Step stool versus learning tower for toddler?

[wishIwasonholiday10]

Downstairs we only have the kitchen sink for hand washing as no downstairs loo. I need to get a step stool for my 2.5 year old as she wants to wash her hands at the sink after eating or playing outside but I'm finding it hard to lift her and turn the tap on. Would you go for a normal cheap step stool or one of those learning tower things which could also be used to get her involved while cooking? The kitchen is tiny so would need a foldable one that seem to go for around £100. I like the idea of having her in the kitchen getting involved in cooking but at the practical level every time I've attempted this with the highchair its been quite stressful as the kitchen is too small to keep dangerous things out of reach.

At 2.5, assuming no additional needs, I'd go for a normal step stool. The learning tower is more useful for younger kids ime (particularly if space is an issue). You can still get her involved with cooking on a normal step (or let her help with chopping etc. at a table if you don't want her around the oven).

Normal step stool, or a kitchen chair if you have one. Mine do some helping next to me at the worksurface (which, yes, is stressful until they're a bit older and you can be a bit more confident about their sense of danger) and some helping at the kitchen table, where the biggest risk is usually mess rather serious injury.

A folding step stool, but stay close and remind them to be careful not to step back.

We had a tower and it was fantastic, but have dismantled it by age 3 and its a regular step now. We did the ikea step rebuild and it worked fine

Thanks all for the advice!

I should have mentioned there are some additional needs. DD is tall for her age but still a big unsteady on her feet as she has a gross motor delay and only just learnt to walk. She is making good progress so I hope she might be steadier soon but at the moment I will need to stay very close while she is on the step stool. The learning tower would provide extra stability but not sure how long this will be needed.

Will probably go for the step stool. Unfortunately the table is in the dining room and the kitchen is small and narrow so not an ideal space for cooking with a toddler

Get a double step stool like this. The single ones are pointless imo

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9431694?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=c290d9a9-b5d6-423c-841d-2a559621874c&istItemId=pwiaitaix&istBid=t&utm_custom6=PLA&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157%7Cacid:629-618-1342%7Ccid:20378155429%7Cagid:%7Ctid:%7Ccrid:%7Cnw:x%7Crnd:7222346701820229551%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:9045879&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20378155429&utm_term=9431694&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=629-618-1342&GPDP=true&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkN--BhDkARIsAD_mnIr5uTi3Oz9PTw0YpXxkHN8gQeIjhufMBKzFLr4q9C6j18aBa6KyWhQaAlKaEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

(Sorry for ridiculous link!)

Thanks for the suggestion @Bleurghel . I’ll definitely look for the higher 2 step type. We already have a single step one but even though DD is 32 months old and 90th percentile for height she still can’t wash her hands at the bathroom sink with it (we are about to try potty training so will need a stool the bathroom as well as the kitchen).

Just to say we did all of our toddler cooking sessions in the dining room on the big table. ❤️

We got the wooden IKEA 2 step stool and it's done the kids from age 2 until at least 6 years old. The one we got is the unfinished wood, so it was a chance for them to personalise it once they got older.
There have probably been about 10 falls from the stool in however many years, which is similar to falls from the stairs etc.
The main safety thing is about where the step is allowed (eg not at the hob unless an adult is literally watching beside)