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The Littlest Helper Tower

blue little helper tower in white kitchen
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Difficulty
Intermediate
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Build your own toddler step stool and bring your child to counter height. Features adjustable height platform, removable tip resistant kit, and optional fold flat modification.

Reader submitted photo by Ginger and the Huth

Dimensions
dimensions diagram for little helper tower
Dimensions are shown above. Heights of rungs are adjustable platform heights. Platform measures 15″ x 18″. You can add additional guards to fit the special needs of your individual child. For an older child you could remove the tip resistant kit for a more compact profile.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 – 1×8, 8 feet long

4 – 1×2, 8 feet long

1 – 1×3, 8 feet long

Common Materials
1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
Elmer's Wood Glue
Cut List

4 – 1×2 @ 38″ (Legs)

8 – 1×2 @ 15″ (Ladder rungs)

1 – 1×8 @ 15″ (Arches) OR 2 - 1x3 @ 15" (Substitute for arches)

2 – 1×8 @ 16 1/2″ (Front and Back Sides)

2 – 1×8 @ 18″ (Platform)

2 – 1×2 @ 15″ (Platform Supports)

2 – 1×2 @ 16 1/2″ (Bottom Supports)

2 – 1×3 @ 16 1/2″ (Top Supports)

2 – 1×3 @ 24″ (Tip Resistors)

4 – 1×3 @ 3″ (Tip Resistors)

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Jigsaw
Power Sander
Level
Drill Bit Set

Instructions

Step 1

Cut Arches From the 1×8 that is 15″ long, cut arches as shown in diagram with a jigsaw.  Adjust so you can get both arches on the 1x8.

NOTE: Some people just opt for straight boards across as done in this reader submitted photo. 

simple little helper tower modification

You can substitute for 1x3 instead.  This will simplify the building process.

Step 2

Ladder Rungs
 

Measure and mark legs for ladder rung positions. Drill 3/4" pocket holes and apply glue to ends of ladder rungs. Attach with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.

Build two identical.

Step 3

Assembly

Mark the location of the end pieces and predrill holes. Apply glue and screw in place with pocket hole screws. Adjust for square. You can add additional rails to the front and back as you see fit, but keep the sides open so your youngster can crawl in and out of the helping tower.

Step 4

Platform

Next, build your platform by marking the 1x8s that are 18″ long 1″ from the outsides. Attach with glue and 1 1/4″ screws the platform supports. These platform supports not only join the 1x8s, but they also keep the platform in place inside the helping tower.

Step 5

Step 6

Tip Resistant Foot

Round the corners on the tip resistors as shown above. Screw together. You can optionally exclude the smaller tip resistors, as side to side tipping is less likely than backward tipping. You know your child better than anyone. Build to suit your child’s needs

Step 7

Attach Tip Resistant Footer

Simply screw the tip resistant footer to the legs as shown above.

Step 8

Folding Mod

By placing hinges instead of screwing the front and back pieces to the side pieces, you can make the Little Helper Tower fold easily. Just make sure you use plenty of strong hinges, make the platform fit very tight (adjust the inset on the ends to 3/4″ instead of 1″ in step 4, and regularly check to make sure your hinges are not loose. I personally prefer simplicity, and any time you add hinges, it increases the complexity. But for those of you who require storage for the Little Helper Tower (would slide under a bed easily) this mod if done with care can be the solution.

Step 9

Project Type
Toys
Room
Kids and Toys
Style
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

Trishdish

Wed, 03/16/2011 - 21:29

I thought so too at first...and then I realized that right now my kids stand on a step stool when they help bake and they fall off that all the time! I think having the railing around them would help especially since mine are old enough to grab the rail if they started to loose their balance. I'm gonna try it!

Danielle (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 02:52

Yay! We have a 3-year-old who loves to help with *everything* and this is perfect! I've been eyeing the $200 models and they just are NOT in our budget -- can't wait to get this made for our girl -- thanks SO much!!

Concretin Nik (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 03:25

So glad you did this one! I've been meaning to do this myself ever since I saw a learning tower... and the $250+ price tags... Now I can move on directly to building rather than design. My 3 year old is gonna dig it! Now he can start doin' dishes! HA!

lee (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 03:36

just thought you should remind readers that this tower is not only great for getting the kids to counter height for kitchen helping, but with the addition of a blanket it becomes a play house or puppet theatre.

