The Best Kitchen Tower for Cooking with Toddlers
We spend a lot of time in the kitchen at our house - we love cooking and baking. I've always wanted our kids to develop a love for cooking too, so around 18 months old I started hunting for the perfect toddler kitchen tower.
It was the beginning of the pandemic and we were home all the time. This tower saved us! We've had it for five years, and it's still holding up really well.
I combed through countless Montessori towers before finding one that was perfect for us. I wanted a learning tower that was sturdy and safe but didn't stick out like a sore thumb in our kitchen.
I recommend the KidWerks Kitchen Tower to anyone and everyone I know with toddlers!
Why You Need a Montessori Step Stool (aka a Toddler Tower)
The original learning tower has been a staple in the Montessori world for a long time. Maria Montessori believed in fostering a child's independence through involving them in our world.
A learning tower allows young kids easy access to the kitchen counter for simple tasks like stirring batter or washing veggies. It's also great for washing hands, enjoying a snack, or doing crafts.
We use our tower all the time.
It's the easiest way for my son to be at the counter with us while we are all on stools. We've used the toddler tower for:
Eat dinner
Make toddler crafts
Wash hands
Cook
Bake cookies
As parents, we spend a huge part of our day in the kitchen. A kids kitchen stool helps us get more quality time with our kids. I love the memories I've made with my kids using this tower. My husband and I have talked about how sad we'll be some day when we don't need the tower anymore!
FAQs
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A Montessori Learning Tower (also known as a kitchen helper tower, sous-chef toddler tower, or toddler step stool) is a great way to include young children in daily activities around the kitchen. It's essentially a step stool with safety rails that gives younger children an easy way to stand at the kitchen counter by themselves.
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The best age to start using a toddler kitchen tower really depends on your child’s development. Most young toddlers are ready around 18 months, but some adventurous little ones might be ready a bit earlier. A good thing to look for is whether your child can stand steadily and climb onto a secure platform with a little guidance.
My daughter was about 16 months old when she started using the toddler tower, and my second born was about 14 months old.
The great part about Montessori towers or adjustable step stools is that they grow with your child. Thanks to adjustable height settings, they can accommodate different heights as your little one gets taller—perfect for long-term use. Plus, these towers can often support older kids up to age 5 or 6, so you’ll get plenty of use out of them.
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Absolutely! Toddler learning towers are designed with features that make them a safer alternative to letting your child balance on a kitchen chair or regular stool. Most models include safety rails, a wide base, and you can even add a non-slip mat for extra security.
Just make sure to choose a sturdy design made from solid wood or other high-quality materials. And don’t forget—supervision is key! Even with the best learning towers, you’ll want to stay close by to ensure your kids stay safe while they help out at the kitchen counter or kitchen island.
How to Pick the Right Kitchen Tower for Your Toddler
Here's what you should look for when shopping for a toddler stool for your kitchen.
Safety Features
As with anything we buy for our kids, safety is the top priority. To give you peace of mind while using it, make sure the learning tower your choose has:
Sturdy Safety Rails to prevent your child from falling
A Wide Base to prevent tipping
A Secure Platform that easily supports their weight
Adjustability
Most learning towers have a standing platform with an adjustable height, essentially making it an adjustable step stool. This is great because it can grow with your child for many years as they get taller.
We used the adjustable foot board that we could drop down as the kids got taller.
Durability
Because little kids will be standing on it for years to come, look for a toddler learning tower built of solid wood or other high-quality materials. You'll want this to last through long-term use - trust me!
Also, pay attention to the weight limit to make sure it's right for your family. Especially if you have both younger kids and older kids. We have used our tower for 5 years, and it's held up the entire time.
Space-Saving Design
We leave our learning tower set up at our kitchen island so easy storage wasn't a priority for us. If you'll be using it in smaller spaces, a foldable helper tower is a great option for smaller kitchens.
Ours is not foldable, but I feel like it helps to make it sturdier.
Additional Features
You can go with a traditional Montessori tower or opt for one with more features like a built-in chalkboard or shape cutouts. It's really up to your personal preference.
