5 Best Montessori Climbing Toys For Infants And Toddlers

best Montessori climbing toys

*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thank you for your support!

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Montessori climbing toys help your child strengthen their muscles and improve their balance, coordination, and body control.

The best Montessori climbing toy is GrowGo’s 6-in-1 Pikler triangle because it is very versatile and grows with your child from infancy to childhood.

Your child can use it as a climbing triangle, a slide, a climbing ramp, a pinball game, a balance or rocking board, or convert it to a tent with the tent cover that is included.

This is by far our favorite climbing gym and the one that will give you the best bang for your buck.

Pikler triangles are the most common climbing gyms but we’ve done our research to bring you the 5 best Montessori climbing toys that fit your budget and home space.

Our top 5 picks

  1. GrowGo’s 6-in-1 Pikler triangle. Overall the best Montessori climbing toy that grows with your child.

  2. All Circles PlayBox All Set. Best climbing toy to create an indoor playground.

  3. LeoMat . Best play couch for indoor play.

  4. Sprout Kids Pikler Labyrinth. Best Montessori climbing gym for babies.

  5. Lily and River Little Dome. Best climbing structure for kids.

Price vs versatility comparison

I compared the price of these climbing toys for kids to their versatility. This graph gives you a good idea of how they compare against each other.

Montessori climbing toys comparison

Best Montessori climbing toys

These climbing toys I recommend provide hours of entertainment and improve your child’s physical, cognitive, and brain development. 

Image: GrowGo Kids

1. GrowGo’s 6-in-1 Pikler triangle

This is the best Montessori climbing toy that is extremely versatile and grows with your child.

When you look for Pikler triangles online, you’ll get hundreds of options. But trust me, GrowGo’s 6-in-1 Pikler triangle is far superior in both quality and versatility.

As a Montessori Guide, I can confidently say that you will see a major improvement in your child’s development with this Pikler triangle.

Your infant can begin using this Pikler triangle at about 6 months old or when they show signs of readiness to walk.

They can practice standing up by holding onto the triangle and walking from side to side to coordinate their foot movement as they learn to walk.

The double-sided ramp can be used as a ramp, a rocker, an inclined climbing wall, or even a pinball game with the 3 balls that are included with this set.

The pinball game is actually one of our favorite features of this ramp. We could spend all day playing pinball if we could!

When your child is not using the Pikler triangle or the ramp, they can put the cover on the triangle to transform it into a tent.

You can play hide and seek or just pretend that you are camping in the middle of the mountains.

Overall, this is a well-rounded Pikler triangle that will help your child improve their physical strength, creativity, confidence, and motor skills.

Before you click the “buy” button, make sure to use my code LATINXMONTESSORI to save 10% of your entire order.

  • Develops your child’s fine and gross motor skills.
  • Improves your child’s strength, balance, agility, and posture.
  • Encourages confidence and creativity.
  • The triangle folds for easy storage.
  • Uses non-toxic water-based paint.
  • Safety tested to 16 CFR Part 1307 & certified.
  • Nothing. This Pikler triangle exceeded our expectations!

Image: All Circles

2. All Circles PlayBox All Set

This is a great climbing toy that you can convert into an obstacle course.

The PlayBox All Set by All Circles will give your child full control of their play experience. 

This set comes in four pieces: the box, a toy chest, a ramp, and a ladder. What we like about this set is that your child can choose their configuration for ultimate fun.

Your child can use one piece or all at once in the order they choose. The box and ramp can be used as a slide. The box, ramp, and toy chest can be used to make a bridge.

If your child wants to create a fun obstacle course, they can use all the pieces in many ways.

The only limit to all possible configurations is your child’s imagination. And this is why this climbing toy is a must-have because it encourages creativity.

These Montessori climbing gyms offer a great opportunity for open-ended play. Your child will explore new ideas, test new concepts, and develop social and emotional intelligence.

The PlayBox Set is made from high-quality materials and uses FSC-certified birch wood, and this is why it is a bit more expensive compared to other climbing toys.

