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Toddler towers are enclosed, elevated constructions that permit youngsters to play safely at counter top whereas lowering the dangers of falls. Broadly utilized in Montessori training, these constructions promote impartial studying and encourage the event of sensible life abilities. By bringing toddlers as much as your degree and offering entry to areas which might be in any other case off-limits, towers assist youngsters really feel included and get them out from below your toes.
“Studying towers open up this world of textures, smells, sounds, and tastes in a managed approach,” says Robin Haines, an educator and member of the American Montessori Society. “They permit youngsters to get ‘hands-on’ with meals prep and self-care actions like washing fingers. This not solely teaches sensible abilities but additionally fosters a way of functionality that is basic to wholesome emotional growth.”
These constructions are sometimes known as “studying towers,” however the model Little Companions has trademarked this time period. We use “studying tower” and “toddler tower” interchangeably. That will help you discover the greatest toddler tower for your loved ones’s wants, we examined a number of widespread designs at house. We assessed every mannequin based mostly on security, adjustability, sturdiness, ease of use, performance, and worth. Listed below are our eight high picks in a variety of classes.
Why We Like It
With an adjustable step and platform that may be set as much as 20 inches excessive, this toddler tower was simply the factor for a younger toddler to “assist out” within the kitchen. The sturdy design and supplies gave us the boldness to permit a small toddler to affix adults at counter top. And our 18-month-old was all the time excited to climb inside to be a part of the meal prep.
The picket building held up completely via a month of testing. We liked that the graceful surfaces have been simply cleaned and that it is available in a variety of colour choices. Although we largely used it within the kitchen, it’s light-weight sufficient to maneuver round the home, so we are able to see it being helpful for tooth brushing and different actions for years to return.
What Mother and father Say
“She liked being nearer to our degree, a part of the motion, and having fun with her snacks on the kitchen island. This was additionally the primary time she was actually in a position to see us cooking and he or she liked it.” –Nicole, mom of an 18-month-old
However Take Observe
Although there’s a again bar to forestall falls, if a baby slipped, there’s a likelihood the bar wouldn’t forestall them from falling out of the tower. Additionally, altering the peak entails disassembling the tower and it is not foldable or simply stashed away.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 36 inches
- Weight: 14.3 kilos
- Weight and top limits: 100 kilos
- Folding and adjusting options: Three adjustable step and platform heights
Why We Like It
Sturdy, steady, and extremely secure, this toddler tower is tremendous simple to regulate to get the proper top on your toddler to affix you on the counter or desk. The large base options stabilizer arms at ground degree, and we liked that there are non-slip stickers on the arms to assist forestall falls. The rock-solid building received’t be failing anytime quickly.
Our little tester was blissful simply to be within the tower and be a part of no matter we have been doing within the kitchen. We used the tower for arts and crafts like portray, and to assist with cooking and baking. This resulted in much less frustration, and fewer calls for to be picked up—advantages that each guardian or carer will perceive.
What Mother and father Say
“My son was extremely engaged when utilizing this. It helped contain him in every day duties and alleviated a whole lot of frustration at not being part of our actions, but additionally served as a terrific software for crafts.” –Ciara, mom of an 18-month-old
However Take Observe
This tower took round an hour and a half to assemble, albeit with toddler interruptions. It’s additionally massive and heavy, so not perfect for smaller houses. We needed to change one of many pre-assembled items on account of a producing error.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 38.07 x 23.18 x 33.14 inches
- Weight: Not listed
- Weight and top limits: Ages 2–6 years, as much as 250 kilos
- Folding and adjusting options: 4 adjustable platform heights
Why We Like It
This toddler tower supplied a steady platform for a really lively 3-year-old to play safely at counter top. At 21.6 kilos, it’s heavy sufficient to remain firmly in place, and the underside pads assist with slip resistance. The hefty building and high quality supplies make us assured that it’s going to maintain up for a few years. And we liked that it folds flat when it’s not in use.
The straightforward meeting and intuitive foldability required little or no effort, and the surfaces have been simply wiped down (even spills left unnoticed for a number of days). Youngsters liked the ease of entry and exit—permitting them to return and go (time and again and once more) to their hearts’ content material.
