Guidecraft All Grown Up Kitchen Helper Step Stool

by Guidecraft

• Safe and long-lasting wood construction
• Perfect for giving children a boost for countertop access
• Detailed in maple finish, with cut-out shape accents
• Child-proof folding design makes for easy storage
• Dimensions: 20.25L x 20.75W x 36.75H inches

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 20 x 21 x 37 inches ; 20 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 24 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000SQNAQC
• Item model number: G97325
• Our recommended age: 36 months - 5 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 36 months - 5 years
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,119 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #71 in Toys & Games > Dressing Up & Costumes > Pretend Play > Kitchen Toys > Kitchen Playsets
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (112 customer reviews)

Product Description

The perfect way to let children work at adult-height countertops and tables, the All Grown Up Kitchen Helper Step by Guidecraft gives kids access to new and exciting learning and play environments. Made with beautiful hardwood, this piece is finished in a versatile maple tone that complements any home decor. The booster also has a child-proof folding feature, as well as a smooth gliding design, making storage and repositioning a breeze. All the materials are kid-safe and kid-sturdy, ensuring years of steady use. A highly useful and empowering children's item, the Kitchen Helper opens up a whole new dimension of imaginative play and learning.About Guidecraft Guidecraft was founded in 1964 in a small woodshop, producing 10 items. Today, Guidecraft's line includes over 160 educational toys and furnishings. The company's size has changed, but their mission remains the same: Stay true to the tradition of smart, beautifully crafted wood products, which allow children's minds and imaginations room to truly wonder and grow.Guidecraft plans to continue far into the future what they do best, while always giving our loyal customers what they have come to expect: expert quality, excellent service, and an ever-growing collection of creativity-inspiring products for children. Safe and long-lasting wood construction. Perfect for giving children a boost for countertop access. Detailed in maple finish, with cut-out shape accents. Child-proof folding design makes for easy storage. Dimensions: 20.25L x 20.75W x 36.75H inches.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

170 of 173 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Great Concept, Lousy Execution February 16, 2008

By Cooper's Dad

We were excited about the idea of our two-year-old being included in out kitchen activities (instead of parked in front of a computer or TV screen), so this item and the Learning Tower both seemed to be the answer. The foldaway feature and white-/chalk-boards, as well as the lower price, led us to the Kitchen Helper. While it's been very popular and used frequently each day, it's not wearing well after just 4-5 weeks. Workmanship is poor, with some hinges installed in positions where they block the panels from opening fully, which in turn prevent one of the two security latches from closing, to keep the structure locked open for safety. With use, ALL of the allen-wrench bolts used require tightening about once a week. The simple assembly originally seemed a blessing, but now we've learned that pieces can turn slightly out of place, which makes the Kitchen Helper appear to be sloppily constructed/assembled. We've also had problems with water affecting the wood finish (if it's been sealed, I can't tell); my son spends much time using it at the kitchen sink and water spills have darkened the wood in places and seem to absorb into it, which will shorten its life. We've also had some of the plywood veneer chip off of the platform with only gentle (shoeless) use). Last, the "feet" that attach to each of the legs just aren't big or strong enough to truly prevent toppling of the tower. A child who pushes away from a countertop or work surface could easily knock it over if the legs snagged on carpet or caught on an uneven wood floor.
The concept is great...anything that keeps kids engaged with kitchen activities and involved with mom or dad is a winning idea. But the design, construction and materials of the Kitchen Helper make it a purchase that has only disappointed us.

73 of 74 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good enough but cheaply built August 5, 2009

By Lisa and Naomi's mom

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 3.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 3.0 out of 5 stars   

We have both the Kitchen Helper and the Learning Tower -- you basically get what you pay for. We highly recommend having one in the kitchen regardless of whichever you choose.

However, there are good reasons for choosing the Kitchen Helper:
* goes right up to the counter even if there is no toekick space
* more lightweight and possibly a smaller footprint
* becomes transportable by removing a screw and folding it down
* lower cost

There is still room for improvement though. Unlike the Learning Tower, there is no "lip" at the back of the slippery platform so a toddler could have a few scary surprises sliding around in her socks until she gets used to it. A bump during manufacturing has already caused some minor chipping/crack/peel on one of the panels. An out-of-control child could probably tip it over by pushing and leaning hard... but this probably doesn't apply to the average child.

