6 Best Learning Towers for Kids in the Kitchen
Give a child a boost so they can assist. We've got favorite small, large, and foldable choices.
Medically reviewed by Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPTNutrition & Fitness Lab Director
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With the trend toward all things Montessori (like Montessori toys for 1-year-olds), 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 participate in safe "assisting." A kid stays busy and close, and maybe picks up new skills and vocabulary.
"My boys, ages 2 and 4, love to help me stir, add ingredients, and taste-test," said a mom who owns two towers, one for each kid. Another said, "Our 23-month-old stands on one and we give her things for pretend-cooking."
The Good Housekeeping Institute interviewed parents and tested the top sellers on the market. Regardless of which tower you choose, always supervise your child on one of these. Initially, a tot might want to climb it, so you'll need to set ground rules and reinforce them. Also, never use a learning tower near the stove or within reach of sharp objects.
Best Deal
Pros
- Original model around for a few decades
- Solid construction
- Optional attachments sold separately
- Four adjustable heights
- Nice and tall—over 3 feet high
Cons
- Large footprint requires some space
- Not foldable
✔️ BEST FOR: Families with a large kitchen do best with this sturdy original learning tower, around since the '90s when a Montessori-trained educator and mom designed it with her daughter in mind—and likely coined the term "learning tower."
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: 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. The brand has tested it to hold an adult up to 500 pounds.
Since the footprint is large, be sure you have the space to accommodate it. There's also a small-space, foldable version for ages 2 to 6. The Learning Tower comes in red, white, dark brown, natural wood finish, and olive (shown).
✔️ TESTING NOTES: We gave it an early Good Housekeeping Parenting Award for its straightforward assembly and solid construction.
"I like that you can attach other Montessori-inspired functional learning objects like the Climbing Ladder and that it has an adjustable height," said Rachel Rothman, former chief technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a mom of three.
RELATED: The Best High Chairs
Features at a Glance
| Ages | 18 months+ |
| Footprint | 23" x 33" |
| Height | 38" |
| Weight limit | 500 lbs |
| Item weight | 28 lbs |
| Foldable | No |
Pros
- Under $100
- Lightweight
- Small footprint could be good for narrow spaces
- Relatively easy to put together
Cons
- For 1- and 2-year-olds only
- Can be a bit wobbly
✔️ BEST FOR: Parents of a 1- or 2-year-old looking to spend under $100 on a learning tower.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: This lightweight tower fits 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, it offers good value to parents with a young tot.
It comes in natural, black, gray, dark brown, and white (shown).
✔️ TESTING NOTES: This 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.
| Ages | 18 to 36 months |
| Footprint | 18" x 18" |
| Height | 34.8" |
| Weight limit | 150 lbs |
| Item weight | 14.5 lbs |
| Foldable | No |
Pros
- Easily wipes clean
- Folds compactly and can be stashed away
- No assembly required
Cons
- Not for anyone heavier than 50 lbs
✔️ BEST FOR: Families (or grandparents) who might hope to store this learning tower between uses.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: 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, making it easy to store out of the way when not in use.
Unfolded, the footprint is 22 inches by 23 inches, so be sure your kitchen can accommodate 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!
✔️ TESTING NOTES: "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."
Bonus: There's no assembly required for this learning tower; it's ready to go out of the box. You can get it in gray or white (pictured).
| Ages | 18 months to 4 years |
| Footprint | 22" x 23" |
| Height | 35" |
| Weight limit | 50 lbs |
| Item weight | 21.6 lbs |
| Foldable | Yes |
Pros
- Converts from a tower to a table and chair
- Dual usage gives you more for your money
- Smallest footprint on our list at only 16" x 16"
Cons
- Doesn't fold. The brand has a foldable tower, but it does not convert.
✔️ BEST FOR: Getting two uses out of your purchase. This can quickly convert from a learning tower to a table, then back again.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: Piccalio's Helper is hinged in the middle and can quickly convert to a table with a seat that a toddler can use for drawing or Kindergarten homework.
