Thread: Kids foldable kitchen help tower

your probably better of searching something like etsy for plans.

you may strike a holy grail bout I doubt you'll find any for free
DIY Plans for Toddler Helper Step Stool, Montessori Kitchen Tower. - Etsy Australia

As someone who has worked with toddlers, personally I'd be boxing them in. i.e. After climbing the 2-3 steps, having a solid panel close behind them (like the gated bottom half of a "Dutch door" e.g. 20 Gorgeous Dutch Door Ideas to Try At Home), which starts from their feet (or a little above, say ankle height) and ends at least as high as midway between the child's hips and shoulder blades. (One false step backwards and they will clip the back of their heels on the low cross-piece of wood as shown in most Etsy plan pictures, will naturally begin to crouch to try to recover balance, which causes their backside to stick out, then could topple backwards and crack the back of their head on the steps or floor.)

It should be like a workman standing on scaffolding, but open at the front to give access to the counter/bench, the sides at about elbow height when their arms are by their sides so they're not obstructed when they raise their hands, and something "grippy" under the feet (or lockable wheels e.g. Just a moment...) so the thing won't skate backwards if they push against the countertop. They should be taught from day one to only ever go down backwards and holding the handrails too, or if really young, to wait to be lifted down (which the "gate" will solve anyway). Many of those plan thumbnails on Etsy make me shudder.

A toddler is much like an old person - just think would you want a 70 year old climbing on an adult-sized version then you'll naturally recognise which plans to avoid.

Originally Posted by TheFamilyMan

As someone who has worked with toddlers, personally I'd be boxing them in. i.e. After climbing the 2-3 steps, having a solid panel close behind them (like the gated bottom half of a "Dutch door" e.g. 20 Gorgeous Dutch Door Ideas to Try At Home), which starts from their feet (or a little above, say ankle height) and ends at least as high as midway between the child's hips and shoulder blades. (One false step backwards and they will clip the back of their heels on the low cross-piece of wood as shown in most Etsy plan pictures, will naturally begin to crouch to try to recover balance, which causes their backside to stick out, then could topple backwards and crack the back of their head on the steps or floor.)

It should be like a workman standing on scaffolding, but open at the front to give access to the counter/bench, the sides at about elbow height when their arms are by their sides so they're not obstructed when they raise their hands, and something "grippy" under the feet (or lockable wheels e.g. Just a moment...) so the thing won't skate backwards if they push against the countertop. They should be taught from day one to only ever go down backwards and holding the handrails too, or if really young, to wait to be lifted down (which the "gate" will solve anyway). Many of those plan thumbnails on Etsy make me shudder.

A toddler is much like an old person - just think would you want a 70 year old climbing on an adult-sized version then you'll naturally recognise which plans to avoid.

honestly... the biggest issue with all of them are kids rocking either back and forth or the MUCH more susceptible side to side.


we actually have two of those kids steps screwed together with a plank in the middle so all 3 kids can stand at the bench at different heights. but this totally got rid of the easy side fall. also make it out of melamine or very smooth glossy paint. when you don't have to use a paint scraper to get the dried wheat bix off it you'll thank me.