Looking For A Montessori Climber Or A Pikler Triangle? Read This First (With 7 Helpful Reviews)

If you’ve ever come across a Montessori climber or a Pikler triangle, you probably went through a range of emotions starting from “what is this” to “how soon can I get one?” Of course, there’s also the question of how exactly a climber fits with Montessori principles, or helps your child’s development, and of course – is buying one really worth it? 

So if you’re Pikler-curious, we’ll cover all the Montessori climber questions and help you choose the right one for you. 

What’s a Montessori Climber?

The most common type of Montessori climber is the Pikler triangle, although there are a few other styles (which we’ll cover below.) The idea behind it is that it allows your little ones to climb, explore and reach new heights – literally – in a fun, safe, and achievable way. 

How Does a Pikler Triangle Fit With Montessori Principles?

Two of the most important Montessori principles are the prepared environment and allowing for the child’s self-exploration through play. 

Pikler triangles are safe and child-sized which will allow your little ones to explore and build their skills more and more independently. 

They’re also simple but very inviting, drawing kids right in to climb, play, and make-belief. 

Benefits For Babies, Toddlers, and Kids

Pikler triangles and other Montessori climbers allow for tons of gross motor skill development for kids of all ages: 

• Grasping
• Climbing
• Reaching
• Balance 

Not to mention the confidence that comes with taking risks and overcoming challenges. It’s also the perfect prop for imaginative play, like scaling a castle wall, training for a competition, or creating little obstacle courses. 

Is a Pikler Triangle Safe?

Little climbers should always be supervised, regardless if it’s a play structure or a couch. With that in mind, the Pikler Triangle has been helping little ones build their gross motor skills for around a hundred years. Think about that! 

It’s the perfect height for your little one, the rungs are just right, and you know that it had to meet all the safety standards before hitting the market. Basically. It’s as safe as you can ask for. 

Is Buying A Montessori Climber Really Worth It?

That’s the real question. Buying a Pikler triangle or any kind of Montessori climber comes with a hefty price tag, not to mention it takes up a lot of space. So you have to be sure it’s worth it. While we tell someone what’s best for their home or for their budget, we will say that a Montessori climber is NOT just another big toy. 

It has a tendency to draw kids in for a summit, and it’s the perfect balance between challenging and doable. 

• If you find that your little one tends to want to climb things and get into places they shouldn’t – a Pikler triangle or another climber would be the perfect spot to channel that urge safely. 
• Also, if your little one’s not that into being physical – having a small climber is a warm, inviting, and non-intimidating way to develop those gross motor skills at their own pace. 

Montessori climbers really allow for self-exploration from any stage. 

When Should I Introduce a Montessori Climber?

Even as early as six months is a good age to start reaching, grasping, and pulling up on those rungs. You may find that your baby is ready to climb before they’re ready to walk. There are different styles and heights of Montessori climbers – many of which combine to make more complex structures as kids get older and more confident. 

Different Montessori Climber Styles and Heights

While searching for a Montessori climber, you may have found that they come in different shapes and sizes (as well as different price points) which probably leads you to more questions than answers. Here are a few styles and pros and cons to each. 

The Pikler Triangle.

This is no-doubt the most common and popular Montessori climber. What’s great about it is that it’s unassuming yet it both invites and allows kids to overcome a challenge. 

You can get a version that folds up making it really nice to stash away or to transport. 

Pikler triangles usually come in two different heights. If you plan to introduce this climber to your baby, you may feel more comfortable with the smaller triangle – especially if you want them to experience a little independence. 

The Rocker or Arch. 

If you were to choose just one Montessori climber, I’d recommend the Pikler triangle over the rocker. Since it doesn’t fold up, it will definitely take up more space, plus it’s a little too “easy” for more adventurous kids. (Plus, seeing this rock might stress you out if you have two kids.) 

However, some families like to create a combo structure, which allows for more exploration and creativity. 

Slides, Bridges, and Rock Climbing Boards.

You can buy attachment boards that fit perfectly into the rungs of your Montessori climber. Adding a slide is like a little reward for the summit, and a rock climbing board makes an extra challenge. 

Other Climbers.

Of course, a Montessori climber doesn’t have to come in the shape of a triangle or an arch. There are plenty of fun options that could fit perfectly into your playroom or backyard! 

It’s worth noting that most Montessori climbers boast similar benefits and come at similar price points. However, it doesn’t hurt to check out a few different stores to compare shipping, availability and possible sales. 

Montessori Climber and Pikler Triangle Top Picks

Montessori Climbers on Etsy and Amazon

If looking at Pikler triangles and Montessori climbers gave you some sticker shock, you may turn to Amazon or Etsy for more budget-friendly options.

Bear in mind that you’ll likely have to assemble your climber yourself, which most parents say is easy, but don’t expect to give it to your kids right out of the box.

Also, mind the shipping cost and how long it will take.

Lastly, be very scrutinous with the reviews to make sure that what you see is what you get, and there are no surprises. The Montessori climbers below have consistently raving reviews.

Montessori Climber and Pikler Triangle FAQ