A Pikler triangle is an excellent piece of equipment to help develop your toddler’s gross motor skills. But when buying one for your kid, it might surprise you how much they cost. I had this surprise myself, so here’s what I learned when going through this process for my baby girl.
An average Pikler triangle costs approximately $200 to $400, while the price can vary between $150 and $700. The price mostly depends on the type of the triangle, as well as the accessories it comes with.
Below, you’ll find a detailed overview of how much different types of Pikler triangles cost and why they are so expensive.
Average Prices of Pikler Triangles by Type
What probably affects the price of a Pikler triangle the most is its type. There are generally two types of Pikler triangles: regular fixed ones and transformables. Below is an overview of these types with some examples.
The data show prices for just the Pikler triangle itself, without any add-ons like a ramp or a rocker.
| The original Pikler triangle | Transformable Pikler triangle | |
| Price range | $150 to $250 | $250 to $450 |
| Pros | – Cheaper – Solid structure | – Possibility for multiple positions (easy for smaller kids, more difficult for older ones) |
| Cons | – Only one (or a few) position(s) | – Takes up more space if fully used |
| Example | Little Climber by Lily & River | Climber “HappyMoon” Transformable Pikler triangle |
| Example price | $199.95 | $368.00 |
If you want to find out more about different types of Pikler triangles, see my post where I compare 50+ Pikler triangles by their type, country, and price.
Fixed Pikler Triangle
This is the most common version of a Pikler triangle. It usually has just one position it can be used in but some triangles might have two: a lower set-up for smaller kids and a higher one for bigger kids.
Its strengths are in its price and sturdiness. When compared to the transformable Pikler triangle, it has less moving parts, so it tends to be a bit stronger. When buying one, make sure to check what the maximum allowed weight is.
Thanks to their simplicity, fixed Pikler triangles cost less, averaging between $150 and $250.
Transformable (Adjustable) Pikler Triangle
This is what I bought for my kid. It’s more expensive than the fixed one but it offers so many more possibilities and can be used over a longer period of time as its shape and positions can be adjusted to match the abilities of the kid using it.
Due to more material used and the complexity of its joints (a CNC machine is usually needed for creating them), the transformable Pikler triangles cost more, averaging between $250 and $450.
What Do the Pikler Triangle Accessories Cost?
Pikler triangles are very often used with some add-ons to offer more value and fun for the kids when improving their climbing skills and balance.
The most common accessories are a slide/ladder and a rocker/arch. The rocker/arch can actually be used as a separate piece of equipment but many manufacturers of Pikler triangles often sell them together as a package.
So what do they cost?
Slide/ladder
It depends – on the manufacturer, on the functionality of the slide, etc. On average, the slide/ladder usually adds about $80 to $150 to the Pikler triangle set.
Rocker
The same applies to the rocker, but on average it costs about $60 to $100 extra to also have a rocker/arch in your Pikler triangle set.
Extra elements
The regular Pikler triangles consist of two climbing elements and most of the transformable ones of four. But in some cases, you can combine multiple transformable Pikler triangles into one massive climbing frame.
The math is simple – if that is what you want, just be ready to double the price you paid for your triangle (you buy two and connect them together). Just make sure you comply with the manufacturer’s safety standards (find out if it is OK to combine two sets).
You Can Sometimes Get a Pikler Triangle Cheaper If You Add the Finish Yourself
In most cases, the Pikler triangle you are buying will have a professionally applied finish (oil, lacquer, or something similar) but some manufacturers offer a version without the finish.
This gives you an option to coat it yourself (and give it the exact finish you want). Although you could save approximately $20 to $80 by buying a Pikler triangle without a finish, you’ll have to consider the time and cost of doing it yourself.
Theoretically, you can leave the triangle uncoated, but this is not recommended as it can result in faster wear of the equipment (which can result in splinters that might hurt your kid).
So Why Are Pikler Triangles So Expensive?
The cost of a Pikler triangle comes down to various elements:
- Material
- Complexity
- Finish
Any toy, tool, or equipment for kids has to be safe for them. So the manufacturers have to comply with various safety standards and use high-quality materials to build Pikler triangles.
Naturally, the more material is needed, the higher the price of a product. The same goes for complexity. The transformable Pikler triangle needs much more material and is of higher complexity, so naturally, it takes more time and money to produce it compared to the regular one.
As already mentioned in the previous paragraphs, you might get your triangle cheaper if you ask the manufacturer to not apply the final finish on it (and do it yourself instead).
Where To Buy a Pikler Triangle?
Pikler triangles are usually handmade, so they are not mainstream items that you can buy at any store. I’d say one of the best places to find a suitable Pikler triangle for yourself is Etsy (www.etsy.com). Etsy is a marketplace for small merchants who produce and sell their (mostly) handmade items. As merchants come from all around the world, make sure to find one from your area or to include higher shipping costs in your budget.
How Much Does It Cost To Make a Pikler Triangle Yourself?
Building a Pikler triangle yourself could be a fun project and would save you some money. NB! Building a transformable Pikler triangle without having experience in woodwork and having access to special tools is not recommended. The following analysis is for making a regular fixed version at home.
It costs approximately $60 to $110 to make a Pikler triangle yourself, depending on whether you need to buy a blueprint and where you will get your material. The calculation also assumes you have all the required tools and enough time.
What do you need to start?
- Blueprints (make them yourself or buy them online)
- Materials
- Tools
- Time
You can get the blueprints for free or for a maximum of $20 (just search Google for “pikler triangle blueprint” and choose a suitable option for yourself). The blueprints will give you exact measurements, as well as the tools and the amount of material needed for this project.
The material cost of a Pikler triangle could be between $60 and $90, depending on which blueprint you use and where you get your materials.
So making a Pikler triangle yourself will be cheaper than buying one but if you don’t have all the tools, you don’t feel at home with woodwork, or feel that the savings are not worth the hassle, just buy one made by professionals. That’s what I did 🙂
Should You Buy a Second-Hand Pikler Triangle
If you want to save money when buying a Pikler triangle, go for a used one. You will definitely get one for a cheaper price but there are some things you should be aware of.
First of all, you’ll probably want to check its visual side. Combining wooden things with a baby who is teething, usually means a lot of teeth marks on it. If this doesn’t bother you, that’s great!
Also, you’ll have to be sure it is not damaged. It will be your child using it and you don’t want them to fall and hurt themselves if one of the bars or elements breaks. So definitely inspect the triangle before paying for it.
If the second-hand Pikler triangle looks okay and is safe to use, just go for it!
Is the Pikler Triangle Worth the Cost?
The Pikler triangle is absolutely worth its cost. It’s a piece of equipment that your child will love for years. Besides the obvious benefits of improving their motor skills and balance, it helps to unleash their creativity. There are just tons of ways of how kids will use their Pikler triangle.
Give them this opportunity to physically and mentally develop through play!
When you don’t know which Pikler to choose, read my analysis of 50+ Pikler triangles with their functionalities and prices.