https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 04 May 2026 19:11:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2315315 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 18:46:17 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2315315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know what brand it is, but we got it on Craigslist for $100. LO uses is almost every day and has since about 18 months. It's this one. Please excuse all the junk on the island - I'm in the middle of a craft project. </p> [attach=4024/15/nvz8p5.450x600.image.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2315307 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 18:37:04 +0000 gilmoregirl 2315307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: My son is 18 months and we've been using a backwards chair for a couple of months now. Maybe 15 months. He was super interested in what I was doing while cooking and begging to be picked up so he could see the counter. I usually give him a "job" like moving tomatoes from one bowl to another, and he'll hang out there for a while during dinner prep. </p> <p>We just use a backwards chair, and it has been fine even though my kid loooooves leaping off furniture. We will be moving into a house soon and will have more space, so we might build a learning tower then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2315111 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 15:13:03 +0000 AggieDaze 2315111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sometimesshesings: We had a really hard time getting the drill bit through the Ikea step stool bottom. Like we broke a bit (which has NEVER happened to me), and ultimately it took time from multiple days (which is difficult to come by with a toddler). Given that and the cost of the wood and step stool, I don't think it was worth my time for the cost savings ;) </p> <p>That said, I do really like the smaller footprint. I think the larger one would be beneficial with two kids later on though. My son loves standing in his friend's learning tower with him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314721 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 09:35:29 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2314721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: Ooh thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314705 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 09:09:59 +0000 rattles 2314705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BandDmommy: I totally agree. It has plenty of room for two, and the size of it lets them move around at the counter and help more. I was shocked at how heavy and solid it was! The size/structure was what made it functionally different from a step stool and worth the money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314668 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:48:06 +0000 BandDmommy 2314668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours was pricey but it's so sturdy and it fits more than one LO. I think it was definitely worth the purchase. Not for everyone, but for us, it was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314663 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:45:38 +0000 cascademom 2314663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've had the One Step Ahead one for almost 2 years I think. LO is 3 years old. I think it was a $100. It was money well spent because we're still using it and will use it for LO #2 when he's ready for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314658 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:43:02 +0000 catlady 2314658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the tiniest kitchen in the world, so we got a funpod. It was pricey, but it fits, and I like that she can't climb in and out of it by herself because she's a nut and honestly she'd probably hurt herself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314648 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:38:41 +0000 GrapeCrush 2314648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we have one(not sure which) and we use it every day. the kids love it. DD eats dinner out of it. they got it for christmas last year, so DS was 2.5 and DD was just over 1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314591 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 07:58:48 +0000 Alivoo01 2314591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just got a Little Partner one for DS who is 2. It's been in our kitchen for about a month now, and it doesn't get much use. Hoping it gets more useful soon because the footprint is pretty big and I constantly kick/stub my toes on the legs/footings because they jut out kinda far. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314564 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 07:35:06 +0000 LBee 2314564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: DH is building one currently and it's definitely been cheaper than $50. I think probably $20 just for the wood. He had everything else. I'll FB you a picture when he's done (fingers crossed it's this weekend).</p> <p>ETA: I just realized that didn't remotely answer your question... I think the cheapest you can find new is about $100. I see them on Craigslist all the time, though. You guys are pretty crafty though - I bet y'all could easily do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314555 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 07:26:23 +0000 littlebug 2314555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: The Little Partners one I have retails for around $200, so you can imagine my excitement to find it gently used for $80! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314553 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 07:24:31 +0000 littlebug 2314553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I scored a Little Partners one at a local consignment shop right around this time last year, so D would have been about 21m. We've loved it. It's bulky, but we managed to find a corner to stash it in where it's pretty out of the way. D helps me in the kitchen all the time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314547 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 07:13:28 +0000 PinkElephant 2314547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: thanks. Totally understand how "can they" and "will they" are two separate things when it comes to sharing...I'm pretty sure we'd have the same issue, but it would be my three year old guarding her persoal space :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314544 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 07:10:37 +0000 twodoghouse 2314544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: yes, they both can fit! However, my DD is not enjoying sharing it with her brother. She keeps elbowing him out of the way. For the most part DS is using the tower (because he's more likely to flip himself off a barstool in our kitchen) and I'm letting DD still use the chairs. I'm hoping we can get them to use it together nicely at some point, though. DD is teething really badly so she's not at her most cooperative right now. 