I stumbled on Pikler triangles a couple of years ago, but I wasn’t sure it was right for us. Then I realized how much my kids like to climb – and we got one for them for Christmas last year. The Pikler Triangle is a versatile and engaging climbing toy that encourages gross motor development in children. Today I’m going over the basics, which piklers are best for which ages, and answering the ever-important question: Is a Pikler triangle worth buying?
What is a Pikler triangle?
Let’s start with the basics. The Pikler triangle is an indoor climbing triangle, meant for kids, designed by a Hungarian pediatrician named Dr. Emmi Pikler. The Pikler Triangle is a versatile and engaging climbing toy that encourages gross motor development in children. The Pikler was first designed about 100 years ago.
Pikler triangles are often associated with Montessori parents, as kids from ages 6 months old to 7 or 8 years old can work on their gross motor skills, practice free movement, and discover their physical limits – in a safe space.
Black Friday deals on Pikler triangles: A lot of these companies make Pikler triangles to order, so they sell out before December and can be hard to get a hold of for the holidays. I made the mistake of waiting to see if they went on sale, and I was limited in my options that I could put under the tree.
4 Best Pikler triangles you can buy
I’m sharing 4 of the best Pikler triangles on the market, all for different reasons.
Piccalio Pikler triangle
We recently upgraded our climbing set and got a Piccalio triangle with climbing board/slide combination.
- Folds up for storage
- Comes in a flat box and needs to be assembled (easy assembly!)
- Made of solid wood
- Holds up to 132 lbs.
- Easy to clean
- Available to purchase at Piccalio’s site, as well as on Etsy
Important to note:
- 30.5″ high when set up and 36.5″ depth
- The set includes the rock wall/slide for $349 (priced competitively against the other companies in this article)
Little Partners Pikler triangle
This is the first one we bought! It has a bunch of features that were important to me, and it was in stock (which was also important, as I waited to buy and it was a Christmas gift for the kids).
- Folds up for storage
- Adjusts to 3 different heights
- Made of solid hardwood
- Easy to clean
- Holds up to 200 lbs.
- Greenguard Gold Certified, painted with non-toxic paints
- Lifetime warranty
- Available for purchase at a variety of US retailers, including Kohl’s and Amazon.
- Priced in the mid-range, around $200 for a climbing triangle and additional for add ons.
Important to note:
- The tallest height you can make the triangle is 33″ which I felt comfortable with. Older kids may not get as much use out of it (a typical 6 year old is 45″ tall), but little ones will love it.
- The site says it’s recommended for 3+ because it has adjustable screws you can remove to fold it up or change the height.
Wiwiurka
- 3 different sized triangles (30″ height, 34″ height, 37″ height)
- Comes in a variety of colors (natural wood, light and dark woods, rainbow painted, blue tones, etc.)
- Made of plywood and painted with non-toxic paints
- Tons of add ons available like a rocker, ladder/slide combination, etc.
- Sell bundles of items for a discount (usually 15%) but the price for a climbing triangle is just under $400.
Important to note:
- These aren’t adjustable, so you have to choose which height you want for the triangle.
- These are made to order and Wiwiurka doesn’t accept returns.
- The tallest triangle holds up to 110 lbs.
Wood and Hearts
- Has very positive ratings on Etsy, where the brand sells its climbing triangles, stepstools, and other wood products
- Optional add ons are available
- 2 year warranty
- Max weight capacity for use is 60 kg (or 132 lb) but they are tested at up to 100 kg
Important to note:
- Ships from Ukraine, so shipping times can be unpredictable
- Returns are accepted but must be paid for by the buyer (which can be pricey).
What age is best for Pikler triangle?
Generally parents start shopping for a Pikler triangle from 6 months to 4 years old. When we got ours, the kids were 4 years old and 18 months old. I thought it was the perfect time to get it! I purposely bought one that was slightly taller – but not too tall – so that both kids could enjoy it. My toddler loves to climb, and he has thoroughly enjoyed using the triangle alongside his sister.
Benefits of Pikler triangles:
- Allow children to work on gross motor skills, starting at an early age
- Builds strength
- Children learn physical limits with balance
- Problem solving
- Spatial and directional awareness
- Increase a child’s hand-eye-foot coordination
- Builds self-confidence
- Encourages imaginative play
Is a Pikler triangle safe?
I wouldn’t ever leave my kids to play with the Pikler without being around them, so adult supervision is probably always recommended. But generally it’s considered to be safe. I noticed that my kids would try different scenarios cautiously at first, and then they would build up the confidence to follow through with what they wanted to do. That said, it is built to climb on – and falling is always a possibility. I have a foam mat underneath ours, and you could even layer a softer mat like this one for extra protection against bumps and bruises.
Is a Pikler triangle worth it?
I definitely think so. I’m really glad I purchased one at the ages I did, though I wish we had it for our daughter when she was a toddler too!
What age is a Pikler triangle good for?
My kids are 2 and 5, and they both love it. It would probably be great for a 1 year old to practice standing up/pulling up, and the upper end is probably around 6, depending on the version you get. Taller triangles will last longer as your kids get taller.
This post originally was published in October 2022 and has since been updated and recirculated.
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