KidKraft Two Step Stool – Natural

My Score: 5 / 5
We have high sinks, faucets that don’t extend very far out, and a child who is only barely at 50th percentile for height (just turned 2 at time of buy). As we looked to encourage her to wash her hands (initially, just for general cleaniless, but later more frequently with potty training), I had a hard time finding a stool that was high enough her her to step up onto easily AND that would get her high enough to really wash her hands. This stool is the solution!!

We first saw the floor model in a store but they had none in stock. We later bought online but for about $22-25. We have two – one in the kitchen, and one in a bathroom. The stool is heavy (read: sturdy, not going anywhere while your kid is going up/down), but was simple to assemble (arrives packaged flat). The stool is *not* a spacesaver, but given the drawbacks that other stools posed and the intended user, that was not our primary focus. We looked at more complex, expensive models (tower-like) that are fascinating conceptually but much too large for our home (and also $80-100). We already own a couple of inexpensive step-stools, including one that it technically for children, but none of them went up high enough. One reviewer pointed out that these stools don’t run up flush with walls, counters, etc. but have not found that problematic. I saw another model at IKEA (“Bekvam”) that I reckon goes up plenty high, but it wasn’t available at the time that we needed it, and when I really saw it in person, I found that the distance from lower to higher step was really too fantastic.

Initially we helped our child in going up and down. One of our sinks is a pedastel and so we are very careful around that one. In the kitchen, with the counter to lean on, less supervision is needed, and now she can go down backwards by herself as well. We use it for handwashing, and now to do other things on the kitchen counter with her.

Stool availability seems to be an issue. I have tried to buy four times (once in store, twice online in 2008, and now once in 2009, for another home) and each time they were out. Don’t let that deter you – these are worth it!

Overall we are VERY pleased with these stools. Will be useful even after our child stops needing them. We have them in white, and they wipe clean nicely.

My Score: 1 / 5
I’m shocked that a company like KidKraft that makes so many children’s products would make something so silly. This step stool is just perilous! The gap between the stool and whatever furniture you are placing it against is huge enough to get a small foot caught. It is also a small steep and uncomfortable and the picture looks like you’d be able to lift the top step for storage, but it’s just wasted space. I sent it back as soon as I place it together and tried it out. It’s also very heavy, which I guess can be a safety feature to avoid toppling, but because of the gap it really just made it more perilous if it tipped over.

My Score: 5 / 5
Very sturdy and functional. Easily went for many uses. My granddaughter likes it!