Positive Reviews
I'm an avid review reader, especially when it comes to products my kids will be using. To ensure the learning tower you buy is high quality, double check that it has a high rating score and scan the reviews to get an idea of how the product really functions. Look for things like easy assembly, sturdiness, and durability.
Best Learning Towers for Toddlers & Kids
Best Learning Tower Overall: KidWerkz
We love this kitchen helper tower from KidWerkz! I'm not exaggerating when I say we use it every single day. It's made of sturdy wood so I'm never worried about the kids falling or tipping over if they're using it correctly.
The main reason we picked this kitchen tower was the adjustable platform. It's super easy to use the standing platform at different heights for both of our kiddos. It brings them to the perfect height for helping in the kitchen!
The KidWerkz toddler tower also has a removable safety bar at the top. I like this because it's easy for them to climb in and out by just moving the safety bar, but I'm not worried about them falling backwards while using.
We have the white version, and I love that it's all one cohesive color. It was easy to assemble and has held up well though daily use with young toddlers. The best thing about this toddler tower is that it was made meal time so much more enjoyable now that our little partners can help!
Best Foldable Helper Tower:
For small spaces, the Nordi Foldable Toddler Kitchen Tower is a great option. It still has the look and feel of a traditional Montessori tower with the wood construction, but can easily fold flat and be stored out of the way.
This is great for use in a small apartment or in a kitchen with a small footprint!
The Nordi Foldable Kitchen Tower has an adjustable height and is suitable for kids from 18 months to 6 years, so you can use it for years to come, even with older kids!
Because it's foldable, it's not likely to be as sturdy as a traditional toddler tower, but still a good option for tight spaces.
Best Budget Kitchen Tower:
If you're on a budget but still want a safer alternative to using a regular stool with your toddler, the Wood City kitchen step stool is an affordable option.
It has a solid wood construction, anti-slip grips on the bottom of the legs, and a removable safety bar. This learning tower is only suitable for kids from 18-36 months, but you can remove the top portion of the learning tower and use it as a regular stool for older children.
Best Multifunctional Toddler Tower:
As a mom, I'm always looking for baby and kid's items that have multiple uses or can be repurposed. The Juzbot Multifunctional Toddler Tower really utilizes every inch!
This takes the traditional Montessori learning tower up a notch with a chalkboard that turns into a slide and various toys on the outside like shoe-tying practice and a clock.
It also features an adjustable platform with an option to use as a bench instead of standing. Because of all these additional features, this toddler tower is on the bulkier side, so it would take up too much space in smaller kitchens.
Best Modern Learning Tower:
If the wood look isn't your style, a more modern option like the Boon Pivot Kitchen Step Stool is great for toddlers that want to be at counter height. It comes in a sleek gray or classic white plastic and has a steel frame so it's super sturdy!
The foldable design is easy to store out of sight and the smooth surfaces are easy to clean or disinfect. As far as simple step stools for toddlers go, the Boon is a great option!
Is a Montessori Learning Tower Really Better than a Regular Stool?
Yes, a Montessori step stool is a much safer option than using a regular stool or kitchen chair to help toddlers up to counter height.
Even sturdy step stools don't have safety rails to prevent a child from falling. If your toddler is going to help you cook, bake, wash their hands, or eat a snack at the counter, you want the extra security of a kitchen tower. Trust me, the peace of mind is worth it!
So, there you have it—everything you need to know about choosing the best toddler kitchen tower for your little partner! Whether you're looking to save space in a small apartment or need something sturdy and adjustable for daily activities, there's definitely a great option out there for you.
The main reason parents rave about these? It’s the peace of mind that comes with knowing your young toddlers are safe while exploring, learning, and making those everyday moments in the kitchen extra special.
And with so many options—whether it’s a Montessori step stool with safety rails or a foldable helper tower for easy storage—you’re sure to find the perfect height and design to fit your family’s needs.
Don't forget to check out my guides on the perfect Ikea Kitchen Makeover and the Best Toys for Traveling with Toddlers!
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Hi, I’m Jen!
Hi, I’m Jen, your perpetually optimistic, fun-loving, witty friend. When I’m not working at The Marketing Greenhouse, you can find me gardening in the sun, playing games with my kids or creating content that inspires people to try new things and be the best version of themselves.
