Do you have a little one at home who loves to take things apart to see how they work? Or maybe you have a little builder who likes to make towering creations out of blocks. No matter if it’s for the budding engineer or the builder, a play workbench is perfect for encouraging that natural curiosity.
There are many workbenches for toddlers and kids out there that you’re bound to find something you like. There are simple workbenches and complicated ones that look like mini plastic versions of the real thing. Perfect for working side by side with you in the garage!
But with all the different options, it’s hard to narrow down exactly which one is best for your little builder. We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about workbenches for toddlers and kids as well as a list of reviews of our favorites. So, let’s get started!
- Important Aspects of Workbenches for Toddlers & Kids
- Best Workbenches for Your Little Mechanic
- 1. Best Overall Pick: Black + Decker Power Tool Workshop
- 2. Best Premium Pick: Step2 Big Builders Pro Workshop
- 3. Best Budget Pick: Toyvelt Workbench
- 4. Best Compact Workbench: Toy Choi’s Pretend Play Series Standard Workbench
- 5. Best Wooden Workbench: Hape Master Workbench
- 6. Best Minimalist Workbench: Melissa & Doug Wooden Project Workbench
- 7. Best for Younger Toddlers: CifToys Musical Learning Workbench
- 8. Best Projects: Step2 Real Projects Toy Workshop
- 9. Best for Older Toddlers: Little Tikes Tough Workshop
- 10. Best Workbench With Vehicles: iBaseToy Kids Tool Bench
- Complete Guide to Buying the Best Workbenches for Toddlers & Kids for 2022
- Frequently Asked Questions About Workbenches for Toddlers and Kids
- Final Thoughts on Workbenches
Important Aspects of Workbenches for Toddlers & Kids
Toy workbenches are great for not only pretend play but fine motor skills as well. Any kind of role-playing activity like pretend construction is excellent for stimulating your little one’s mind. It doesn’t hurt that these types of toys keep them busy for hours on end either! When it comes to figuring out which one is the best to buy, we’ve got you covered with some aspects you should consider.
Size
Play workbenches are generally around two or three feet tall. Still, some like the CifToys Musical Learning Workbench are super compact and sit on the floor. Which size you get depends on a few different factors.
The first is how old your little builder is. Some of the workbenches are better for toddlers, and others are great for preschoolers, too. You should also consider how much room you have for the workbench. Fortunately, none of them are so large that they wouldn’t fit well in most play areas.
Lastly, you should think about whether your child would rather play with the workbench standing or sitting. If you think they’d rather stand while playing, then be sure to take their height into account before buying.
Included Tools
The best part of the workbench is the tools! We looked at not only the variety of included tools but also the fun factor. The toys should work realistically and capture your little one’s interest. The Black + Decker Power Tool Workshop does this exceptionally well with clever ways to pretend to drill and cut wood. Any included tools should also be durable enough to stand up to a toddler’s daily play.
Storage
All those tools and small pieces need a place to go, and it helps if that place is attached to the workbench. Most of the workbenches have some sort of pegboard and hooks to hang tools from, but it’s also helpful for the workbench to have containers to store the tools away. The Step2 Big Builders Pro Workshop is one of the workbenches that has useful built-in storage for your kid’s tools.
As a quick reference for you, we’ve also included the workbench age range, dimensions, and battery requirements. Now let’s jump right into the reviews!
Best Workbenches for Your Little Mechanic
1. Best Overall Pick: Black + Decker Power Tool Workshop
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Age range: 36 months- 6 years
- Dimensions: 38” H x 16.25” D x 21” L
- Batteries required: Yes, 2 AA
The Black + Decker Power Tool Workshop has the characteristic orange and black colors of the real tools, so your little builder can pretend they’re working with the real thing! The workbench is a pretty good size at just over three feet tall. Two toddlers or preschoolers can work together on it as it has tools on either side.
Tools
Your little one will love the attached tools with their realistic mechanisms. The saw makes noise when you lower it, and the drill cleverly pushes out round disks in the wood pieces to make it look like drilling. We also like the flexible work light and phone as they add another fun touch to the workbench.
