Has your child expressed interest in everything you do, especially in the kitchen? Do you want the peace of mind of them helping out using a piece of furniture that's safe and secure? Kitchen helpers, also known as learning towers, are here to help. It acts as a step stool with extra safety measures for your kiddos.
We searched online to find kitchen helpers that reviewers love. Our favorite is Little Partners' Kids Learning Tower; it's made with solid wood and an anti-tip base to keep your kids at a safe height while accessing the kitchen counter. We have nine more parent-approved kitchen helpers in our top 10 list, and we've included a buying guide to get you acquainted with this must-have piece of home furniture.
A kitchen helper, or a learning tower, is a piece of furniture that looks like a step stool with additional safety measures. While a chair technically would boost the height of a kid wanting to help out in the kitchen, a kitchen tower is the safest way to go. Unlike regular chairs, towers are designed especially for security.
Kitchen helpers boost a child's independence. They learn to climb on their own to assist you as you knead, pour, mix, and cook. Having a child nearby while you get things done in the kitchen is also a great way to spend time together and bond. Little ones can watch and learn from you while you keep them within eyesight.
The ideal age for starting to use a kitchen helper is 18 months and older, but a child who is a confident walker that can climb a few steps on their own can also use them. Most products have a wide age range from 18 months to seven years old, so you'll be able to use them for years.
Without further ado, here are Amazon's best kitchen helpers that cater to a wide age range. We've picked out parent-approved options and taken extra caution to keep safety as our number one priority.
$199.99
Material | Wood |
---|---|
Age range | 18+ mos. |
Dimensions | 23 x 33 x 36 in. |
Load-bearing capacity | 250 lbs. |
Height adjustments | 4 |
Warranty | None |
Colors available | 6 |
$79.99
Material | Pinewood |
---|---|
Age range | 18 - 36 mos. |
Dimensions | 25 x 18 x 18 in. |
Load-bearing capacity | 150 lbs. |
Height adjustments | None |
Warranty | 90 days |
Colors available | 2 |
$99.95
Material | Pine and engineered wood |
---|---|
Age range | 3+ yrs. |
Dimensions | 17 x 20 x 36 in. |
Load-bearing capacity | 200 lbs. |
Height adjustments | 2 |
Warranty | Lifetime |
Colors available | 2 |
$149.99
Material | Birch plywood |
---|---|
Age range | 18+ mos. |
Dimensions | 15.75 x 15.75 x 36 in. |
Load-bearing capacity | 99.2 lbs. |
Height adjustments | None |
Warranty | 30-day money back guarantee |
Colors available | 1 |
$44.99
Material | BPA-free plastic |
---|---|
Age range | 18 mos. - 7 yrs. |
Dimensions | 16 x 17 x 24 in. |
Load-bearing capacity | 200 lbs. |
Height adjustments | None |
Warranty | 1 yr. |
$149.99
Material | Birch and poplar wood |
---|---|
Age range | 18 mos. - 6 yrs. |
Dimensions | 20 x 19 x 33 in. |
Load-bearing capacity | 200 lbs. |
Height adjustments | 3 |
Warranty | None |
Colors available | 3 |
$99.99
Material | Wood |
---|---|
Age range | 2 - 7 yrs. |
Dimensions | 21 x 20.5 x 35.8 in. |
Load-bearing capacity | 100 lbs. |
Height adjustments | 2 |
Warranty | None |
Colors available | 1 |
$137.99
Material | Hardwood |
---|---|
Age range | 18+ mos. |
Dimensions | 16 x 18 x 35 in. |
Load-bearing capacity | 110 lbs. |
Height adjustments | 2 |
Warranty | None |
Colors available | 1 |
$71.99
Material | Wood |
---|---|
Age range | 3+ yrs. |
Dimensions | 17.7 x 16.1 x 31.4 in. |
Load-bearing capacity | 200 lbs. |
Height adjustments | None |
Warranty | 90 days |
Colors available | 5 |
$99.88
Material | Bamboo |
---|---|
Age range | 18+ mos. |
Dimensions | 16 x 18 x 37.5 in. |
Load-bearing capacity | 120 lbs. |
Height adjustments | 3 |
Warranty | None |
Colors available | 1 |
Image | 1 ![]() Little Partners | 2 ![]() Sdadi | 3 ![]() Guidecraft | 4 ![]() Comfy Bumpy | 5 ![]() Katarus | 6 ![]() Little Partners | 7 ![]() Ecr4kids | 8 ![]() Katanabana | 9 ![]() Naomi Home | 10 ![]() Ipow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Kids Learning Tower | Kids Kitchen Step Stool with Safety Rail | Step Up Kitchen Helper | Kitchen Step Stool | Toddler Step Stool for Kids | Explore n Store Learning Tower | Chef's Helper Kitchen Tower | Kids Kitchen Step Stool Helper | Kids Step to It Stool | Learning Stool Toddler Tower |
Features | A Wide Platform for Security | A Kitchen Helper With Safety in Mind | Sturdy, Sleek Kitchen Helper for Older Kids | A Helper That Can be Used as a Desk | A Plastic Kitchen Helper With Anti-Slip Footsteps | A Compact Kitchen Helper With Style | Easy to Climb With Adjustable Settings | Anti-Slip Kitchen Helper That Grows With Your Child | A Portable Option With Padded Platforms | Eco-Friendly, Adjustable Learning Tower |
