When it comes to helping your toddler gain independence and safely participate in daily activities, a learning tower is an invaluable tool. Designed to bring your little one up to counter height, learning towers allow them to engage in cooking, cleaning, and other tasks with ease and safety.
But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the 8 best learning towers, all highly recommended by our Grapeviner community of mums, to help you make an informed decision.
What is a Learning Tower?
A learning tower is a sturdy, elevated platform designed to give toddlers a safe and secure way to reach counter height. Unlike a regular stool or chair, a learning tower provides guardrails to prevent falls, ensuring that your child can focus on the task at hand – whether it’s helping to stir a bowl of batter, washing vegetables, or simply observing.
Learning towers are not only about safety; they encourage independence and active participation in daily routines, making them a popular choice among parents.
Key Features to Consider
When shopping for a learning tower, there are several key features to keep in mind:
Safety: The most important feature is stability. Look for a learning tower with a wide base and sturdy construction to prevent tipping. Guardrails and anti-slip platforms add extra layers of safety.
Adjustability: Children grow quickly, so a learning tower with adjustable height settings ensures that it can be used for years to come.
Portability: Consider whether you need a tower that folds for easy storage or is lightweight enough to move around the house.
Design: The aesthetic of the learning tower may be important if you want it to blend seamlessly with your home decor.
Price Range: Learning towers come in a wide range of prices, so it’s essential to find one that fits your budget while meeting your needs.
Don’t just limit their use to the kitchen, learning towers are just as handy in the bathroom, setting up Christmas trees, dining table, and playing cubbies.
OUR PICK OF THE CROP
8 Best Learning Towers for Toddlers
To help you find a super sturdy and safe kitchen helper, we consulted our huge Grapeviner community of Australian mums and listed their most popular choices below. Read what the other mums had to say in the Facebook post!
In no particular order, here is a range of learning towers worth considering.
My Happy Helpers
My Happy Helpers Bi-Fold ($239)
Able to be stored away, My Happy Helpers Bi-Folds have three adjustable height settings, 2-sided tower safety locks, soft closing hinges and protective edging. Suitable from 12 months of age they arrive fully assembled ready to use straight out of the box. Neet!
One happy customer left the review “My son loves it. Tonight he helped wash dishes and every night since receiving it he excitedly brushes his teeth of the evening. Best purchase I’ve made, only regret it not buying one sooner! So easy to set up, fold down and store away”
Hubby Made
Hubby Made Toddler Chef Stool (from $109)
Made in Australia by Hubby Made, these Toddler Chef Stools are strong and adjustable. They can be set to four different heights and hold up to 80kg. You can choose from stools made of MDF, bamboo, or plywood, and they even come in single, tandem (two connected), and twin sets
A reviewer wrote “Absolutely fabulous! The tower is the best thing we have ever bought for our daughter.
She loves it. The quality is great, and the service was great. Definitely recommend.”
Little Nation
Little Nation Oscar Kitchen Tower ($129.95)
Simple to assemble and fitted with a safety bar, the Little Nation Oscar boasts a solid frame made of pure New Zealand pine and a two-level design with wide platforms. The clean lines are just our style, and it didn’t clutter up our small kitchen.
One reviewer said, “Brilliant product, my son absolutely loves this and so do I. We use it every day. Also very stylish and excellent quality. ”
My Duckling
My Duckling LOLA Adjustable Kids Tower (from $185)
Made from 100% solid rubber wood, My Duckling LOLA adjustable tower features two built-in platform heights, perfect for when my little one grows. The magnetic drawing board was a real lifesaver, keeping her entertained for hours while I cooked.
“Bought this for my little one for first birthday. It is amazing! Love the fact that I can adjust the height and it has added support to the back compared to other ones on the market.” said one happy mum online.
Moppet Kids
Moppet Kids Folding Learning Tower ($347)
It’s not just a space-saver that helps our little one explore and learn in the kitchen, but it’s also sturdy enough for the whole crew. We love that it can hold up to 120kgs, so even Mom, Dad, and older siblings can use it without the safety bar.
One mum left the review “We have used our tower every day since it arrived. Sturdy and easy to clean. Best of all I can open it one-handed with a toddler on my hip.” Breanna
Little Big Learning
Little Big Learning Slimline Towers (from $199)
Made in Australia, Little Big Learning slimline towers feature two height adjustments and a removable chalkboard that doubles as a safety backing panel as recommended for a child under two. And the conversion kit takes the single to a double (sold separately).
All 4 Kids
All 4 Kids Scarlett Learning Tower (from $249.95)
Supporting little ones in their venture for new knowledge and life skills, the All 4 Kids ensures they’re safe while doing so. We love the add-on of the step stool that serves as a puzzle piece at the bottom of the tower making it extra storage friendly.
Toypark
Toypark Folding Learning Tower ($199)
Combining functionality, safety, and convenience, the Toypark Folding Tower is a great way to enhance your little one’s development in a fun and engaging way. Built with high-quality materials to ensure durability and stability, we were impressed with the foldable design.
Helpful tips for buying a Kitchen Helper:
- How long until your child’s weight range exceeds it’s capacity?
- Where will you store it when not in use?
- Can it take two children comfortably?
- Does it have a board or rail at the back for safety?
- Does it come with cool accessories?
- Is it light enough so the kids can push it around the house?
- Or is it heavy enough that the kids CAN’T push it around the house?
Is a Learning Tower worth it?
Thinking of getting one for your toddler? We asked the huge Mum’s Grapevine Facebook community how often they use their kitchen helper tower and this is what they said …
“100x a day haha we got a My Little Helper because it can change heights. Love love love it” said Amanda
“Mate- get one! Any type! We use it alllll day. I got ours from the local carpenter and it converts into a table and seat” said Hannah
“My bub is 15 months, LOVE it, uses it every day throughout the day” said Esther
“Use it all day. Our little one loves helping in the kitchen. Eating while standing in it. Ours also turns into a table & chair” said Bec
“Same as everyone else. We use ours multiple multiple multiple times a day. He eats at it, we bake and cook dinner at it, we FaceTime family at it, oftentimes he just stands at it to talk to me while I’m having coffee at the bench so we just kind of hang out at it. One of our most used purchases” said Jessica
“Honestly one of the best things we bought for him. Bought it at 16 months old and he’s just turned 3 and uses it every day” said Megan
Learning towers are an excellent investment in your child’s development, providing a safe and engaging way for them to participate in daily activities. Whether you’re looking for something compact and foldable or a durable, long-term option, the 8 learning towers we’ve highlighted offer a range of features and price points to suit every family’s needs.
Read next …
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- Nature play: 10 reasons kids should play outside (+30 ideas!)
Ask other mums
Looking for a kitchen helper and still not sure if any of these are right for you? Join the huge Grapeviner community in one of our private Grapeviner Baby Groups and ask thousands of other mums with toddlers the same age as yours which ones they recommend. Join today!
We want you to know
At Mum’s Grapevine, we’re a team of passionate mums with over 15 years of experience researching and writing about all things baby and parenting. Our reviews of recommended products, like the ones in this post, may include paid inclusions, but we promise to only feature products that we truly believe in and have used or seen ourselves. We want to ensure that our readers have access to the latest and greatest products in the parenting world, and we’re committed to maintaining our high standards of quality and honesty. See our Disclosure Policy.
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