Best Toddler Step Stool for a Little Boost
Last Updated on October 1, 2020
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Taking that step up on a kids step stool not only gives toddlers a boost in height, but confidence as well. On the top step, they can finally see and reach the top of the bathroom sink and make funny faces at themselves in the mirror.
Your little one will need that extra step for a good 3-5 years as they continue growing. The best toddler step stool will help them reach the bathroom sink or kitchen counter to make them feel more independent.
Too busy loving your little one? Here’s our top pick.
The top pick for the best step stool for toddlers is the iLove Step Stool. The step stool is a great two-step stool that will help your child reach new heights around the house.
It’s one of our favorite step stools for the bathroom since it comes in a two-pack if you need a stool for more than one room (most will) and gives you little partners a new sense of independence. With a second step at 10.5 inches tall, it should give them enough of a boost to reach the sink or potty when the time comes.
Best Toddler Step Stools
Best Step Stool for the Bathroom: iLove 2 Step Stool for Kids (2 Pack)
Best Single Step Stool for Toddlers: Dreambaby Step Stool
Best Step Stool for Toddler Potty Training: Skyroku Potty Training Seat with Step Stool Ladder
Best Folding Step Stool for Toddlers: ACSTEP Acko Lightweight Folding Step Stool
Best Wooden Toddler Step Stool: Dibsies Personalized Wood Step Stool with Storage
Best Toddler Step Stool with Safety Rails: SDADI Kids Kitchen Step Stool with Safety Rail
Why do I need a step stool for my toddler?
Almost everything in your house was built with a full-size adult in mind. So they’ll need that extra lift until they’re at least 4 to 6 years old.
Toddlers will climb on things that are unsafe: Toddlers are naturally curious and want to be independent. So they may grab the nearest toy dump truck, cardboard box, chair, or sibling to climb up to reach the light switch, sink, or toy on the shelf. This can pose a serious injury risk since none of those things were meant to be climbed on.
Bathroom sinks are too tall: Your bathroom sinks are likely in the range of 29 to 36 inches in height depending if you have a pedestal sink or bathroom vanity cabinet. The set-in sinks with the cabinets are generally taller and can be up to 36 inches. At 3-years-old, your toddler will barely be this tall. Kid step stools will prevent you from having to squish your child against the counter as you wash their hands.
Toilet seats are too high: When it comes to potty training, they’ll certainly need a stool to reach the big kid toilet when they’re ready. Standard size toilet seats are about 15 inches from the ground with “comfort height” seats that make it easier to sit and stand being up to 19 inches.
Kitchen countertops are out of reach: While this may be a good thing, most standard kitchen countertops are 36 inches tall and are too high for most toddlers. However, at a certain point, you may want them to have some sense of independence and allow them to grab a quick snack or wash their hands.
Big kid bed is too high: Moving out of the crib and into their first bed is a big moment. Unfortunately, some beds may be a bit tall for your little one depending on the bed frame and whether you’re using a box spring.
Where will your toddler need a step stool?
This will depend on your particular use and home layout. However, your toddler will likely need a step stool for a few specific spots around the house.
Bathroom: Whether washing their hands at the sink or trying out the big kid potty, they’ll need a boost in the bathroom. A step stool will help if your little girl needs a couple of steps to sit on the toilet, your son needs a step up to tinkle (when they learn to pee standing up), or they are trying to reach the sink.
Kitchen: With a high amount of traffic going through the kitchen, you may want a collapsible stool. These folding step stools can be stowed way right next to the fridge or in a cabinet. They’re perfect for little ones to occasionally get out to grab their own snack or wash their hands.
Bedroom: If you have a short toddler, they may struggle to climb in bed if you have a box spring mattress. Having a stool right next to the bed allows them to climb in by themselves at night.
Dining Room: Once you swap out the high chair for a booster chair at the table, they may also need a boost to get in their spot. A small step stool can help get themselves situated for dinner while you finish getting drinks and plates of food ready.
So, unless you want to move the stool between multiple rooms, you may want to get two or three for your toddler.
What features should a toddler step stool have?
Non-Slip Foot Grip: Getting a two or three-year-old to stand still is hard enough. Put them on a step that’s 12 by 6 inches and you have a good chance of slipping off. A slip-resistant surface made of soft-grip rubber on the step stool will help their antsy feet stay on, even if they get water on the steps.
One or Two Steps: Getting a one-step or two-step stool depends on how your child will use it and how much extra height they need. Chances are they’ll need a dual height or two-step stool until they’re almost four years old unless they’re on the taller end. However, a one-step stool is less of an obstacle if you want to keep it out for frequent use.
