Skip to Content

7 Best Learning Towers for Kids in the Kitchen

You can give your toddler a boost with one of these, even if you have a small space.

By and
VerifiedMedically reviewed by Nutrition & Fitness Lab Director
a boy in a beige sweater stands on a learning tower in the kitchen to help his mom who is in a white and green sweater and holding an orange
Nikola Stojadinovic//Getty Images

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

As part of the parenting trend toward all things Montessori (like Montessori toys for 1-year-olds and Montessori-inspired baby toy subscription boxes), parents are investing in learning towers. These structures are sturdy step stools with guardrails designed to boost toddlers and preschoolers high enough that they can watch parents work in the kitchen and even participate in safe "assisting."

"My boys, ages 2 and 4, love to help me stir, add ingredients and taste-test," said a mom who told us she owns two towers, one for each kid. Another said, "Our 23-month-old stands on one and we give her things for pretend-cooking, like a sweet potato and some chopsticks." A kid stays busy and close, and maybe picks up new skills and vocabulary.

The Good Housekeeping Institute interviewed parents and tested the top-sellers on the market. Regardless of which tower you choose, parents should supervise their child using one of these at all times. It takes some patience to teach kids to not climb on the sides of their tower or rock back and forth, which could tip a tower over. You also want to be sure they don't use it as a way to get to the stovetop.

      1
      Best Overall

      Little Partners Learning Tower

      On Sale
      Learning Tower

      Pros

      • Original model around for a few decades
      • Solid construction: This is wooden and sturdy
      • Optional attachments sold separately
      • Four adjustable heights
      • Nice and tall — over 3 feet high

      Cons

      • Large footprint requires some space
      • Not foldable

      This is the OG, the original learning tower that's been around since the 1990s when a Montessori-trained educator and mom designed it with her daughter in mind — and likely coined the term "learning tower." We gave it an early Good Housekeeping Parenting Award for its straightforward assembly and solid construction. This is the largest learning tower on our list. In fact, the brand has tested it to hold up to 500 pounds, not that we'd recommend trying that at home.

      "I like that you can attach other Montessori-inspired functional learning objects like the Learn N’ Share Easel or Climbing Ladder and that it has an adjustable height," said Rachel Rothman, former Chief Technologist and Executive Technical Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a mom who used one of these with her three kids.

      With four adjustable heights, it grows with your child. This one is tall — over 3 feet high — which helps if you have a high kitchen island. Since the footprint is large and it can't be folded down, be sure you have the space to accommodate it. (There's now also a small-space, foldable version for ages 2 to 6.) The Learning Tower comes in white, dark brown, olive green, red and natural wood finish.

      Footprint: 23" x 33" | Height: 38" | Ages: 18 months+ | Weight limit: 500 lbs | Item weight: 28 lbs | Foldable: No

      2
      Best Value

      SDADI Kids Kitchen Step Stool

      Kids Kitchen Step Stool

      Pros

      • Small footprint could be good for narrow spaces
      • Under $100
      • Relatively easy to put together

      Cons

      • For 1- and 2-year-olds only
      • Can be a bit wobbly

      This smaller step stool tower is under $100 and can fit in narrow spaces, but it doesn't have any special functions — for instance, it's not foldable nor does it adjust to different heights. It's also only age-graded for 1- and 2-year-olds, so your toddler will outgrow it at age 3. That said, if you don't want to spend more than $100 and have a toddler, it offers a good value with more than 5,000 five-star ratings on Amazon.

      It was relatively easy to assemble. During testing, our experts found that it was wobblier than our best overall choice. We'd solve the problem by adding a felt furniture pad to the bottom of one leg to even it out. It also helps to place the learning tower against the counter for extra stability while in use.

      It comes in natural, black, gray, dark brown and white (shown).

      Footprint: 18" x 18" | Height: 34.8" | Ages: 18 to 36 months | Weight limit: 150 lbs | Item weight: 14.5 lbs | Foldable: no

      RELATED: The Best High Chairs for Babies

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
      3
      Best Foldable

      Boon Pivot

      On Sale
      Pivot
      Now 22% Off
      Credit: Boon

      Pros

      • Easily wipes clean
      • Folds compactly and can be stashed away

      Cons

      • Low weight limit: not for kids heavier than 50 lbs

      While wood gives a tower more of a Montessori feel, the fact that this is steel and plastic is pretty genius because it easily wipes clean. It also folds up flat very easily so you can store it out of the way when you're not using it. Unfolded, the footprint is large, so be sure your kitchen can accommodate its size, but it's nice to know it can hide away between uses.

