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As a busy mom of two, I know how tough it can be to juggle little helpers in the kitchen. During my quest to find the best learning tower for safely including my toddlers, I tried dozens of options to land on the best learning towers for every need and budget.
Between mediocre materials, stability issues, and complicated assembly, I sorted through it all!
Take my advice after testing a dozen towers first-hand – I’ll save you headaches and wasted money by sharing my top picks to empower your tiny sous chefs.
What is a Learning Tower?
As a mom of two busy toddlers, I know how challenging it can be to cook, clean, or do anything in the kitchen with little ones underfoot.
A learning tower has been an absolute game-changer for including my kids in kitchen tasks safely.
So what is a learning tower? It’s basically a sturdy wooden or plastic step stool with safety rails that allows toddlers to stand comfortably at counter height next to mom or dad.
I think of it as a safe perch for little helpers to take part in kitchen activities without the dangers of climbing on chairs or trying to balance on tip-toes.
The safety rails and solid construction give me peace of mind that my toddlers are secure. I no longer worry about falls or injuries like I did when letting them climb on a chair or step ladder.
Learning towers are sized perfectly so they can see and reach what I’m working on at the counter.
Benefits of Using a Learning Tower?
I’ve found so many benefits to using a learning tower with my toddlers including:
1. Supports Toddler Development
My kids love stirring, pouring, mixing, and other jobs that boost their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It’s also great for their language development as we chat about kitchen tasks.
2. Builds Confidence and Capability
I can see my toddler’s pride when she helps measure ingredients or uses a child-safe knife to cut bananas. It’s helped her gain confidence in her abilities.
3. Fosters Independence
The learning tower encourages independent play and keeps them happily engaged while I cook dinner or tidy up. They can play with kitchen tools, read a book, or just observe what I’m doing.
4. Provides Safe Play Space for Learning
Most importantly, the learning tower creates a safe way for my toddlers to explore the kitchen under close supervision. No more worries about falls or accidents!
5. Frees Parent’s Hands to Get Work Done
When my toddlers are strapped in their learning tower playing with measuring cups, I actually have two free hands to cook, do dishes, and other kitchen tasks! It’s wonderful.
I truly think the learning tower should be part of every parent’s baby registry. I recommend it to all my mom friends as it an essential for safely including toddlers in the kitchen and giving parents a bit of freedom. It’s by far one of my best parenting purchases yet!
Top Picks
- Best Folding & Top Selling – Guidecraft Classic Tower
- Best for Small Spaces – Boon Pivot Tower
- Best Multi-function – WecoStore 3-in-1 Tower
- Most Budget Friendly – Cosyland Tower
The 7 Best Learning Towers for Kitchen
1. Guidecraft Classic Kitchen Helper Stool
For my small kitchen, I ultimately chose and love the Guidecraft Classic Kitchen Helper Stool. This high-quality tower makes it easy to let my busy toddler safely play and “help” while I’m working in the kitchen.
What I Like:
- Sturdy wood construction and Greenguard Gold Certification gives me peace of mind about safety and low emissions
- Folds up nicely into a slim vertical rectangle for storage
- Adjustable platform (15″-18″) means it grows with my kiddo
- The removable back safety panel enables easy access for my toddler to climb in and out independently once positioned inside
- Non-slip rubber feet help stabilize on our wood floors
What I Don’t:
- It’s on the pricier side
- The cute shape cut-outs on the side did provide convenient steps for my climber daughter to try scaling onto the counter
- Small whiteboard and chalkboard
To prevent any monkey business, I simply use a net tucked into the back to deter climbing out the sides or slipping through the back. Not a dealbreaker given how much we use this tower!
I absolutely love watching my daughter happily stir, mix, and “cook” next to me while I’m prepping meals. The standing platform height adjusts smoother than any other tower as she grows.
Although this tower is equipped with a whiteboard and chalkboard, I found them too small for much use, so I redirected my kids to their full-sized boards instead for more drawing space.
The safe and secure railings coupled with the sturdy wooden build help reinforce boundaries while allowing her to freely engage in independent play. This promotes healthy early development in my opinion.
I don’t have to constantly worry about dangerous falls as I would if she stood on an unsteady chair or step-ladder. The learning tower has given me peace of mind and two free hands to cook again!
While the higher price made me hesitate initially, I know this is a long-term investment that will last through future children. I confidently recommend this top-selling learning tower to all of you guys!
2. Boon Pivot Toddler Tower
The Boon Pivot Toddler Tower is a parent favorite and Amazon best-seller for good reason. After trying my sister’s, here is my take:
What I Like:
- Great quality for the price
- Compact foldable design
- Smooth modern aesthetics fit most kitchens
What I Don’t:
- The lightweight feel wasn’t as sturdy for my climber
- No back safety panel means using an additional strap
While it didn’t have the rugged stability I wanted for my busy toddler, the smart foldable storage design and bonus activity features make this a great choice for many families.
3. Little Partners Explore ‘N Store Learning Tower
If you want to foster independence for your toddler, the Little Partners Explore ‘N Store Learning Tower has some excellent safety features.
What I Like:
- Kids can climb in/out without help
- Full wrap rails prevent slipping
- Small footprint great for small kitchens
- Super smooth gliding up/down adjustment (4 height positions from 12.36” to 18.27”)
What I Don’t:
- Quite heavy and bulky
- Can only fold up the bottom step
I love how confident my toddler is climbing in herself and standing on her own in this sturdy tower. It takes up minimal precious real estate in our kitchen too. Well worth the spend!
