Are you planning to get a Pikler triangle for your child? You have come to the right place! We will cover everything that you need to know about this climbing frame.
The Pikler climbing triangle is very popular in Europe and is recently getting more recognition in the UK.
This Pikler climbing frame is often misspelt as “Pickler Triangle” or “Piklar Triangle” in the English speaking world. It is also well known in the Montessori community because it aligns with the principle of establishing a safe environment for children to explore their skills.
- What is a Pikler Triangle?
- Pikler Triangle benefits – Why you should get one
- Which Pikler triangle and where to buy in the UK?
- When to buy a Pikler triangle and how long will it be played?
- How much does a Pikler triangle cost?
- Is the Pikler triangle safe?
- Can I make my own Pikler triangle – DIY?
- Pikler triangle alternatives
- Our Pikler Triangle review
- Pikler Triangles to buy in the UK
What is a Pikler Triangle?
Pikler triangle is a climbing frame designed as a gross motor development tool for babies and toddlers. It is invented by Emmi Pikler, a Hungarian paediatrician who specializes in infant development.
The Pikler triangle encourages free movement. It allows children to develop their physical strength, coordination and agility at their own pace.
Originally, it is simply a climbing triangle with rungs on it, whereby a child can climb up, over, and down. Nowadays, it comes with a slide, an extended ladder or even a rock climbing board.
“If we provide enough space and possibilities for moving freely, then the children will move as well as animals: skilfully, simply, securely, naturally.”
— Emmi Pikler
Pikler Triangle benefits – Why you should get one
When using a Pikler triangle, one must keep in mind the fundamentals of it. The idea is, if the child cannot climb, she will not climb it. Thus, we as parents should allow the child to explore the Pikler climbing frame at their own pace and ability.
In short, these are the benefits of a Pikler triangle:
- Children get to learn their boundaries in their own time. It serves as a foundation as they reach their developmental milestones.
- Promotes better concentration.
- Boost confidence in the child’s own strength and ability.
- Enables children to improve their climbing techniques and balance.
- It keeps the children safe as they move on to climb bigger or higher structures outdoors. This is because they get to refine their climbing techniques with it from early on.
- Versatile and open-ended toy. Children use it in various imaginative ways – a cave, a house, a car ramp etc.
- Small and takes minimal space compared to other indoor wooden climbing toys.
- It is a perfect movement activity “toy” at home, especially when the weather keeps everyone in!
Enjoy as you watch your child climb a little bit higher, or when they reach the top, or when they manage to cross over!
Children can use the Pikler triangle from age 6 months to approximately 4 or 5 years old, making this investment worth it. The price of a Pikler triangle is steep, starting from 120 GBP and up to 200 GBP. With an approximate 5 years of usage, it will come down to an average of only 30 GBP a year.
Which Pikler triangle and where to buy in the UK?
The best Pikler triangle UK
When getting a Pikler triangle in the UK, one should consider where it is made or shipped from. This will affect not only the price but also the carbon footprint!
Here is our Top 5 Pikler Triangle to get that are either made in the UK or are shipped there:
| Details |  WoodPhotoGift Little Triangle |  Out of The Chicken Shed Pikler Triangle |   Mamoi Climbing Triangle |  BalanceBoardsLV Pikler Triangle |   Costway wooden climbing frame |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best | overall | budget, local | for babies and toddlers | older toddlers / children | budget |
| Price plus delivery | 129 GBP | 129.50 GBP | From 150 GBP | 129 GBP | Less than 90 GBP |
| Height | 72 cm | 62 cm | 62 cm | 88 cm | 81 cm |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
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What size to buy for a Pikler Triangle?
There are no rules about the Pikler climbing frame dimensions or Pikler Triangle height; hence you may find them in various sizes.
I recommend getting the medium size of 70-90 cm in height (when standing) with approximately 70 – 100 cm in width. This is the perfect height for toddlers but still guarantee enough fun to play till older. This size also fits for home use.
