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Play kitchens, play markets, and even play ice cream stands have dominated the kids’ market for years — but finally, kids’ tool benches designed for pretend play have entered the chat. Building, designing, and tinkering with tools (even pretend ones!) is a great way for kids to learn crucial STEM concepts like geometry, structure, and basic physics. Plus, it’s just a ton of fun for your little handy people to “build” on their kids’ tool benches.
There are a few different styles of tool benches for kids. First is a plastic-style tool bench, with hollow, softer tools designed for the youngest kids. Then there are the trendier wooden tool benches that are a bit more modern — the tools are sturdier and often smaller than their plastic counterparts, made for older kids.
We chose the best kids’ tool benches from all of these categories that come in a range of materials and prices. But rest assured every one of these kids’ tool benches will delight your little builder.
1
Best Overall
Step2 Pro Play Workshop & Utility Bench
Now 15% Off
Get the best bang for your buck with this tool bench by Step2, which has a bit of everything. It's a 76-piece set complete with tools, storage bins, a peg board, and even foam building kits your kids can use over and over again.
And this thing is 12-toddlers-jumping-on-it-in-a-preschool durable. Literally — it’s in the school around the block from my house. It can be used outdoors or indoors, but could also hang out in your garage opposite a real tool bench. It’s large, at 4 feet x 3 feet, with an additional 2-foot square bench — but that also means there’s that much more play area and storage.
Our tester (a 3-year-old boy with more energy than your average Tasmanian devil) absolutely adores this set. He goes from station to station, doing all his “work,” all with a giant smile or look of extreme concentration. It holds his attention for 10 to 15 minutes at a stretch, which parents will note is pretty epic.
More: The Best STEM Toys for Your Little Learner
Key Specs
| Ages | 3 and up |
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The littlest builders can learn all about shapes, sizes, building, and tool use with this set designed with them in mind. You can’t tell by looking at the image, but this 89-piece set is only about 18 inches tall.
It’s the perfect size for 18-month to 3-year-old kids. It’s solid wood, and can take a beating. This is the type of set you’d see in pediatricians’ offices and think must’ve been super pricey, but it’s really not.
Key Specs
| Ages | 3 and up |
|---|
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It’s hard to look beyond the adorable hard hat, but stay with me. This set from Theo Klein, in partnership with Bosch has tools made to scale for young builders.
The set includes simulated wood spanners, different sized expanders, tool hangers, level, hand screwdriver, hammer, wrench, pliers, saw, battery operated Bosch screwdriver/drill with four different bits belt sander, anvil and it makes workbench sounds. AAA batteries are required and not included.
It includes several small “projects,” for kids to work on, keeping them actively engaged as they learn all about tools and building.
Key Specs
| Ages | 3 and up |
|---|
4
Best Two-in-One
Little Tikes Little Tikes 2-in-1 Buildin' to Learn Motor/Wood Shop
Now 40% Off
This kids' tool bench has two nifty uses: Use it as a wood shop on one side or flip to a motor workshop. Great for ages 3-7, your little one will build up some real role play thanks to the interactive and realistic accessories that come included like a drill, bits, saw, light, screwdriver, and other tools and parts.
Plus, it's plentiful storage space helps keep everything together, which also makes for easy cleanup.
Key Specs
| Ages | 3-7 |
|---|
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If you’re working with a specific aesthetic and your kid’s toy bench has to be in the middle of it, this might be just what you’re looking for. It’s a detailed bench with a ton of tools and accessories, including a hammer, saw, screw, and multiple projects. And it’s also just lovely to look at. If a kids’ tool bench could be a work of art, this would be it.
Key Specs
| Ages | 3 and up |
|---|
6
Best for Small Spaces
Step2 Handyman Workbench Kids Tool Bench
Your child will act more Bob the Builder and less Wreck-It Ralph with this tool bench from Step2. But even if they do feel a little Ralphie, this tool bench is super sturdy and can handle it. The tools are made of lightweight, hollow plastic that won't damage your things — much.
The base set is just under 3 feet wide and 3 feet tall, and comes with the bench, four bins, and a 36-piece tool set.
Key Specs
| Ages | 3 and up |
|---|
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Not all pretend play toys look just like the real thing, but this kids' tool bench from Black+Decker definitely does. Bedecked in the classic orange-and-black color scheme the brand is known for, this tool bench has everything your kid could want, including a small tool kit of their very own. With 75 pieces in total, your kid will be tooling away the hours.
Key Specs
| Ages | 3 and up |
|---|
One of the biggest issues with these sorts of toys is they tend to all be the same height. That is not the case with this kids' tool bench from Hape: It has three adjustable heights, multiple tools, and the addition of fun gears on the backboard. It's made of high-quality hardwood, and is truly designed to last.
Key Specs
| Ages | 3 and up |
|---|
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I can see an entire nursery designed around this work bench. The color scheme, the soft wood tones, the muted palette — it would be unique and beautiful.
And thanks to the fact that this kids’ bench has all toddler-safe toys — including working gears, a pretend hot glue gun, and a clamp — if your 18-month-old vaults out of bed a la Simone Biles, they might just play with it instead of crawling into bed with you.
Key Specs
| Ages | 3-5 |
|---|
Just dipping your toes in the pretend play area and want something small and affordable for your child to try out? Little Tikes has just what you need.
With just about a dozen toys — plus the clamp and bench — for under $40, it's a great first set. Plus, it's Little Tikes, so you know it's built to last.
Key Specs
| Ages | 2 and up |
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Cat Bowen
Senior Editor for Commerce, Reviews
Cat Bowen has been covering parenting and home for over a decade. At Best Products, she has tested hundreds of products for parents and for the home, often spending dozens of hours per product to ensure her reviews are accurate and informative. Prior to joining the team, she was at Romper where she covered everything from breastfeeding to child sleep habits to abortion rights access. You can find her work on Bustle, Romper, and more. Cat is a bit of an intellectual magpie and perpetual student, most recently receiving a graduate degree in gender studies where she examined a topic that vexes so many — pockets in women’s clothing.
