The 10 Best Stools for Little Kitchen Helpers

updated Jan 19, 2024
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(Image credit: FamVeld)

Getting help from kids in the kitchen has so many benefits. For the kiddies, it can help them develop early interests in food and cooking and teach them useful skills, too. For parents and caretakers, it can ease the stress of keeping little ones entertained while you work (the work is the entertainment!). Although the ol’ kitchen-chair-turned-backward setup worked just fine for me in the ’70s, today there are a slew of helpful platforms specially made to help bring small children to kitchen counter height so they can help — or at least pretend to. And don’t worry — they’re as cute as they are safe. Below, you’ll find 10 of our favorites from across the internet. There’s something for every price point, but you can rest assured that each pick is sturdy, stylish, and functional.

Do you have a favorite kitchen stool or platform for your little one? Let us know in the comments!

1 / 10
Amazon
$79.99
was $99.99

This Little Partners stool is great for toddlers, older kids, and adults alike because it can support up to 200 lbs. It has a built-in handle that makes it easy to move around your kitchen and house. Additionally, the stool comes in both bright and neutral colors.

2 / 10
Amazon
$199.99

This enclosed tower from the very appropriately-named brand Little Partners can be transformed into an easel or playhouse as children get older. It comes in five different colors to complement your kitchen, including red, rich espresso, and match-with-anything white.

3 / 10
Walmart
$52.00

This anti-skid kitchen buddy is a solid choice for smaller kids, specifically those aged between 1 and 3. It's also one of the more affordable options on our list even though it has all the same great features as any other well-designed kitchen helper, including a safety bar. Still, this tower is unique because you can remove the top portion, reducing it to a simple step stool.

4 / 10
ergobaby
$199.00

This two-in-one chair and kitchen helper is a bit of a splurge, but its smart construction and beautiful design are totally worth the price. In addition to its safety rail and easy-to-clean materials, the product can convert from a chair into a step stool in a matter of seconds, no tools required.

5 / 10
Etsy
$165.00
was $220.00

This handmade tower is built according to Montessori furniture principles that encourage movement and independence. It boasts adjustable steps that bring kids up to various heights, and it also features an attached blackboard, so it can be used as a drawing board, too.

6 / 10
Wayfair
$199.95
was $229.95

Loaded with extras — such as a chalkboard, wipe-off marker board, and shaped cutouts — this enclosed tower from Guidecraft has three adjustable heights, plus it's foldable for easy storage. What's more, this sturdy find can safely support up to 125 pounds.

7 / 10
Wayfair
$250.98
was $366.30

Touted as a way to help kids up to the sink to wash their hands, this step stool from JontiCraft can also get kids closer to the kitchen counter. Wayfair reviewers love the stool, describing it as wide, stable, and nice to look at.

8 / 10
Amazon
$99.95
was $125.99

Another pick from Guidecraft, this simple open-backed tower has two platform heights, as well as hand holds to assist in climbing up and down. It can safely hold up to 200 pounds, so it'll even help grown-ups reach those tricky upper cabinets.

9 / 10
Amazon
$129.95
was $139.95

This KidzWerks stool’s adjustable platforms can be placed at 12, 16, or 20 inches above the floor to accommodate your kitchen helper’s height. It also comes with four anti-slip pads for safety and to protect floors. You'll also be happy to learn that the stool is wide enough to accommodate your growing child without being bulky.

10 / 10
Amazon
$89.95

Use this open step-up from Guidecraft — with hand rails and helpful non-slip treads on the steps — in the kitchen, bathroom, or playroom. It can safely hold up to 200 pounds.