This foldable, enclosed kitchen stool keeps my 1-year-old safe and close by so I can cook dinner in

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• I bought the Guidecraft Kitchen Helper Stool so my toddler can watch me work in the kitchen.
• It took just 10 minutes to set up the sturdy tower, and it's easy to fold up and store when not in use. 
• The adjustable platform and removable mesh protector make this a product that will grow with my daughter until she can reach the kitchen counter on her own. 

Even before I had my daughter, I pictured baking holiday cookies and making homemade pasta sauce with my own kids. But those images in my mind always involved older kids — ones who can actually help in the kitchen.

My 12-month-old daughter has a different idea though. She's always interested in what I'm doing, and if I leave her to play on the floor while I'm cooking or baking, she's not a happy camper. 

Enter the Guidecraft Kitchen Helper, an enclosed adjustable kitchen stool that safely puts my daughter right at the counter with me. It's been a game-changer in my home.

Before I got the Kitchen Helper, I'd attempt to cook while holding my daughter in one arm. That wasn't easy or safe, especially when I was near the stove or needed to use a knife. Now my daughter can safely see everything I'm doing, and I have both hands free.

Setup and design of the Guidecraft Kitchen Helper

The Kitchen Helper took less than 10 minutes to assemble out of the box. The solid wood stool weighs about 20 pounds and measures 20 inches (length), 21 inches (width), and 37 inches (height). I like the design because it resembles adult furniture but still has cute features to keep kids entertained, including shape cutouts on the sides (some cons for those later), a chalkboard on one side, and a whiteboard on the other side.  

It includes a nonslip mat for the platform and a mesh covering for the open side of the tower where kids can step in or out. Once my daughter is big enough, we'll take this off so she can climb in and out on her own. For now, it helps keep her safe and secure in the tower.

What it's like to use

The Kitchen Helper folds up quickly and easily when I want to store it, and takes less than a minute to unfold and set up. I can even set it up with one hand when I'm holding my daughter. The platform has two height settings (15 inches and 18 inches) to bring your child to counter level. As your child grows, you can lower the platform to bring them closer to the counter.

This stool has already made preparing meals less stressful, and I can tell that my daughter loves it too. Now if I start cooking without her in the Kitchen Helper, she'll walk over to it and point at it. When she gets older, she'll be able to stand in it and actually help me prepare ingredients and cook meals.

As sturdy as this stool has been so far, there's always the possibility that my daughter could try to climb out or fall, so I always keep a close eye on her. I'd urge you to do the same with this or any other kitchen stool.

Cons to consider

The nonslip mat tends to fall off when I fold up the Kitchen Helper, though this is a minor inconvenience.

If you're using this for a toddler, you'll need to be vigilant once they enter the climbing stage. The decorative square, star, and circle cutouts on the sides are the perfect footholds for little climbers. 

The bottom line

The Kitchen Helper has been a worthwhile investment in my home. There are a few other options out there, including the Little Partners Original Learning Tower ($200), which has large openings on the side and may be better suited for older kids. 

I went with the Kitchen Helper because I like its solid construction and how it's designed to keep children fully contained. It's already made it much more enjoyable to work in the kitchen. If you're struggling to get food on the table while taking care of a toddler, I highly recommend this enclosed kitchen tower for children.

Pros: Solid wood, easy to store and set up, keeps toddlers and kids entertained, lets kids be a part of meal preparation 

Cons: Nonslip mat sometimes falls off during storage, cutouts on the side are perfect footholds for climbers

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