The platform is set at 18 inches off the ground, but you can adjust the step your child uses to climb up to any of three different heights. It comes with a free mini cutter, a $19 value. Use it to teach your 2-year-old how to cut their own banana slices.
This tower is sold in white, black, light green, and natural (pictured).
✔️ TESTING NOTES: "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.
The dual usage is especially great for families in small spaces. Also great: This has the smallest footprint on our list, just 16 inches by 16 inches.
However, if having a tower that folds flat is more important than having one that converts, there's a Mini Chef Foldable Helper Tower as well. It's a little more expensive, but it gets many positive reviews online and serves the same age range, has the same weight limit, and comes in the same cute colors.
| Ages | 18 months to 6 years |
| Footprint | 16" x 16" |
| Height | 36" |
| Weight limit | 175 lbs |
| Item weight | 15.7 lbs |
| Foldable | No |
The Convertible Helper Tower in its table-and-chair mode.
Guidecraft Classic Kitchen Helper
Pros
- Tall sides provide extra security
- 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
✔️ BEST FOR: Providing tall sides around your child for extra security.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: Guidecraft's Kitchen Helper is both a wooden structure and it can fold, accordion-style. 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).
✔️ TESTING NOTES: 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.
| Ages | 2 to 5 years |
| Footprint | 23" x 23" |
| Height | 36" |
| Weight limit | 125 lbs |
| Item weight | 24.8 lbs |
| Foldable | Yes |
Lalo The Tower
Pros
- Sleek, minimalist design
- Sturdy and holds up to 200 lbs
- Can be set to two different heights
Cons
- Assembly can be difficult
✔️ BEST FOR: Parents looking for something unobtrusive.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: Lalo is a popular new brand that sells wood-based high chairs, toys, and more. The platform on The Tower can be moved to either of two heights, and is sold only in the natural birch color.
✔️ TESTING NOTES: 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 instructional video that can help.
| Ages | 18 months+ |
| Footprint | 19" x 18.3" |
| Height | 33.4" |
| Weight limit | 200 lbs |
| Item weight | 16.3 lbs |
| Foldable | No |
How we chose the best learning towers
To select 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 noted age grading, additional features, and overall safety. As a final step, we read through online reviews to ensure our experience aligned with the majority of home users.
What to look for when shopping for the best learning tower
✔️ Material is usually the choice between wood and plastic. Wood is heavier and therefore generally sturdier. Plastic is lighter (easy to move around, but not necessarily as sturdy) and easier to clean.
✔️ Foldability makes for easy storage in smaller spaces.
✔️ Adjustable height capabilities allow learning towers to grow with your child.
✔️ Footprint matters when you have a small kitchen.
✔️ Steps are nice to have to help the child get in. Any grips on the treads are a bonus to help prevent mishaps.
Is a learning tower worth it?
"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?
Adhere to a brand's age and weight specifications. Those on our list have a starting age of either 18 months or 2 years old. "Every child is different, and parents know best whether a learning tower is intellectually and physically developmentally appropriate for their child," said Rothman.
"My biggest concern with these towers is that kids have to be the right age," said 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!
Are learning towers safe?
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. 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.
Bottom line: To raise your independent kid, you'll need to watch them like a hawk and constantly teach them the rules.
How to keep kids safe in a learning tower
To maximize security when using a learning tower, Rothman recommended the following:
- Regularly inspect the unit to ensure all parts are securely fastened and screwed, and that there are no splinters or visible damage. We don't blame parents for looking for used learning towers, but be extra careful to avoid ones 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!"
- 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. Still, you'll be gambling with safety when you're making one yourself unless you're handy and knowledgeable about making children's furniture.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Scientists, engineers, and journalists work together at the Good Housekeeping Institute to provide expert reviews on all manner of consumer products, including must-haves for parents of toddlers, like the best travel strollers.
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, a mother of two grown kids who has covered the juvenile product market for a couple of decades. Along with Sassos, Hartshorn serves as a judge for the Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards. Additional writing and reporting is from Jamie Spain, former Parenting and Pets reviews analyst.
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.
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.