Along with the table saw and drill press, the set includes a hammer, wrench, hand saw, and screwdriver. It also comes with plenty of screws and bolts. Your little builder can make a toolbox out of the wooden pieces with the tools it comes with.
Organization
There’s a pegboard to hang all the other tools as well as buckets beneath for nuts and bolts, so your little one will have a nice, organized space! The storage containers beneath the table have separated compartments for the smaller pieces to make them easier to keep track of.
Verdict
The Black + Decker Power Tool Workshop is an excellent choice for toddlers and preschoolers, but it might not have as much appeal for five and six-year-olds. The tools’ realistic sounds and mechanisms are so much fun for kids, and parents will appreciate the organized pegboard and storage buckets. It’s easy to assemble and seems sturdy.
Pros
- Realistic look
- Lots of different tools
- Attached saw and drill press that make sounds
- Great organization
- Easy assembly
Cons
- Not the best workbench for bigger kids
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Age range: 36 months- 10 years
- Dimensions: 27.5” D x 38.5” W x 34” H
- Batteries required: Yes, 4 AA and 3 AAA
Need a workbench big enough for two? The Step2 Big Builders Pro Workshop has plenty of room for your kids to play together or with a friend. A workbench of this size requires plenty of space to put it, though. This workshop is made of durable plastic that’s easy to clean, and it comes with working lights so your builder can see their projects.
Tools
This workbench comes with 45 pieces, including a table saw and a battery-operated drill that actually works on the included bolts! It even operates in forward and reverse and comes with a drill bit and a flat-head screwdriver tip. The tools are made of plastic, but they’re durable. The set also includes a hand saw, hammer, screwdriver, pliers, nuts and bolts, and an adjustable wrench.
The workbench comes with a birdhouse that your little fix-it can put together as their first project. The birdhouse is made of foam pieces that you put together like a puzzle. It changes color when “painted” with water. For this project, a paint bucket, paint tray, two paintbrushes, and a paint roller are included.
Organization
With a similar design as the Step2 play kitchen, it has plenty of storage for all those tools and pieces. It has hooks and a pegboard to hang things from. It also has shelves, small containers, a pull-out drawer, and something that looks a lot like the refrigerator from the kitchen model.
Verdict
The Step 2 Big Builders Pro Workshop has plenty of room and storage space for two kids to play side-by-side. It comes with a variety of tools, including a battery-powered drill and working LED light. The birdhouse project is creative, but those are the only “wooden” pieces included. They’re made of foam, though, so they’re easy to tear.
Pros
- Big enough for two kids
- Lots of different tools
- Plenty of storage
- Comes with a project to build
Cons
- Wood pieces made of foam are flimsy
3. Best Budget Pick: Toyvelt Workbench
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Age range: 3 years- 6 years
- Dimensions: 16″ W x 29″ H x 14″ D
- Batteries required: Yes, 2 AA (included)
Because the tools are so realistic in this playset, the Toyvelt Workbench is ideal for preschoolers and older kids. The workbench folds up into a carrying case, or you can leave it put together with its legs on as a table. It even comes with the batteries included for the electric drill.
Tools
Twelve tools are included in this playset, and they all work! The only one that doesn’t is the saw because obviously, you’d rather have your child keep their fingers. The tools work so well you can use them to put the workbench together, and once your little one learns how to do it, they can do it by themselves. The toy set also includes nuts and screws that work with the tools to put the whole thing together into a workbench. There are 68 pieces in this set, including plastic wooden pieces for building different things.
Organization
Everything fits inside the workbench when it’s folded up as a carrying case. When it’s set up as a workbench, there are hooks for the tools and a pegboard to hang them. Since this workbench is relatively small, there’s no extra storage.
Verdict
For a portable workbench with realistic, working toy tools, the Toyvelt Workbench is a great choice. Older preschoolers and kindergartners will appreciate the realistic way the tools work. You can even use this set to teach your child about using tools! It’s on the smaller side, though, so kids will have to sit or kneel beside it to use it. Although the tools steal the show with this toy, the workbench leaves much to be desired. It’s small, flimsy, and the legs tend not to stay together well.
