The Best Toddler Towers for Your Littlest Learners to Step Things Up a Notch

Elevate your toddler’s learning with a safe, stable kitchen helper stool.

Toddler towers are enclosed, elevated structures that allow children to play safely at counter height while reducing the risks of falls. Widely used in Montessori education, these structures promote independent learning and encourage the development of practical life skills . By bringing toddlers up to your level and providing access to areas that are otherwise off-limits, towers help kids feel included and get them out from under your feet.

“Learning towers open up this world of textures, smells, sounds, and tastes in a controlled way,” says Robin Haines , an educator and member of the American Montessori Society. “They allow kids to get ‘hands-on’ with food prep and self-care activities like washing hands. This not only teaches practical skills but also fosters a sense of capability that's fundamental to healthy emotional development.”

These structures are often called “learning towers,” but the brand Little Partners has trademarked this term. We use “learning tower” and “toddler tower” interchangeably. To help you find the best toddler tower for your family’s needs, we tested several popular designs at home. We assessed each model based on safety, adjustability, durability, ease of use, functionality, and value. Here are our eight top picks in a range of categories.

Best Overall: dadada Toddler Tower

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Why We Like It

With an adjustable step and platform that can be set up to 20 inches high, this toddler tower was just the thing for a young toddler to “help out” in the kitchen. The sturdy design and materials gave us the confidence to allow a small toddler to join adults at counter height. And our 18-month-old was always excited to climb inside to be part of the meal prep.

The wooden construction held up perfectly through a month of testing. We loved that the smooth surfaces were easily wiped clean and that it comes in a range of color options. Though we mostly used it in the kitchen, it’s lightweight enough to move around the house, so we can see it being useful for tooth brushing and other activities for years to come.

What Parents Say

“She loved being closer to our level, part of the action, and enjoying her snacks on the kitchen island. This was also the first time she was really able to see us cooking and she loved it.” – Nicole, mother of an 18-month-old

But Take Note

Though there is a back bar to prevent falls, if a child slipped, there is a chance the bar would not prevent them from falling out of the tower. Also, changing the height involves disassembling the tower and it's not foldable or easily stashed away.

The Details:

• Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 36 inches
• Weight: 14.3 pounds
• Weight and height limits: 100 pounds
• Folding and adjusting features: Three adjustable step and platform heights

Easiest to Adjust: Little Partners Learning Tower

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Why We Like It

Sturdy, stable, and incredibly safe, this toddler tower is super easy to adjust to get the perfect height for your toddler to join you at the counter or table. The wide base features stabilizer arms at floor level, and we loved that there are non-slip stickers on the arms to help prevent falls. The rock-solid construction won’t be failing anytime soon.

Our little tester was happy just to be in the tower and be part of whatever we were doing in the kitchen. We used the tower for arts and crafts like painting, and to help with cooking and baking. This resulted in less frustration , and fewer demands to be picked up—benefits that every parent or carer will understand.

What Parents Say

“My son was incredibly engaged when using this. It helped involve him in daily tasks and alleviated a lot of frustration at not being a part of our activities, but also served as a great tool for crafts.” – Ciara, mother of an 18-month-old

But Take Note

This tower took around an hour and a half to assemble, albeit with toddler interruptions. It’s also large and heavy, so not ideal for smaller homes. We had to replace one of the pre-assembled pieces due to a manufacturing error.

The Details:

• Dimensions: 38.07 x 23.18 x 33.14 inches
• Weight: Not listed
• Weight and height limits: Ages 2–6 years, up to 250 pounds
• Folding and adjusting features: Four adjustable platform heights
  

Best Foldable: Boon Pivot Toddler Tower Folding Step Stool

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Why We Like It

This toddler tower provided a stable platform for a very active 3-year-old to play safely at counter height. At 21.6 pounds, it’s heavy enough to stay firmly in place, and the bottom pads help with slip resistance. The hefty construction and quality materials make us confident that it will hold up for many years. And we loved that it folds flat when it’s not in use.

The simple assembly and intuitive foldability required very little effort, and the surfaces were easily wiped down (even spills left unnoticed for several days). Children loved the ease of entry and exit —allowing them to come and go (again and again and again) to their hearts’ content.