Easy Cleaning: Hard plastic stools make clean up easy with a quick wipe. This is important for the bathroom where accidents are bound to happen. A wooden step stool looks nice, but aren’t as easy to clean as plastic.
Lightweight with Handles: Your child will want to move the step stool into place on their own once they get big enough. A lightweight stool with handles for your little one to grab onto will be just what they need.
Compact for Small Spaces: Most full-size step stools are too bulky to have sitting out if you’ve got a tight bathroom or kitchen. A folding step stool that collapses may be your best option.
Step Size: While almost no stepping stool for kids is as deep as standard stairs (10 – 11 inches), the depth of the stool should be at least 5.5 to 6 inches. This will provide sufficient room for your child’s feet.
Reviews for the Best Toddler Step Stools
Best Step Stool for the Bathroom: iLove 2 Step Stool for Kids (2 Pack)
The dual height steps of the iLove stool are ideal for bathroom use. The top step is a good height for younger/smaller toddlers to be able to reach the sink or the big kid potty.
The two-step design will keep up with your growing child as they move to the bottom step at around 4 or 5 years old. The slip-resistant surface on each step will also help your toddler’s feet stay safely planted to the stool as they reach for the sink.
It also comes in a two-pack so you’ve got a stool for the bathroom and one other room in the house.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Great value with two kid step stools included
- Dual height design is perfect for growing toddlers that may need different heights
- Non-slip surface helps secure your child’s footing
- Slip-resistant grips on the bottom to keep it in place even on slippery tile floors
- Non-toxic plastic is very easy to wipe clean with water or disinfectant
- Lightweight plastic makes it easy for your toddler to move into place by themselves
- Stackable for more compact storage when not in use
- Max weight is 175 pounds so it can also be used as a parent seat during bath
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Top step may not be deep enough to maneuver or turn to sit on the toilet for some kids
- Almost too lightweight which makes them top-heavy when using the top step
Step Dimensions: First step is 5.5 inches high by 5.5 inches deep. Second step is 10.5 inches high by 6.9 inches deep. Both steps are 12.7 inches wide.
Max Weight: 175 pounds
Stool Weight: 1.86 pounds
Best One Step Stool for Toddlers: Dreambaby Step Stool
The Dreambaby stool is a one-step stool that curves with the base of the toilet for easy reach. The top of the stool is covered in over a hundred non-slip rubber dots that keep your little one firmly planted to the step.
We have two Dreambaby step stools in our house for each bathroom. They aren’t quite tall enough for our toddler to reach the faucet handles, but they’re just high enough for him to wash his hands and brush his teeth with our help.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Made of durable and lightweight plastic that’s easy to clean
- Lighter weight and small size makes them super easy for toddlers to move around
- Sure-Grip top has 117 non-slip rubber dots that keep your child stable (they’ll also love to count them)
- Anti-slip base to help hold the step in place
- Curved contour that helps it wrap around the toilet during potty training
- Perfect step stool if your children need just a little boost to reach the sink, potty, or bed
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Smallest step stool on our list and one step may not be high enough for most toddlers
- Not as sturdy as others and likely will not hold under the weight of parents
Step Dimensions: 12 inches wide by 7 inches deep by 5 inches high.
Max Weight: 175 pounds
Stool Weight: About one pound
Best Step Stool for Toddler Potty Training: Skyroku Potty Training Seat with Step Stool Ladder
Not all step stools are made equal and this one is surely different than the rest. The Skyroku step stool is made specifically for toddlers that are potty training and need an extra boost to reach the toilet.
It has a ladder step stool to help them get onto the comfortable cushion seat that has handles to keep them secure. What’s great is that this step stool will work with just about any shape and height toilet seat out there. You just put the seat on top of the toilet seat and then extend the slip-resistant legs until they are firmly planted on the ground.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Perfect toilet training stool to help your toddler transition to use the toilet
- Adjustable height step ladder to reach different toilet seat heights
- Removable handles and anti-slip padded seat will help keep your child in place
- Potty training seat is shaped for small bottoms so they don’t feel afraid of falling in
- Fits either standard or elongated V, U, or O-shaped toilet seats
- Cushioned seat helps minimize the negative feeling of a cold toilet seat and can be washed
- Slip-resistant step helps when they turn around to sit down
- Foldable design makes it slightly more compact to store between the toilet and sink
- Splash guard in the front helps catch most of the pee spray
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Larger size makes it more difficult to store and tuck away when not in use
- Will not work with square-shaped toilets
- Good amount of assembly required even though it’s not difficult
Step Dimensions: 13.4 inches wide by 5.1 inches deep by 5 inches high.
