Spin off: Costco Learning Tower..how worth it is it to have?

[mommyapb]

I have been on the fence about the tower mainly b/c our kitchen is tight as is w/o additonal funiture. If you can't live w/o yours I would love to hear why. If you can take it or leave it I would love to hear from you too.

Thanks!
Amelia
dd 3/06

[Canna]

I was excited to buy one at a tag sale a couple of months ago for $20.

It fits fine in our small kitchen. We had a good spot for it where we really didn't have anything else. We usually just kept a chair there. DD (3.5 years) seems to like it. Sometimes she stands in it to watch or help with cooking. To watch/help with dishes she still prefers to stand on a step stool. It seems to fit more easily next to the sink.

It may not be totally worth it to us because, at least right now, we're not a huge cooking family. We have a 5 month-old baby and a lot of our meals are of the quick variety. And frequently DD is just busy with other things and not that interested in being there in the kitchen watching.

We're moving to a new house in a few weeks and I don't think there will be room for the LT in the actual kitchen. I think it will have to live in the adjacent dining room. Not sure how I'll feel about that or if it will further reduce the LT's usefulness to have to move it (not far) through the doorway to the kitchen whenever we want to use it.

I have a feeling that for most people, if you're willing to make the investment in the LT, you're probably likely to use it (into cooking, have a child that's into cooking, etc.).

[brittone2]

It is indispensable for us. I got it for DS when he was about 15 months and he's now approaching 4.5 and still uses it, along with my 18 month old dd.

My kitchen is small and U-shaped, so at times it is difficult because if they are at the sink, I can't open my dishwasher, etc. It is also pretty big and bulky (but that's what makes it so difficult to tip and so sturdy). While my kitchen is small, I have two walk-in pantries and I store it in there, so that is a big help.

I cook a lot, and for me it is really helpful to have the kids nearby and engaged so I can get stuff done.

YMMV. For us, it is a huge lifesaver and it has gotten a ton of use over the past 3+ years. I can see why someone without a good place to store it might not love it though.

[ThreeofUs]

Definitely a must in our kitchen. DS wants to be up at the counter, helping, observing, etc.

We tried the old-fashioned steps, kitchen chair with steps, and stokke chair - but these seemed made for spilling and falling. With the tower, although it is a big piece of furniture, DS has perfect balance, so can really help with cooking/cleaning - without spilling or falling.

Two kids of 3-4ish can fit on it at once, so when friends come over it gets even more use. And it holds something like 200 lbs, so can be used as a step for mom and dad to reach the high cabinets.

Here are some of the possible downsides:

-The feet. We learned (a little late) that those wood feet can really tear up a floor finish. If you get a tower, put felt pads on the feet asap.

-It's big. The tower doesn't get in the way too much for us. But, of course, you have to get used to moving it from in front of the sink or dishwasher. It's as though you're working around another person.

-It's theirs. This means DS has unlimited access to our kitchen and butler's pantry counters and cabinets. This is both good and bad, iykwim.

-Access to stove. You have to be very careful about training DCs to keep the tower away from the stove. VERY careful.

Good luck!

[hillview]

I really like it. It is large but it keeps DS contained in the kitchen safely. Also it helps him be part of the action while I am cooking or cleaning. I am not sure how I'd like it if it were always in the way. Is there a place in your kitchen where it could be used but not be in the way totally?
/hillary

[ellies mom]

I love ours. It takes up a good deal of room but it is worth it. We use it for cooking, crafts and the occasional breakfast. I also do her hair in it because it puts her at a better height for me.

One of the reasons we bought it was because our chairs are padded and she just couldn't condense the foam enough to stand on them safely when she was younger. The reason I didn't just buy an unpadded chair or stool was that we had a problem with the chairs sliding out from under her as well. We don't have that problem with the LT.

[octmom]

I think mine is the only family that didn't fall in love with the LT. We have a small kitchen and it always seemed to be in the way. It has been in the garage for a long time. I have held onto it because I hope to move to a different house in a year or so, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will have a bigger kitchen.

[luvmypeanut]

I just got one after years of lusting but I'm not in love either. We have a really big, open kitchen so space isn't the issue. Because it has 4 sides, it's difficult for the big kids to get in and out. And both my kids cannot fit in it together. It's now in the TV room as a permanent puppet theatre, but then again, there's only room inside for one kid at a time. Maybe my kids are just too old for it? I find our Kik-step stool and dining chair work better in our case. I think I would have loved it more when the kids were younger.

[sidmand]

I think mine is the only family that didn't fall in love with the LT. We have a small kitchen and it always seemed to be in the way. It has been in the garage for a long time. I have held onto it because I hope to move to a different house in a year or so, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will have a bigger kitchen.

Nope, I bought mine used, but ended up selling it within a year. It was a good idea but a) I don't really cook (didn't think that one through) and b) there was too much stuff on the counter to keep DS away from

It was in the dining room in the corner for many months before I decided I wasn't ever going to use it. Maybe I would with DD, but I figured I didn't need it and I might as well sell it.

[kochh2]

We love ours, in fact, so much so that in our recent home buying experience, one of the criteria for the kitchen was that the tower would fit and be an integral part of our "decor" so to speak. I know it seems silly, but Like Beth, we cook A LOT, and though Dh baulked at the price initially, after the first say, week of constant, safe use, and very engaged children.... it was suddenly "the best thing ever" in DH's words!!! So, we're in the "cant live without it category... GREAT score, BTW... $20 is a Great price for a tower!!!