Corky King (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 04:02

Ana,

I'm sending these plans to friends who have a very active toddler. BUT, when I saw this, I immediately thought of how cool it would be to add removable curtain rods - pressure fitted rods - to make this into a PUPPET THEATER! You would need four of them, so the sides and back would be closed. The front rod should be positioned about half-way back to create the "stage" and the front curtains should be split in the middle. How cute would that be?

Tracey (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 05:01

I. Need. One. My 2-year old drags chairs all around the house so he can "help" me. Or so he can help himself get that toy that's out of his reach (usually with good reason...)

Kassie (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 05:05

Anna, for you to do what you do and for free, you are amazing. Thank you so much. I have been looking at your website for a couple of weeks now trying to decide what my first project will be and waiting for my husband to get his project car out of the garage. The helping tower is going to be my first project and I couldnt be more excited. I have a two year old that pushes chairs all around my house to help me. My four year old is handicapped and wants to help me so bad but she cant stand on a chair. so this will be perfect for her and save me from having to search my house for my chairs. Thank you so much

Kerrie (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 05:27

I wish my kitchen was bigger! My kitchen is smaller than most apartments! Under $20 is a steal too! These sell for $150 online!

Maybe one day when I get a bigger house! (a family of 5 in a house that's just over 1000 sq. ft.! We're a little cramped.)

Kim (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 05:37

So excited for this one! I already forwarded it to my dad (aka the one with the tools). We have had too many slips off stools and chairs at our house.

Thanks Ana!

Cassandra (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 05:56

Perfect timing!!! I was just trying to think up plans for something like this over the holiday! My 20 month-old likes to "help" me in the kitchen. I let her sit on her knees on a tall chair but it makes me SO nervous. Can't wait to build this.

Margaret V (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 06:14

I'm considering making this my first ever building project *yikes!* and wondered if you could provide a tool list for the novices. I'm sure it's probably obvious, but I'd like to make sure I have everything I need before I start.

Thanks! Your blog is lovely and so empowering!

NichyB (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 06:29

This is AMAZING! I have the Learning Tower and I spent $$$ on it- I wish I would have had this plan before dropping all that money!! I've shared this plan with all my friends who wanted the Tower but couldn't afford it. Thanks Ana for making some little kiddos happy helpers! :)

Teri (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 07:13

Thanks so much Ana ... I've been admiring these in catalogs for years with the plan of always making my own for my granddaughter. We are snowed in, so I'm thinking it is a good project for us to work on. And I may make a few others for gifts. I can't think of a better gift for a small child.

laree (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 07:15

Brilliant! I love this! If only I had a place in my house I could actually keep it . . . .

claydowling

Tue, 05/24/2011 - 07:11

if it's dried. Only a few, that you're unlikely to find at a home improvement store, are dangerous before they're dried, and they're specialized products with a price tag to match.

Bob Flexner wrote an article about this a few years back, basically that if it would work on wood, once a finish has cured it's safe to store food and eat off of, which is more sensitive than chewing because of the ability to leach chemicals. A transcript of the article is here: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/msg17636.html

Sabrina (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 12:29

Super cute! I've ben tempted by the retail version (which does coops, btw, for the non-builders who are good organizers) but still put off by the $100+ price and the space it takes up.

For this price, I might justify the space!

shorty (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 20:59

I just wanted to thank you for this WONDERFUL blog!!! I have yet to make anything but when the times comes I know I will be able to do it with all the wonderful help you have given us! My friend has made so much furniture from this site I think her house has had a complete make over this year!!! I hope you have a WONDERFUL new year and that next will be even better for you!

Homebirth Mama (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 22:16

brilliant Ana! thank you so, so much for this one!

i was just thinking last week that it would be simply awesome if you hacked the learning tower. when i stopped by to finalize my choices of projects for january, to my delight, i saw that you did hack them.

you totally, completely, utterly, MEGA rock!

Homebirth Mama (not verified)

Fri, 12/31/2010 - 22:17

there are many brands of non-toxic paint out there. bio-shield, afm safecoat. milk paint would be a fantastic choice too.

Heather Fox (not verified)

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 13:19

Have you thought about a second life for this project. I was thinking that we'd make this for our girls and when they get too tall, it can be quickly modified to a puppet theater or playhouse.