Anyways, this is our second Guidecraft product so we weren't surprised when the screws stripped easily or when we had to drill a new hole because one of the predrilled holes for the feet was so far off the mark. The plywood paneling is attractive with a smooth finish. Unfortunately, there are some alignment issues common to run-of-the-mill carpentry.

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great concept September 15, 2007

By Shawna B

This is a great concept for little chefs! My 21 month old loves to help me in the kitchen and this step stool is a great way to raise him up to counter level. There is another similar stool on the market and I really struggled with which one to purchase and settled on this one because of the foldability factor and I thought it was a little more clever with the shape cutouts, chalkboard and dry erase board. As it turns out, the shape cutouts are the only reason I'm not giving 5 stars. My child is a climber and the very first thing he did when he got into this stool was to stick his foot through the star cutout and got it stuck. So, what seemed cute and clever is actually somewhat of a design flaw if being used with younger children, in my opinion. He hasn't used the cutouts as climbers since, but it's something to think about if you have an active, younger child. Other than that, it seems very safe, sturdy and was very easy to put together.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally worth it! December 10, 2009

By R. Partyka

Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this last holiday season for my then 1.5 year old who was constantly asking to be picked up so he could see what was going on at the kitchen counter. I thought it was good then, and now think it's amazing! He is now 2.5, and helps cook almost every single day! This frees up my hands to cook without dealing with the whiney "pick me up" from my son. The stand it very sturdy, and I have no fear about it collapsing. We just have to be careful to watch little fingers when setting it up or putting it away. We taught our son very quickly that mommy and daddy are the only ones who can take it out and put it away. I also LOVE that it folds up for storage - our kitchen is small and we don't have room to keep something like this out all the time. He absolutely loves this product, and so do I!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great! (...and I thought I wanted a Learning Tower) December 5, 2010

By Nathaniel Allen TOP 500 REVIEWER

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

My wife had me convinced we wanted the Learning Tower (accept no immitations!) but the size was a put-off in our rather cramped quarters.

The Kitchen Helper is typical bolt-together furniture quality -- nothing special, but appears durable enough for regular duty while being easy to assemble and convenient to fold & store.

It's relatively light weight -- light enough for our 20 month old son to push around the kitchen to the location he desires. I'm sure it can also tip over if rocked violently enough, but that hasn't posed a problem, and our little guy is plenty active. We do keep in close proximity while the tower is in use.

The chalk board and dry erase board are cheesy "painted on" surfaces, and each is centered on the folding side wall and so divided with large gaps smack down the middle. I don't see them being very usable surfaces to write on, especially since even light writing pressure on the writing surfaces will cause the unoccupied stand to slide across the floor. I suppose adding rubber grip strips on the feet would help a bit, but really I think was just a case of Guidecraft opting to fill available space with something of questionable value in order to fluff up their bullet list of "features."

The biggest annoyance is the fold-down standing platform. As soon as I begin to unfold the flattened stand into its box shape, this hinged platform tries to flop down into its working position. Trouble is, there are two pivoting metal clasps below the platform that need to be locked in place to secure the tower sides from folding back in. Since both hands are involved in opening the stand, the platform usually bangs down in a loud and uncontrolled manner, and I'll have to lift it out of the way to work the latches.... It's not a major problem, but I'd bet Guidecraft could have engineered in some magnets to keep the platform up and out of the way. And again, a rubber strip would soften the impact when this surface falls into place.

In reality, the two latches are superfluous because the standing platform itself prevents the sides from folding back in. Also, I haven't yet used the single retaining screw to lock the platform into its deployed position. I might use it if I weren't interested in regularly folding the tower up after use, but it's unnecessary unless you have two kids and are worried about one sliding their fingers under the platform while another puts weight on the platform, creating a pinch hazard.

All in all, this is a great, lightweight, decent quality, stowable tower to get the little one in on the action in the kitchen. Hits for my guy are sorting noodles in Tupperware containers, helping to put wet dishes and silverware into the drying rack, and observing meal prep & cooking. Read more ›