Once baby moves, it’s hard to slow him down! Creating an engaging play environment that can grow with your child can be a challenge. You can invest in the best educational toys and provide open-ended toys to encourage pretend play – and that’s where a Pikler Triangle comes in. These climbing centers offer a minimalist yet versatile approach to play, and toddlers enjoy activities that give their brain and body a boost. Piklers are a great game furniture that provide physical and cognitive developmental growth for your evolving child.
What exactly is a Pikler triangle?
A Pikler Triangle is a Montessori inspired play triangle. Montessori Inspired Toys are designed to inspire children to develop natural interests and activities through hands-on, collaborative play, based on experiential learning encouraged by Dr. Maria Montessori. A Pikler triangle is a climbing frame (also known as a climbing triangle) designed to increase its functionality as the child grows and develops. In its simplest construction, it is a triangle with rungs that can be climbed, but some newer variations offer more equipment for extended and differentiated play.
Are Pikler triangles safe?
As with all children’s products, parental supervision is always paramount. You know your child’s abilities best and you can monitor the environment for safety considerations. You can foster a sense of independence and exploration while keeping a close watch on children to make sure they are performing their movements safely. It is also important to adhere to the age and weight specifications provided by the manufacturer, as each Pikler is designed slightly differently.
What age is best for a Pikler triangle?
Children as young as six months old can begin to experiment, and children over the age of five can still benefit from these devices. When children are very young, they can play underneath. As they become physically and cognitively more advanced, they can use it to get up, and as they age and develop, they can eventually learn to climb the structure. For more tips on what your kids might be up to, check out the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Guide to Toys by Age.
What are the advantages of a Pikler triangle?
- Pikler triangles provide a wonderful play environment to help children develop gross motor skills.
- The versatile and open design allows children to develop their imaginative play skills and improve their self-confidence – they can climb a mountain or hide in their tent while unknowingly promoting their development.
- Piklers can help improve spatial awareness, balance, and coordination.
How we chose the Pikler triangles
To find the best Pikler triangles for toddlers, the Good Housekeeping Little Lab route tested the top sellers in this category. Our lab experts reviewed the ease of assembly, build quality, and ease of cleaning of the unit. We also took into account any additional features like if the triangle could be bent or if it had other attachments you could add to expand the playing options.
here are the best Pikler triangles for toddlers in 2021, based on tests conducted by our Little Lab:
Best Triangle Pikler
Foldable wooden climbing triangle
Small Partners
amazon.com
$ 229.99
Little Partner’s Learn ‘N Climb Triangle impressed our Little Lab so much that it recently won a Good Housekeeping Parenting Award. You can adjust the free-standing triangle to one of three different easy-to-adjust heights. It also allows variable playing possibilities thanks to various accessories. For example, you can connect two triangles with an extra ramp to form a bridge or tie the ramp between the triangle and our beloved Little Partners learning tower.
Dimensions: 26.3 “x 38.5” x 32.7 “
Age class : 12 months +
- Fully assembled
- Constructed of strong and durable hardwood
- Adjust and lock in 3 positions
- Can be combined with other furniture, such as a slide
- Folds easily for compact storage
- Greenguard Gold certified
Best Pikler Gymnastics Set
Pikler climbing hall
EZPlay Jungle Gyms
ezplaytoys.com
$ 299.00
This multi-piece gymnastics set allows for seemingly endless open play. Children can explore the rooms while developing their balance and stimulating their creativity. The Pikler frame includes handles that young hands can grip to help them climb up, and the slide features side rails to keep kids centered. The brand also makes other great playsets, including a larger slide also designed for toddlers!
Dimensions: 31 “x 33” x 35 “
Age class : 18 months +
- Quality wood construction
- Triangle + arch + slide for a complete gym
- Natural, blue or pink color options
Best Foldable Pikler Triangle
Montessori triangle climber
Coco Village
cocovillage.com
$ 249.99
While we haven’t reviewed this specific Pikler yet, we have reviewed several other similar Montessori-inspired products from this brand. Based on related testing, we would expect this one to be as well well built and durable. CoCo Village’s products are all ASTM F963-17 certified, which means they meet all applicable standards for materials, chemical components, safety in use and durability.
Dimensions: 36.25 “x 30” x 33 “
Age class : 12 months +
- Foldable and compact
- Quality wood construction
Pikler triangle at the best value for money
Toddler Pikler Triangle with Slide
DomusJunior
amazon.com
$ 189.99
Although the Institute team has yet to examine this climber, we love that this Pikler is designed for our smaller movers to start exploring their surroundings with an overall height lower than the others on this list. Most online reviews noted that it was sturdy and easy to assemble, although a few noted that it was not as durable as they had hoped.
Dimensions: 44 “x 32” x 35 “
Age class : 6 months +
- Relatively affordable
- Foldable
- Includes slide
- May not be as durable as the others on the list
Best Pikler Rainbow Triangle
Folding triangular ladder with ramp
Costzon
amazon.com
$ 179.99
One of the main differentiators of this Pikler is that the height of the ladder can be easily adjusted, so you can increase the difficulty of the slope as your child grows. It is collapsible, so it can be stowed away when not in use. Although they are available in a natural palette, we are fans of the rainbow ladder rungs!
Dimensions: 48 “x 28” x 43.5 “
Age class : 6 months +
- Foldable
- Includes a ramp for sliding or climbing
- The height of the ladder can be adjusted
What to look for when buying a Pikler triangle:
- Look for third-party security tests. Check if the Pikler has been tested for safety in accordance with ASTM F963 and 16 CFY Part 1307 requirements for lead, heavy metals and phthalates. While it is tempting to buy from any seller, you want to make sure that your children’s play furniture has been properly examined for safety reasons.
- Confirm the age and weight guidelines. Most can be used by children as young as 6 months old, but always check what the manufacturer recommends.
- Take into account your clear height. You will probably want to buy one that is over 32 inches so that it can provide continued growth for your child if possible. That being said, a smaller / mini unit may be ideal for a younger baby who is just starting out or if you are short on space.
- Note if it can transform. Several climbing triangles are now transformable so that different shapes or orientations are possible. Many also offer additional components like ramps, slides, or even rock walls!
- Think about storage. Many Pikler triangles are bendable, which is especially good if you live in a small space. This is an advantage of many climbing triangles over rockers, as these usually do not bend.
- Accessories factor. You may want to consider getting a mat for added safety and cushioning if your child should tip over.
- Determine if you want to use it outdoors. While most Piklers are designed for indoor use, a few note that they can be used indoors or outdoors. If you want to keep your unit outdoors at all times, it is important to have one that can withstand the elements.
Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping Institute
Chief Technologist and Director of Engineering
Rachel is the Chief Technologist and Director of Engineering at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing methodology, implementation, and reporting for all labs.
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