I first read about learning towers on a blog long before I had Charlie or Olive. The mom of two said that it was the best thing she ever purchased for her kids because it enabled them to help in the kitchen safely, and it kept them occupied while she prepared meals. I filed that in the back of my mind for when I had kids of my own one day.
Charlie is now 27 months old, and I’ve been thinking about getting him a learning tower for some time. He constantly asks us to pick him up when he’s in the kitchen, since there’s always a lot going on in there. But I always keep him out of the kitchen when I’m using the stove because I’m afraid he’s going to get hurt. Charlie loves “helping” us with household chores like the laundry and dishes, and a learning tower would allow him to participate safely!
2) Little Helper Funpod from Luca and Company ($164 – $190) – Available in white, red, natural or black, the Funpod has 5 adjustable heights and is designed for kids ages 1-5. What I like about the Funpod is that kids can’t get out of it themselves, so it keeps younger ones away from the stove.
3) Learning Tower from Little Partners ($200) – Available in 9 different colors, the Learning Tower is designed for children 18 months and up. It has 4 adjustable heights, a sturdy construction that can hold up to 500 pounds, and is probably the most popular learning tower available.
4) DIY Learning Tower from Ana White – The fabulous Ana White has a fantastic tutorial for building your own learning tower!
5) Kitchen Helper from Guidecraft ($127.88) – This learning tower is the most affordable one on our guide. It folds up, has three adjustable heights, is designed for kids 3+, and has a maximum weight of 125 pounds. The only reason I prefer the one from One Step Ahead is that it looks sturdier and has better reviews.
Would you consider getting a learning tower for your child?
Gear Guides part 12 of 14
1. Best Stylish High Chairs by Guides2. Sleep Sacks by Guides
3. Best Baby Slings by Guides
4. Mrs. Bee's Favorite Cleaning Products by Guides
5. Best Potties by Guides
6. Best Soft Structured Carriers by Guides
7. Best Swaddle Blankets by Guides
8. Potty Training Accessories by Guides
9. Best Teethers by Guides
10. Sleep Training Books by Guides
11. Best Baby Bathtubs by Guides
12. Learning Towers by Guides
13. Bibs for Every Occasion by Guides
14. Best Hand Creams by Guides
pear / 1787 posts
I’ve never heard of these–they’re cute. Couldn’t you just use a step-stool, though? Or are these supposed to be more stable?
GOLD / grape / 82 posts
My brother has one for his 18 mo. old. They LOVE it!
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@DigAPony: yah these are more stable and ensure they don’t fall off since they’re enclosed.
pear / 1787 posts
@Mrs. Bee: Ah, I see. Plus they’re adorable.
grapefruit / 4400 posts
They are cute and I would think about getting one if I had more money… although I think a stepstool will work just fine for me.
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts
I dunno, good idea, but they look so obnoxious. My $5 step stool from Ikea seems good enough!
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
Hmmm, never heard of these before either. Pretty cool! Does Ikea make one?
admin / wonderful grape / 20724 posts
@Andrea: Not sure what you mean by obnoxious?
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts
@mrbee: i am just trying to picture this big thing in my kitchen? or maybe it is not actually that big?
ETA – “obnoxious” as in not aesthetically pleasing.
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
I saw this on amazon! Will totally be getting one for my LO when she gets older
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
Wow. Totally had no idea these even existed.
guest
I’ve never really understood spending $150+ on a glorified stool. I even know some families who have one for each child! From probably 18 months on my daughter was totally stable and happy pulling up a chair, and now her Ikea stool to “work” in the kitchen. Plus those are easier to move out of the way when it isn’t needed.
honeydew / 7504 posts
Pretty brilliant! Not sure I’d spend the money for it, but I bet my FIL could make one for us! Sounds like a good project for Pop!
admin / wonderful grape / 20724 posts
@Andrea: Got it. I wasn’t familiar with that usage.
Towers aren’t for everyone. I like that they are stable. Charlie had a fall off of a step stool once, and so I can’t recommend those for young toddlers. Stools definitely work for older kids just fine though.
@eiko2010: This would make for a wonderful DIY project!
honeydew / 7968 posts
Love it!
pomelo / 5866 posts
this is so cool! I never knew about these before!
