Popular Toddler Towers Were Tested for Safety, Only 2 out of 16 Passed

As your little one goes from crawling to walking to endlessly curious, you might find yourself eyeing a toddler tower. Designed to give kids a safe boost to see and help at kitchen counters, dining tables, and more, toddler towers can encourage independence while keeping toddlers engaged. But while the concept is exciting, it has also led to a number of accidents over the years.

In the past five years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued multiple toddler tower recalls, citing risks ranging from split wood and tip-overs to trapped heads and serious falls that resulted in broken limbs, concussions, and emergency department visits. With no federal safety standards in place, finding a trustworthy option isn’t always easy. That’s where product safety and testing organization Consumer Reports (CR) stepped in.

How The Toddler Towers Were Tested for Safety

CR recently evaluated the safety of 16 of the most popular toddler towers on the market. Researchers checked the towers for stability and entrapment hazards, and also reviewed their warning labels and age recommendations.

To test each tower’s tip-over risk, CR attached a beam across the top and then hung a 35-pound weight from the beam about 6.5 inches out to the side to simulate a 2-4-year-old climbing on one side. If the tower held steady for one minute, it passed. If it tipped, it failed. Of the 16 towers, only three passed. When the weight increased to 59 pounds, all towers failed.

For entrapment risks, CR experts examined the gaps in each tower using torso and head probes designed to mimic a toddler’s size. They looked for openings where a torso could slip through but the head could not, creating a strangulation hazard. Only five towers passed this test.

Finally, CR analyzed each tower’s warning labels to see if they clearly outlined risks and specified age, height and weight limits. Five towers lacked adequate labeling.

How the 16 Toddler Towers Fared

So how did the 16 popular toddler towers stack up? Only two passed both the stability and entrapment tests, while the rest failed one or both.

Passed Both Stability and Entrapment Tests:

• Guidecraft Contemporary Kitchen Helper Toddler Tower
• Simply3 Toddler Tower Adjustable Stool

Passed Stability Test, Failed Entrapment Test:

• Honey Joy Kitchen Step Stool

Passed Entrapment Test, Failed Stability Test:

• Juzbot Juzbot 4 in 1 Toddler Tower
• Lalo The Tower
• Yojoker 4 in 1 Convertible Toddler Kitchen Stool

Failed Both Tests:

• Avenlur 4-in-1 Foldable Kitchen Tower
• Boon Pivot Toddler Tower
• CoscoKitchen Stepper
• Cosyland Kids Kitchen Standing Tower Step Stool Helper
• Dadada Toddler Tower
• Franklin + Emily Toddler Tower
• Harppa Nordi
• Piccalio Mini Chef Foldable Helper Tower
• Sdadi Kids Kitchen Step Stool
• Toetol Bamboo Toddler Kitchen Step Stool

How to Ensure Toddler Tower Safety

With both tip-over and entrapment risks identified, it’s important to use extra caution when choosing and using a toddler tower. CR recommends parents keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Prioritize sturdy designs. Heavier, more solid towers may be harder to move, but they’re typically safer and less likely to tip. Plus, you won’t have to worry about your little one moving the tower into unsafe areas.
• Inspect often. Regularly check screws, fasteners and joints—especially with frequent use.
• Supervise closely. Don’t rely on railings alone. Stay within arm’s reach to prevent leaning, climbing or slip-throughs.
• Childproof accordingly. As your toddler gains new access, keep knives, breakables and stovetops out of reach. Shoes or bare feet are safer than socks, and towers should always sit on a flat, stable surface away from windows, stairs and stoves.
• Follow guidelines. Respect maximum age, height and weight limits. If your child is too small, stick with a high chair; if too big, transition to a step stool—or skip altogether.

You can see more about CR’s toddler tower testing and results at ConsumerReports.org. Keen to learn more about toddler towers beyond the safety ratings? Check out this mom’s perspective on the best toddler towers, from those perfect for the kitchen to those that are easily adjustable.