The first step of this build was to cut the individual rungs of the ladder. These are made from 1" Poplar dowels that we picked up at the store. The ladder has two sides, one short and one long, so we needed 13 dowels in total.

We picked up 48" dowels that we cut down to a length of 30.5". This left an awkwardly sized cut-off that we'll keep for later to use on another project.

The cutting process was straightforward - we set up a stop block on the table saw to ensure all dowels were exactly the same length. This precision is crucial for the final assembly, as any variation in length would make the ladder unstable or uneven.

Once they were cut, we measured 6 inches from each end and wrapped them with blue painter's tape to mask off the area where we wanted to paint in the next step.

We used Milk Paint to color the ends of the dowels because it's excellent for this type of project. It's non-toxic so it's great for kids projects and it works tremendously well on raw wood. No brush strokes, no streaks, fantastic coverage, and super bright colors!

We had five colors on hand, so we organized the dowels into a pattern we liked and painted the ends with a foam brush. This is completely optional but adding a little color made it look AWESOME!

The masking process was important to ensure clean paint lines. We carefully wrapped the tape around each dowel, making sure it was tight and even. After painting, we let the dowels dry completely before removing the tape to reveal the crisp, professional-looking color transitions.

We chose bright, vibrant colors that would appeal to children while still looking professional. The milk paint dried quickly and provided excellent coverage without any brush marks or streaks, giving the dowels a smooth, finished appearance.

Once all the dowels were painted and dried, we carefully removed the painter's tape to reveal the clean color transitions. The final result was a beautiful set of colorful rungs that would add visual appeal to the finished Pikler Triangle.

With the triangles made, we could now start putting the whole thing together. The hardware we're using is just some basic washers, screws, and two 1/2" plastic spacers - all readily available at any hardware store.

We positioned the longer side of the ladder onto one of the triangles so that the top and side of it lined up nicely. We clamped it on temporarily, moved it down off the bench, and drilled some pilot holes using the existing holes as a reference.

The assembly process requires careful attention to alignment. We made sure each component was perfectly positioned before drilling any holes, ensuring the final climbing frame would be stable and safe for children's climbing activities.

This final assembly step is crucial for the structural integrity of the Pikler Triangle. Proper alignment ensures the folding mechanism works smoothly and the climbing frame remains stable during active play.

Next, we applied some wood glue and screwed it into place using two wood screws. The shorter side of the Ladder then got clamped on, and we used a pen to mark the position of the other two holes. This allowed us to take it back off and drill two holes for the threaded inserts in exactly the right spots.

To assemble the rest, first two washers went in between the triangle and the leg, which gives it a tiny bit of space in between the plywood so there's no friction when it rotates. This spacing is essential for smooth operation of the folding mechanism.

Next, a washer and a screw get installed in the top hole through the plastic spacer. This acts as our pivot point, and it freely rotates as the ladder folds and unfolds, creating the versatile folding climbing frame that parents love.

Lastly, a washer and the adjustable knob go into the lower hole. This is used to tighten the ladder in place when folding and unfolding it, providing the perfect balance between security and ease of use.

The combination of these hardware components creates a robust yet flexible connection that can withstand years of active use by children while maintaining the smooth folding functionality that makes this Pikler Triangle so practical.

Once everything was installed and tightened in its final position, a trim router with a flush trim bit helped us make sure the triangle was perfectly flush with the legs. Since the top of the triangle is square, we also used it to round it off to follow the same profile as the rounded top of the ladder legs.

This final finishing step ensures the Pikler Triangle has a professional, polished appearance while maintaining all the safety features essential for children's climbing equipment. The smooth, rounded edges prevent any potential injuries during active play.

That wrapped up the assembly of the ladder! The completed climbing frame now features a smooth folding mechanism, sturdy construction, and child-safe design that will provide years of entertainment and developmental benefits for children.

To build the climbing ramp, we used 3/4" birch plywood for its strength and durability. This premium material ensures the ramp can withstand the weight and activity of active children while maintaining a smooth, splinter-free surface. After ripping it down to the width we wanted (24"), we drew three lines down the length of the board that were 6" apart to create our mounting grid system.

We then measured 6" all the way down from the end and squared the lines across, giving us a comprehensive grid pattern for our T-nuts. The climbing holds screw into these T-nuts, so having a large grid pattern gives us lots of options for installing the climbing holds in different variations and difficulty levels. This modular approach allows for endless climbing configurations that can grow with your child's developing skills.

The T-nuts got installed from the back side after drilling a 3/8" pilot hole. From there, all it takes is a single hard hit with a hammer and they go in easily. This installation method ensures the T-nuts are flush with the surface and provides a secure foundation for all climbing hold attachments. The back-side installation also maintains a clean, professional appearance on the climbing surface.

This climbing ramp design enhances your Pikler triangle setup by providing additional gross motor development opportunities. The adjustable angle and customizable hold placement make it suitable for children of various ages and skill levels, from toddlers just learning to climb to older children seeking more challenging climbing experiences.

Since the edges of plywood are a bit too rough for our liking, we're using some edge-banding to pretty it up. This 3/4" birch edge-banding has glue on the bottom and once it's cut to size, you can hold it in place with some clamps and then use a regular household iron to heat it up and stick it down.

The edges stick out a bit, so we used a block plane to trim off the excess. You could also use some sandpaper to do this.

Once the edge-banding was installed all the way around, we used some 220 sandpaper to smooth out the edges and the corners of the ramp, which worked really well.

The climbing ramp is meant to rest on the rungs of the ladder, but we also wanted it to be adjustable, so we used some left-over pieces of Poplar and attached them to the bottom of the ramp. The space in between the two pieces is perfectly fit for the 1" Poplar dowels, so it fits snugly but can still be moved around.

To do this, we cut two pieces of Poplar to the same width as the ramp, and then used a square to position them where we wanted with a scrap piece of 1" dowel in between. We then drew a line with a pencil to mark the positions.

Next, we drilled some pilot holes and then glued and screwed them into place.

We used to have a rock climbing wall at our house (that we also built together!) so we had a box of climbing holds we weren't using. (Obviously, not everyone will have these so we show you how you can make your own!)

Climbing holds come in a TON of different shapes and sizes and have a lot of different types. Slopers, jugs, crimps, ledges, pinches, etc. Each challenges the climber in a different way. Variety is key!

We spent some time having fun coming up with different arrangements for the holds. We can experiment with different styles and challenge our son more and more as he grows up and gets more comfortable on the ramp.

The climbing holds attach with a 3/8" hex bolt so they're easy to take on and off.