Pros
- Realistic, working tools
- Portable carrying case
- 68 different pieces
- Great for teaching kids to use tools
Cons
- Small, flimsy workbench
- Hardly any storage while in use
4. Best Compact Workbench: Toy Choi’s Pretend Play Series Standard Workbench
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Age range: 24 months- 6 years
- Dimensions: 26” H x 13” D x 15” L
- Batteries required: Yes, 2 AA
If you need a workbench that allows a toddler to stand and work but still is compact enough to fit in a small space, then Toy Choi’s Pretend Play Series Standard Workbench is an excellent choice. The workbench has a realistic look and plenty to do to keep your little one busy working on their fine motor skills.
Tools
The tools included in this set are realistic-looking and lots of fun. Along with the standard tools like a hammer, wrench, pliers, and screwdriver, it also has more unusual toys like a clamp, electric drill, and a spanner. The set even encourages workshop safety by including a mask and glasses.
Organization
The workbench has a built-in pegboard, hooks, and holes on the table’s legs that you can hang things from. It doesn’t have any buckets or totes to store all those little pieces, though, which can make it easy to lose them.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a compact workbench with plenty to do and a huge variety of tools, then Toy Choi’s Pretend Play Series Standard Workbench is the one for you. It’s easy to assemble, and your little one will love all the different tools and pretend safety equipment. Because of its small size, this workbench is best for toddlers and preschoolers. It also doesn’t have much storage space, so all those little pieces might get lost.
Pros
- Realistic look
- Lots of different tools
- Play safety equipment
- Easy assembly
Cons
- Not enough storage for all the little pieces
5. Best Wooden Workbench: Hape Master Workbench
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Age range: 36 months- 6 years
- Dimensions: 21.65” W x 11.06” D x 31.77” H
- Batteries required: No
The Hape Master Workbench is a quality wooden toy that comes with 35 different tools and pieces. At a little less than three feet high, this workbench is perfect for preschoolers. It’s also height adjustable. As your child grows, you can raise the counter height to 1.5 inches more.
Tools
The included wooden tools are simple but well made. If you’re looking for toys that don’t require batteries, then this is the ideal set. It comes with a hammer, saw, wrench, screwdriver, ruler, and nuts and bolts. We also love the addition of the gears and other wooden pieces that your child can fit the nuts and bolts into.
Organization
You’ll love all the organizational aspects of this workbench. Along with the pegboard on the bench’s back and counter, there are slots for each tool. Beneath the workbench is a storage container to hold any loose pieces that aren’t attached to one of the many holes.
Verdict
The Hape Master Workbench is a great choice for preschoolers and older kids thanks to its adjustable height. The wooden tools are durable, and the brightly colored wooden pieces are fun to look at. We love all the different things your little one can do with the gears and other parts, and parents will appreciate all the organization. This is a pricier workbench, but it’s worth it for the quality and lack of batteries.
Pros
- Wooden with bright colors
- Lots of different tools and wooden pieces
- No batteries required
- Built-in storage
- Award-winning toy
Cons
- Expensive
6. Best Minimalist Workbench: Melissa & Doug Wooden Project Workbench
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Age range: 36 months- 6 years
- Dimensions: 26″ H × 18.75″ W × 24″ L
- Batteries required: No
Simple wooden toys often spark the most creativity in kids, and the Melissa & Doug Wooden Project Workbench is a great example. The smooth wooden pieces, tools, and muted colors stimulate imagination without distracting kids with lights and sounds. At a little over two feet tall and two feet wide, this workbench doesn’t take up too much space in your home, either.
Tools
The workbench comes with 61 pieces, including a working vise. All the tools and hardware are made of wood for greater durability. You’ll find a hammer, screwdriver, wrench, and a saw in the set. It comes with bolts and wooden pieces and project idea books to show kids how to make different things, like a little car.
Organization
Unlike many other workbenches, the Melissa & Doug Wooden Project Workbench doesn’t include a big pegboard. Instead, the back of the bench has slots for the tools. The table has holes for the wooden bolts to fit into. There’s also a storage space beneath the workbench for the project idea books and any extra tools.
