My toddler’s sudden interest in helping out in the kitchen meant that he needed a safe way to reach the counter – and this meant looking into buying a Learning tower or Kitchen helper. After doing a ton of research, I learned how beneficial learning towers are and what to look for when buying one.
So to save you time and money, I’m going to answer the most asked questions about learning towers.
What is a learning tower?
A learning tower is also known as a kitchen helper, is a piece of furniture that enables a toddler (18 months to 5 years) to reach and work at the kitchen counter, independently and safely. The Learning Tower is frequently used in a Montessori home because it fosters independence.
How long will my child use a learning tower?
As a general rule, your child can use a learning tower from 18 months up to 6 years. Most Learning Towers have adjustable footplates to accommodate your growing child.
Does my child really need a Learning tower?
A learning tower is a smart investment and will be used daily over several years. Although other furniture like step stools, step ladders, and chairs are used as alternatives, they are not safe and will hinder your child’s independence and concentration.
Every time you turn your back (which happens all the time in the kitchen) your child could potentially get seriously injured falling off a chair/stool/ladder. The second important factor to consider is that your child needs to be able to concentrate on the task at hand and not fear falling off the chair/stool/ladder. This is what makes the learning tower worth it in my opinion.
If you want to determine what is worth the price – divide the retail price by 5 (the number of years you will most likely use your Learning Tower) and then divide that number by 12 to see what you will pay per month for owning a learning tower. My calculations worked out to approximately $3 per month for a $200 Learning Tower.
How can I use a learning tower?
A learning tower is quite versatile and can be used in the kitchen, bathroom, in the garage or at another worksurface where an adult will supervise the tasks.
What are the benefits of using a Learning tower with your toddler?
As with other Montessori furniture in your home, the Learning tower’s purpose is to help your toddler gain independence and build confidence while learning everyday tasks (Practical Life).
Most people say that they never thought they needed a learning tower, but after owning one, they can’t imagine their lives without it. Most people who own one report that their toddlers immediately fell in love with it and uses the tower multiple times a day.
Owning a learning tower holds multiple benefits
- Providing ample oppertunity for independence in daily tasks
- Increases safety while performing tasks in the kitchen/bathroom
- Helps toddlers acquire new skills in the kitchen
- Helps build confidence through mastering new skills
- More freedom for parents to get tasks done in the kitchen with little ones
- Fosters a feeling of being valued in the household and the family
What should I look for when choosing a Learning tower?
The three most important factors when choosing a learning tower are:
- Adjustability (longevity)
- Stability (safety)
- Comfort (ease of use)
- Space
Criteria #1: Longevity
A learning tower needs to have an adjustable footplate and step to accommodate your child from 18 months up to 6 years. This is crucial. Your child’s waist needs to be level with the kitchen counter to safely perform food prep tasks. The footplate will have to start high to accommodate an 18-month-old and moved down as your child gets older and taller. At the same time, the step would have to be moved up to help the child reach the footplate in the highest position.
Criteria #2: Safety
The learning tower needs to be stable. Solid wood is ideal since it carries more weight and will be less rickety. It also means it can carry more weight so it will be in use for much longer. The base of the tower (the feet) also needs to be broad enough to not topple over. Some learning towers have extra ‘fins’ on the feet to prevent this from happening.
The Learning Tower also needs a safety rail that prevents young toddlers from falling off backwards or off the sides. The footplate needs to be wide enough for a toddler to safely climb onto. The tower should not be able to tip over.
Some Learning towers are fitted with anti-slip rubber strips or mats on the footplate, step, and under the legs of the tower to further reduce slipping.
Criteria #3: Ease of use
Can your child get in and out of the tower safely and independently? How comfortably can they stand in the tower and reach the counter? Do they have enough room to manoeuvre around? You want your child to love using the tower so they will use it regularly.
Some towers are broad enough to accommodate two children at a time. I have also seen Learning towers that are too narrow at the top where parents have reported that their children have a hard time getting through the gap and having enough room to move when standing in the tower.
Criteria #4: Appropriate Size
You should consider how much space you have in your kitchen before purchasing your Learning tower. The average footprint of a Learning tower is
Also, consider your kitchen’s layout and see how much space you need to walk around the tower. Will you be able to leave it out or will you need to store it away in another room when it is not being used?