Price | $199.99 | $79.99 | $99.95 | $149.99 | $44.99 | $149.99 | $99.99 | $137.99 | $71.99 | $99.88 |
Material | Wood | Pinewood | Pine and engineered wood | Birch plywood | BPA-free plastic | Birch and poplar wood | Wood | Hardwood | Wood | Bamboo |
Age range | 18+ mos. | 18 - 36 mos. | 3+ yrs. | 18+ mos. | 18 mos. - 7 yrs. | 18 mos. - 6 yrs. | 2 - 7 yrs. | 18+ mos. | 3+ yrs. | 18+ mos. |
Dimensions | 23 x 33 x 36 in. | 25 x 18 x 18 in. | 17 x 20 x 36 in. | 15.75 x 15.75 x 36 in. | 16 x 17 x 24 in. | 20 x 19 x 33 in. | 21 x 20.5 x 35.8 in. | 16 x 18 x 35 in. | 17.7 x 16.1 x 31.4 in. | 16 x 18 x 37.5 in. |
Load-bearing capacity | 250 lbs. | 150 lbs. | 200 lbs. | 99.2 lbs. | 200 lbs. | 200 lbs. | 100 lbs. | 110 lbs. | 200 lbs. | 120 lbs. |
Height adjustments | 4 | None | 2 | None | None | 3 | 2 | 2 | None | 3 |
Warranty | None | 90 days | Lifetime | 30-day money back guarantee | 1 yr. | None | None | None | 90 days | None |
Colors available | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | |
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Choosing a kitchen helper can be daunting for any parent since safety is a concern. Check out the points below to help you choose the best product for your kiddo!
A kitchen helper is meant to get kids involved with tasks on the counter or other high locations safely. With that in mind, here are a few things to keep in mind about the design.
If you have toddlers, leverage and safety are crucial aspects. For example, safety rails will keep them from accidentally tumbling over. There are learning towers with one or two safety rails, depending on required safety precautions. For younger kids, we recommend choosing multiple safety rails for added security.
As your child grows older, they won't require the safety rail. They will progress to a step-stool type of kitchen helper that they can easily mount or dismount on their own.
The platform is another kitchen helper component that should prioritize safety. It should be smooth but not slippery. Consider one with a rubber platform to prevent slips.
Lastly, think about the step and base. Kitchen helpers have one or two steps, and some models have anti-slip padding on each step for extra safety. You also need to check if the base has anti-slip features, such as anti-tip mechanisms on the feet, so it stays in place when your child leans on the counter.
Most kitchen helpers are made of wood or plastic. Here are some differences between the two for reference.
You will find many kitchen helpers made of wood; parents prefer these for their durability. Wood products can often last for years, making them ideal if you have multiple children.
However, check to make sure that wooden towers have a laminate coating and are easy to wipe clean. Wood is known to absorb liquids, so it can be difficult to clean after spills!
Meanwhile, plastic kitchen helpers are waterproof and very lightweight. They can easily be placed by the counter and then transferred to the sink, for example. Plastic is also easy to wash or wipe clean.
However, we advise checking the reviews to see if the steps, platforms, barriers, and feet are durable. You don't want these to bend under weight or pressure!
Given their smooth finish and lightweight nature, make sure the steps and platform have grooves or pads for better traction. Furthermore, the bottom should have anti-slip pads to avoid sliding during use.
Most kitchen helpers are designed to last, so you can use the same product for years or store it away for future use. However, if you have multiple kids about the same age, you'll need more than one tower.
You can look for one that seamlessly fits side by side without taking too much space. Make sure it has flat sidewalls and a base without protruding parts so you can set multiple learning towers beside each other.
You can also go for one that can fit two kids at the same time. The platform should be wide and strong enough to accommodate two kids in one go. Parents will often mention in the reviews if a kitchen helper fits two kids with ease.
One of the most convenient added features of a kitchen helper is adjustability. Some let you adjust the platforms to different levels to match your kid's height. You can also remove the safety rails when they are no longer needed.
Other models can be used for other purposes, such as folding into a desk with the step functioning as the seat.
If you have limited storage space, try a kitchen helper with collapsible or foldable walls. You fold the walls completely during storage and lock them in place when in use. Some learning towers also come with unique features like a chalkboard or nameplate for personalization.
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