Verdict
The Melissa & Doug Wooden Project Workbench is a high-quality toy with simple tools that will stimulate your little builder’s creativity. We think preschoolers instead of toddlers will get the most out of this workbench, especially if they want to follow the project ideas. The ideas are a bit complicated for little kids. Assembly isn’t too tricky with this workbench, but sometimes the holes don’t match up, so be sure to use an electric screwdriver.
Pros
- Minimalist look
- High-quality wooden workbench
- Some storage
- 61 different tools and accessories
Cons
- Project book ideas are too difficult for younger kids
7. Best for Younger Toddlers: CifToys Musical Learning Workbench
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Age range: 12 months+
- Dimensions: 11.5” H x 6.75” D x 9.75” W
- Batteries required: Yes, 2 AA
This colorful workbench gives toddlers plenty to do, all while sitting on the floor. The CifToys Musical Learning Workbench is great for small play areas, and you can easily take it along with you to Grandma’s house. The bright colors, music, and sounds are engaging for little toddlers and help keep their attention.
Tools
This is a combination shape sorter and workbench, and your toddler will have plenty to do! Every piece is easy for little hands to hold. The set comes with a hammer, screwdriver, wrench, drill press, and table saw. Both the table saw and drill press move and make noise. It also comes with shapes, a little ball that fits in a chute, and plastic screws and bolts.
Organization
As small as this workbench is, there’s a place for everything. The tools have their own pegs, and the screws and bolts fit into holes that keep them with the toy. The shapes and ball fit inside a drawer when they’re not in use. The drawer is also where the shapes end up after your toddler sorts them.
Verdict
The CifToys Musical Learning Workbench is ideal for toddlers with its music, bright colors, and different activities. We love that everything stores away on the compact workbench since it makes it less likely to lose the parts. There is even a volume control and an off-switch for the music and sound, which are essential for parent sanity. It’s a little pricey for the size, though.
Pros
- Bright colors and music
- Every piece stores away
- Shape sorter and tool workbench
- Compact size
Cons
- Pricey for the size
8. Best Projects: Step2 Real Projects Toy Workshop
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Age range: 36 months- 7 years
- Dimensions: 35” H x 22.75 “W x 14.5” D
- Batteries required: Yes, 2 AA
For kids who want to build things instead of just playing pretend, the Step2 Real Projects Toy Workshop is made for them. Using foam pieces that look like wood, the set comes with blueprints to make a birdhouse, airplane, boat, and tool caddy. The Step2 Workshop is also one of the tallest ones, so it’s ideal for bigger kids.
Tools
The workshop comes with 65 different pieces for your builder to work with. There are tools like a battery-powered working drill, hammer, saw, screwdriver, and built-in vise. The set includes plenty of screws, nuts, nails, and foam pieces for the projects.
Organization
This workbench has lots of storage space to keep all the tools and accessories. There is a pull-out storage drawer and two shelves, including a handy area underneath the workbench with lots of storage. Your little fixer can also make a toolbox to keep their tools as one of their first projects.
Verdict
The Step2 Real Projects Toy Workshop has plenty of projects to keep bigger kids busy, and the set comes with plenty of tools and accessories. While the Toyvelt Workbench has excellent tools but a lackluster workbench, the Step2 Workshop is the other way around. The workshop has plenty of storage and other great aspects, but the tools aren’t so great. They don’t serve many purposes for the projects, and they aren’t very durable.
Pros
- Lots of projects
- Comes with many tools and accessories
- Plenty of storage
- The workshop is a good size
Cons
- Tools aren’t very useful
- Foam pieces are easy to tear
9. Best for Older Toddlers: Little Tikes Tough Workshop
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Age range: 24 months+
- Dimensions: 21.5” W x 31.5” H x 15.5” D
- Batteries required: No
Little Tikes is known for making durable toys made to last, and the Tough Workshop is no exception. This workbench is the perfect size for older toddlers to stand and play with the tools and accessories. It’s easy to assemble and lightweight enough that your toddler can move it from room to room.
Tools
The tools included in this set are the perfect size for little hands. They’re made of plastic and can stand up to years of play. The workbench comes with a hammer, wrench, and screwdriver. It also has a built-in saw and vise clamp. The saw pretend-cuts plastic boards made to look like wood, so your toddler can feel like a real woodworker. There are also nails and screws for your toddler to work with, for a total of eleven accessories.
