Play to Learn: Heirloom Wooden Toys ~ The Learning Tower

ByJulie Kieras
298 Comments

Simple, natural toys are best at inspiring imagination. Not only that, but natural wooden toys reduce a child's potential exposure to toxic chemicals. One of the beauties of natural wood toys is not just how lovely and nostalgic they look, but they truly do become "heirlooms" handed down to younger siblings, nieces, nephews... perhaps even the grandkids! The point is, they last! Meaning in the long run, not only do you have gorgeous toys that are safe, but you will save money!

First, some details: The Learning Tower is a safety stool - the only safety stool rated for as young as 18 months, that holds TWO children at the same time, with a max load capacity of 500 lbs! The platform adjusts as your child grows and to fit different height counters and tables (no tools required!). The support legs that stick out from the bottom, well, yes, they can be toe-stubbers, but you learn to adjust around it. And it's so worth having, because there is NO way I would have wanted my child up on a chair where he could tip over, or on an open stool with nothing to hold on to! The Learning Tower is so much safer, and easy for kids to climb in and out of!

Part of Waldorf educational philosophy is allowing children to be creative and imaginative. Since we've had The Learning Tower in our house, we've been branching out giving our son new experiences, and new ways to engage with us!

We've discovered he loves "cooking" - I give him a bowl with acorns and a wooden spoon, and he has a blast! He helped me make Jell-O one night (a messy endeavor!). And, he's never been a climber, but I showed him ONCE how to use the footholds, and ever since he has clambered up and down all on his own! He stands outside the Tower and stacks blocks on the stand part, or drives his cars through like it's a tunnel. Already he has found more uses for this Tower than I could imagine!

Using The Learning Tower even helped my son want to try new foods! No, really! My 19-month-old would never eat carrots, but when he was on the Tower playing and watching me chop carrots, he begged for them! I think just bringing him up to our level has created a great learning environment for him!

Here's a video of him having a ball on the Tower! You can see right away how sturdy it is - it doesn't even move when he clambers around! It was so much fun to have him right next to me happily "cooking" while I made some gluten-free Blondie bars!

The Learning Tower is one great piece of children's furniture! It is so versatile: climb, stand, observe, play, pretend (Playhouse attachment!) draw (Art Easel attachment! More on that later!). And it grows with your child - even when kids are older and don't need to climb up to see the counter, they can use the Tower for acting out plays, creating artwork and more!

DISCLOSURE: I was sent a product sample to facilitate this review. All opinions are honest and 100% my own.

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298 Comments

  1. They have so many great products! I love a bunch of their items, especially the Table & Benches with Blue Umbrella!

  2. They have so many great products! I love a bunch of their items, especially the Table & Benches with Blue Umbrella!

  11. I really like the products on the Herloom Wooden Toys site. I would love to be able to get the Activity Playhouse for my daughter. She would LOVE it!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  12. I really like the products on the Herloom Wooden Toys site. I would love to be able to get the Activity Playhouse for my daughter. She would LOVE it!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  15. I visited them and very impressed with the big selection of things they have. I particular would like to have their Big Top Sandbox for the kids

    brich22 at earthlink dot net

  16. I visited them and very impressed with the big selection of things they have. I particular would like to have their Big Top Sandbox for the kids

    brich22 at earthlink dot net

  19. They have way cool products. I like the MyFortBox Cardboard Tower of London
    SKU # MFB-Tower

  20. They have way cool products. I like the MyFortBox Cardboard Tower of London
    SKU # MFB-Tower

  23. I have purchased items from their store before & love the quality! Love their cute handmade wooden animals =)

  24. I have purchased items from their store before & love the quality! Love their cute handmade wooden animals =)

  25. I love their play food collection. They have so many to choose from which is going to be awesome when my daughter gets her play kitchen for Christmas!

  26. I love their play food collection. They have so many to choose from which is going to be awesome when my daughter gets her play kitchen for Christmas!

  29. I love all the universal dress up clothes! It has been hard to find dress up clothes for both genders.

    Of course all the nice looking quality wood toys are wonderful. 🙂

    That tower would change my 2 year old's world!

  30. I love all the universal dress up clothes! It has been hard to find dress up clothes for both genders.

    Of course all the nice looking quality wood toys are wonderful. 🙂

    That tower would change my 2 year old's world!

  33. I love Heirloom Wooden Toys. I've ordered from them before and the toys were great! I really wish we had all wooden/organic/healthy toys vs. all the plastic crud out there!

  34. I love Heirloom Wooden Toys. I've ordered from them before and the toys were great! I really wish we had all wooden/organic/healthy toys vs. all the plastic crud out there!

