Has anyone used a Little Helper/Funpod kitchen stand thing or similar for toddlers?

[soundsystem]

Has anyone used a FunPod/Little helper toddler kitchen type thing? If so would you recommend? I'm tempted as they do seem to keep the toddler in one place in the kitchen, so I can set her up with an activity while I cook. But on the other hand, it's a lot of money when I could buy a plastic step from Ikea and stand her on that! (I appreciate an averagely handy person could make something similar cheaply and easily, but I'm not that person!)

Would really appreciate any reviews from anyone who has used one! Thanks.

It's this type of thing:

www.littlehelper.co.uk/childrens-furniture/funpods_kitchen_safety

(I'd be looking to get second hand/off ebay)

[kiki22]

Not tried it but mine would not have entertained going in that thing at all if he did he may have broken his neck trying to get out.

[nextchapterplease]

We have one and my two DC still both want to go in it now! (5 and almost 3).
It is great for keeping the youngest contained while all three of us 'bake' . Can't pretend it's essential but we are glad we bought it.
I

[Twistedheartache]

I keep looking at them for Dd2 coz she's only 18 months & a danger to herself so definitely cannot be let loose on a step stool - but just sooooo expensive

[Tiggeryoubastard]

What a ridiculous price. You could even get one made for less. I can't believe how gullible easily parted with their money some people are.

[minipie]

We borrowed one for DD1 and have borrowed a different one for DD2. They have been great.

Not so much for them to help with cooking - by the time they are old enough for that, they can go on a step - but really useful for the 11months-2yrs stage when they are a danger to themselves and need constant watching.

Basically we use it as a safe place to put DD2 (age 1) when we need 2 mins to open the front door, go to the loo etc. Like a playpen but much smaller!

She also loves to play peekaboo in it, and DD1 (age 3.5) likes to stand in it and draw pictures at the kitchen island.

I don't think I would have paid full price though.

[Bluecarrot]

Depends how much they sell for second hand.
I made one for cheap from an IKEA stool and some scrap wood and leftover paint. First project like it. Came in at £15ish. ( Pinterest full of tutorials)
DD loves it and uses it several times a day from about 19m through to now at 27m. I'd say by the time she is three she'll be too tall for it and I'd just set out a tall Stepstool.
If it would've done her longer than our current set up, and she could get up/down herself, I'd prob invest in a pod if I could get it for £50 or less.

[soundsystem]

Tigger, did you mean to be so rude? I'm not sure how it's gullible to spend money you can afford on something you/your DC will enjoy? If it makes you feel better though...

kiki haha that's what I'm worried about, I think maybe I'll try to borrow one and see if she'll stay in it first!

Bluecarrot I'll get on Pinterest and see - maybe I can make one after all!

Thanks for all your advice. I think I'll keep ay eye on ebay and see what they're going for :)

[minipie]

Quite a few on Gumtree around the £50 mark

link

[Kit2015]

We had some money for DD 1st birthday she had enough toys and enough clothes for 4 babies. So we invested in one of these, as I had been eyeing it up for awhile.
I love it. It's been a godsend. She loves being in it. Plays peekaboo in there etc. Also give her a wooden spoon and she will bang it around and help you 'cook'.
If you can afford it go for it. :)

[Kit2015]

Oh and as for staying in it with regards to climbing out etc there are stages so you can lower/raise it depending on hight. There's no way my DD can get out there's nothing to climb up on.
DD is a climber as well ;)

[cornishglos]

Is that a child standing in a box? Don't they climb out? What's wrong with a chair?

[soundsystem]

Ok, got one! (Not full price, I hasten to add).

DD seems very keen so far, she was trying to climb in, rather than out.

Cornish yep, pretty much! The benefit over standing on a chair is they can't get down on their own or fall off. My DD is only 17 months and hasn't been walking for that long, so still liable to falling over occasionally. If I stood her on a chair tall enough for her to reach the work surfaces and she fell over onto a hard tiled floor and hit her head it would be fairly nasty.

She's also not really at the level o understanding to get why it's ok to stand on a chair helping me in a kitchen but not when we're at someone else's house/in a restaurant. I spend a lot of time telling her to sit not stand on chairs as it is! With an older child absolutely I'd just stick them on a chair, though!

[soundsystem]

Thanks Kit you convinced me! DD is enjoying crouching down in it hiding from us and then popping back up!

[Kit2015]

Glad you like it :)

[Laquila]

My husband made one for our toddler and it's been brilliant. It's adjustable but doesn't have solid sides, so now he's 2.5 he can easily climb in and out himself. Also good for pirate ship games etc!