Best Kitchen Learning Towers For Curious and Independent Toddlers

Here are the best learning towers that have the highest number of recommendations online.

Kitchen learning towers are great for little ones who like to help in the kitchen and always want to be part of the action.

Some parents don’t find it practical though as they’re usually expensive. If you’re undecided about its usefulness and longevity but you’re considering it to keep your toddler safe and happy, then this article is for you.

Let’s start first with the basics.

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What is a Learning Tower?

A learning tower is basically a tall, wide, enclosed stool that allows young children to reach up to a higher spot – kitchen countertops, sink – in a safe and stable way.

Learning towers are also called Montessori learning towers, kitchen helper towers, kitchen learning towers, toddler learning towers, and toddler towers.

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In a hurry? We highly recommend…

The Guidecraft Kitchen Helper as the best learning tower for toddlers. 

It’s sturdy, has an adjustable height platform, and can be folded for storing.

Best Learning Tower for Toddlers: Feature Comparison Table

This is best viewed on a desktop. Here’s a quick feature comparison guide on the learning towers for toddlers.

Features	Guidecraft Kitchen Helper	Little Partners Explore ‘N Store Learning Tower	Kids Learning Tower by Little Partners	SDADI Kids Kitchen Step Stool with Safety Rail	Sprout Sous Chef Toddler Tower
Size and Item Weight	• 23″L x 23″W x 36″H Item • 20 pounds or 9kg	• 22.28″L x 19.56″W x 33.50″H • Weight: 18.7 pounds	• 39 x 24 x 22 inches •‎28 pounds	• 18.1″L x 18.1″W x 35 inches”H • ‎15.4 pounds or 7kg	• 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) • ‎20 lbs or 9kg
For Age and Weight Limit	• Starting at PreK+/ 2 years + • Safely supports up to 125 lbs or 57kg	• Starting from 18 months old  • 44 lbs or 20 kg	• Starting from 18 months old up to 6 years old • 500 lbs or 227 kg	• Starting from 18 months old up to 3 years old • 150lbg or 68kg	• Starting from 18 months old • 100 lbs or 45kg
Safety	Stable and sturdy	Durable and long lasting	Durable and long lasting	Must be propped against counter top or sink	Must be propped against counter top or sink
Adjustable platform	2 heights	4 heights	4 heights	Not available	3 heights
Easy to Assemble	Yes	Mixed reviews	Mixed reviews	Mixed reviews	Yes
Storage	Can be folded for storing	No	No	No	No
Extra	• With mesh and non-slip mat • 1 year warranty	• With folding steps and sandpaper footprint sticker • Lifetime warranty	• Can fit 2 kids • With steps and sandpaper footprint sticker • Accessories include easel, playhouse kit, silicone mat • Lifetime warranty	• With anti-slip stickers and steps • Lifetime free-parts guarantee • 6 months free reason for return	• With steps and extra guard plate • 5 year warranty
Design	6 color options	4 color options	6 color options	4 color options	2 color options

Below is a more detailed info on the best learning tower for toddlers.

Best Learning Towers For Independent Toddlers

Guidecraft Kitchen Helper

This is the most mentioned, highly recommended learning tower online (apart from the DIY Ikea Hack but I digress).

And based on its reviews and from the looks of it, I can see why.

The Guidecraft Kitchen Helper is a lightweight yet sturdy and stable learning tower that’s easy to assemble, carry and move. 

It’s highly recommended for small spaces for its foldable, easy-to-store size.

It includes a mesh or a “Kitchen Helper Keepers” for its open sides to secure your budding escape artists and a non-slip mat for extra security.

It’s not perfect though so do check out its cons below as well.

Pros

• Safe and sturdy
• Foldable and lightweight
• 2 Adjustable platform height
• Easy to assemble
• Includes mesh to provide additional security
• Includes non-slip mat for extra grip
• 6 color options

Cons

• Some parents complained of the wood getting easily scratched
• Needs to buy longer mesh when height platform is adjusted
• No steps for easier climbing
• Offers only a 1-year warranty

Little Partners Explore ‘N Store Learning Tower

Little Partners is apparently the gold standard of all learning towers. Their Explore ‘N Store is one of their two most popular, highly recommended kitchen helper towers.