      "We use the Boon with our 18-month-old," a parent told us. "We needed one that folded up since we have a tiny kitchen. We use it for a mixture of him 'helping' us cook and just playing." You can get this in gray or white (pictured).

      Note that this has the lowest weight limit on the list, it's only for kids up to 50 pounds. So don't make the mistake of trying to use this as an adult step stool!

      Footprint: 22" x 23" | Height: 35" | Ages: 18 Months to 4 Years | Weight limit: 50 lbs | Item weight: ‎21.6 lbs | Foldable: Yes

      RELATED: Nugget Play Couch: Is the Hype Worth It?

      4
      Best Convertible

      Piccalio Mini Chef Convertible Helper Tower

      Mini Chef Convertible Helper Tower
      Credit: Piccalio

      Pros

      • Converts from a tower to a table and chair
      • Dual usage is good for families in small spaces
      • Smallest footprint on our list at only 16" x 16"

      Cons

      • Pricey

      Piccalio makes a tower that's hinged in the middle, so it can quickly convert to a table with a seat for snacks, drawing or Kindergarten homework when not being used to give your kid a boost. "I love that it’s dual purpose and can be used as my daughter's own table for snacks and arts and crafts," said Stefani Sassos, the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab Director. "For our apartment, that dual usage is important!"

      The platform is set 18 inches off the ground, but you can adjust the step your child uses to climb up to any of three different heights. It's sold in white, black, light green and natural (pictured) and comes with a free mini cutter kids' knife, a $19 value. Use it to teach your 2-year-old how to cut their own banana slices.

      If having a tower that folds flat is more important than one that converts into a table and chair, testers we talked to loved the Mini Chef Foldable Helper Tower as well. It's a little more expensive (and the Convertible is also over $200) but gets many positive reviews online and serves the same age range, has the same weight limit and comes in the same cute colors.

      Footprint: 16" x 16" | Height: 36" | Ages: 18 months to 6 years | Weight limit: 175 lbs | Item weight: ‎15.7 lbs | Foldable: Yes

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
      a girl in a pink dress sits at a piccalio learning tower converted to its table and chair position, part of a good housekeeping list of the best learning towers
      Stefani Sassos

      The Convertible Helper Tower in its table-and-chair mode.

      5
      Best Wooden

      Guidecraft Classic Kitchen Helper

      Classic Kitchen Helper

      Pros

      • Folds away for easy storage
      • Two height choices for the platform

      Cons

      • Can be a little tricky for kids to climb in on their own

      Guidecraft's version is a nice compromise of wooden structure with the ability to fold accordian-style. Rothman tested this one at home and said that, when folded, it easily fit in the narrow gap between her fridge and cabinets and even in a cramped pantry. This feature isn't just ideal for small spaces — it's also great for those who simply prefer a more streamlined look in their kitchen.

      There's a non-slip mat and two Kitchen Helper Keepers (a.k.a. clip-on safety nets for the sides) designed for additional security. They're nice add-ons that you don't get with other learning towers.

      The platform adjusts to be either 15 or 18 inches off the ground. One downside is that kids may need assistance climbing into it as there isn't a bar for them to grab onto to hoist themselves up. It's sold in gray, white and natural (pictured).

      Footprint: 23" x 23" | Height: 36" | Ages: 2 to 5 years | Weight limit: 125 lbs | Item weight: ‎24.8 lbs | Foldable: Yes

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
      6
      Best Two-Step

      Sprout Kids Sous-Chef Toddler Tower

      Sous-Chef Toddler Tower

      Pros

      • Two steps with grip tape to help your child climb in
      • Age-graded for all 1-year-olds
      • Small footprint
      • Three adjustable heights

      Cons

      • Doesn't fold

      Your little one gets two integrated steps with grip tape to use to climb into the Sous-Chef, making it a nice choice for small or young toddlers. It's age-graded for 12 months on, though you'll know best if your 1-year-old is ready to stand in this. Sprout includes height guidelines, which other brands do not: This is for kids from 28 to 44 inches tall.