You may also find some models going as high as 120 cm, but I do not recommend any higher than 90 cm models. At these heights, they are too high for playing sliding down. Also, after the children have managed to climb over the frame, there is no more reason to go any higher.
On the other hand, a smaller one at less than 70 cm may fit smaller home/spaces. It is also more suitable for babies and younger toddlers. But bear in mind that the children may not play it for as long as the medium size ones.
WoodPhotoGift Pickler Triangle
Getting a foldable Pikler triangle
Suppose you do not have a dedicated space in your home for the Pikler Triangle. In that case, I suggest getting an easily foldable one.
Once folded, it can be stored out of the way in narrow spaces when not in use. Nowadays, most models come foldable anyway, as it is popular for home use.
All of our recommended Pikler triangles are foldable except for the budget one from Costway. Though bear in mind, each has their own different folding mechanism.
Pikler Climbing Triangle UK – locally made
These are the two locally made Pikler climbing triangle that I found in the UK.
| Details | Out of The Chicken Shed Pikler Triangle |  YorkshireKids Pikler Triangle |
|---|---|---|
| Price plus delivery | 129.50 GBP | 210 GBP |
| Height | 62 cm | 63 cm |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
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Getting a Pikler triangle with slide in the UK
Getting a Pikler triangle slide is one of the best investments along with the Pikler triangle itself. This simple slide will transform the Pikler into many hours of fun. Not only is it great fun to slide down, but the child will also use it as a challenge to climb up the ramp.
On the creative side, the slide can also be a car ramp or a steep mountain road. I highly recommend getting a slide for your Pikler triangle.
This locally made in UK Pikler triangle with slide is a great option if you are buying a set. It is also made from sustainably sourced wood!
TheYorkshireKidsCo. Pikler Triangle with slide
This other locally made Pikler triangle with slide is also a good alternative with similar size and price.
OutoftheChickenShed Pikler Triangle with slide
Another alternative is this Pikler triangle with slide set from Mamoi.
Mamoi Pikler Triangle with slide
For a bigger size climbing triangle for toddlers and older siblings to play together, we recommend getting this Pikler triangle with slide from BalanceBoardsLV.
BalanceBoardsLV Pikler Triangle with slide
Getting a transformable/modifiable Pikler triangle
There is also a type of transformable or modifiable Pikler triangle, while allows you to change its height and even sometimes its shape. This option may be attractive to some, though not strictly Pikler anymore.
The height adjustments allow younger babies to explore it from an earlier stage. It can adapt along with the child’s ability.
With the changing shapes, one may create more ways of playing with the Pikler. Children can also use it for more imaginative play with a variety of structural shapes.
There is a transformable Pikler triangle which you can buy in the UK.
Happy Moon Transformable Pikler Triangle
When to buy a Pikler triangle and how long will it be played?
Children can use the Pikler triangle from as young as 6 months to approximately 4 or 5 years old.
Most models can be used by children who can crawl, which means the age of six months. At 6 – 12 months, babies also use the rungs to pull themselves up to standing. Pikler triangle’s rods are built with a distance suitable for babies and young toddlers.
These two locally made climbing triangles are perfect for babies and young toddlers because of its height:
| Details | Out of The Chicken Shed Pikler Triangle | YorkshireKids Pikler Triangle |
|---|---|---|
| Price plus delivery | 129.50 GBP | 210 GBP |
| Height | 62 cm | 63 cm |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
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Toddlers of 1 – 3 years old explore learning to climb up, over and down. They also continue to learn new skills as they develop their control while using them.
For 3 – 5 years old, besides the climbing fun, they can use it in various imaginative play. Fostering their creativity and foster their sense of imagination, children engage in open-ended play with their Pikler triangle.
Along with a Pikler triangle slide, there are various possibilities and even more fun for kids of all ages.
If you want to stretch the usage further, the Pikler triangle can be used from birth as a baby gym for infants. You just need to attach play bar accessories to it for sensory play.
In essence, it is an all in one sensory and motor development toy. A Pikler triangle can be used from 0 to 5 years old when used in combination with accessories.
