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What is a Pikler triangle?
Looking for a safe and fun indoor climber for your little one? Pikler triangles are wooden climbing toys designed for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Some models can even be used by school-age children!
Pikler triangles offer children tons of ways to play. Many climbing triangles are adjustable, allowing you to transform your child’s climber to best meet their needs. Make it more accessible for your baby or more challenging for an older child. You can also add on accessories like a ramp, slide, rock wall, or climbing arch to help your little one stay active.
If you want to support your child’s need to climb — and keep them off your kitchen counters — a Pikler triangle may be the perfect addition to your home. (And when it’s too rainy or cold to play outside? An indoor climber can be an absolute lifesaver!)
Keep reading to find the perfect climbing triangle for your child…
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What age is a Pikler triangle best for?
Most Pikler triangles can be used by infants and children 6 months through 6 years, and adjustable models can easily grow with your little one. In addition, many climbing triangles are designed to support the weight of multiple children, making them a great option for siblings.
Babies can use a Pikler triangle to practice pulling up and may even try climbing as early as 8-12 months. Toddlers, preschoolers, and young school-agers can, naturally, do even more: Climb up and down, use a ramp or slide, and find creative ways to play like building a fort.
As per usual, refer to the manufacturer’s suggested age range to keep your little one safe. Larger climbers may not be safe for infants, and smaller climbers may not be challenging enough to interest an older child.
Benefits of climbing triangles
There are tons of benefits of using a Pikler triangle, including…
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- Safe climbing: Support your child’s need to climb in a safe, developmentally appropriate way
- Gross motor skills: Build important motor skills like strength, balance, coordination, and proprioception (physical self-awareness)
- Cognitive skills: Develop problem-solving skills and spatial reasoning through play
- Risky play: Gain confidence, resilience, and persistence while learning to manage risks and respect limits
- Stay active: Encourage physical activity at home — especially important on cold or rainy days
Are climbing triangles safe?
Yes, Pikler triangles are safe, as long as you take a few basic precautions. You’ll also want to let your child guide their own play: If they’re not ready to do something yet, don’t push them.
Keep in mind that climbing triangles are carefully designed for young children. As with any physical activity, there may be slips or falls here and there.
That said, Pikler triangles provide children with a safe and age-appropriate way to climb and take risks — especially compared to less desirable alternatives like scaling the bookshelf.
Safety tips
To an extent, bumps and bruises are a part of childhood. Little ones learn by taking risks (within reason) and testing their limits. Still, you’ll want to take a few simple precautions to keep your child safe when using a Pikler triangle…
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- Play on a soft surface: Place your child’s climber on a soft surface like a foam mat, thick rug, or carpet
- Monitor your child: Stay close while your little one plays and be ready to step in if needed
- Limit safety risks: Remove objects you don’t want your child to knock over or bump into — and avoid placing your child’s climber too close to windows, walls, or furniture
- Follow instructions: Read reviews to help you choose a safe climber and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully
- Keep climber dry: Wet surfaces can be slippery or damage your climber, so make sure to store your climber indoors and wipe up any spills as soon as possible
- Follow your child’s lead: Don’t push your little one to do something they’re not ready for or place them in a position they can’t get into on their own
Is it Montessori?
Essentially, yes. The Pikler triangle is consistent with the Montessori method, but it was actually designed in the early 1900s by Dr. Emmi Pikler, a pediatrician and infant educator.
Like Dr. Maria Montessori, Pikler valued self-guided play and freedom of movement. She invented the Pikler triangle to help young children stay healthy, develop gross motor skills, and engage in self-guided active play.
So while climbing triangles aren’t official Montessori materials, they make a lot of sense in a Montessori home.
The best Pikler triangles for babies & toddlers
Ready to find the right Pikler triangle for your little climber? Check out my top picks below…
This eco-friendly climbing triangle from Sprout Kids is made with a mix of high-quality birch and maple and can be used from infancy through the school-age years (up to age 10!) With a weight limit of 150 lbs, it’s safe for multiple children to share, making it perfect for siblings and playdates.
Sprout’s Pikler triangle is also foldable for easy storage yet sturdy enough to keep your little one safe. Opt for a natural wood tone or bright two-tone design, and consider adding a ramp for even more fun.
What do the reviews say? Reviewers love watching their little ones have fun and gain confidence with this high-quality, sturdy climber. Assembly is relatively easy, and the option to fold it up for easy storage is a huge plus. Definitely check this one out!
This popular Pikler triangle (600+ reviews!) is a great option. Made of beautiful birch, it’s available in 4 colors (natural hardwood, white, pink + white, or blue + white) to complement the rest of your home decor.
For more ways to play, you can add on fun accessories like a 2-in-1 ladder/slide combo or rock wall/slide.
What do the reviews say? Durable and high-quality with a beautiful, clean design — plus easy assembly and fast shipping to boot. Many reviewers note that the seller is a dream to work with, too. No wonder this one’s a bestseller!
This 5-star climber has more than 1,000 positive reviews from happy parents. If you’re looking for a super versatile, high-quality Pikler triangle, this one might be perfect for you. There are 20+ ways to set up the HappyMoon climber, making it easy to adapt for little ones, as well as older children.
Choose from several design options (natural or rainbow, with one or two ramp add-ons) to create your perfect configuration. Or keep it simple with the original — but still transformable — HappyMoon climber.
What do the reviews say? Thoughtful design, amazing quality, fast delivery, easy assembly, and great customer service. You can’t go wrong with this one.
This 3-piece Pikler triangle, climbing arch, and ramp set is a great option for larger spaces. Beautifully crafted and built with sturdy natural birch, this set is well-loved by reviewers — and their little ones, too.
There are tons of fun ways to play: Switch things up with a few easy adjustments to keep your child interested.
What do the reviews say? Heirloom quality, fast shipping, easy assembly, and a great seller. Overall a phenomenal pick. Parents love the versatility of this climbing set. It’s an amazing choice for siblings, or if you’re looking for a climber that can grow with your child.
This unique climbing triangle is from one of the most popular Montessori furniture sellers on Etsy, so you know you’re in good hands. This is a cool, versatile model for little ones. With four different sides, simply rotate the climber for a new challenge. Perfect for smaller spaces!
If you’d like, you can also add on a simple ramp accessory for even more ways to play.
What do the reviews say? Sturdy, well-crafted, and beautiful — excellent quality. Plus, quick and easy assembly, relatively fast shipping, and a responsive and thoughtful seller. A great choice!
This classic Pikler triangle is a simple and fun option for little ones. Made with New Zealand birch, it’s available in 2 color schemes (natural and rainbow), as well as 3 sizes (small, large, and jumbo). Great quality, lovely seller, and fast shipping. There’s a lot to love!
What do the reviews say? Although this shop has a 5-star rating with more than 2,500 sales, the CASSAROKIDS climbing triangle has relatively few reviews at the moment. That said, reviewers — and their children — are very happy. High-quality and tons of fun, this is a great pick.
Best Pikler triangle alternatives
Not sure if a climbing triangle is a good fit for your child? Check out these other movement toys for more ideas…
Happy climbing!
♥ Meg
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