But besides the higher price point, this is a great climbing structure to help your child develop lifelong skills.

  • The quality is amazing (hence the price).
  • Highly configurable to encourage unstructured free play.
  • Improves your child’s imagination and creativity.
  • Designed for indoor and outdoor use.
  • Easy cleaning with furniture-grade finishing.
  • FSC Certified Birch Wood and Stainless Steel fasteners.
  • Designed to ASTM Safety Standards.
  • More expensive compared to the Pikler triangle.
  • A bit bulky and takes up quite a bit of space.

Image: LeoMat

3. LeoMat

This is the best play couch for indoor play and is great for all ages.

The LeoMat has completely transformed playtime for our little one. It’s comfy, durable, easy to clean, and it sparks endless creativity. 

And by the way, this is the best Nugget Couch alternative. It’s a bit more expensive but better. 

What I like about the LeoMat is the tri-fold technology because you can fold it in various ways and this gives you over 20 configuration ideas.

We also like that it provides a great opportunity for open-ended play. Your child can build a small fort, a tunnel, or even a small obstacle course.

If your baby is learning to crawl or walk, you can configure the mat so your child can pull up and down, walk side to side, and create steps for your baby to climb.

The entire cover of this play couch is machine washable so you don’t have to worry about smells or stains.

If your child spills food or drinks, simply take the cover off and throw it in your washer.

All in all, this play couch provides a special area for your child’s imagination and creativity. And make sure to use my code LATINXMONTESSORI to save 10% off your LeoMat.

  • Improves your child’s imagination and creativity.
  • Can be used as a sofa for napping, a couch for reading, or a playmat.
  • Your child can build forts, tents, tunnels, and more!
  • Its soft design offers a safe space for babies.
  • Your child can configure it in many ways.
  • You can add more sets to it for more fun.
  • You’ll see normal tear and wear from constant use.
  • It takes a lot of space.

Image: Sprout Kids

4. Sprout Kids Pikler Labyrinth

This is the best Montessori climbing toy for babies and infants.

Sprout Kids is a well-known brand in the Montessori world. Rightfully so because they make high-quality products that last forever. And the Pikler Labyrinth is no expectation. 

I will tell you right off the bat that this climbing toy is quite expensive compared to the previous climbing gyms I recommended. But you won’t be disappointed by the quality of the product.

Now, the Pikler Labyrinth looks a bit different from a Pikler triangle. It is made of wooden boxes that are open on opposite ends and the walls are made of various wooden dowels.

This unique design allows your baby to crawl, climb, or pull themselves up in a safe way. You can configure all boxes to make a small labyrinth for your baby to crawl through. 

This helps your baby improve their spatial awareness while strengthening their muscles as they crawl.

As your baby grows, you can change the configuration to make it more challenging and therefore improve your child’s overall development.

And as I mentioned, this set is quite expensive so if you are on a low budget, you can get individual boxes at a lower price.

  • It supports your child’s natural development.
  • Great for infants and toddlers.
  • Meets all safety and design requirements as established by the official Pikler organization.
  • Encourages free movement as children crawl through and interact with the Labyrinth. 
  • Includes the official Pikler Pedagogical Guide of recommended use.
  • It is very expensive.

Image: Lily and River

5. Lily and River Little Dome 

This is the best climbing structure for all ages to bring outdoor fun into your home.

I am sure you’ve seen this climbing structure at the park or your child’s school. Usually, these domes are made for outdoor use. But not the Little Dome by Lily and River.

One of the main reasons we like this climbing structure is because it is designed for indoor use and offers the same benefits as those found in parks or schools.

Yes, you might have to assemble it but once assembled, your child will spend countless hours playing and developing new skills.

It is bigger than the Pikler triangle or climbing boxes I mentioned above. It measures just over 5 feet in diameter so you will need a large area to place this climbing toy.

So if you have a big room or yard, then put this climbing toy on top of your list.