Its compact design with its folding steps is suitable for smaller spaces. The platform height has 4 adjustable positions and can accommodate children from 18 months old up to 6 years old.

Their products come with a lifetime warranty so if you have or planning to have multiple kids, you’re guaranteed of its durability and stability.

Take note though of their product’s pros and cons below.

Pros:

• Durable and long-lasting
• Compact and lightweight
• 4 Adjustable platform height
• Includes folding steps – easy to get in and out
• Includes sandpaper footprint sticker for extra grip
• 4 color options

Cons

• Mixed reviews on assembly – some find it easy, others find it difficult
• Not foldable for storing
• Might be a tight squeeze for kids in the higher percentile
• Doesn’t have cover or support for the sides and kids might slip off of it.

Kids Learning Tower by Little Partners

This is the other popular and classic Little Partners learning tower.

It’s quite heavy and larger when compared to the other Little Partners model, the Explore ‘N Store. But this classic learning tower is guaranteed to last long, with its durable solid wood material and lifetime warranty.

It has two steps and a large opening, making it easy for younger, bigger kids to get in and out. It also has 4 adjustable platform heights and it can accommodate one or two children at the same time.

You can also buy accessories for this, such as an easel and a playhouse kit!

Consider its drawbacks though below before purchasing this Montessori learning tower.

Pros:

• Durable and long-lasting
• Can accommodate 2 kids
• 4 Adjustable platform height
• Includes 2 steps for easy climbing
• Includes sandpaper footprint sticker for extra grip
• Can buy separate accessories, eg. easel, playhouse kit, silicone mat
• 6 color options

Cons:

• Mixed reviews on assembly – some find it easy, others find it difficult
• Big and bulky, takes up space
• Heavy to move around
• Not foldable for storing

SDADI Kids Kitchen Step Stool with Safety Rail

If you’re on a budget but you’d still like to purchase a learning tower, then the Sdadi might work for you. It’s way less expensive than the Guidecraft or the Little Partners but it’s sturdy and stable enough, according to most parents.

It comes with a lifetime free-parts guarantee plus a 6-month free reason for return.

It’s very easy for little ones to climb in and out on their own. 

But they do have a safety warning to always accompany your kid at all times while using this stool. There’s a possibility it can tip over if your kid leans too far and especially if it’s not propped against the countertop or sink.

Pros:

• Lightweight and moveable
• Includes anti-slip stickers for the platform
• Includes step for easy climbing
• With lifetime free-parts guarantee
• 6 months free reason for return
• Easy to clean
• 4 color options

Cons:

• Platform height not adjustable
• Mixed reviews on assembly – some find it easy, others find it difficult
• Not foldable for storing
• Must be securely propped against a kitchen countertop or sink
• Must accompany kid while using the stool

Sprout Sous Chef Toddler Tower

You’ll feel less worried that your kid won’t have a chance of climbing onto the countertop with the Sprout’s three full solid sides. 

It also has some steps with a grip tape, making it easier for toddlers to climb and step down safely. It offers 3 adjustable height platforms and can hold up to 150 pounds or 45kg, giving you your money’s worth, especially if you’re planning to have multiple kids.

It’s also super easy to assemble, without needing any tools or screws. You just literally put it together and you’re done!

Take note though that they recommend adult supervision when the product is in use, so that’s something to think about.

Pros:

• Sturdy and stable
• Lightweight and moveable
• Easy tool-less assembly and disassembly
• 3 Adjustable platform height
• Includes steps with grip tape, for easy and safer climbing
• Includes extra guard plate for smaller children
• With 5 year warranty
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Has complains of delayed shipping time
• No anti-slip mat or feet sticker for extra grip
• Not foldable for storing
• Has 2 color options only
• Might be a tight squeeze for kids in the higher percentile
• Must be securely propped against a kitchen countertop or sink
• Must accompany kid while using the stool

Runners-up For The Best Montessori Learning Tower

Here are other kitchen helper towers that you can consider:

KidzWerks Child Standing Tower Kitchen Step Stool

Mommy’s Helper, Adjustable Kitchen Step Stool

Craffox Convertible Learning Tower 

Piccalo Mini Check Convertible Tower

Benefits of Montessori Learning Tower

Learning towers are great for toddlers because of the following reasons:

It encourages independence

Learning towers allows young children to climb in and get down safely, all on their own, which follows the Montessori philosophy. 