Organization
The Little Tikes Tough Workshop has plenty of storage. You can hang the tools on the pegboard with the included hooks. The bottom half of the workbench is made like a cabinet, with sliding doors to put everything away.
Verdict
For bigger toddlers, the Little Tikes Tough Workshop offers plenty of fun with tools in a workbench that’s just their size. The workshop has lots of storage space so that everything can be neatly put away—the hard part is getting your toddler to actually do that! It’s so lightweight, though, that it tips over easily. It also won’t hold a kid’s attention when they get older. It just doesn’t offer as much to do like some of the other workbenches.
Pros
- Durable plastic workbench and tools
- Every piece stores away
- Great for bigger toddlers
- Pretend saw cuts plastic “wooden” pieces
Cons
- Tips over easily
- Not entertaining for long
10. Best Workbench With Vehicles: iBaseToy Kids Tool Bench
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Age range: 36 months+
- Dimensions: 26.6” H x 10.2” D x 14.6” W
- Batteries required: Yes, 2 AA
The iBaseToy Kids Tool Bench comes with an abundance of tools and accessories with plenty of storage to organize them. Your little one will love the included vehicles that they can put together with the tools and screws. This workbench is very small, though. Toddlers will likely be taller than it, and there isn’t much space to work on.
Tools
This workbench comes with the most pieces of any of the other sets, with 91 tools and accessories. Along with a built-in vise grip, there is a battery-powered drill, hammer, screwdriver, saw, wrench, and pliers. Plenty of screws, nails, and plastic pieces made to look like wood are included. Two vehicles come with the workbench, too: a dump truck and a bulldozer.
Organization
The iBaseToy Kids Tool Bench may be small, but it has more organization and storage space than many of the bigger workbenches. Beneath the bench is storage with five different compartments to organize tools and other pieces. Tools can also be hung from the backboard, and there are other holes on the workbench for screws and nails. The set also includes two containers for smaller pieces like the screws.
Verdict
With 91 different tools and pieces and plenty of storage, the iBaseToy Kids Tool Bench has plenty for kids to play with. Your kiddo will especially love the included vehicles to put together with the screwdriver. This workbench is really small, though, so older kids wouldn’t enjoy it as much. The tools and pieces are also not as durable or high quality like many of the other workbenches. We feel it’s a bit pricey for the quality.
Pros
- Realistic look in miniature
- Plenty of storage and organization
- 91 different tools and pieces, including vehicles to construct
- Compact size
Cons
- Very small
- Tools and pieces are of lower quality
- Pricey
Complete Guide to Buying the Best Workbenches for Toddlers & Kids for 2022
You’ve figured out the size you need for your little builder, and you know you’d like a workbench with plenty of storage, but there are a few other things to consider before buying.
Cost
Workbenches for kids come in a range of prices, so it’s good to have an idea of your budget before starting your search. The most inexpensive options will be smaller workbenches, so if you need a bigger one like the Hape Master Workbench, you should expect to pay more.
Materials matter, too. All wood workbenches and tools are more expensive than plastic ones, although the plastic Step2 Big Builders Pro Workshop is priced higher since it’s so large.
Durability
It would be sad to pay a lot of money for a workbench only to have your toddler or kid break it soon after you get it! From a safety standpoint, too, it’s important to get a taller workbench that is sturdy and durable. The tools and pieces that come in the set should also be durable as they will most likely all end up used as hammers. Wooden workbenches like the Melissa & Doug Wooden Project Workbench are typically durable and sturdy, though sometimes thin wooden pieces like screws can snap easily.
Fun Aspect
There’s no doubt the workbenches have educational benefits for your child, but most importantly, it should be lots of fun. Ideally, it should be the type of fun that keeps toddlers and kids busy in a healthy way. You know, instead of coloring on your walls.
So here are important fun aspects to look for:
- A variety of tools
- Included projects or ideas
- Lights and sound
- Additional pieces that work with the tools
- Tools that really work
Difficulty Level
It’s important to take your little one’s age and abilities into consideration before buying a workbench for them. You don’t want something so babyish that it bores them, but you also don’t want one with aspects that are too complicated for younger toddlers.