I keep thinking about getting something for her washing her hands and brushing teeth so this would be great! I got a $5 stepstool but it is not secure and not high enough. Plus it would be great for kitchen training….I mean, playing. I love Hellobee!
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
@DigAPony: We were using a step stool and Little Jacks had a BAD accident the other day (we thought we might need to take her to the ER). She’s doing better now, but she still has a huge bruise on her forehead. I was kicking myself for not using something more stable
persimmon / 1255 posts
I plan to put this on my husbands “summer project” list, heehee. The adjustable height feature on the Little Partners one is a nice addition. Will have to mention it to hubby.
pear / 1787 posts
@Mrs. Jacks: Yeah, I can picture a stool kind of sliding out from under a little one. Scary!
P.S.–I have loved your posts ever since Weddingbee and I’m so glad you’re blogging here!
cherry / 128 posts
We had a family friend do a DIY version of it. My son loves it, I feel better that I know he can’t accidentally fall off of it.
Alternatively, if you want them to “help” with kitchen prep you could always use a kid’s table or do the prep on the dining table, but it can be handy to have in the kitchen just so that they feel like they’re part of the action. I like ours even though our kitchen isn’t very big.
Oh, and I’ve seen the learning tower on Craigslist every so often.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I think some even convert into art stations somehow, so they’re not single use.
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
@DigAPony: Thanks! I appreciate that
Worse than sliding out, she took a diving header that resulted in her falling like a lawn dart head first and then creating a neck injury that could have possibly injured her spinal cord. We were very very lucky, tough I am sad her head still hurts almost a week later 
GOLD / pomelo / 5167 posts
Okay, I’ve never heard of this either, but I can see how awesome they can be. I dont love how much space they take though. Wonder if they fold up and store away easily.
squash / 13199 posts
I’m undecided about these…
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@blushink: #1 and #5 fold up and store easily. it’s really all about the safety aspect for us. i’ve used a stool or a chair and let charlie stand on them, but they are not sturdy at all and he could easily have a bad fall. when he’s safe in the learning tower playing at the sink or counter, i don’t have to worry about watching him closely and i can use the stove. i don’t let him in the kitchen when i’m using the stove because i’m afraid he’s going to grab a hot pot or pan!
guest
I have been a nanny for several families and I always recommend getting one of these when space allows! They are way sturdier than a chair or step stool, the adjustable height means that they are at the right height for the task at hand. For a toddler this doesn’t mean much but a four year old could roll out dough if they are at the right height and a chair usually puts them too high.
The other plus is even without the add on kits that some have, you can turn it into a puppet theater, rocket ship etc with a little imagination. Often we have it as the only “toy” in the kitchen so they can play nearby while dinner is cooking. Climbing in and out brings a lot of joy during those days where it is too cold for the park too!
guest
I often bring the cooking ingredients down to the ground to let my little on help with the stirring, because I want him to be involved. When we have more space, I am definitely getting one of these.
coffee bean / 27 posts
I can totally see how these would be helpful while working in the kitchen!
grape / 75 posts
I have the One Step Ahead tower (#1) in white and it’s been great! My hubby ordered this for us at Christmas and it was backordered until February so our lil man was about 15 months old when we started using it.
It isn’t quite as nice as I imagined it would be, but gets the job done. I keep it folded up most of the time and unfold it for use. I wish it folded a little more compactly, but I think once we move the platform down to a lower setting (it’s currently on the highest) it will fold up a little better.
We also don’t use the screw that keeps the platform part secured down (since I fold it up daily) and when he is out of the tower he often bangs that part open and closed. You might watch that if you are concerned with little fingers getting smashed.
Overall though I really like it and I am super glad we purchased it. Let me know if you have any specific questions!
cherry / 190 posts
#4 also folds up. Plus you can guarantee it’s solid construction and chemical free if you do it yourself. I looooove Ana White. I plan on building one for Charlie when she’s a bit bigger. The customization is also awesome. I know not everybody has the tools to build, but you can commission a local builder to make one for a great price if you don’t have a friend or relative who builds. And re-sell it once you’re through with it!