We built a DIY Pikler triangle for our son to play with when he was one year old. They sell for hundreds of dollars, but you can build for under $75!
This post goes out to my husband! He has spent countless hours learning how to woodwork and building shelves, kitchen helpers, floor beds, and Pikler triangles for our family and others. Now he has so kindly spent many more hours putting together these step-by-step, incredibly detailed plans for tho
This is a PRINTABLE DIY Climbing Triangle Plan. NO physical item will be mailed. PDF format only. This listing is for a set of DIY plans to make your very own Folding Climbing Triangle. The step-by-step instruction is in English and uses the Imperial unit of measurement (Inches), but should be easily adapted for the Metric system. The finished product is about 31 3/4 in high x 35 in Deep x 30 in Wide. Full cut list, diagrams, as well as 16 Pages of detailed, step-by-step instructions are included in two separate PDF files. The last two pages of the Climbing_Triangle_Drawing.pdf are 1:1 scale templates for the triangle plates to make measuring and cutting easier. This project will require only basic skills and/or tools. Required tools: - Screwdrivers - Wrench Set - Hand Saw (Chop Saw preferred) - Wood Drill Bits: 1/8", 5/16", 1/4" - Forstner Bit: 1" Dia. - Tape Measure - Countersink Bit - 120-Grit Sandpaper (2-3 Sheets) - F-Clamp (2 Clamps) - Power Drill & Driver Bit for Wood Screw - Pencil - Compass - Combination Square Materials: - (1) 1x3 x 12-ft Long Lumber. Actual dimensions: 3/4 in Thick x 2 1/2 in Wide x 12 ft long. This will be cut down to (2) 36 in and (2) 33 in lengths. Depending on availability, You may have an easier time finding (2) 6-foot lengths instead. - (13) 1 in Dia. x 36 in Long wood dowels. Or you can find (7) Dowels that are 72 in (6ft) long and cut them down - (1) 3/4 in x 10 in x 20 in Board - (30) #8 x 1 1/4 in long Wood Screws - (2) 1/4-20 x 2in Pan Head Machine Screw / Bolt - (2) 1/4 in Lock Washers - (4) 1/4 in Plain Washers - (2) 1/4-20 Acorn Nuts - (Optional) I like to leave my climbing triangle raw, but you can finish the wood with a stain or paint of your choice The material cost in my area is around $100 CAD. The time required to make this will vary on your skills and tools on hand, but expect to spend a good part of a weekend. I cannot accept returns, exchanges, nor cancellations... But if you have any issues with the order, feel free to contact me and I will be more than glad to help with your order. DISCLAIMER. This product is inspired by the works of Dr. Emmi Pikler. I do not claim affiliation, association, nor endorsement. Pikler® is a registered trademark of Magyarországi Pikler-Lóczy Társaság, Hungary. For more information on Pikler Triangles, please visit www.pikler.hu
The Pikler Triangle is a fun, child-sized play structure that teaches toddlers how to move around. See how to make one with our DIY Guide.
This post goes out to my husband! He has spent countless hours learning how to woodwork and building shelves, kitchen helpers, floor beds, and Pikler triangles for our family and others. Now he has so kindly spent many more hours putting together these step-by-step, incredibly detailed plans for tho
Why Pikler Triangle is a great toy for your toddler. What is it, where to buy it, how to make it and what can you do with it.
First off… what IS a Pikler triangle? And how in the world do you pronounce that word?! The word is like “PICK-ler” and it is named after Dr. Emmi Pikler, a Hungarian pediatrician who created the triangle as a climbing structure to allow children to explore their body’s boundaries and respond to the natural need […]
This DIY chair planter is perfect for a potted plant. Adjust the size of your hole for your pot and your plant can sit right in this chair planter seat.
Explore top USA-made Pikler triangles for child development. Learn to enhance with DIY ramps and maximize playtime in small spaces.