They will be able to do certain things on their own in a learning tower like washing their hands, getting their own snacks and water, etc. making them feel more capable and independent.

It encourages helping with chores

Since they can reach higher spots like the sink, kitchen countertops – your kid can help you with age-appropriate chores, such as putting the plates in the sink, washing cups, wiping the countertop, slicing soft fruits, stirring, helping with baking, and even some light cooking.

It helps build self-confidence

Accomplishing certain tasks and chores and knowing that they were a huge help to you, their parents, will boost your child’s confidence. 

It encourages better quality time

It can be difficult to do anything with a clingy baby and especially with a clingy toddler or even preschooler). You can’t always carry the latter, especially when you’re cooking. 

Having them on a learning tower can solve this issue. They can play at the kitchen countertop while you prepare dinner. They can be near you, they can watch what you’re doing without being disruptive.

It fosters learning

Learning new words, improving gross motor, fine motor and cognitive skills are just some of the benefits that your toddlers can get from hanging out with you in their very own Montessori learning tower.

Say for eg, you’re cooking and they can see the ingredients that are on the table. You can turn this into a teaching moment! You can share with them the names of the ingredients, their tastes, and benefits.

You can also narrate to them the steps on how to prepare and cook the food. Your toddler then can ask questions and there could be back and forth conversation happening in the kitchen. This exposes them to new words and basically widens their vocabulary skills.

Moments in a learning tower can also lead to gross motor and fine motor skills development.

They’ll learn how to maneuver in it and stay safely inside. They’ll learn ways on how to get in and out quickly and easily. They’ll learn what not to do and how to avoid tipping over and getting into an accident.

If they want to help with cooking or baking, you can teach them to rinse, stir, pour, measure, crack open eggs, slice some soft fruits, and more, which can improve their fine motor skills.

It keeps your toddlers safe

It can also help to keep your little ones contained. Especially if you have a toddler that wants to always explore the kitchen – run around, open cabinets, climb on stools, etc.

You can keep them entertained by letting them play in the sink, or giving them toys to play with at the countertop. You can also let them give you a hand when you’re prepping for a meal.

How do I choose a toddler learning tower?

Consider the following when choosing a Montessori learning tower:

Budget

Most learning towers don’t come cheap and cost as much as a pack n play or even a crib. But you can still get cheaper ones by buying second-hand ones from Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

You can also just DIY one yourself by just googling “DIY Ikea hack learning tower.”

Age and weight limit

There are learning towers that are suitable for kids aged 18 months old. While some are recommended for 2 years old.

Some Montessori learning towers can only hold 1 kid while others can fit 2 kids comfortably at the same time. Others can accommodate older kids, even as old as 6 years.

Consider these factors especially if you want to fully utilize it and get your money’s worth and if you have multiple kids.

Size

Some might be too big or bulky to fit in smaller kitchen spaces. Others are compact and lightweight enough and even foldable for easy storing. 

Some kitchen helper towers might have to become permanent fixtures as they can’t be folded for storing.

Other learning towers might be too narrow for kids who are on the higher percentile.

Other Montessori learning towers might be too short or too long for your counter.

So consider your space and the size of the learning tower and if it’s okay if it becomes a permanent kitchen furniture.

Safety and Stability

Does it easily tip over, can your kid climb on it without your help, can your kid stay in it without you having to stay close at all times, is the material durable, does it have enough safety features such as extra grips, back safety rail, etc.

Adjustability 

A learning tower that offers more adjustable platform height is best to have, as it can accommodate growing kids, giving you more bang for your buck.

Assembly and Storage

You only need to assemble it once but if you can do it easily, without watching any tutorial videos or contacting their customer service, then that will save you at least an afternoon.

Something that can be folded to store it when not in use is also a great and convenient feature to have.

Design 

It might not be that significant but there are learning towers that offer more color options that can blend well with your kitchen interiors.

Extra features

Does it offer a non-slip mat or anti-slip stickers that would make the platform less slippery and more grippy?

Can it be converted into a table or a bench? Can you transform it into a play or activity tower? Can you attach toys, easels and more, when your little one doesn’t want to use them anymore?

Best Learning Tower FAQ