Why a Kitchen Helper is Such a Great Tool for Toddlers

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As parenting styles continue to evolve and we encourage our children to take part in more of life’s everyday activities, helping them learn how to become independent, resilient and well-rounded little people, we have to make adjustments within our homes to accommodate their needs since, well, they’re small!

One of the ways we have done this in our home is with a kitchen helper. The Contemporary Guidecraft Kitchen Helper specifically. Kitchen helpers have become a game-changer for many families, allowing their toddlers to actively participate in mealtime, cooking, baking, and even flower arranging! It offers them a safe and empowering environment for them to explore and learn. 

What age do kids start using a kitchen helper?

We had purchased the Guidecraft Kitchen Helper when Mila turned one, as part of her Birthday gifts. We had seen it used at friend’s houses with their toddlers and we loved how independent the kids were when using it. We weren’t sure when just the right time would be for Mila to truly start using it but we began introducing her to the kitchen helper most heavily around 18 months. We started out by using it to allow her to play, up at counter height and watch us while we were cooking dinner. We offered her activities like using silicone baking cups and water on a tray to engage in some water play. At this point she wasn’t able to climb in and out of the kitchen helper independently so it was generally something we were encouraging by placing her inside (rather than independently making a choice to use it) and she wasn’t frequently interested in being in it.

However, overtime she seemed to enjoy her time in the kitchen helper more and more and eventually it completely replaced the Inglesina Fast Chair (I could rave about this too, but not in this post!) as the place for her to enjoy breakfast, snacks, and participate in family time and meal preparation in the kitchen.

Using Your Kitchen Helper to Incorporate your Toddler Into Activities

Snack or Mealtime

Our Guidecraft Kitchen Helper has transformed snack and mealtime into a more exciting and engaging event. For a long time, we used the Inglesina Fast Chair but as Mila got bigger and more independent we began encouraging her to use her kitchen helper. Now, she climbs up into the kitchen helper herself and enjoys her snacks and even helps to prepare her own snacks. 

Cooking and Baking 

Gone are the days when our little ones had to watch from afar as adults cooked or baked (or had to be awkwardly held at counter height as parents attempted to let them pour something into a bowl only to result in a massive disaster). The Guidecraft Kitchen Helper enables toddlers to become active participants in the culinary process with us. Whether it's helping to mix ingredients or decorating cookies, they can contribute and learn alongside their parents or other grown ups. By doing this, we’re allowing them to explore their creativity (you’ve never seen a truly creative cookie until you’ve seen what a toddler can do to it), helping them to hone fine motor skills (Mila’s pouring skills are improving daily thanks to her help with my morning oatmeal), and instilling a sense of pride, accomplishment, and independence. Plus, these moments create lasting memories and strengthen the bond between you and your child, or your child and their other caregivers. My parents are actually in town for the next month and they’re looking forward to doing some baking with Mila over the next few weeks!

Flower Arranging

I love to pick-up some flowers at Trader Joe’s, especially in the Spring and Summer. They brighten up the home so beautifully! On a recent shopping trip, I was selecting flowers and Mila pointed at some flowers she liked. I asked her if she wanted to get them to arrange herself and she said “yes.” So I brought home my own flowers as well as the ones Mila had selected. When we got home, she hopped up in her kitchen helper and I gave her her own vase and trimmed the stems down for her. I then showed her how to place the flower stems in the vase. Then I left her to do it herself as I cut and arranged my own. We both had such a good time! When we were done, she took her arrangement and put them on her bathroom counter and has been so proud of them. This flower arranging activity was great for her hand-eye coordination and provided an experience with nature, textures, smells, and beauty! I felt like she had a sense of achievement when she was done so it also seems like a great activity for helping to boost self esteem and explore their artistic side.

Why Buy Guidecraft?

As with most people, we buy products that people we trust have recommended or that we see friends and family buy who have shared that they love the product. The Guidecraft Kitchen Helper is one that we saw in multiple homes and for good reason. Guidecraft is known for its commitment to safety and its design. Their products are crafted with high-quality materials, and their kitchen helper provides a stable and secure platform, which is paramount when using a product like this. The design incorporates safety features such as an adjustable platform, a non-slip mat, non-tip feet and 2 netted Keepers for additional safety.

For my husband and I, we are loving our Guidecraft Kitchen Helper because of the confidence and independence it is instilling in Mila. By actively involving her in everyday tasks, it’s fostering a sense of competence and independence that she truly craves (everything “self” as in - “do it myself”). She feels more capable of contributing to everyday tasks in the kitchen and it’s definitely empowering her and supporting her self-esteem, allowing her to create a positive self-image, which is so important in today’s world. I know it will have long-lasting effects on her overall development and well-being.

We personally have the Contemporary Kitchen Helper Stool in White but they have multiple options to choose from. They also offer a variety of colors including white, ivory, navy, gray. Natural and walnut so they always look amazing within your own home decor (always a plus for me!).