A Pikler triangle is a fantastic gross motor toy for your toddler! I really wanted one for encouraging free movement with our girls shortly after discovering Montessori parenting. It's great for promoting spatial awareness, vestibular stimulation, strengthening muscles, and good old fashioned open-ended play. We started looking for one to give the twins for their first birthday (a great time to introduce one), but were deterred by the large price tag. Thankfully, Uncle Micah stepped in and offered to build one! I have finally convinced him to share a tutorial on how he made it, which I am sharing with you all below! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You may also be interested in some of our other Montessori-inspired DIY projects: DIY Pikler Rock Wall & DIY House Floor Bed & DIY Imitation Grimm's Stepped Pyramid & DIY IKEA Play Kitchen Before jumping into the directions, I wanted to bring up a few points to consider before embarking on making your own Pikler Triangle. 1.Bought vs. Handmade: Obviously since you are here, you are likely considering handmade. The benefits include cost savings, creating a one-of-a-kind heirloom piece and the ability to customize your Pikler. The downside is that making your own Pikler does require woodworking skills and a lot of tools on hand. If you, like me, do not have these skills or tools, consider what family members can help out. 2. Foldable vs. Non-Foldable: A non-foldable triangle is easier to make; however, it takes up more space. We opted for a foldable triangle so it could be put away when not in use. 3. Size: I am not sure if there is a standard size for a Pikler Triangle, but I will warn you this tutorial is for a rather large version. If you like the idea of your kid being able to use the Pikler for a very long time (we're thinking this will easily entertain until ten), a larger size can provide more of a challenge. If you are limited on space, this larger version might not be for you. Okay now for the tutorial. Tools you will need: - Miter Saw - Tape Measure - Drill Press - Center Punch - 1 1/4 Forstner Drill Bit - 5/8 & 1/2 Drill Bits - Jig Saw - Circle Template 5 1/2 diameter (round tupperware) - Random Orbital Sander with 120 grit and 220 grit sandpaper - Router - 1/2 Roundover Bit - Bar Clamps - Hand Drill - Angle Grinder with cut-off wheel - These patterns referenced in steps below: Pikler Triangle Bracket and Pikler Triangle Assembly Material you will need: - 5/4 x 6' x 10' Select Pine Board - Qty 2 - 1 1/4 Wood Dowels - Qty 11 - 3/4 x 4' x 4' ACX Handi-Panel (Plywood) - Qty 1 - Blue Painter's Tape - Wood Glue - Quart of Wood Stain (and staining supplies) - Quart of Paint (and painting supplies) - 2-part EpoxyBlue Lock-tite - Quick-Release Pin, Ball-Grip, 1/2 Diameter, 3 1/4 Usable Length - Qty 2 - Multipurpose Sleeve Bearing, 1/2 Shaft Diameter, 5/8 OD, 1 Length - Qty 14 - Multipurpose Sleeve Bearing, 1/2 Shaft Diameter, 5/8 OD, 1 Length - Qty 6 - Open-End Cap Nyt, 3/8 - 16 Thread Size - Qty 6 - Pack of 1/2 Screw Size Washers - Shoulder Screw, 1/2 Diameter, 1 3/4 Long Shoulder, 3/8 Thread - Qty 6 Step One: Cut four legs out of the two 10' boards. Two boards are 48 in length. Two boards are 42 1/4 in length. Step Two: Drill holes in the legs. Measure from end of legs and mark hole locations with center punch based on leg drawing dimensions in the assembly pdf. Apply Blue painters tape in hole locations to avoid splintering. Use Drill Press to drill various hole sizes (1 1/4 Forstner Drill Bit - blue, 5/8 Drill Bit - yellow, and 1/2 Drill Bit - red) according to the leg drawing dimensions ensuring that holes are perpendicular to the boards. Step Three: Round the ends of the legs. Trace the circle pattern on both ends of legs. Cut round ends with the jig saw. Smooth curves with orbital sander first using the 120 grit and then the 220 grit paper. Step Four: Router edges of legs. Set depth of router bit to create perfect radius on a scrap piece of wood. Router all edges of the legs in a counter-clockwise direction (not climbing). Step Five: Cut the eleven round dowels to length. Measure and mark the length to cut the round dowels to 40 in length. Cut five of the round dowels for the swinging side a hair shorter (maybe 1/16) to allow it to swing freely between the brackets. Apply painter's tape to areas being cut to reduce splintering. Cut the round dowels to length on the miter saw. Cut both sides of the dowels to make sure they a square and smooth cuts. Also, the slower you cut with the miter saw, the better the finish of the cut surface will be. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Step Six: Glue legs together. Check the dowel to hole clearance before proceeding with this step (my dowels required some hand sanding to fit). Apply Glue to ends of the round dowels. Insert into the holes in the legs. Use clamps to keep the legs square and parallel while drying. It would be a good idea to cut some scrap 2x4s to clamp between the legs once the dowels are inserted (approximately 37 5/8 and 37 9/16 for the swinging leg). Keeping the sides of the legs parallel is critical to having the top bracket in the right position when it will be bolted on. Step Seven: Cut out the top brackets. Trace bracket pattern for the top brackets onto the plywood (twice). Apply painter's tape to areas that will be cut (both sides) to reduce splintering. Use the jigsaw to cut out the brackets. Step Eight: Drill holes in brackets using the template and the center punch to mark all hole locations. Apply Blue painters tape to hole locations to reduce splintering (especially the back side). Drill holes (5/8 Drill Bit - yellow and 1/2 Drill Bit - red) according to drawing dimensions. Step Nine: Sand legs and stain. It is critical to sand excess glue before staining. Paint brackets. We stained the legs and dowels a dark espresso and painted the brackets white. You could stain it all, but plywood is a lower quality wood, so paint hides the flaws better. Also, see picture below of the unfinished look. I like that look as well! If you choose to go that route, you can skip this step. Step Ten: Assemble the Pikler triangle. Use the angle grinder with cut-off wheel to cut brass bushings to the thickness of the boards. The leg bushings will be about 1 ¼ long, and the bracket bushings will be about ¾ long. I left them a hair long and finished the ends with the sander once they were glued in. Mix 2-part epoxy and coat the outside of the bushings before inserting into the legs and brackets. I also used a file to create some ridges around the outsides of the bushings to give to the epoxy a chance to hold them in place. Once the epoxy dries, use the hand drill with the 1/2 drill bit to clean out the insides of the bushings. I had to do quite a bit of drilling to get my pins through and to get the leg holes to line up with the bracket holes. Permanently bolt the brackets to the long leg through the ½ holes (red). I used lock-tite on the threads to keep them from coming loose. Loosely bolt the short leg to the bracket through the bushings in the corner. This will be the pivot point. I would also use lock-tite on these two bolts to keep the nuts from coming off. Insert the Quick-Release Pins through the brackets and pivoting leg to select desired height or storage position. As a ballpark, my brother spent about $275 to make our version but that's because all of his bolts, screws and bushings were stainless steel, which accounted for $150 of the cost. You could definitely get it under $200 if you opted for more standard hardware. I hope you find this tutorial helpful. If you decide to give it a go and have any questions please don't hesitate to ask! And if you do build a replica of our Pikler Triangle please send me a picture or tag me @samantharaisingwildflowers or #hicksbbtwinspikler on social media! Also, if you are interested, my husband and I made a rock wall addition to the Pikler Triangle several months ago. If you managed to get this far, the rock wall would be a breeze. My post on that is here. Thank you for reading and happy climbing! Update: Someone used our tutorial to build their own Pikler Triangle! Here are some photos of their lovely creation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This post contains affiliate links, which help support this blog and our family at no cost to you, so please consider shopping our links if these products interest you. Thank you! Samantha
You have seen the beautifully designed Pikler triangle and you understand its benefits for infant and child development. You are ready to buy one, make one, or you already own one, but then the concern comes about what if your child doesn’t want to climb, gets too big to climb, or loses interest in climbing. […]