What Mother and father Say
“I like this studying tower as a result of it is easy to get out and in of rapidly so he can run to the opposite room to present Dad an replace or wander again to maintain serving to out.” –Katie, mom of a 3-year-old
However Take Observe
This tower is available in at properly above median value, however we really feel it’s price it. It’s additionally open on the sides, so just isn’t perfect for smaller or much less cell toddlers. And its top just isn’t adjustable.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 34.7 X 22.75 x 21.7 inches
- Weight: 21.6 kilos
- Weight and top limits: 50 kilos
- Folding and adjusting options: Collapsible design
Why We Like It
Impeccably crafted from sustainably sourced Forest Stewardship Council-certified timber, this convertible studying tower added an entire new dimension to kitchen water play. Fantastically packaged, the items have been simple to assemble in round half an hour. And whenever you’re not utilizing it as a tower, it doubles as a toddler desk, so it’s by no means left gathering mud.
Our toddler was safe and secure, having fun with some newfound independence, whether or not on the sink, coloring, or enjoying with Play-Doh. Although we discovered it just a little wobbly at first, its aspect wing base stabilizers helped, as did putting it towards an upright floor. Our toddler liked the picket follow knife included. And we liked how the minimalist aesthetic complemented our kitchen.
What Mother and father Say
“If it was as much as him, he’d be on this studying tower the entire day, particularly when the training tower was parked proper subsequent to the kitchen sink.” –Stella, mom of a 2-year-old
However Take Observe
The doorway to the tower is slender, so larger youngsters could wrestle to climb out and in. The step is slippery in socks, so greatest suited to barefoot play or grippy slippers/socks. And although the step top is adjustable, the platform isn’t.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 36 x 16 x 16 inches
- Weight: 15.7 kilos
- Weight and top limits: 18 months to six years, or as much as 175 kilos
- Folding and adjusting options: Converts from tower to desk
Why We Like It
Arrange on the kitchen island or desk, this tower saved our 21-month-old toddler secure and out from below our toes, which was particularly useful throughout meal prep. We liked the compact, sturdy design, and that the supplies are additionally light-weight so we may transfer the tower round as crucial. And its small footprint makes it simple to stash away once we’re not utilizing it
Our toddler liked that he may climb out and in on his personal. The flexibility to return and go independently permits toddlers to determine when to affix caregivers within the kitchen. Whether or not consuming snacks, enjoying with toys or Play-Doh, or coloring, our toddler loves being elevated to counter top within the kitchen, and we are able to see him having fun with this tower for a very long time.
What Mother and father Say
“When he will get house from daycare and we’re fixing dinner, he’ll crawl up there and watch for us to deliver him an exercise or simply hang around nearer to our degree. He loves it!” –Alicia, mom of a 21-month-old
However Take Observe
We eliminated the dowel mechanism from the highest to permit our toddler to simply climb out and in, barely lowering the tower’s stability. The steps are slender. And although the platform is adjustable, it’s essential to partially disassemble the tower to take action.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 34.5 x 17.5 x 17.5 inches (at base)
- Weight: 20 kilos
- Weight and top limits: 150 kilos
- Folding and adjusting options: Three adjustable platform heights
Why We Like It
With 4 top settings, this strong timber toddler tower permits for loads of adjustment as toddlers develop. The fold-up/down step means you may retailer the tower below the countertop in a barely smaller format. The extra-wide base, stabilizers, and anti-slip footprint stickers supply extra peace of thoughts that your toddler is secure from slips and falls.
As quickly as we assembled the tower, which took round half an hour, our toddler was in it with no help required. Climbing out, nevertheless, proved more difficult, with the slender step posing some issues for our 15-month-old. We used the tower for hand washing, serving to with cooking, baking, and cleansing up.
What Mother and father Say
“My son LOVES the training tower. As quickly as we begin to transfer it out of the pantry the place we retailer it, he’s there able to climb on.” –Michelle, mom of a 15-month-old
However Take Observe
We discovered the “space-saving design” didn’t stay as much as its declare. With the step folded up, there’s a potential pinching hazard for small fingers. Our toddler managed to shimmy contained in the tower whereas within the stowed place, leading to a fall, so it is best to retailer it out of sight when not in use.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 33.50 x 22.28 x 19.56 inches at base
- Weight: Not listed
- Weight and top limits: 2–6 years, as much as 250 kilos
- Folding and adjusting options: 4 adjustable platform heights
Why We Like It
This product just isn’t an impartial studying tower, however an add-on that attaches to the Cybex Lemo Excessive Chair, which have to be bought individually. We liked the stability of the tower/chair. Although in all probability not really useful, we even allowed twins to face in it collectively—to avoid wasting them from preventing over who will get to make use of it.