The Best Learning Towers – My recommendations
1/The Best All-Round Learning Tower: The Sous-Chef by Sprout
| Criteria | The Sous-Chef by Sprout Furniture |
|---|---|
| Price | $199 (2021) |
| Material | Baltic Birch |
| Shipping | Free shipping in the US on orders over $100 Worldwide shipping is available at a quoted price |
| Adjustability | Adjustable footplate only – Three standing heights |
| Weight capacity | 150 pounds |
| Product dimensions | 34.5″ H x 17.5″ W x 17.5″ D (at the base) The top of the tower measures 10.5″ W x 10″D (inside dimensions) Weight: 20 LBS Adjustable Platform Heights are 12″, 15″, and 18″ |
| Assembly | Easy tool-less assembly and disassembly |
| Safety | Solid sides to minimize climbing onto the counter Safety dowel that pops in Handles for better grip Guard plate for children shorter than 32 inches Tapered design for added stability and a reduced footprint |
| Pros | Safe, aesthetically pleasing and takes up little floor space Can also be used as a high chair |
| Cons | It’s on the expensive side Slightly awkward to carry/move because there are no openings to use as handles |
2/The Best Learning Tower For Two Kids: The Learning Tower by Little Partners
| Criteria | Little Partners Learning Tower |
|---|---|
| Price | $209 (2021) |
| Material | Layered Birch and Poplar |
| Shipping | Free shipping in the US on orders over $50 via their site Worldwide shipping is available via Amazon (currently not available for sale) |
| Adjustability | Four different standing heights |
| Weight capacity | 500 pounds |
| Product dimensions | 39″H x 24″W x 22″D |
| Assembly | Assembly is required – according to most reviews the assembly process was easy enough. |
| Safety | Fits flush against counters for safe entry Four-sided railing Silicone non-slip mat is available as an optional extra The large footprint of this tower adds to its stability |
| Pros | Very stable and spacious enough to allow two children to use it simultaneously Also doubles as an art easel with a chalkboard/whiteboard on the front |
| Cons | The size will be problematic if you have a small kitchen (and house) |
3/The Best Learning Tower For Small Spaces: Guidcraft Kitchen Helper Stool
| Criteria | Martha Stewart Kitchen Helper Stool by Guidcraft |
|---|---|
| Price | $199 |
| Material | Birch |
| Shipping | Worldwide (Amazon) |
| Adjustability | Adjust to 15″ or 18″ high (from 2+ years) |
| Weight capacity | |
| Product dimensions | 23 x 23 x 36 inches |
| Assembly | |
| Safety | Safe and secure: Includes non-slip mat and Kitchen Helper Keepers for additional security |
| Pros | Folds away quite flat and is easy to use. |
| Cons | It doesn’t have a step for young toddlers to get onto the platform |
4/The Best Learning Tower if you are on a budget: Montessori Helper Stool by Mecan Wood
| Criteria | Montessori Helper Stool For Toddlers by Mecan Wood via Etsy |
|---|---|
| Price | from $80 (approximately 60 Pounds Sterling) to $133 (97 Pounds Sterling) depending on your choice of finish |
| Material | Plywood |
| Shipping | Free Delivery Worldwide (dispatches from Poland) *not including Duties & Taxes |
| Adjustability | 6 different heights to choose from (so it could fit in underneath your kitchen island or dining room table), 3 different standing heights |
| Weight capacity | – |
| Product dimensions | Width: 42 centimetres (16.5 inches) Depth: 44 centimetres (17.3 inches) |
| Assembly | According to the reviews on Etsy – very easy assembly |
| Safety | Their materials, paint, and varnish meet the PN-EN 71-3 standard |
| Pros | There are so many color options! The price You can order an additional removable footstool that fits inside the tower to save space You can have your child’s name engraved on the tower at no extra cost |
| Cons | Delivery may take longer than what you might be used to (If you live in the US) |
In conclusion…
So here are my final thoughts. If you have decided to buy a Learning tower, start by checking out what is available on the second-hand market. You don’t HAVE to buy a new Learning tower. If you found something in your area, you don’t have to pay for shipping either.
That said, I would buy a new or used one instead of making one myself. I know there are so many clever hacks and ideas out there and I am all for DIY, but keep in mind that If you can’t make the tower height adjustable, you are going through a lot of effort to make something that will only use for a few months. I am specifically referring to the IKEA hack using the BEKVAM stepstool. I was considering doing this until I actually bought a BEKVAN stepstool and realized my 27-month-old was already way too tall.
See the picture below of him using the stool next to the sink. If he was standing on the top – his knees would almost be counter-height (not his waist as is recommended).
Once your toddler grows a little you will be back at square one.
And finally, don’t wait too long to get a Learning tower, your child can start using it as soon as they can walk and you will never regret it!
Happy hunting!