Lavina D. (not verified)

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 18:09

I am SUPER excited about this one! I think I have all the lumber in the garage to make it! Do you think the tower would maintain its' stability if I widened it to fit two children? I was thinking 24 inches. Thanks.

Al Benton (not verified)

Sun, 01/02/2011 - 06:22

Ana, great design! We have twin granddaughters that just turned 3. My first thought was one wider stand but ruled it out. They're very competitive so one each may be safer. They love helping mom in the kitchen.

Cheryl (not verified)

Sun, 01/02/2011 - 18:17

We have a family of five in just over 1000 sq. ft. as well and I actually have a learning tower that someone gave me (otherwise I'd be building this right now). The LT has actually made more room for me in the kitchen, because both my boys (3 and 1) can stand on it together versus each on a chair. My one year-old loves to hang out on it while I do lots of other stuff, too. In my case it was worth the space it takes up and Anna is right, it's not as big as it looks.

farm-marm (not verified)

Sun, 01/02/2011 - 20:42

Kerrie! I have 5kids and me and hubby in 1200 sf. If we can do it anyone can! Its tight to be sure but with creativity you can make it work! Thanks to Ana I have so many ideas just waiting to build! I too thought this would be great for my 2 toddlers as a great climber. They could use it in the kitchen too. LOVE it Ana! Thanks for your site it's pure genius!

Ana White (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 08:10

Heather, my daughter is four, so she really is on the upper end of needing this. But she is fascinated with using it as a "tower" and playing Rapunzel and is constantly draping blankets over it and making forts. It is her favorite thing right now! I would like to add a chalkboard/easel as well . . . and I did make a folding mod, so check back for that post.

I would not buy this(retails for $150-$200) with an only child because of the cost/space considerations, but if you can make it for $20, that changes everything. So when your child outgrows it in a few years, there will be little guilt about repurposing or donating or handing it down.

Annie (not verified)

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 06:02

I have so many "ohhhh this is gonna be my first project! " but now seeing this, I think this just might be it! I'm scared to death to try it but after seeing my small 4 year old son stand, sit, stand, kneel on one of our kitchen chairs to do his "mixings", I knew that he needs to have one of these! Thanks Ana!

Homebirth Mama (not verified)

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 10:50

oh! most home depots carry yolo colorhouse paint now. i haven't researched that one as much as the others i suggested, but i do believe it is no-voc, no poly's, and pretty safe. :)

Al Benton (not verified)

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 11:16

Well, after consulting with the twins Mom, we're going to widen the Tower by 6" as you suggest, so both can use it together.

April K (not verified)

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 15:42

I bought the materials for this today at Home Depot and was fortunate to get a guy nice enough to make all my cuts! But I am still sooooo nervous about getting started!

My husband gave me the go ahead about 2 weeks ago to purchase the $150 kitchen helper online but I just wasn't ready to pay that much. The following week these plans were posted here! We really need it because our 4 year old daughter has spina bifida and it's just not safe for her to kneel on a chair since she doesn't have good balance. I used to let her sit on our island to help me until she fell head first onto the ceramic tile floor and had to rush her to the ER. I guess $150 for the kitchen tower would have been cheaper than that, huh?!? Wish me luck!!!

Anna (not verified)

Wed, 01/05/2011 - 07:39

I have been on vacation from your blog for too many days!!! I have literally been trying to figure out something just like your design. My daughter wants me to hold her constantly when I am in the kitchen or working at a table or whatever. Now she can see what I am doing but not be on my hip while I am doing dishes and painting the play kitchen i just built from YOUR PLANS!!! I don't think I can thank you enough for all of your inspiration

Dawn (not verified)

Wed, 01/05/2011 - 11:20

Oh, thank you, thank you! I've had my eye on the Learning Tower and it's $200 price tag for a year now...this is a totally do-able project and will make me, my husband and our son so very happy. $20 in materials, really?! I am so excited. Thanks for sharing your plans with us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Questions

What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!

Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.

What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.

What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.

Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.

Cutting Questions

Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.

How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.

Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.

Joinery Questions

What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.

Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.

How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.

Finishing Questions

Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.

What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.

How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.

Plan Questions

Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.

Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.

General Questions

What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.

Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.

What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!

What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.

I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.

Care & Maintenance

How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.

How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.

How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.

Want to Build with Confidence?

Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.

Still Have Questions?

Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!