If your toddler is your little shadow who wants to copy everything you do, it may be worth investing in a toddler tower. Inspired by Montessori ways of teaching, a tower is like a stool, although it has rails to make it safer. It will allow them to get them involved in everyday tasks. From chopping up vegetables with special kitchen knives and making cakes to cleaning the dishes and wiping down the worktops, they are brilliant for the kitchen, as well as over rooms in the house.
A toddler tower also encourages independence as they will be able to do more things for themselves (and not just pretend to copy you in their play kitchen, for example), like wash their own hands, brush their teeth and reach for things unassisted, which should help their confidence to flourish and prepare them for that big step to nursery or school.
Many learning towers can be adjusted in height as your tot grows, so they will be able to get plenty of use out of it well into early and mid-childhood. Plus, a few of them even fold down compactly, which makes them a lot easier to store.
Editor's Choice:
•Best wooden toddler tower: Stepup Baby Toddler Tower , £119
•Best adjustable toddler tower: COSYLAND Kitchen Kids Standing Tower, £64.99
•Best foldable toddler tower: MEOWBABY Learning Tower, £127
•Best plastic toddler tower: HOMCOM Kids Standing Platform, £64.99
To help you to decide which option to go for, we've put together this selection of towers for toddlers, as well as a handy guide of what to look for. Check it out below.
The best toddler towers 2024
Best wooden toddler tower
With an adjustable step and three height options, the Stepup Baby tower is absolutely worth the investment. Safety is paramount, thanks to the back bar and wide standing area. We love that it's easy to manoeuvre and it takes just ten minutes to assemble (allen key provided).
Tested by Maria Martin, Digital Group Editor at Mother & Baby: "The toddler tower allows our little ones access to not only just helping cooking, but washing their hands and picking the spice jars. My eldest can easily move the tower from one part of the kitchen to the other – he tends to now just push the tower in place and ask to join in with cooking, prompting this inclusive nature."
Read our full Stepup Baby Toddler Tower review here.
Pros
- Round edges and rails
- Non-toxic paint
Cons
- Not foldable
Best adjustable toddler tower
Cosyland's tower can be adapted as your little one grows; you can remove the four-sided safety rails once they have mastered their balance. They have given their frame an A-shaped design, which distributes weight evenly to prevent it from falling over.
Annalise, a reviewer said: "This is great. It came with gloves to build with (not that I used them) screwdriver and allen key. I was able to build it myself and in about 15 minutes. It's super sturdy when all screwed together and looks great in our kitchen too. A fraction of the price of the others I've seen too; great product!"
Pros
- Arch-corner design
- Can be adapted into a stool or side table
Cons
- A couple of users wish it was heavier
Best foldable toddler tower
Available in multiple colours, you can a MEOWBABY learning tower to suit your personal sense of style and home décor. The steps are low to the ground, making it perfect for little feet, but you can adjust them as and when needed! If your little one loves to draw, you can choose the chalkboard option.
A parent reviewer said: "One of the best things I've ever bought for my child. Used since about 2 years old (but would be fine for a bit younger). It means I no longer have to keep picking him up to see what's going on when I'm cooking. He can help with cooking, cleaning, baking, washing up. The adjustable height is brilliant too and he creates his own games on it when I'm busy (he sits down on the bottom step and uses the top step like a picnic table). You do need a fair amount of space in your kitchen but it's so worth it if you spend a lot of time in there."
Pros
- Sturdy design
- Wipe clean material
Cons
- Quite big
Best plastic toddler tower
Robert Dyas www.robertdyas.co.uk
If you're after a plastic learning tower, this HOMCOM option is the one to go for. It has a non-slip surface, allowing it to be used all over the house with ease. There are three heights, which can be changed by removing the platforms (which is pretty straightforward to do).
A review by Ruby S: "We did a lot of research before choosing this toddler tower. Our choice was based on this being easier to clean than the wooden ones and also being suitable for a wider age range. It was easy to put together - everything you need is included along with a spare bolt. It does what it's supposed to and we've had no issues with it."
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Wipe clean surface
Cons
- May not fit all countertops perfectly
Best adjustable height toddler tower
Made from wood, the KiddyMoon Kitchen Helper ranks high on durability. It's got long fins on the base that firmly hold the tower in place, so that your little one can climb up and down safely, plus the lacquered surface is lovely and smooth, meaning no splinters!
Reviewer Laurynaus said: "We've had this tower for 3 months now. We bought this for our 10-month-old, she started walking at 9 months so she was more than capable of using the tower safely. She is a dinky girl but since the tower has adjustable heights she had no problem reaching the countertops whilst in it."
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
- Durable fastenings
Cons
- Can't be compacted down
Best 3-in-1 toddler tower
AmazonThis versatile toddler tower can also be converted into a children's table and chairs as well as a drawing board. It has a large standing area and a safety handrail making it comfortable for your little one and also secure. Toddlers can climb in and out given a sense of independence.
One reviewer said: "This has been so helpful with my granddaughters! The often want to wash their hands in the kitchen sink or help me wash dishes. They also like to play in the water with their toys. This helps them be able to stand and use the faucet in the kitchen, since it is up much higher than they can reach on the ground. The chalkboard is also fun for them to use. They love to draw on it. You can also use it as a table and chair set. That is nice to do, so there is no problem if they make a mess eating on it because it all cleans up so well."
Pros
- It converts to a table and includes a drawing board
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Some reviewers said it was a bit wobbly
Things to consider when buying a toddler tower
Size - When choosing a tower for toddlers, it's important to consider the sizing, as every child grows at a different rate, so some designs may be too big or small (depending on the child). Also think about what room it will mostly be used in, and whether it will fit comfortably in there - you don't want to have to move it out of the way every two seconds.
Weight - The weight is easy to overlook but if you're going to be moving the tower regularly, you'll want it to be lightweight but still sturdy, of course!
Accessibility - Will your little one be able to use the learning tower with ease? Will they be able to climb in and out of it or move it without assistance? Don't forget to double-check the age ratings! If you don't want your little one too close to the oven yet, you can still get them involved with the process with their very own cooking set.
Features - Foldable learning towers are great if you have little space (as they're easy to store) or if you're worried about your little one using it unattended in places they shouldn't (like near the oven, for example). Adjustable designs are brilliant too, as they will take longer for your child to outgrow and you can enjoy baking with your toddler as they grow.
Structure - There are trapezoid and A-shaped towers, as well as ones which are built like normal steps. Like the sizing, it all comes down to the style of your kitchen and what shape would fit in it best.
Material - Materials that can be easily wiped clean would be perfect for a kitchen, as it could get messy pretty quickly, what with food and drinks likely to be spilt.
Style - Whilst your child is still young, the tower is likely to be a permanent fixture in your home, so it's important that you like the design. Lots of brands have multiple colour options, so you could find one that matches your home décor.
Are toddler towers safe?
Most toddler towers come with plenty of features including rails and bannisters, which often make them safer than stools and steps for children at this age, as it lowers the risk of falling or slipping. However, you should never leave your child unattended when using one if they're very young, as they could cause harm to themselves or others (especially near an oven or running water).
Many toddler towers are recommended for use with kids aged 18 months and up, as babies may not be able to support themselves enough yet to stand up unaided in the tower. Of course, parents know their child's capabilities best, but stick to the age ratings that the manufacturer recommends.
If your toddler ends up regularly using the tower when you're not in the room, it may be worth putting a stair gate across so they can't get in and use it alone.
Toddler towers are safe when used under supervision and for the correct age. If fact, they have lots of benefits, including developing independence and if your little one loves helping you cool, try making a healthy toddler recipe together to encourage healthy eating.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.