Having been advised that we must always contain our toddlers extra within the mealtime preparation course of, we set this tower on the kitchen counter. The youngsters liked utilizing it for laundry fingers (this was an enormous one!) participating in meal prep, coloring, snacking, and easily interacting with dad and mom within the kitchen. When you’ve already received a Lemo Excessive Chair, it is a handy add-on to maintain youngsters secure and blissful at eye-level so that you could be hands-free.
What Mother and father Say
“My youngsters liked the tower. I feel it gave them an enormous sense of independence and a recent new vantage level! They may very well be eye degree and work together with us within the kitchen.” –Margo, mom of 22-month-old twins
However Take Observe
The tower is cumbersome and has just one top setting and a far decrease most weight restrict than different towers we examined. Its anti-slip silicone mats induced extra of a hazard as a result of they wouldn’t keep in place. The slender backside step makes it very troublesome for younger toddlers to exit the tower, which induced frustration.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 34.5 x 14 x 18 inches (whereas connected to chair)
- Weight: 19.6 kilos
- Weight and top limits: 1–4 years, as much as 55 kilos
- Folding and adjusting options: This clips onto the Lemo Chair (offered individually)
Why We Like It
Secure and sturdy, this tower was tremendous simple for our little tester to climb out and in of, permitting them to become involved with the breakfast prep—a practical and enjoyable addition to the morning routine. The heavy-duty plastic supplies held up completely via testing, and now we have full confidence that little ones are secure when inside.
We liked that the tower enabled our baby to be part of the cooking course of, which has confirmed a greater distraction than TV. Our toddler liked making smoothies, whisking eggs, and snacking on fruit whereas we did chores across the kitchen. Although the aesthetics received’t attraction to some households, if you happen to’re after a sturdy possibility for below $100, that is our best-value choose.
What Mother and father Say
“My favourite factor in regards to the studying tower was with the ability to contain my son in our morning routine and to have him within the kitchen with me making breakfast!” –Ariel, mom of a two-year-old
However Take Observe
At 21 kilos, this tower is cumbersome and never tremendous simple to maneuver round the home. Meeting requires drilling holes, so requires an influence drill and just a little know-how to finish.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 34.5 x 18.5 x 22.5 inches
- Weight: 21 kilos
- Weight and top limits: 1.5+ years
- Folding and adjusting options: Three adjustable platform heights
Our Testing Course of
To choose the very best toddler towers, we examined 9 fashions at house for one month, with our testers incorporating every tower into their baby’s on a regular basis routine. Every studying tower was assessed on the next attributes:
- Security: We took observe of the general stability of every tower on flat floor, and requested our toddlers (the place doable) how secure they felt whereas enjoying on them. We additionally evaluated how properly we may supervise toddlers at play, whether or not there have been pinch factors, entrapment hazards, or different considerations, and whether or not every tower had extra security options like large stabilizer toes or non-slip stickers.
- Adjustability: The place top adjustability was an possibility, we tried completely different heights to evaluate the benefit of adjusting, and whether or not these fashions have been able to accommodating youngsters of various heights.
- Sturdiness: After a month of use, we evaluated how properly the supplies held up, and checked for indicators of damage and tear. Throughout testing, we additionally famous ease of cleansing, crucial upkeep, and whether or not there was any discount in stability via time.
- Ease of use: We evaluated ease of meeting and whether or not youngsters may enter/exit every tower simply, with or with out help. We additionally assessed how properly it slot in our areas, how simple it was to retailer when not in use, and the way simple it was to maneuver round the home.
- Performance: Watching our youngsters use every tower, we took observe of their degree of engagement and general enjoyment of the actions (meal prep, hand-washing, coloring, and so forth) we may facilitate on the counter. We took observe of any developmental leaps that occurred via testing and whether or not the towers allowed caregivers to hold out on a regular basis duties extra simply.