  39. I visited their site and love the selection of products they have especailly the table and benches

  40. I visited their site and love the selection of products they have especailly the table and benches

  47. Oh my they have so much! I would be in heaven if I had unlimited funds to that site. I love the Pathfinders Automata Flying Pig!

  48. Oh my they have so much! I would be in heaven if I had unlimited funds to that site. I love the Pathfinders Automata Flying Pig!

  55. Checked out their site! The Racers and the Little Red Roadsters are so cute. I'm sure my son would love them. They have a great selection of toys 🙂
    abgillette at gmail.com

  56. Checked out their site! The Racers and the Little Red Roadsters are so cute. I'm sure my son would love them. They have a great selection of toys 🙂
    abgillette at gmail.com

  61. What a great company. I love that they offer amazing keepsake items instead of the crap that gets played with once.

  62. What a great company. I love that they offer amazing keepsake items instead of the crap that gets played with once.

  67. I'd love just about everything from them, their site is dangerous. LOL I'm digging the MyFortBox Cardboard Tower of London!

  68. I'd love just about everything from them, their site is dangerous. LOL I'm digging the MyFortBox Cardboard Tower of London!

  83. I have been eyeing the Learning Tower for a long time on their site. I also like their wooden food.

  84. I have been eyeing the Learning Tower for a long time on their site. I also like their wooden food.

  85. I already like Heirloom on FB (and that's how I found this giveaway!)

  86. I already like Heirloom on FB (and that's how I found this giveaway!)

  87. Their website is cool. I love the costume options. All of their toys are great for play "therapy" with kids.

  88. Their website is cool. I love the costume options. All of their toys are great for play "therapy" with kids.

  91. I am putting this entire site on the "approved toys" x-mas wishlist! My family is always asking what they can get for my son, and every thing at Heirloom Toys is great. I really like the Percussion Set!

    legoisking at gmail dot com

  92. I am putting this entire site on the "approved toys" x-mas wishlist! My family is always asking what they can get for my son, and every thing at Heirloom Toys is great. I really like the Percussion Set!

    legoisking at gmail dot com

  101. Checked out their website, I think my son would get a kick out of the Pirate Ship Pond Yacht. Aaaargh matey!

  102. Checked out their website, I think my son would get a kick out of the Pirate Ship Pond Yacht. Aaaargh matey!

  109. What a great site! I would love the Table & Benches with Blue Umbrella for my backyard patio!

  110. What a great site! I would love the Table & Benches with Blue Umbrella for my backyard patio!

  111. I love the selection on wonderful Melissa & Doug toys at Heirloom Wooden Toys
    Sticemichelle at aol dot com

  112. I love the selection on wonderful Melissa & Doug toys at Heirloom Wooden Toys
    Sticemichelle at aol dot com

  113. I love their site! I've been pondering the wooden blocks for a christmas present for my son... I wish I had room for their bigger playhouses!

  114. I love their site! I've been pondering the wooden blocks for a christmas present for my son... I wish I had room for their bigger playhouses!

  117. I really REALLY love their ecowooden fishing set and the handmade wooden tool set Awesome! silenttributary at yahoo dot com

  118. I really REALLY love their ecowooden fishing set and the handmade wooden tool set Awesome! silenttributary at yahoo dot com

  119. I visited Heirloom Wooden Toys! They have such an awesome selection of Play Kitchens! I love how they are broken down into classic and modern styles. I also really love the selection of market stalls and easels they have!

  120. I visited Heirloom Wooden Toys! They have such an awesome selection of Play Kitchens! I love how they are broken down into classic and modern styles. I also really love the selection of market stalls and easels they have!

  121. I love there products , I have wanted a learning tower or kitchen helper since I found out I was pregnant , and now with my daughter being old enough to want to help with dishes etc. I REALLY need one , she is at that stage where falls are constant and it would be a God send !! All of there products are awesome , love the picnic table ! belensmama at gmail dot com

  122. I love there products , I have wanted a learning tower or kitchen helper since I found out I was pregnant , and now with my daughter being old enough to want to help with dishes etc. I REALLY need one , she is at that stage where falls are constant and it would be a God send !! All of there products are awesome , love the picnic table ! belensmama at gmail dot com

  131. I visited Heirloom Wooden Toys site and wow what a plethera of products. I particularly like the Music & Instruments section. What great things to get those kids interested in music. Thanks!

  132. I visited Heirloom Wooden Toys site and wow what a plethera of products. I particularly like the Music & Instruments section. What great things to get those kids interested in music. Thanks!

  133. Wow! They carry some awesome play kitchens for kids. I love the
    Red Vintage Kitchen by kidcraft!

  134. Wow! They carry some awesome play kitchens for kids. I love the
    Red Vintage Kitchen by kidcraft!

  135. Moving to the snow so that bambino pull sled would be great. They also have a mini version of what you're showing, called the kitchen helper.

