Pikler triangle was designed to improve kids’ gross motor skills in a safe and controlled environment. Its primary goal has always been to encourage free climbing but as people are creative, there are actually lots of other activities that kids and their parents can use it for.
In this article, we will cover the general usage of a Pikler triangle and give you 17 alternative fun activities to do with it.
How to Use a Pikler Triangle?
There is actually nothing complicated about it. Once you have bought your Pikler, just set it up and introduce it to your kid.
Your kid will know how to use it according to their development stage. A 6-month-old baby might try to pull themselves up on it, while an 18-month-old toddler might instantly start climbing to the top.
If you have a ramp together with your Pikler, or if you have a transformable Pikler triangle, you can modify the setup to meet your kid’s level. Set the ramp up on a lower rung for smaller kids, so it will be easier for them to climb, while gradually increasing the angle as they develop.
It works quite similarly with the transformable triangle – set it up so that the incline would be as small as possible when your toddler is just starting with it, and increase it as they feel more confident on their Pikler.
It’s always important for you to be there for your children to keep them safe but also to follow their rhythm and not push them too hard. We have a separate article about the safety of Pikler triangles, where we also talk about supervision and encouraging the kids, as well as the most common mistakes made when using the Pikler.
So, it’s important that you follow certain safety regulations, but other than that, just let the kids have fun on their Pikler triangle.
By the way, if you don’t have a Pikler at home yet, check out my massive comparison of 50+ Pikler triangles with their functionalities and prices compared.
17 Fun Games and Activities with a Pikler Triangle
Kids’ imagination and will to learn are limitless, so they’ll have fun on their Pikler triangle for a long time before you might need to introduce some alternative games or activities to them. However, if at some point you do want to try out some alternative ways to use it, we’ve done the research for you and collected some fun alternative ideas on how kids and parents use their Pikler triangles.
Here are 17 fun games and activities that we have collected from 12 parents (thank you, everyone, who have shared their ideas). Please note that some activities might not be suitable for the youngest kids, so please make sure that the ones you introduce are appropriate for your child.
Build an Obstacle Course
This is my favorite idea. You can combine various pieces of furniture with your Pikler triangle and the ramp to build an obstacle course for your toddler. It’s an excellent way of bringing some variety to climbing and helping the kid to improve their balance and gross motor skills.
Build a Tent / Fort / Cave / Reading Nook
This is something your kid will love. Get some blankets-pillows-lighting and build a structure from their favorite story. It’s perfect for them to play in, or if you have a bigger Pikler triangle, for you to join and read that story to them.
Build a Tunnel
Cover everything with blankets but leave the ends open. You can combine the Pikler triangle with some chairs or other elements to build an even longer tunnel.
When it’s dark outside, switch off the lights and use a flashlight to show the way through the tunnel.
Make a Hammock
If you have a sling for carrying your baby at home, tie its ends to the triangle to make a small hammock. You’ll need a bigger Pikler triangle for this to work and make sure your kid is supervised when using the hammock.
I got this idea originally from Vicki Reid from the Montessori at Home Facebook group and with her permission, I’m posting a picture of how she ties the sling to the triangle.
Another mom said that in addition to enjoying the Pikler hammock herself, her daughter likes to bring her dolls to the Pikler hammock for ‘naptime’.
Build a Theater for a Puppet Show
Cover the rungs and one open side of the triangle with blankets, leaving the other side open for the stage. Put your heads together with your little one to decorate it to their liking and the rest is up to them. Just sit back and enjoy the show 🙂
Hang Toys on the Pikler Triangle
Give some incentive for your toddler to climb to the upper rungs by hanging some toys up there. They’ll love bringing them down so you could put them back up again.
Add a Slide to the Pikler Triangle
Many Pikler triangles come with a slide/ramp. If yours doesn’t have one, it’s a really fun add-on you might consider getting.
After climbing to the top of the Pikler, your kid will get the reward of getting to slide down. If they are still too small to climb up themselves, help them up, and support them when sliding down.
Add a Ramp to the Pikler Triangle
Most Pikler slides can also be used as ramps by just flipping them around. While the slide side is smooth, the ramp side usually has either horizontal bars or actual rock climbing holds on it. Both can be fun, so just choose the option that you think your kid might enjoy more. Ramps are great for smaller kids who can’t yet climb the triangle itself thanks to their smaller incline and their solid surface.
Race Cars Down the Slide
If your Pikler triangle comes with a slide, you can use it as a race track. Gather various toys like cars, animals, different kinds of balls, and find out which one races down the fastest.
Drying Rack for Doll Clothes
If your kid is playing laundry day and is wondering where to hang the doll clothes to dry, the Pikler triangle is your solution. In fact, if you run out of space when drying your toddler’s clothes, you could use it as well 😉
Play Fetch
Sit together with your child in front of the rungs. Throw a toy through the rungs under the Pikler triangle and ask them to bring it back. The kid will have to decide how they will get it, reaching by either around the rungs or under them.
At some point, they might start throwing toys under the Pikler themselves.
Garage for Cars
This is another use-case where you need to cover the Pikler triangle. And then have your kid bring all the cars and trucks and buses and whatnot into the newly opened garage.
Rescue Mission
Playing a rescue mission is an awesome idea that Yunnie from miraculove.com has described really well. It’s a perfect game for a playdate where kids of different ages can collaborate. The older ones can tie some animals to the triangle and the smaller ones can practice their fine motor skills by untying the ribbons and saving them.
‘Gym’
Use the Pikler triangle to let your kiddo get some good old-fashioned exercise. Younger kids can do some pull-ups from the top rungs (with your help, of course) and older ones some push-ups on the lowest rungs. Make sure to keep the triangle steady when your kid is doing push-ups as the angle of the force they apply to it might make it move on the floor. And note that pull-ups might not be possible on smaller Piklers.
Ladder
If your kids need to get something that they can’t reach on their own, the Pikler triangle can be used as a ladder or a stepping stool. Some transformable ones can even be reshaped into a proper ladder. Always be close by to supervise and make sure the kids are safe when they’re using the Pikler as a ladder.
Baby Play Gym
Although most resources recommend Pikler for babies from 6 months, you can also use the Pikler with younger babies by transforming it into a baby play gym. Just put a blanket or a playmat under the Pikler and hang some baby toys, like rattles or soft toys, on the topmost middle rung and let your baby lie on their back under the Pikler. Make sure that the Pikler is stable and the toys are securely attached, so that your baby would not get hurt if they pull on the toys. As with all the activities suggested in this article, do not leave your child unattended. If you also have older kids, make sure they do not climb on the Pikler while the baby is under it.
Flip the Triangle
Flip the triangle on its side for alternative play options, such as aircraft cockpit, barrier for all the toy animals when playing zoo, etc. Put your heads together with your little one and just use your imagination.
I hope you found something useful from these activities. If you and your kid have used the Pikler triangle in a way that’s not described here, feel free to add this as a comment below.