What Parents Say

“I love this learning tower because it's easy to get in and out of quickly so he can run to the other room to give Dad an update or wander back to keep helping out.” – Katie, mother of a 3-year-old

But Take Note

This tower comes in at well above median price, but we feel it’s worth it. It’s also open at the sides, so is not ideal for smaller or less mobile toddlers. And its height is not adjustable.

The Details:

• Dimensions: 34.7 X 22.75 x 21.7 inches
• Weight: 21.6 pounds
• Weight and height limits: 50 pounds
• Folding and adjusting features: Collapsible design
  

Best Convertible: piccalio Mini Chef Convertible Helper Tower

Buy at Littlewonderandco.com

Buy at Piccalio.com

Why We Like It

Impeccably crafted from sustainably sourced Forest Stewardship Council-certified timber, this convertible learning tower added a whole new dimension to kitchen water play. Beautifully packaged, the pieces were easy to assemble in around half an hour. And when you’re not using it as a tower, it doubles as a toddler table , so it’s never left gathering dust.

Our toddler was secure and safe, enjoying some newfound independence, whether at the sink, coloring, or playing with Play-Doh. Though we found it a little wobbly at first, its side wing base stabilizers helped, as did placing it against an upright surface. Our toddler loved the wooden practice knife included. And we loved how the minimalist aesthetic complemented our kitchen.

What Parents Say

“If it was up to him, he'd be in this learning tower the whole day, especially when the learning tower was parked right next to the kitchen sink.” – Stella, mother of a 2-year-old

But Take Note

The entrance to the tower is narrow, so bigger kids may struggle to climb in and out. The step is slippery in socks, so best suited to barefoot play or grippy slippers/socks. And though the step height is adjustable, the platform isn’t.

The Details:

• Dimensions: 36 x 16 x 16 inches
• Weight: 15.7 pounds
• Weight and height limits: 18 months to 6 years, or up to 175 pounds
• Folding and adjusting features: Converts from tower to table

Best for Kitchen Helpers: Sprout Kids Sous Chef Toddler Tower

Buy at Sprout-kids.com

Why We Like It

Set up at the kitchen island or table, this tower kept our 21-month-old toddler safe and out from under our feet, which was especially helpful during meal prep. We loved the compact, sturdy design , and that the materials are also lightweight so we could move the tower around as necessary. And its small footprint makes it easy to stash away when we’re not using it

Our toddler loved that he could climb in and out on his own . The ability to come and go independently allows toddlers to decide when to join caregivers in the kitchen. Whether eating snacks, playing with toys or Play-Doh, or coloring, our toddler loves being elevated to counter height in the kitchen, and we can see him enjoying this tower for a long time.

What Parents Say

“When he gets home from daycare and we are fixing dinner, he will crawl up there and wait for us to bring him an activity or just hang out closer to our level. He loves it!” – Alicia, mother of a 21-month-old

But Take Note

We removed the dowel mechanism from the top to allow our toddler to easily climb in and out, slightly decreasing the tower’s stability. The steps are narrow. And though the platform is adjustable, you need to partially disassemble the tower to do so.

The Details:

• Dimensions: 34.5 x 17.5 x 17.5 inches (at base)
• Weight: 20 pounds
• Weight and height limits: 150 pounds
• Folding and adjusting features: Three adjustable platform heights

Best That Grows With Your Child: Little Partners Explore ‘N Store Learning Tower

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Why We Like It

With four height settings, this solid timber toddler tower allows for plenty of adjustment as toddlers grow. The fold-up/down step means you can store the tower under the countertop in a slightly smaller format. The extra-wide base, stabilizers, and anti-slip footprint stickers offer additional peace of mind that your toddler is safe from slips and falls.

As soon as we assembled the tower, which took around half an hour, our toddler was in it with no assistance required. Climbing out, however, proved more challenging, with the narrow step posing some problems for our 15-month-old. We used the tower for hand washing, helping with cooking, baking, and cleaning up.

