“Is a Learning Tower Worth It?

Even though we have a New York City-sized kitchen, we invested in a learning tower that occupies a good portion of our kitchen floor space. Was it worth it? Yes. 

But here’s why it may or may not be a must-have for your family and toddler...

What is a Learning Tower?

A learning tower is a large platform that raises your toddler to about counter-height. The learning tower has a single step for your toddler to climb up and is enclosed on three sides for added safety. 

Why Are Learning Towers So Expensive?

Learning towers can be pretty expensive; we bought this learning tower from KidzWerks for about $130 which is on the cheaper end of learning towers that usually hover around the $200 - $300 price point.

Learning towers usually have a higher price tag because they’re made of very sturdy and durable wood for added security-- similar to why wooden Montessori toys cost more than similar plastic toys.

Is a Learning Tower Worth It?

Yes, a learning tower is worth the spend if you use it. 

We found that we need to put forethought into the activities Lee does within the learning tower. It’s not quite as straightforward as pulling Lee up to our cramped kitchen countertops to participate in meal prep; the limited counter space means a knife or dangerous piece of kitchen equipment is usually within Lee’s reach or there is not enough room for him to participate. Therefore, we have to plan out a meal to make together and I have done a lot of prep work (like clearing off the counter space, setting aside any knives we need to use, and lining up all of the needed ingredients) before Lee can climb up into his learning tower and join me. 

I think this would be different if we lived in a larger apartment or home that offered Lee space to do his own “cooking,” away from our primary prep space. But even still, including your toddler in the kitchen requires a lot of patience and pre-planning so that dinner won’t be derailed if your toddler takes 30 minutes to chop a cucumber. 

A learning tower is great if you’re a family who loves to cook together and you want to engage your little sous chef. But if you prefer to cook solo while listening to a true-crime podcast (like me) as your toddler plays in another room, a learning tower may go unused unless you put in extra effort to center toddler-friendly activities around it.

Why Can’t I Just Get a Step Stool?

A learning tower is, at its core, a step stool. But parents prefer the learning tower because it offers more security thanks to its wider footprint and enclosed sides. It also allows younger toddlers to stand at a higher level or height than a step stool. 

Tell us: do you have a learning tower? What’s your hot take on it? Email us at parentingstyleblog@gmail.com and share your thoughts!