  136. Moving to the snow so that bambino pull sled would be great. They also have a mini version of what you're showing, called the kitchen helper.

  137. Wow a lot of entries for this one! I've seen this before and I think it's such an awesome idea. My daughter has fallen from her stool before in the kitchen and I've hit my shins on it a few times. This would be a wonderful addition to our kitchen.
    Heirloom Wooden Toys on Twitter

  138. They have so many amazing things! Everything is pricier than what I'm used to, but like you said, it's all very sturdy and will last for a very very long time. I love the Kitchen Tower, too...very similar to the Learning Tower you reviewed.

  139. They have so many amazing things! Everything is pricier than what I'm used to, but like you said, it's all very sturdy and will last for a very very long time. I love the Kitchen Tower, too...very similar to the Learning Tower you reviewed.

  150. I love the Bilibo Classic! How much fun for kids who cannot sit still! But still sit!
    retailtherapylounge at gmail.com

  151. I love the Bilibo Classic! How much fun for kids who cannot sit still! But still sit!
    retailtherapylounge at gmail.com

  152. He looks like he is having such a great time. What a sturdy piece to use for standing at the counter. We've long wanted something like this but alas just cannot seem to bring ourselves to spend the money.

  153. He looks like he is having such a great time. What a sturdy piece to use for standing at the counter. We've long wanted something like this but alas just cannot seem to bring ourselves to spend the money.

  158. We LOVE Heirloom Wooden toys!!! We've gotten the Plan drum from there, as well as the xylophone and several wooden teethers! We are looking to buy a piano for kiddo's 1 year old birthday soon!

  159. We LOVE Heirloom Wooden toys!!! We've gotten the Plan drum from there, as well as the xylophone and several wooden teethers! We are looking to buy a piano for kiddo's 1 year old birthday soon!

  162. I love the learning tower the most, but I also like the Outdoor Cottage Clubhouse - Playhouse

  163. I love the learning tower the most, but I also like the Outdoor Cottage Clubhouse - Playhouse

  166. I looked over their site and they have some fabulous items. I think I will be placing an order for my son in the near future.

  167. I looked over their site and they have some fabulous items. I think I will be placing an order for my son in the near future.

  176. okay, I visited Heirloom Wooden Toys website and first love that you can shop by age and the filter is great because you can drill down to find exactly what you are looking for. For my DD, I really like the Oval Xylophone because it is all about making noise with her- and what a great price (20.95)!

  177. okay, I visited Heirloom Wooden Toys website and first love that you can shop by age and the filter is great because you can drill down to find exactly what you are looking for. For my DD, I really like the Oval Xylophone because it is all about making noise with her- and what a great price (20.95)!

  186. I love the sturdiness of wooden toys -- I've been wanting a learning tower for a long time now 🙂 I also really like their SMART WOODEN BALANCE BIKE. ngiraldi at gmail dot com

  187. I love the sturdiness of wooden toys -- I've been wanting a learning tower for a long time now 🙂 I also really like their SMART WOODEN BALANCE BIKE. ngiraldi at gmail dot com

  198. i think the Create Your Own Seedling Wooden People Family kit looks like a lot of fun!!
    hancoci_s at msn dot com

  199. i think the Create Your Own Seedling Wooden People Family kit looks like a lot of fun!!
    hancoci_s at msn dot com

  204. I checked out their website and I really love the Art Activity Desk. Thanks for the giveaway:)

  205. I checked out their website and I really love the Art Activity Desk. Thanks for the giveaway:)

  206. I love wooden toys. It reminds me of the toys I played with when I was young. There were a lot more wooden toys then. I am really intrigued by that learning tower, We cook a lot so this would be wonderful to have. I also like that you can search by made in the USA toys. Awesome!

  207. I love wooden toys. It reminds me of the toys I played with when I was young. There were a lot more wooden toys then. I am really intrigued by that learning tower, We cook a lot so this would be wonderful to have. I also like that you can search by made in the USA toys. Awesome!

  208. I checked out Heirloom Wooden toys and I LOVE the Fire Engine Desk!! It's AWESOME and PERFECT!!

  209. I checked out Heirloom Wooden toys and I LOVE the Fire Engine Desk!! It's AWESOME and PERFECT!!

  212. I'm in total love with everything on the website! I especially like the Center Stage Tabletop Theatre, seriously considering getting it for my daughter for Christmas 🙂

  213. I'm in total love with everything on the website! I especially like the Center Stage Tabletop Theatre, seriously considering getting it for my daughter for Christmas 🙂

  216. I love how easy they make searching- bu age or by category- you can always find what you are looking for!! Awesome selection.