      This one has a fairly small footprint if you are squeezed for space, but it does not fold up. It includes a guard plate for the back, but we found that a curious toddler can remove it, so keep an eye on your child, as always. The brand recommends adding the full plate, sold separately, to the back if you feel your child is still learning spatial awareness and needs more protection. With the full plate, you drop your child into the tower and lift them out, they can't go in and out on their own.

      No tools are required to assemble or break down this tower, so almost anyone can build it on their own without too much struggle. We also appreciate the three adjustable heights that make it easy to customize the tower to your counter. This comes in natural or white.

      Footprint: 17.5" x 17.5" | Height: 34.5" | Ages: 12 months+ | Weight limit: 150 lbs | Item weight: ‎20 lbs | Foldable: No

      7
      Best High-Capacity

      Lalo The Tower

       The Tower

      Pros

      • Very sturdy, can hold up to 200 lbs
      • Sleek, minimalist design
      • Can be set to 2 different heights

      Cons

      • Assembly can be a bit difficult

      A tester whose high chair converted into a step stool put that one away in favor of this one. "The Lalo seems more grounded and stable, which is really important for my 2-year-old who is wild about climbing," she told us. It can hold up to 200 pounds, second only to our best overall choice.

      "This was sleek and the design was so nice that I didn't mind it out in my home," another parent said. But the Lalo is the priciest choice on our list, and an engineer in our Lab had some trouble building it. "You need to read directions really carefully, and it was hard for me to get all the pieces flush," he said. There's a YouTube instruction video that can help.

      The platform on this can be moved to either of two heights. Its sold only in the natural birch color.

      Footprint: 19" x 18.3" | Height: 33.4" | Ages: 18 months+ | Weight limit: 200 lbs | Item weight: ‎16.3 lbs | Foldable: No

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

      How we test learning towers

      a mom helps her child stir while he stands on a learning tower
      Courtesy of Tester

      To select our favorite learning towers, we had Good Housekeeping Institute Lab pros who are parents use them in their homes, interviewed parents who use them and tested some with a wider group of consumers as part of the review process for our annual Parenting Awards.

      We looked at top-rated brands and considered factors like ease of assembly, construction quality, stability and how simple it was to clean each unit. We also look at age grading, additional features and overall safety. As a final step, we read through online reviews to be sure our experience was in alignment with the majority of home users.

      What to look for when shopping for the best learning tower

      a toddler in a striped hoodie stands on the piccalio mini chef learning tower, part of a good housekeeping story on why a learning tower is worth it
      Courtesy of Tester

      ✔️ Adjustable height capabilities allow learning towers to grow with your child, plus lets multiple children of various heights use it.

      ✔️ Foldability makes for easy storage in smaller spaces. It's also a great feature for those who prefer a more minimalist kitchen.

      ✔️ Footprint matters when you live in an apartment or smaller home, but bigger models usually mean extra features like a chalkboard or accessories to keep your child engaged.

      ✔️ Steps are nice to have to help the child get in and reach the appropriate height. Any grips on the treads are a bonus to help prevent mishaps.

      ✔️ Sturdiness is a very important safety consideration, say our Lab pros. Wooden learning towers tend to be more stable than plastic ones.

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

      Is a learning tower worth it?

      a grown up in a striped sweater guides a child through baking while they child stands on a learning tower, part of a good housekeeping story on the best learning towers
      Courtesy of Tester

      "Inspired by the Montessori methods of teaching, a learning tower is designed to help kids learn and explore," Rothman said. They allow your child to step up and stand at tabletop height alongside you while under your close watch.

      "In a busy kitchen, a learning tower can help children safely access the work surfaces and feel more on the level with adults, which is good for confidence," said Amanda Gummer, the founder of The Good Toy Guide who also has a Ph.D. in neuropsychology. "I love that learning towers allow my kids to more carefully watch as my husband cooks," Rothman said. "We use them for science experiments and hand-washing too."