Max Weight: 165 pounds
Stool Weight: Around three pounds
Best Folding Step Stool for Toddlers:ACSTEP Acko Lightweight Folding Step Stool
This is the perfect step stool for small spaces like an apartment or houses that aren’t very big. If you have a cramped kitchen or tiny bathroom, this stool will fold up nicely to fit anywhere there is at least two inches to spare.
So, there’s no need to keep this convenient folding step stool out in the open as a trip hazard for the family. It’s also a great height for your little on to reach the toilet or sink.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Easy to fold up the stool for storage next to the sink, refrigerator, bed, couch, or anywhere you have a few extra inches
- One of the deepest step stools at 8.5 inches makes it great for bigger kids
- Convenient carrying handle to move between rooms
- Non-slip rubber dots on the step surface and anti-skid bottom to keep everything in place
- Rounded step corners make it safer for children to use
- Made for both parents and kids, although I would recommend staying well below the weight limit
- Makes for a great toddler chair when not being used as kids step stools
- Stool comes in 5 color options (blue, black, green, pink, and white)
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Only one step which may be too tall for younger toddlers to get on
- Prone to pinching fingers if your toddler doesn’t fold it up the proper way
- Does not feel as durable since it’s made to collapse for storage
Step Dimensions: 11.25 inches wide by 8.5 inches deep by 10.5 inches high. Only 15.5 inches high by 2 inches deep when folded up.
Max Weight: 250 pounds
Stool Weight: Around 2.5 pounds
Best Wooden Toddler Step Stool: Dibsies Personalized Wood Step Stool with Storage
Wooden step stools are perfect for bedroom use. The smooth wood looks great and feels like a piece of furniture that should actually be part of the child’s bedroom.
The wood construction material helps make these stools more robust and durable than thin plastic stools. They can also be personalized to have your child’s name printed in a fun font and color right on the wooden step. It’s hard to go wrong with the quality build and strength of wooden step stool.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Handmade two-step wooden step stool made of 100% solid MDF wood
- Excellent step stool for a birthday gift with the ability to personalize
- Customize the step stools with your little one’s name in 5 different font colors and styles
- Top step opens to a small storage compartment for little things your toddler may need
- Modern look makes it a great looking piece of furniture for your toddler’s bedroom or bathroom
- Sturdy kids stepping stool that won’t tip over easily due to the wider base and heavier material
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Low maximum weight limit at just 50 pounds
- Limits personalization to a maximum of 10 letters (likely only an issue if using last names)
- Does not have non-slip material on the steps or feet
Step Dimensions: 12.75 inches wide by 6.6 inches deep (13.25 inches total) by 11.5 inches high.
Max Weight: 50 pounds
Stool Weight: About 8 pounds
Best Toddler Step Stool with Safety Rails: SDADI Kids Kitchen Step Stool with Safety Rail
Wooden step stools are perfect for bedroom use. The smooth wood looks great and feels like a piece of furniture that should actually be part of the child’s bedroom.
The wood construction material helps make these stools more robust and durable than thin plastic stools. They can also be personalized to have your child’s name printed in a fun font and color right on the wooden step. It’s hard to go wrong with the quality build and strength of wooden step stool.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Great stool for the kitchen to let your toddler cook or snack with the family
- Easy for toddlers over 18 months to climb up
- Safety railings help corral your child to reduce the chance they’ll fall or slip off the step
- Made of 100% pine wood for extra strength and durability
- Comes with non-slip pads for the steps to help keep your toddler safe
- Stool stores underneath the counter if your counter is 35 inches or higher
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Very heavy step stool at 15 pounds and can’t be moved by a toddler
- Large size makes it difficult to store if you have a smaller kitchen
- Clumsy toddlers may still struggle to stay put
- Gap on the back where the child climbs up poses a risk of their feet sliding off the back of the step
Step Dimensions: 18.1 inches wide by 18 inches deep (13.25 inches total) by 34.8 inches high (top of railings).
Max Weight: 150 pounds
Stool Weight: 15 pounds
Conclusion
Our favorite step stool for toddlers and young kids is the iLove Step Stool. The slip-resistant surface of each step will definitely help your child’s feet stay put while they reach for the light switch, sink, toilet, or a favorite snack. There are plenty of places around the house you’ll get great use of the two stools that come in this pack.
If you’re looking for a personalized wooden step stool then head over to Dibsies’ Etsy shop and get a custom-made wood stool for your toddler. You can print their name right on the side letting them know it was made just for them.