The positive aspect of it is that you can buy a workbench that’s a little complicated for a younger toddler and just simplify it yourself by removing the extra pieces or project ideas that make it more challenging to play with. Then, as your toddler grows, you can add back the additional parts and things that older kids love.
So if you’re considering one like the Melissa & Doug Wooden Project Workbench that has project ideas that are above a toddler’s head, you can still get it and let your little toddler have fun with the tools at first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workbenches for Toddlers and Kids
Workbenches are an excellent toy for so many reasons. They’re educational and useful for promoting fine and gross motor skills. They’re lots of fun- what kid doesn’t like pounding away with a hammer? And they’re ideal for boys and girls and a variety of ages. Now that we’ve covered everything you should look for in a play workbench, we’ll answer all the common questions about this engaging toy.
What Is the Best Age to Introduce a Workbench?
Play workbenches are fun for a wide range of ages. Toddlers love playing with them because there’s so much to do, and it helps that they can wield a hammer. The best workbenches for toddlers are ones that have easy-to-use tools that fit easily in little hands.
If it’s a very young toddler, you might consider one of the workbenches that sit on the floor like the CifToys Musical Learning Workbench that has big, colorful tools.
Preschoolers and kindergarteners typically prefer more realistic workbenches like the Melissa & Doug Wooden Project Workbench because they’re more into role-playing and pretend play. They want to put together projects that make them feel like they accomplished something.
Which Skills Do Workbenches Teach?
There’s no doubt that play is essential to child development, especially when developing their cognative abilities. A workbench is ideal for role-playing and imaginary play. Kids who see their parents or other family members working with tools naturally want to copy them!
Along with creativity and imagination, workbenches and tools encourage kids to work on their fine and gross motor skills. They can practice their pincer grasp when they grab hold of screws and nails, and they can work on bigger muscles in their arms by hammering away.
Best of all, you can use these tools to teach your little one how to use tools properly. Many of the workbenches have working battery-powered drills, for example, so you can show them how to drill and drive a screw. The Toyvelt Workbench has remarkably realistic tools that all work, so you can use them for a one-on-one lesson on handy skills.
Are Workbenches Good for STEM and STEAM?
You may have heard lots of talk about STEM lately, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEAM is the same; only it also includes the arts. The main point of both of these educational approaches is that they encourage using all of these skills together. So toys that teach kids skills from all of these subjects are ideal. For more STEM toy ideas, we’ve got a whole list of great ones here.
Workbenches are definitely both useful for teaching STEM and STEAM. Using tools, measuring, building things, following project blueprints, and engaging with technology are all examples of ways workbenches teach STEM skills. Woodworking is undoubtedly an art, so depending on how your little one uses the workbench and learns about ways to use tools in the real world, they can learn about the arts as well.
A workbench like the Step2 Big Builders Pro Workshop includes doing a project and painting it with water, which is an excellent way to introduce an art component to your child’s playtime.
Are Wooden or Plastic Workbenches Best?
There are pros and cons to each material used on workbenches, and a lot of it depends on what you’re personally looking for. Wooden workbenches tend to be solid, durable, and longer-lasting. Wooden tools are less likely to break, although thinner parts, like wooden screws and bolts, may break easier than their plastic counterparts. You can also refinish a wooden workbench or paint it if it gets too shabby looking.
Plastic workbenches and tools are great for including sounds and lights into the toys. They tend to be lightweight yet durable, and they’re less expensive than wooden workbenches. Battery-powered plastic tools tend to break easier than wooden ones, though.
The quality of plastic matters, too. If it’s thin and cheaply made, it’s probably not going to last. However, the Little Tikes Tough Workshop makes a plastic workbench as sturdy and durable as wood.
Final Thoughts on Workbenches
Workbenches are a fun and engaging toy for any child. Whether you choose plastic or wooden, complicated, or simple, your little builder will have a blast working with tools on their own workbench. They’ll especially love if you join in! So strap on your toolbelt and join your little one in some fun building projects.