      What age are learning towers best for?

      a toddler stands on the piccalio learning tower, a montessori inspired booster for the kitchen, part of a good housekeeping story on the best learning towers and what ages they are best for
      Stefani Sassos

      Always adhere to a brand's age and weight specifications. Many have a starting age of 18 months or age 2. "Every child is different, and parents know best whether or not a learning tower is intellectually and physically developmentally appropriate for their child," said Rothman.

      "My biggest thing with these towers is that kids have to be the right age," agreed Sassos. "I tried to use one too soon with my daughter when she was a year old and we had an accident." So, don't rush it!

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

      Are learning towers safe?

      line break

      It bears repeating: Always watch your child when they're using a learning tower. We've found them to be generally sturdy and sound, but little kids can be unpredictable.

      "My daughter got so excited about her new learning tower that she climbed it wildly, all over, from every direction. She wanted to sit on the slender rim on top, she wanted to lean way out to one side and yank on it, she climbed up one side and down the other side. She did everything except enter carefully through the front," a tester told us. "I lowered the platform, which made it harder for her to climb. But it did fall over once while she exercised on her 'new playground.' After about a week, she knew how to use it correctly. And in retrospect, it was mighty sturdy to put up with all of her climbing."

      Though learning towers are designed to foster a sense of independence, they might also provide a false sense of security, Rothman said. They are not the equivalent of a highchair, which restricts movement with a belt. Also, your kid can try to push a tower over to something you don't want them to touch. So in other words, in order to raise your independent kid, you're going to have to watch them like a hawk and teach them the rules, over and over again.

      How to keep kids safe in a learning tower

      linebreak

      To maximize security when using a learning tower, Rothman recommended the following:

      • Regularly inspect the unit to make sure all parts are appropriately fastened and screwed tightly and that there are no splinters or visible damage. We don't blame parents for looking for used learning towers, but be extra careful you're not getting one with wear and tear.
      • Sign up for recall notifications of children's products.
      • Be mindful of what is near or within reach — knives, a hot pan, a breakable glass or anything you don't want them to touch.
      • Remember that parental supervision is essential. "We remind our children they can’t move the learning tower," said Rothman, "But they still try!" Learning towers are not designed for a child to use alone.
      • Follow all maximum weight and height specifications. Also, if you have a tall kid and their knee is above the frame of the tower, they could fall out and you should discontinue use and switch to a simple step stool.
      • Be careful when it comes to DIY. "In general, we recommend purchasing juvenile-specific products from reliable brands that do appropriate testing," said Rothman. The internet is full of DIY ideas and IKEA hacks for learning towers, but you'll be gambling with safety when you're making one yourself unless you're handy and knowledgeable about making children's furniture.
      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

      Why trust Good Housekeeping?

      linebreak

      Scientists, engineers and journalists work together at the Good Housekeeping Institute to provide expert reviews on all manner of consumer products, from coffee makers to family cars. The Institute has been testing products for more than 100 years and new product reviews go up nearly every day.

      Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., NASM-CPT, Nutrition Lab Director and a mother of two, reviewed this article. Sassos is currently using a learning tower at home with her preschooler.

      This list was most recently updated by Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn with expert advice from Rachel Rothman, former Chief Technologist and Head Engineer. Rothman used a learning tower with all three of her children. Hartshorn, a mother of two, has covered the juvenile product market for a couple of decades, serves as a judge for the Parenting Awards and Best Toys and writes guides including the best humidifiers for babies and best sippy cups. Additional writing and reporting is from Jamie Spain, former Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst.

      Headshot of Jessica Hartshorn
      Jessica Hartshorn
      Contributing Writer

      Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.

      Headshot of Jamie Spain

      Jamie (she/her) is the former parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has also worked a BuzzFeed and People. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.

      Headshot of Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT
      Medically reviewed byStefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT
      Nutrition & Fitness Lab Director

      Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition and Fitness Lab, where she oversees all nutrition and fitness-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University, as well as advanced certifications as a Women's Fitness Specialist and a Behavior Change Specialist. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.

      Watch Next 
      a boy in a beige sweater stands on a learning tower in the kitchen to help his mom who is in a white and green sweater and holding an orange
      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below