WoodPhotoGift Pickler Triangle
How much does a Pikler triangle cost?
Most Pikler triangles cost between 120 and 200 GBP. The price varies based on the material and finishes, size and additional items such as slides or ramps.
Is the Pikler triangle safe?
Just remember, the child will use it and climb it when they are ready. There is no need to help them or place them on it. With this in mind, children are allowed to develop their own skill at their own pace.
It is a safe and steady toy explicitly designed for climbing. After practising climbing with a Pikler triangle, children are more confident and skilful when climbing in other places or situations or on higher and bigger structures.
Can I make my own Pikler triangle – DIY?
Yes, you may though, it does take some skills and effort. Make sure you use quality materials to comply with standard safety requirements. There is a helpful DIY step-by-step guide you can download for free at Montessori in Real Life.
Another option is to buy a detailed and easy to follow Pikler triangle plan on Etsy, which comes with a video guide.
Pikler triangle alternatives
Besides the Pikler triangle, there are a few alternatives that also provide gross motor opportunities to children.
Pikler arch
A Pikler arch is an excellent alternative to the Pikler triangle. It is softer in terms of looks and feels, arching over like a mini rainbow.
This climbing arch is also more popular with younger toddlers or babies, allowing them to explore from a younger age. It can also be used as a tunnel for crawling fun!
But it does have a shorter play life than the triangle, with a suggested age range from crawling to 30 months.
Mamoi Pikler arch
These slightly different arches made in the UK do not use rungs for climbing, but they are better suited as a rocker.
TheYorkshireKidsCo Montessori Rocker
OutoftheChickenShed Wooden Rocker
Indoor gym climbing frame
An indoor gym climbing frame is great for toddlers and older kids. If you have older children, you may consider this alternative.
It is like an indoor gym with way more variety of playing possibilities for kids. Children can climb, crawl, or play monkey bar with it.
It does detract from the simplicity of a Pikler climbing triangle. It is more of its own type of indoor climbing frame for home.
Square gym indoor climbing frame
Our Pikler Triangle review
We got the Pikler triangle when my son was about 1 year old. I have always wanted to get one even at an earlier stage but did not invest in one.
Then Covid-19 hit the world, and we are all asked to stay at home as much as possible, especially in the first lockdown. I took this reason to push myself to get one, and we are happy to have acquired it.
Here are the reasons why:
- My son did not take to it immediately, as he is a cautious person by nature. But, after weeks, he started to get his way up to the top. I see him developing his own concentration, independence, and grip strength as he explores it at his own pace.
- My son’s confidence shows now when he explores climbing outside, proved to me the benefit of having a safe space at home for him to practice on.
- After adding a slide on it, the fun factor went up. My son loves to climb over and slide down, over and over again.
- We have also used it as a tunnel to crawl through or have it as a secret cave with a cloth draped over it. Though my son is way out of the crawling stage now, there is a real benefit in promoting crawling activities. Crawling fosters whole-body coordination. Research also shows that crawling also helps in brain development!
- I can see a continual usage of this Pikler as my son grows older. The open-ended play possibility ensures long time of play. At the same time, my son will always have a place to do some climbing and sliding action whenever he wants to at home.
- The only thing we wish we did get is a foldable one, as it will be easier to store away. This would help us gain back some space when not in use. I recommend getting a foldable Pikler triangle from our own experience!
Pikler Triangles to buy in the UK
Here is the list of all the recommended Pikler triangles:
| Details | WoodPhotoGift Little Triangle | Out of The Chicken Shed Pikler Triangle | Mamoi Climbing Triangle | YorkshireKids Pikler Triangle |  Costway wooden climbing frame |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best | overall | budget, local | for babies and toddlers | set with ramp, local | budget |
| Price plus delivery | 129 GBP | 129.50 GBP | From 150 GBP | 210 GBP | Less than 90 GBP |
| Height | 72 cm | 62 cm | 62 cm | 63 cm | 81 cm |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
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