Why It Took Us A Year To Develop GROWGO Pikler Triangle Set

At GROWGO, we knew that to stand out in a market filled with options, we had to go above and beyond. Our goal was clear: to design a Pikler triangle that not only surpassed existing standards but also elevated the entire play experience for children and families alike.

We’ve talked plenty about the FEATURES and FUNCTIONS that set our Pikler climber apart. You can learn about them here:

How To Use The GROWGO Pikler Triangle To Its Full Potential

This post, however, looks at the technical aspects of designing and developing the best toddler climber possible. That was our main goal.

Come take a peek at our journey.

The very first thing we noticed in this market was that despite being made of natural materials (most of the time), the Pikler triangles arrived in a not-so-environment-friendly packaging. So we made sure ours did!

Moving onto the product itself, we looked at two important factors: SAFETY and AESTHETICS.

The screw situation caught our eyes immediately. Screw heads poking out of the plywood are not a desirable feature. Firstly, it can be risky: what if the child's clothing gets caught on it, or a toddler accidentally bumps an arm into this piece of metal? Second, it just doesn't look that great. It gives off industrial vibes instead of something clean and cute.

Let's talk legs. Specifically the feet of the triangle.

We saw enough of the rounded ones. Yes, they do look cute and lack sharp corners but they also aren’t all that stable. Completely circular ends are prone to sliding, and when the toy is meant for active play, instability is not something we want.

You know the saying: the devil is in the details. Or rather in the lack of them.

Getting the overall design right and finding the most optimal structure is no easy task. We give credit where it is due. But some stop right there. However, GROWGO isn't about that: we're not finished until EVERY aspect is finished.

Just like… the finish. The processing and treatment of the materials. You may not notice that edges are a bit rough at first – until someone gets a splinter.

We take our quality control very seriously. The surfaces must be smooth, the edges – sanded down, and the corners – rounded. We don't approve of anything less.

Not only did we make our climbing stones multipurpose (you can use the ramp for Pinball), but we also paid a lot of attention to their design and aesthetics. The pieces are smooth and generously coated in child-safe paint, making the look and feel of the ramp playful and engaging. Plus, there are no screws, making the look even more appealing.

A ramp that can be attached to the climber is an amazing idea, expanding playtime horizons and allowing us to build a toddler play gym. The question is this: does it attach securely enough?

We’ve seen different types of ramps. Some hook on a dowel with a horizontal bar. Some use belts. Some have rounded grooves that hug the dowel.

We chose the sturdiest type, which is the rounded groove. However, we also combined it with security belts. The ramp has a slight chance of lifting up from the dowel, and the added security of the belts prevents that from happening.

Seems obvious, right? Well, some of the climbers on the market have dowels that do, indeed, spin. They rotate on the screws as if those were skewers, and that's a definite safety hazard. When your child holds a crossbar or steps on it, it shouldn't spin – or it may cause the child to slip.

So we made sure the dowels in our Pikler are as stable and fixed as possible.

Another important detail is how the materials are treated. We are all for natural – but we also recognize the importance of durability and ability to withstand daily wear. That’s why we opted for dowels that are coated, and not just in any ol’ varnish but one that is child-friendly.

Clarity is the most important requirement for a user manual. If it’s easy to understand and follow, you’ll assemble the product in no time and save yourself a headache. That’s what we worked hard to achieve.

Another aspect is usefulness. Assembly instructions aren’t the only thing in our guide: we described how to best use the product and how to get the most out of every function, with some helpful tips sprinkled throughout. We want you to know how to use it to its full potential. We truly hope it makes the process as easy as possible!