The Little Dome is a great progression from a Pikler triangle because it offers more challenging activities that strengthen your child’s muscles and improve their physical health.

If you have an active child with lots of energy, this climbing toy will help them burn all that energy especially right before bed.

Your kids will be so tired that they will sleep like a rock. And that means that you will also get the rest you deserve.

It is made from high-quality and durable materials that are safe to use and ensure your child’s safety.

  • This is a great climbing toy to bring outdoor fun right into your home.
  • Made from pine and beech wood.
  • Made with 100% non-toxic, water-based sealant.
  • Offers greater benefits than a Pikler triangle.
  • It takes a lot of space.
  • Only for indoor use.
  • Assembly can take a while.
  • Not easy to store. You’ll have to disassemble it.

Are Montessori climbing toys safe?

Yes, Montessori climbing toys are safe when your child uses them correctly and under your supervision. 

I like these climbing toys because they are designed with safety in mind. You’ll notice the rounded edges, sturdy construction, and non-toxic materials to ensure the safety of your child.

But always make sure that the climbing toy you choose is suitable for your child’s age and developmental stage. 

Some of the Montessori climbing gyms I recommend are good for various ages while others are only good for older kids.

Benefits of Montessori climbing toys

You will see an improvement in your child’s development because these Montessori climbing toys offer several benefits:

  • Physical Development: They promote gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and strength as your child climbs, crawls, and explores the climbing gym.
  • Independence: Montessori climbing toys encourage self-directed play and foster independence and decision-making.
  • Cognitive Development: These toys stimulate problem-solving and spatial awareness as your child plans their climbs and navigates the structure.
  • Creativity: These Montessori climbing toys can be configured in many ways to continuously enhance your child’s creativity.
  • Confidence: Conquering physical challenges on climbing toys will boost your child’s self-esteem and confidence.

 

Things to consider when you shop for Montessori climbing toys

When I was researching the best Montessori climbing gyms, I considered a few things:

  • Safety: These climbing toys meet safety standards, have no sharp edges, and are made of non-toxic materials. You can find this information on the company’s website.
  • Age-Appropriate Not all climbing toys are appropriate for all ages. Choose a toy that matches your child’s age and developmental stage.
  • Size and Space: Consider the available space in your home and whether the climbing toy fits comfortably. Some climbing toys like GrowGo’s Pikler triangle fold for easy storage while the Little Dome takes up a lot of space.
  • Sturdiness: Look for a stable and well-constructed climbing toy that can withstand active play, especially if an older child will be playing with it.
  • Versatility: Some climbing toys can be configured in multiple ways and offer long-term value as your child grows. The GrowGo Pikler triangle is the best choice on our list.
  • Assembly: Check if it’s easy to assemble, and if not, consider whether you’re willing to invest the time.

 

What age are Montessori climbing toys for?

Basic and small Montessori climbing triangles are suitable for 6-month-old babies. More complex climbing gyms like the Little Dome are appropriate for older children and preschoolers. 

Before you purchase one of these climbing toys, make sure that it aligns with your child’s current developmental stage and physical abilities.

Are Pikler triangles worth it?

Yes, Pikler triangles are worth it because they offer countless open-ended, active play opportunities for your child. 

Most importantly, they promote your child’s physical development, creativity, and independence, all of which are necessary for life.

As I mentioned earlier, choose a climbing toy that grows with your child to get your money’s worth. You’ll get a better bang for your buck with the Pikler triangle.

What to do next?

These are the best Montessori climbing toys for infants and toddlers. Our top choice is GrowGo’s Pikler triangle because your child will continue to use it through childhood.

Make sure to read my article on the best Montessori toys by age so your child continues to build the building blocks for success.

About Leslie - Latinx Montessori

Hello, I am Leslie. I am on a mission to help you support the growth and development of your child. With the right tools and proper guidance, you can navigate parenthood with confidence and assertion! My goal is to equip you with knowledge to help you construct a strong foundation for your child’s life.

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