What Parents Say

“My son LOVES the learning tower. As soon as we start to move it out of the pantry where we store it, he is there ready to climb on.” – Michelle, mother of a 15-month-old

But Take Note

We found the “space-saving design” didn’t live up to its claim. With the step folded up, there is a potential pinching hazard for small fingers. Our toddler managed to shimmy inside the tower while in the stowed position, resulting in a fall, so it's best to store it out of sight when not in use.

The Details:

• Dimensions: 33.50 x 22.28 x 19.56 inches at base
• Weight: Not listed
• Weight and height limits: 2–6 years, up to 250 pounds
• Folding and adjusting features: Four adjustable platform heights

Best Chair Attachment: Cybex Lemo Learning Tower

Buy at Albeebaby.com

Buy at Bloomingdales.com

Why We Like It

This product is not an independent learning tower, but an add-on that attaches to the Cybex Lemo High Chair , which must be purchased separately. We loved the stability of the tower/chair. Though probably not recommended, we even allowed twins to stand in it together—to save them from fighting over who gets to use it.

Having been told that we should involve our toddlers more in the mealtime preparation process, we set this tower at the kitchen counter. The kids loved using it for washing hands (this was a big one!) engaging in meal prep, coloring, snacking, and simply interacting with parents in the kitchen. If you’ve already got a Lemo High Chair, this is a convenient add-on to keep kids safe and happy at eye-level so you can be hands-free.

What Parents Say

“My kids loved the tower. I think it gave them a huge sense of independence and a fresh new vantage point! They could be eye level and interact with us in the kitchen.” – Margo, mother of 22-month-old twins

But Take Note

The tower is bulky and has only one height setting and a far lower maximum weight limit than other towers we tested. Its anti-slip silicone mats caused more of a hazard because they wouldn’t stay in place. The narrow bottom step makes it very difficult for young toddlers to exit the tower, which caused frustration.

The Details:

• Dimensions: 34.5 x 14 x 18 inches (while attached to chair)
• Weight: 19.6 pounds
• Weight and height limits: 1–4 years, up to 55 pounds
• Folding and adjusting features: This clips onto the Lemo Chair (sold separately)

Best Plastic: Step2 Mobile Helper

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Why We Like It

Stable and durable, this tower was super easy for our little tester to climb in and out of , allowing them to get involved with the breakfast prep—a functional and fun addition to the morning routine. The heavy-duty plastic materials held up perfectly through testing, and we have complete confidence that little ones are safe when inside.

We loved that the tower enabled our child to be a part of the cooking process, which has proven a better distraction than TV. Our toddler loved making smoothies, whisking eggs, and snacking on fruit while we did chores around the kitchen. Though the aesthetics won’t appeal to some families, if you’re after a sturdy option for under $100, this is our best-value pick.

What Parents Say

“My favorite thing about the learning tower was being able to involve my son in our morning routine and to have him in the kitchen with me making breakfast!” – Ariel, mother of a two-year-old

But Take Note

At 21 pounds, this tower is bulky and not super easy to move around the house. Assembly requires drilling holes, so requires a power drill and a little know-how to complete.

The Details:

• Dimensions: 34.5 x 18.5 x 22.5 inches
• Weight: 21 pounds
• Weight and height limits: 1.5+ years
• Folding and adjusting features: Three adjustable platform heights

Our Testing Process

To pick the best toddler towers, we tested nine models at home for one month, with our testers incorporating each tower into their child’s everyday routine. Each learning tower was assessed on the following attributes:

• Safety: We took note of the overall stability of each tower on flat ground, and asked our toddlers (where possible) how safe they felt while playing on them. We also evaluated how well we could supervise toddlers at play, whether there were pinch points, entrapment hazards, or other concerns, and whether each tower had additional safety features like wide stabilizer feet or non-slip stickers.
• Adjustability: Where height adjustability was an option, we tried different heights to assess the ease of adjusting, and whether these models were capable of accommodating children of different heights.
• Durability: After a month of use, we evaluated how well the materials held up, and checked for signs of wear and tear. During testing, we also noted ease of cleaning, necessary maintenance, and whether there was any reduction in stability through time.
• Ease of use: We evaluated ease of assembly and whether children could enter/exit each tower easily, with or without assistance. We also assessed how well it fit in our spaces, how easy it was to store when not in use, and how easy it was to move around the house.
• Functionality: Watching our children use each tower, we took note of their level of engagement and overall enjoyment of the activities (meal prep, hand-washing, coloring, etc) we could facilitate at the counter. We took note of any developmental leaps that occurred through testing and whether the towers allowed caregivers to carry out everyday tasks more easily.
• Value: At the end of testing, we asked testers to determine whether they thought the tower represented a good value, given the product’s price and overall quality. We asked if they’d be happy paying full price and if they’d recommend the tower to friends or family.

