instructables
Build a Learning Tower for Under $50
by KentM
When my daughter asked me to build a learning
tower for our grandson I didn't have the slightest idea
what she was talking about. I quickly learned that
learning towers are extremely popular and a great
way to engage a toddler while mom or dad work at
the kitchen counter. However, the downside is that
buying a ready made learning tower can be very
expensive. And, while there are hacks on Pinterest to
modify an Ikea footstool, I believe this custom
designed tower is a better way to go.
Basic Design Features
The first consideration when building a learning tower
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is that it's overall height approximates a kitchen
countertop (36"). A child stands on a platform placed
on one of three levels of support rails and can be
moved up or down based on the age or size of the
child. The top support rail position is generally about
19" above the floor with 3 1/4" spacing between the
top support rails and each lower support rail position
(the actual spacing between the support rail positions
is 2 1/2" when the 3/4" thick platform is in place).
Regarding the width and depth, a compact footprint is
generally considered safer. This also reduces the
weight of the tower and makes it easier to move and
store.
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Step 1: Material & Cut List

I chose "select grade" pine since it was the highest
quality yet most cost effective wood for this
lightweight project.
Materials purchased
Quantity: 2 - 2" x 2" x 6' for the legs
Tower Rails: 4 @ 14" and 3 @ 16" (deduct 2" per rail
if not using mortise & tenon construction)
Platform Support Rails: 6 @ 12"
Standing Platform: 3 @ 15 1/2" (after glue up, cut to
final size and use cutoff for safety rail)

3 - 1" x 3" x 6' for the tower rails and top trim
3 - 1" x 2" x 6' for the 3 platform supports
1 - 1" x 6" x 6' for the 3 standing platform and safety
rail at rear of tower
Mitered Top Trim: 1 @ 17" and 2 @ 15" (approx. -
size per personal preference)
(Use leftover cutoffs to trim edges of standing
platform and rear safety rail and to make safety rail
guide brackets)

Cut list

Legs: 4 @ 33 3/8"

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Step 2: Dimensions & Construction Options
Dimensions
These dimensions are the overall dimensions after
construction:
Height: 34 3/8" (Legs @ 33 3/8" + 3/4" top trim)***
Width: 17" (14" rails + 1 1/2" per leg)
Depth: 15" (12" rails + 1 1/2" per leg)
Construction Options
I chose to use a mixed set of woodworking
techniques when building this project. I used mortise
and tenon construction in building the frame and
pocket hole joinery for the platform support rails.
However, this project can be built in a number of
different ways depending on your skill set, available
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tools or simply for ease of construction. Options could
include using all pocket hole joinery, wood dowels or
basic screw assembly. I have an instructable called
"Oak & Glass Display Top End Table" which gives a
detailed explanation of pocket hole joinery if this is a
method you are interested in learning.
***The height can be modified per your
preference. Most learning towers are 36" tall.
However, I wanted to be able to slide mine
underneath the countertop overhang for added
stability. For this reason, my learning tower is
slightly below the standard base cabinet height of
34 1/2". Check the detail in the accompanying
photo for a visual representation.
Step 3: Mortise and Tenon Tips

This sequence of photos may be helpful if you have a gradually increasing the depth of the bit. The final
router and would like to use it for making your depth of the mortise should be 1 1/16". After making
mortises and tenons. I like it because, with a simple your first mortise, all subsequent mortises that are in
jig and a repetitive mounting technique, the location the same location should be exactly the same size
of every mortise is precise and will match its mating and in the exact same location on your other work
mortise perfectly. Attaching your router to a router pieces.
table to create the tenons guarantees excellent
results as well. However, if you don't have a router, Making the Tenons
another way to fabricate your mortises and tenons
can be found in my instructable: Build this Use a fence to guide the work piece over a straight bit
Woodworker's Workbench to learn Mortise & Tenon in multiple passes to create your tenons. It is always
Joinery. recommended to make the tenons slightly thicker
than the mortise and then fine tune each one for a
Making the Mortises snug (but not overly tight fit) for each individual
mortise.
After marking the location for your mortises, clamp
the work piece in place. Next, after attaching the jig to
your router (plans for the jig can be found on the
Woodsmith.com website), position the jig on the work
piece over your markings. Using the markings, attach
stop blocks to your worktable that restrict the
movement of the router to match the size of your
mortise. Make multiple passes with the router

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Step 4: Assemble the Frame

As you fine tune each tenon to fit a specific mortise label them as shown in these photos. When assembling, glue
and clamp up the two sides first. When dry, glue and clamp the front and back frame rails to the sides to complete
the tower skeleton.

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Step 5: Add the Platform Support Rails

Pocket hole joinery makes this part of the assembly fast and simple. If you don't own a pocket hole jig but want to
add one to your workshop, the Kreg pocket hole system is the brand I've used to build several pieces of furniture
that are featured in my collection of Instructables.

How to add the platform supports:

1. Measure up 19" from the bottom of each side leg.

2. Screw a rail to each side leg
3. Take two pre-cut spacers and clamp them below the top support rail
4. Screw the second rail in place
5. Reposition the spacers
6. Screw the third rail in place
7. Repeat the entire process for the other side of the tower

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Step 6: Building the Tower Platform
Building the tower platform requires cutting 3 pieces
of material from the 1" x 6" to equal length and gluing
them together. This sequence of photos shows the
clamping technique I used.
- First use wood cauls as shown in photo #1 to level
up the boards. Wrapping the cauls with wax paper or
adding strips of shipping tape to the cauls will keep
the glue squeeze out from sticking to them. Clamp as
tight as possible.
- Next, as seen in multiple photos, clamp small wood
blocks at the ends of the joined boards to make sure
the ends also are in alignment.
- Photos two thru five show how the clamps are
secured to the work piece. I used two bar clamps
spaced roughly 5" apart. Again, clamp as tight as
possible. Seeing some glue squeeze out is a good
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sign. Wait until the glue sets up before scraping away
the excess with a putty knife.
- Photo six is a view of the clamps from underneath
the platform.
- Photo seven shows the finished platform with the
edges trimmed out with 3/4" pine.
- Photo eight show two rails added to the bottom of
the platform to lock it in position in the learning tower.
- Photo nine shows an additional piece of 1" x 6" that
will be used to close off the back of the tower for
additional child safety. Multiple project photos show
two guide brackets, attached to the sides of the
tower, that hold this piece in position and allow for
easily sliding it in place when a child is in the tower.
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Step 7: Paint or Use a Stain and Sealer to Complete the Project

Once completed the learning tower can be stained or
painted. One very important consideration is that, if
you build your learning tower out of pine, you will
need to apply a pre-stain wood conditioner prior to
finishing. This is because pine often absorbs stain
unevenly producing a blotchy appearance if the wood
is not prepped properly. I chose to finish my project
with a combination Danish oil and stain made by
Watco.
satisfaction (and pride) when you see you child or
grandchild standing in his learning tower for the first
time. You will have built a very functional piece of
children's furniture using techniques that will serve
you well as you move on to future furniture making
projects.
(FYI -this project will hopefully be included in the
furniture making contest. If you like it, please vote)

When finished, this project will provide a great deal of

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