface, this can cause scuffs and marks, which are visible when the tower is once again uptight.
Also, the platform is about 18 inches from the floor but is not adjustable, so the age/size/height range for kids on this model is relatively narrow.
| Height x depth x width | 37.5 x 19.75 x 17inches |
| Weight | 22lbs |
| Material | ¾ inch, sanded plywood with a flat paint finish |
| Additional features | Chalkboard and desk |
Best Affordable Toddler Learning Tower
Naomi Home: Kids on the Rise Learning Tower
Although this Naomi Home model is only just tall enough to qualify as a toddler helper tower, the size is what also makes it more affordable.
On the side closest to the counter, there are additional “feet” at right angles to the legs, making the tower more stable and making tipping sideways more difficult. The feet also have non-slip pads for added safety on tile, linoleum, and other uncarpeted floors.
The step and the standing platform also have “grippy” coverings, which ensure your little one is less likely to slip and slide.
| Height x depth x width | 31 x 19 x 18 inches |
| Weight | 20 lbs |
| Material | Unspecified wood |
| Additional features | None |
Best Toddler Learning Tower for Small Kitchens
Simplay3: Toddler Tower
Not the most attractive toddler tower on our list, the Simplay3 model is made of double-walled, molded plastic. The plastic is easy to wash and doesn’t suffer from the kind of scratches or dings you tend to suffer with wooden kid’s furniture.
At only 16 inches deep and 17 inches wide, this has the smallest footprint of all the toddler towers we considered, but it still has three adjustable platform levels making it suitable for toddlers over a wide age and height range.
The top rail of the tower is low enough to slide under an over-hanging kitchen counter so your toddler can get close to your work surface. Plus, if you have a breakfast bar or similar, the tower will slide completely underneath for storage.
How to Choose a Toddler Learning Tower
These are the criteria we consider when choosing our six best toddler learning towers.
Size
We look at the height, width, and depth of learning towers, and, most importantly, we assess the tower’s footprint. After all, how much of your valuable kitchen floor real-estate it might eat up is a significant consideration.
We also look at the height and area of the step or platform your child will stand on. This may not seem like a big deal, but how much room your child has to move their feet can be the difference between a so-so tower and a great one.
Weight
If you will be moving the learning tower around the home, or even if you have to move the tower out of the way in the kitchen o a regular basis, weight can be a factor. This is especially true if you have a physical disability or health issue that can affect your ability to lift and move larger objects.
Materials, Manufacturing, and Finish
For materials and finish, we not only look at what a toddler learning tower is made of but also, where applicable, any manufacturing processes which could impact you or your child.
The finish affects how easy a tower is to clean and how it stands up to the bangs, knocks, and scrapes of everyday use.
Safety
When assessing safety, we consider:
- The stability of a toddler tower and whether it was more or less likely to topple at some point.
- How the rails are shaped and spaced and whether a toddler would find it easy to climb on the railings.
- On convertible toddler towers, we look at potential pinch points.
- Are there any other potentially dangerous features?
Additional Features
A convertible toddler learning tower can be helpful if you have limited space, and an adjustable tower will ensure this is a useful purchase for several years.
How to Keep Kids Safe in a Learning Tower
To minimize the chance for accidents, you can:
Talk
Before you first use the tower, talk to your toddler about safety. Explain:
- They can only use the tower if an adult says it’s OK first.
- The tower is only for standing on while doing other things, not for climbing on.
- Not to try and rock the tower.
Flat Surfaces
A toddler tower is as safe as the surface on which it stands. Only use the tower on a solid, clean, dry, even surface.
Solid Structures
Even though they are built for stability, a toddler tower could easily topple if not against a firm, stable structure. For instance, if you use a Montessori tower at a mobile kitchen block, the block could move, and the tower topples. Sturdiness and durability are important.
Circular Check
When you place your tower, do a quick “circular check” and look to see if there are potential dangers within your toddler’s reach.
Out-Of-Sight
Whenever possible, put your toddler tower away when not in use. An unattended tower can be incredibly tempting for a curious toddler, especially one who has woken up early and decided to explore while everyone else is asleep.
Maintenance
Regularly check nuts and bolts, which can slowly work loose over time. While you’re at it, it’s also worth putting a little weight on the tower and giving it a wiggle to test the tightness of joints.
Put away danger hazards
Place knives and sharp dangerous kitchen tools from being accessible to children. With the extra height children will now be able to access more hazards in your kitchen too. Think about safety always. The stove will also be more accessible too.
Height adjustments
Consider your counter height. Is the kitchen tower height adjustable for different counter counter heights and sinks? I love when the kitchen tower has an adjustable height platform.
Common Questions
Are Learning Towers Safe?
Learning towers from reputable manufactures are safe when used correctly.
Learning towers allow you to do things such as turn around and take something from the fridge without worrying about your toddler toppling sideways and falling off a step stool.
They are also great kitchen helpers, raising your child to the height of your kitchen tables and prep areas. This allows your toddler to help you in the kitchen without worrying that they will fall down.
However, toddlers are resourceful, tricky little sweeties and will climb up, on, and over almost anything given a chance.
Consequently, it is never safe to leave a toddler in a learning tower, unsupervised.
Another consideration is that once they are standing tall in a toddler tower, your child has access to new items that are a potential source of danger. For example, they may be able to reach a knife block or a bottle of mouthwash that was previously out of range.
What Age-Range are Toddler Towers Suitable For?
Each manufacturer has its own recommended age range. A toddler tower is generally suitable for the 18 months to five years age range. Younger children may benefit from a tower, but your toddler must be able to walk, step, and stand independently to remain safe.
Are Learning Towers Montessori?
Toddler learning towers are inspired by the Montessori method of education. They give little ones greater opportunities to observe, interact with, and explore their environments while providing opportunities for independence.
For this reason, they are sometimes called Montessori Towers.
Foldable Learning Towers
Some learning towers for toddlers fold flat when not in use, making them easier to store.