Our Experts

To find out more about the benefits of toddler towers, what to look for when shopping for one, and what safety considerations to keep in mind, we spoke to the following professionals:

• Nychelle (Nikki) Fleming , toy safety expert and spokesperson for the Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Robin Haines, educator and member of the American Montessori Society and the Association Montessori Internationale

Factors to Consider When Buying a Toddler Tower

• Safety: Learning towers should be made from solid materials and have a wide, sturdy base. Look for safety features like rails, locking mechanisms, and wide steps toddlers can negotiate easily.
• Design: Toddler towers can be bulky, so consider your space and aesthetics. For small spaces, look for foldable options you can store when not in use, or towers with smaller footprints. If chunky plastic doesn’t fit your decor, there are plenty of minimalist timber designs that blend into modern spaces.
• Durability and Versatility: All the toddler towers we tested stood up to regular use in a range of settings: from kitchen counters and sinks to dining tables. With indoor use and regular maintenance (screw tightening, wipe downs, etc) you can expect a well-made toddler tower to last several years. Towers with adjustable platforms can be adapted to fit your child as they grow.
• Price: Toddler towers range in price from $100 to over $200. After testing several models, we can say with confidence that $100–$200 represents great value for an item you can use for several years with multiple children.

How to Use Toddler Towers Safely

Before purchasing a toddler tower, Fleming recommends considering the following factors:

1. The product should be stable and resist tipping over.
2. The guardrails should reach or exceed the height of the child’s naval during use.
3. There should not be openings that may entrap a child's head, neck, or body (this poses a risk of asphyxiation).
4. There should not be any folding mechanisms in the toddler tower that could accidentally pinch or cut a child during use.
5. Select a tower from a reputable brand with good product reviews.

Once your toddler tower is set up in your home, follow these safety guidelines:

1. Never let your child use the tower without supervision.
2. Read and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.
3. Assist your child as they learn to enter/exit the tower to help them gain confidence.
4. Pack your tower away when not in use.
5. Stay within arms’ reach of your toddler at all times. That way, if they happen to tip the tower over or slip, you have a much better chance of avoiding injury.
6. Ensure all sharp items and breakables are out of reach.
7. Conduct routine maintenance checks (e.g. screw tightness and structurally impactful wear and tear) to help to reduce the risk of hardware failure.

Toddler Tower Activity Ideas

Our little testers used their toddler towers for arts and crafts, water play, hand washing, and a whole lot of “helping” in the kitchen. By incorporating a toddler tower into your daily routine, you’re helping your toddler develop important skills. Haines says to remember that promoting independence means messes and spills, and for tasks to take way longer than usual.

Here are some ideas for tower play:

• Kitchen helper: Get your toddler to help with mixing, washing vegetables, chopping (with child-safe knives), plating food, and cleaning up.
• Bathroom activities: Promote good hygiene by using your tower for hand washing and hair and teeth brushing.
• Arts and crafts: Set up craft activities to keep your toddler occupied and within arm’s reach at the kitchen counter or dining table.
• Water play: Fill the sink, then set your toddler up with some toys or kitchen tools to splash with.
• Play-Doh, puzzles, and books: Kids love to hang with adults at their level, so activities like puzzles, tactile play, and reading help your toddler play independently (which can help you achieve something independently!).
• Outdoor play: Get your kids hands-on and help with some potting, garden activities, or outdoor water play.

Who We Are

Samson McDougall is a journalist, copywriter, editor, and biology graduate. His work encompasses everything from web copy for science museums, to sexual health articles for universities, info sheets for pharmaceuticals, to brand messaging for wearable touch therapy created by neuroscientists. Samson is also a father of two.

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