Children’s Safety Stools

The Kitchen Helper is not due out for another few months, but we managed to get our hands on a prototype. Here’s our review:

The Kitchen Helper was set to make it’s debut early this summer as a stool that looked like reasonably high-end furniture that folded vertically. While it was pretty, the design definitely had some drawbacks, as it looked like it might guillotine fingers. So, early this year, Guidecraft went back to the drawing board and came up with this horizontal fold design that is pictured here.

The first thing I noticed when I pulled this from it’s box is that most of the assembly is done. Give it a small shake, the sides fold into position, and the platform drops right into place. Make sure you take the extra five minutes to screw the eight little foot extensions on the bottom, as they are what give this unit it’s stability.

The next thing that I noticed was that this unit is light weight. Put up next to The Learning Tower, and it is definitely a featherweight weighing in at only 18.5 lbs! Guidecraft feels that using the shape rather than the mass to reduce tipping was the right direction to go on this unit.

The fit and finish was quite good, especially for a prototype which are typically not as fully finished as production units. The overall look is very attractive (see picture), and sheds some of the “classroom” design style of the other safety stools. While Guidecraft claims that they were trying to focus simply on kichen use for this safety stool, it is appearant that they tried to broaded out the use by adding a chalk board to one side, and a whiteboard to the other. The whiteboard is not magnetic on this prototype, but that may be added into the production model.

The Kitchen Helper looks like it will be best suited to those who want a light weight, foldable children’s safety stool, such as in smaller kitchens or areas where the safety stool will be moved often.

We look forward to seeing the production units coming out this fall.

Buy The Kitchen Helper by Guidecraft at HeirloomWoodenToys.com

The Kitchen Helper is the culmination of a little bit of history. The Learning Tower was made at one time by Guidecraft, USA. During this time, the design team at Guidecraft worked to make that children’s safety stool lighter, feeling that they would help save costs on shipping, and make the safety stool easier to use. Carol Gambol who was the inventor of The Learning Tower felt that a light weight kid’s safety stool would be more prone to tipping, and she resisted the lightening of the weight at every turn. Eventually, Carol decided to produce The Learning Tower on her own, a she opened a company called little Partners, Inc. and she now does produce them all on her own at their “full weight”. The design team a Guidecraft still felt that there was a place for a smaller, light weight children’s safety stool that folded for smaller, more compact spaces. After a couple of years, they have developed The Kitchen Helper.

This kid’s safety stool has some really great features.

First of, it folds! This is the answer for kitchens that just don’t have room for larger, bulkier children’s safety stools. The footprint is also much smaller, saving even more space. Also, the light weight lends itself to maneuverability when moving this unit through smaller spaces. Another feature that is a strong point on this safety stool is it’s attractive design. Great little features are built in like the chalkboard and the whiteboard.

I expect that this kid’s safety stool will be a hit with parents who are looking for a solution that doesn’t have to be a fixed part of their kitchen.

Just like everything, what is a strength can often lead to a weakness. The light weight of this design leads to thinner dimensional woods being used. As a result, this unit probably can not take the beating that the other children’s safety stools can. Also, some will argue that the light weight itself lends to a potential tipping hazzard. Finally, while the unit is adjustable, it requires finding the allen key that came with the unit and the removal of a couple of screws. While this method of fastening the standing platform is very secure, it makes frequent height changes more difficult.

The Learning Tower is the brainchild of Carol Gamble. Carol came up with this idea when she was trying to address the need for safety for her own daughter. Her formal training is as an Infant/Toddler specialist which she received at the Center for Montessori Teachers Education in New York. Naturally, Carol immediately saw the benifits that The Learning Tower broght both herself and her daughter, and decided to share this idea by producing the very first type of safety stool for distribution. Carol has remained steadfastly dedicated to making sure The Learning Tower is a safe, sturdy and reliable safety stool for your children. She really cares!

Buy The Learning Tower by little Partners at HeirloomWoodenToys.com

The Learning Tower has many strengths and uses.

The Learning Tower is very durable and heavy. You really feel the weight of it immediately. It is still relatively easy to move around, and you are sure that it won’t tip over. Also, it will last just about forever. Ours has had 4 years of very heavy use from 3 children, and is ready for more with our fourth. We have also found that two children can work on it easily at the same time. Finally, it is very easy to clean.

Best used in a reasonably large space, as it has a larger footprint which keeps it stable. Also, it’s great to use in areas where it won’t be moved often due to it’s relatively high weight. Again, this weight helps keep it stable.

Buy The Learning Tower by little Partners at HeirloomWoodenToys.com

The Learning Tower has few shortcomings. These are what we’ve heard and read of message boards that people have mentioned:

The price tag of $169.95 has been a bit of a hump for some to get over. We have seen some people trying to decide between using a standard step stool, a chair or a $170 Learning Tower. Usually after one or two falls, we see this group of people decide to make the leap.

The bulk is also a constant complaint. This unit is ideal for larger spaces. A Learning Tower will not be much help at the bathroom sink if anybody else wants to use it, but next to the kitchen island it’s great. Also, remember, the weight helps keep this unit upright, with it’s precious cargo where it belongs . . . on top.

Bottom line, the Learning Tower is not ideal for tight spaces, or areas where it will get in the way or have to be moved alot.

Buy The Learning Tower by little Partners at HeirloomWoodenToys.com