😉 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314478 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 03:37:16 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2314478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How much are these? Aka what's the cheapest one. $50 seems like a lot for a DIY step stool </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314460 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 01:52:44 +0000 BandDmommy 2314460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the little partners in green. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314451 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 00:56:28 +0000 sometimesshesings 2314451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AggieDaze: we did the IKEA hack, too... But I'd totally recommend it! It has a small footprint and it's super cheap to make. My husband is pretty handy, so it only took him a couple hours to put it together, then I painted it. My son's still using it at 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314386 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 22:11:54 +0000 PinkElephant 2314386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: Can both kids fit on it at once? My two have been trying to squeeze onto a stool together recently, and it's leading to a lot of squabbling - I'd love something big enough so that I don't need to have two of whatever!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314361 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:50:51 +0000 Mrs. J 2314361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The guidecraft one just arrived today! I think J is gonna love it. I like it because it folds up and I have a tiny kitchen </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314343 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:27:04 +0000 AggieDaze 2314343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: mine has been using his learning tower since around 18 months. He got a kitchen around the same time, and honestly the learning tower gets way more use. We still use it pretty much every single day (he's almost 2.5) but the frequency definitely picked up around age 2 as he became more interested in painting, cooking, etc in it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314342 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:24:10 +0000 AggieDaze 2314342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used the following tutorial to make one. I wouldn't recommend it... While my son loves it, building it was a total hassle and not worth the money saved. I have no experience with it, but I'd be interested in one that collapses down so it can be stored easily under a bed or in a closet. </p> <p><a href="http://www.ikeahackers.net/2013/03/lucys-learning-tower.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ikeahackers.net/2013/03/lucys-learning-tower.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314336 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:13:53 +0000 Bluebonnet 2314336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the Little Partners Learning Tower and love it. LO1 got it for Christmas when she was 1.5 has been using it multiple times a day for the past 2 years. LO2 is 1.5 now and has been using it for 3-4 months. It is so worth the money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314333 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:10:07 +0000 jetsa 2314333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We also used the Ana white plans </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314332 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:08:25 +0000 rattles 2314332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the Little Partners learning tower. It was a gift from her godmother, and she uses it all the time. Seriously all the time. It's in my way in the kitchen, but it's worth it. We cook and bake together, plus she makes my coffee in the morning :silly: I am excited for her little sister to be able to climb up there too. </p> <p>@MenagerieMama: We got it for her 2nd birthday, and she's used it since. DD2 is 10 months. She's been up there once or twice, but she's still too small to be safe. I think as long as they were steady on their feet, they'd be fine though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314327 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:03:15 +0000 twodoghouse 2314327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just got one for my birthday yesterday. It's the Guidecraft Kitchen Helper and so far my LOs (17 months) really like it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314320 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:58:56 +0000 Rockies11 2314320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use a chair turned backwards, and have since LO was about 15 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314305 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:52:16 +0000 yin 2314305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We also used the Ana White helper tower plans to build one for our LOs. It's really useful in the kitchen. </p> <p>@MenagerieMama: LO2 started using it when he turned 1 I think. LO1 was 3 when DH built the tower, and it's still pretty useful now at 4.5 years old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314301 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:49:22 +0000 mrsjyw 2314301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use a tall step stool, we didn't start using it until ds was nearly two though if he was younger we'd definitely would have invested in a learning tower. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-learning-tower#post-2314300 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:47:41 +0000 MenagerieMama 2314300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not to hijack, but what age did you ladies find your LO could use it? I know my LO would love one when she can! Debating for Christmas (will be 15 mo but we are getting her a kitchen already) or then 2nd birthday... </p>