- Worth: On the finish of testing, we requested testers to find out whether or not they thought the tower represented a very good worth, given the product’s value and general high quality. We requested in the event that they’d be blissful paying full value and in the event that they’d suggest the tower to buddies or household.
Mother and father
Our Specialists
To search out out extra about the advantages of toddler towers, what to search for when searching for one, and what security concerns to bear in mind, we spoke to the next professionals:
- Nychelle (Nikki) Fleming, toy security professional and spokesperson for the Client Product Security Fee
- Robin Haines, educator and member of the American Montessori Society and the Affiliation Montessori Internationale
Elements to Think about When Shopping for a Toddler Tower
- Security: Studying towers must be created from strong supplies and have a large, sturdy base. Search for security options like rails, locking mechanisms, and large steps toddlers can negotiate simply.
- Design: Toddler towers could be cumbersome, so think about your area and aesthetics. For small areas, search for foldable choices you may retailer when not in use, or towers with smaller footprints. If chunky plastic doesn’t suit your decor, there are many minimalist timber designs that mix into trendy areas.
- Sturdiness and Versatility: All of the toddler towers we examined stood as much as common use in a variety of settings: from kitchen counters and sinks to eating tables. With indoor use and common upkeep (screw tightening, wipe downs, and so forth) you may anticipate a well-made toddler tower to final a number of years. Towers with adjustable platforms could be tailored to suit your baby as they develop.
- Worth: Toddler towers vary in value from $100 to over $200. After testing a number of fashions, we are able to say with confidence that $100–$200 represents nice worth for an merchandise you should utilize for a number of years with a number of youngsters.
The best way to Use Toddler Towers Safely
Earlier than buying a toddler tower, Fleming recommends contemplating the next elements:
- The product must be steady and resist tipping over.
- The guardrails ought to attain or exceed the peak of the kid’s naval throughout use.
- There shouldn’t be openings which will entrap a baby’s head, neck, or physique (this poses a threat of asphyxiation).
- There shouldn’t be any folding mechanisms within the toddler tower that might by chance pinch or lower a baby throughout use.
- Choose a tower from a good model with good product critiques.
As soon as your toddler tower is ready up in your house, comply with these security tips:
- By no means let your baby use the tower with out supervision.
- Learn and comply with the producer’s security directions.
- Help your baby as they be taught to enter/exit the tower to assist them achieve confidence.
- Pack your tower away when not in use.
- Keep inside arms’ attain of your toddler always. That approach, in the event that they occur to tip the tower over or slip, you could have a significantly better likelihood of avoiding harm.
- Guarantee all sharp gadgets and breakables are out of attain.
- Conduct routine upkeep checks (e.g. screw tightness and structurally impactful put on and tear) to assist to cut back the danger of {hardware} failure.
Mother and father
Toddler Tower Exercise Concepts
Our little testers used their toddler towers for arts and crafts, water play, hand washing, and an entire lot of “serving to” within the kitchen. By incorporating a toddler tower into your every day routine, you’re serving to your toddler develop vital abilities. Haines says to do not forget that selling independence means messes and spills, and for duties to take approach longer than normal.
Listed below are some concepts for tower play:
- Kitchen helper: Get your toddler to assist with mixing, washing greens, chopping (with child-safe knives), plating meals, and cleansing up.
- Lavatory actions: Promote good hygiene by utilizing your tower for hand washing and hair and enamel brushing.
- Arts and crafts: Arrange craft actions to maintain your toddler occupied and inside arm’s attain on the kitchen counter or eating desk.
- Water play: Fill the sink, then set your toddler up with some toys or kitchen instruments to splash with.
- Play-Doh, puzzles, and books: Youngsters love to hold with adults at their degree, so actions like puzzles, tactile play, and studying assist your toddler play independently (which may help you obtain one thing independently!).
- Outside play: Get your youngsters hands-on and assist with some potting, backyard actions, or outside water play.
Who We Are
Samson McDougall is a journalist, copywriter, editor, and biology graduate. His work encompasses the whole lot from net copy for science museums, to sexual well being articles for universities, data sheets for prescribed drugs, to model messaging for wearable contact remedy created by neuroscientists. Samson can be a father of two.