4. WecoStore 3-in-1 Learning Toddler Tower
For parents wanting flexibility beyond just a basic tower, the multifunctional WecoStore 3-in-1 Toddler Tower transforms into a desk and slide too!
What I Like:
- Grows with child converting to different modes
- Promotes independent play and learning
- Compact size folded
- Fun slide addition for older toddlers
What I Don’t:
- Time-consuming conversion between modes
- Too advanced for younger toddlers
- Expensive at around $300 (with slide)
While it was annoying to switch modes constantly, the play value as your kid gets older is unmatched. This convertible tower keeps evolving along with all the developmental changes of toddlerhood!
I found a cheaper version than the one from WecoStore, but I haven’t tried it yet. You can learn more about it here – Unvoi 4-in-1 Toddler Tower.
5. Asweets 4-in-1 Toddler Learning Tower
If you want to maximize functionality, the Asweets 4-in-1 Toddler Learning Tower transforms into a table AND chalkboard easel!
What I Like:
- Sturdy wood material with anti-tip feet and non-slip pads
- Chalkboard for drawing
- Converts to a table for snacks/activities
- Lightweight and compact for small spaces
What I Don’t:
- Small-size standing platform
- No slim storage mode
- One height option
The wealth of play options definitely provides great developmental value to occupy curious kiddos.
Switching between modes isn’t a hassle. Great for more permanent setups rather than packing away.
6. Simplay3 Toddler Tower
For a basic tower on a budget, you can’t go wrong with the no-frills Simplay3 Toddler Tower.
What I Like:
- Affordable price without sacrificing quality
- Quick to assemble and easy to climb
- Neutral colors fit any kitchen
- Adjustable heights (3 levels: 12″, 15″, 18″)
What I Don’t:
- Made entirely from plastic
- No special features like chalkboard
- Back panel feels a little short for added safety
- Plain visual design (pro for some!)
If all you need is a simple toddler tower to foster independence and learning without blowing your budget, I highly recommend this straightforward option.
7. COSYLAND Kids Kitchen Step Stool
I know not every parent has the same budget, so I also looked at more affordable options like the COSYLAND Kids Kitchen Step Stool. It’s the cheapest one on this list. Here’s my take after testing it out:
What I Like:
- Very budget friendly
- Bamboo material gives it a nice look and makes it lighter than wood
- My daughter could climb in herself without issue
- Removable safety bar for fall prevention
- Rubber feet helped stabilize it
What I Don’t:
- Difficult and frustrating for me to assemble properly
- Sections arrived with poorly drilled holes or damage
- Tipped pretty easily when my toddler leaned over the sides
- My daughter got some splinters from rough edges I hadn’t sanded down
For the affordable price point, this Cosyland step stool isn’t a bad basic option, especially given its cute design. However, the multiple sharp edges did concern me.
While it worked fine once finally assembled after some headaches, I’d recommend carefully checking over all sides and sanding down rough bamboo pieces before your toddler uses it.
For only $100 more, I felt much more at ease with the safety and stability of my top choice, the Guidecraft tower.
How to Choose the Best Toddler Kitchen Tower
I know it can feel overwhelming to look at all the options. Through trial and error with my own two kids, I’ve figured out the key things to consider when deciding which tower is right for your family.
1. Available Space
Since most families don’t have expansive kitchens, the footprint of the tower when opened is an important factor.
I made the mistake of buying a large double-width tower as my first one without measuring…and quickly realized it took up way too much precious real estate in our kitchen!
Consider where you plan to use the learning tower and measure the space.
I like to keep ours permanently set up near the kitchen island, but other families may need to fold it up and store it between uses. If so, pay attention to how much floor space the folded tower takes up.
2. Child Safety Features
The number one priority is keeping our little ones safe, so look for key safety elements when choosing a tower:
- Sturdy wooden construction
- Full wrap-around safety railings (with no wide openings a child could slip through)
- Optional safety straps for very young toddlers
- Non-slip feet on the bottom
I also avoid towers with cut-out shapes on the sides that my climber kids could try to use as footholds. Safety first!
3. Age Range and Adjustability
Many learning towers now allow you to adjust the standing platform height as your child grows. While pricier, these towers can adapt better to physical growth spurts and support kids from about 18 months old into the early grade school years.
For households with multiple young kids close in age, an adjustable tower is handy for switching between their heights quickly.
Non-adjustable towers tend to only accommodate a smaller age range before kids outgrow them.
4. Extra Features Like Storage, Chalkboard Etc.
Some parents love a learning tower that doubles as a play table or storage unit to maximize functionality.
I don’t use these extra elements much, but the removable chalkboard on my old tower is a favorite spot for my budding artists to color while I cook!
If you choose a folding model or one with a slide, make sure you have adequate storage space for all the pieces when disassembled.
5. Budget
With prices ranging from $60 up to $250+, toddler towers can work for many budgets. You’ll typically get more durability, safety features, and longevity the more you invest upfront.
But there are also durable wooden towers under $100 for families without much extra funds.
I always remind myself that this purchase should last through multiple kids over many years. Viewing a quality learning tower as an investment in both safety and independence makes the initially higher prices easier to accept.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I love helping parents narrow down the myriad of toddler learning tower options.