  217. I love how easy they make searching- bu age or by category- you can always find what you are looking for!! Awesome selection.

  220. I love their site and all of their toys! I really like the Create Your Own Seedling Wooden People Family too. Great a safe stuff that I would love my kids to play with and have!

  221. I love their site and all of their toys! I really like the Create Your Own Seedling Wooden People Family too. Great a safe stuff that I would love my kids to play with and have!

  222. I love the selection at Heirloom Wooden toys, and I think these products would be well loved by my children and last a long time. My son would love the World Discovery Box to store his rock and shell collection

  223. I love the selection at Heirloom Wooden toys, and I think these products would be well loved by my children and last a long time. My son would love the World Discovery Box to store his rock and shell collection

  224. I love what they have to offer, especially the BeBlocks set of 18. They are super cute...and I love all the other "old school" toys. They are perfect! 🙂

  225. I love what they have to offer, especially the BeBlocks set of 18. They are super cute...and I love all the other "old school" toys. They are perfect! 🙂

  248. Thanks for your review and letting me know about Heirloom Wooden Toys. They have many great brands of creative toys. I love the Green Dollhouse with Furniture by Plan Toys for my 2 granddaughters. 🙂

  249. Thanks for your review and letting me know about Heirloom Wooden Toys. They have many great brands of creative toys. I love the Green Dollhouse with Furniture by Plan Toys for my 2 granddaughters. 🙂

  256. I love their selection of toys, especially the doll houses and play kitchens. I can't wait till my daughter is old enough 🙂

  257. I love their selection of toys, especially the doll houses and play kitchens. I can't wait till my daughter is old enough 🙂

  260. I love their selection. It's also kind of nice that they have so many options to sort through their huge selection. And I like that they have a made in the USA tab for those that like to support american made things.

  261. I love their selection. It's also kind of nice that they have so many options to sort through their huge selection. And I like that they have a made in the USA tab for those that like to support american made things.

  262. I checked out the Heirloom Wooden Toys website and just love their selection! I also really like that you can shop by age!

  263. I checked out the Heirloom Wooden Toys website and just love their selection! I also really like that you can shop by age!

  266. I checked out the Heirloom Wooden Toys website and was amazed! they have the coolest stuff and fantastic selection (great shipping prices too).

  267. I checked out the Heirloom Wooden Toys website and was amazed! they have the coolest stuff and fantastic selection (great shipping prices too).

  270. I visited Heirloom Wooden Toys. they have a ton of great stuff! I really like the Ecowooden Play Fishing Set. I've never seen anything like that before!

  271. I visited Heirloom Wooden Toys. they have a ton of great stuff! I really like the Ecowooden Play Fishing Set. I've never seen anything like that before!

  275. Visited Heirloom Collection and I think I may have found what my little one is getting for Christmas!
    They have really neat items at great prices! Thank you 🙂

  276. Visited Heirloom Collection and I think I may have found what my little one is getting for Christmas!
    They have really neat items at great prices! Thank you 🙂

  279. There are way to many cool toys on that site! That Learning tower will come in super handy for my little "helper." She's just itching to help mommy in the kitchen 😉

  280. There are way to many cool toys on that site! That Learning tower will come in super handy for my little "helper." She's just itching to help mommy in the kitchen 😉

  287. I love their selection of toys and like that they are a family owned business! I've ordered from them before and they have awesome customer service and fast shipping!
    fmgrice2(at)yahoo(dot)com

  288. I love their selection of toys and like that they are a family owned business! I've ordered from them before and they have awesome customer service and fast shipping!
    fmgrice2(at)yahoo(dot)com

  293. I REALLY want either the Learning Tower or a new wooden kitchen set for the boys!

    (So jealous that you have the Learning Tower! I've wanted one for so long! 🙂 )

  294. I REALLY want either the Learning Tower or a new wooden kitchen set for the boys!

    (So jealous that you have the Learning Tower! I've wanted one for so long! 🙂 )

  295. I love the primary puzzles and wooden rattles.I also love that you can search by items made in the USA. That way we can support our economy!

  296. I love the primary puzzles and wooden rattles.I also love that you can search by items made in the USA. That way we can support our economy!

  297. LOVE the idea of a learning tower! My babe grabs a small step stool I always keep in the kitchen to stand on to see what I'm doing all the time! Plus he is a climber and I can just see him going up and down. What a great product! And a great company to showcase too! 😉

  298. LOVE the idea of a learning tower! My babe grabs a small step stool I always keep in the kitchen to stand on to see what I'm doing all the time! Plus he is a climber and I can just see him going up and down. What a great product! And a great company to showcase too! 😉

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