7 Best Nontoxic Play Gyms For Infants And Toddlers (2025)

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The popular Montessori Method centers on open-ended, hands-on, sensory play for children. This type of play supports children’s development of gross motor skills, balance, coordination, independent play, and more. Science has even shown that there’s a link between Montessori education and play in childhood with adult well-being later in life. 🌟

Montessori play gyms are a wonderful option for indoor entertainment and safe self-play. They help promote their dexterity and creativity, as they’re built with multiple pieces that can be configured in unique ways. One moment, your play gym can be a fort, the next a pirate ship, and then later monkey bars on the playground! Plus, they’re suited for various age ranges. Even children who aren’t walking yet can learn to climb on a play gym. Best yet, these play gyms are meant to last from the first year of life up to ages 6 or 8.

Below we’ve selected our favorite Montessori makers with adaptable, sustainable, and safe Montessori play gyms. We hope you and your little one enjoy these for years to come!

Our criteria:

ADAPTABLE | These Montessori play gyms offer flexibility in many ways. They can be customized, easily stowed away, reconfigured, upgraded, and most of them work across a range of ages for longer use.
NONTOXIC MATERIALS | The sets below use natural wood, either plywood or solid wood. Most are FSC–, CE-, or ASTM-certified for safety and/or sustainability.
INDEPENDENT MAKERS | These brands are all small businesses; many are based in the US and handcraft these play gyms locally.

If a full Montessori play gym isn’t an option for your family, whether due to size, age, or price, consider our favorite Pikler Triangles and Montessori toys instead — whatever you choose, your child is sure to love and learn from.

Best Overall | Piccalio, $185+
Most Affordable | Joey, $81+

1. Piccalio

Best For | Foldable sets & helper towers
Ages | 6 months – 6 years
Nontoxic Materials | FSC certified wood (pine, birch, beech), water-based topcoats
Prices Starting At | $185

Based in Venice, California, Piccalio is part toy and part furniture wooden shop exclusively for toddlers. Piccalio’s philosophy is inspired by a European approach to slow living and small-batch manufacturing, so everything here is minimalist, aesthetically pleasing, and versatile. Plus, from the Pikler Triangles to the Helper Towers, everything’s safe, sustainable, and sturdy enough to last for the long haul. The Climber Triangle Set includes a foldable Pikler Triangle and Reversible Ramp to encourage balance and concentration. We also love their Helper Towers, which toddlers can use to cook alongside you in the kitchen. Both fold up to stow away when not in use, are easy to assemble, and can be used up to 130 pounds.

SHOP Piccalio play gyms, $185+

Two children in pajamas climb and play on a wooden indoor climbing frame and ramp in a bright, minimalistic bedroom.

A young child balances barefoot on a curved wooden board in a living room, with a beige sofa and patterned cushion in the background.

2. Lalo

Best For | Infant play gym
Ages | 0+ months
Nontoxic Materials | Sustainably sourced FSC Certified beech wood, mat is constructed with Lyocell, an eco-friendly fabric made from Eucalyptus trees
Price | $125

The Lalo Play Gym is one of those rare baby items that’s as beautiful as it is practical — and it’s quickly become a favorite in our editors’ homes. While it doesn’t have a climbing element (save that for later!), it truly shines during those early months when tummy time and gentle play are the name of the game. The soft, quilted mat is made from eucalyptus-based Lyocell, which feels buttery against baby’s skin, and the sturdy beechwood frame is not only gorgeous in your living room but also FSC-certified and totally nontoxic. The hanging toys — a silicone teether, a mirrored prism, and a sweet little crinkle bell — are just the right mix of soothing and stimulating. And when your baby starts toddling around? It transforms into the cutest little tent for imaginative play.

SHOP Lalo play gym, $125

A modern living room with a baby play gym on a white mat, a plush toy, shelves with decor, and a cabinet against a light-colored wall.

A children’s playroom with a small fabric teepee, stuffed animals inside, a glowing lamp, colorful bunting, drawings on the wall, toys on the floor, and a window in the background.

3. Montessori Climber

Best For | Lifetime guaranteed sets
Ages | 8 months–8 years
Nontoxic Materials | Birch plywood, water-based paints, eco-friendly varnish
Prices Starting At | $299

Montessori Climber’s The Triangle comes alone or as a Montessori Play Gym set. Whatever you choose, it’ll be handcrafted just for you — in fact, the only items this family-owned brand makes are these made-to-order Montessori climbing sets. All parts are hand-made with polished Birch plywood, gently sanded down, then finished with water-based finishes and an eco-friendly varnish. We especially recommend The Triangle for two reasons: It’s larger than most other models, so you get more bang for your buck, and the team offers a lifetime warranty on any part or damage. Since it’s recommended for kids between 8 months and 8 years, the maximum load is 125 pounds. Let your kids grow and explore with every climb, year after year.

SHOP Montessori Climber play gyms, $299+

A wooden climbing triangle for children is placed against a solid pink background.

A wooden climbing structure for children with a ladder, an arch, and a ramp, set against a light blue background.

4. Wood and Hearts

Best For | Various colors & sizes options
Ages | 2–6 years, 2–8 years
Nontoxic Materials | CE & CPC certified birch plywood, water-based paints, and eco-friendly varnish
Prices Starting At | $260+

Co-owner Denys Shribliak said his children inspired the mission behind Wood And Hearts — once he saw the dangers of plastic toys for his own kids, he began making safe, sustainable furniture instead. Today, Wood and Hearts crafts Montessori furniture for all over your home, including some wonderful climbing sets. They’re all made with certified natural wood and water-based lacquers, so they’re nontoxic and allergen-free. Our pick, the Montessori Climbing Set of 3, combines a foldable triangle, climbing arch, and rocker board. It’s available in Standard and Large, so you’ll be able to find the best version for your home and your little one.

SHOP Wood and Hearts play gyms, $260+

A wooden indoor climbing structure for children, featuring an arch, a ramp, and a triangle frame, sits on a light floor with a green wall and plant in the background.

Two children stand and smile on a wooden climbing toy structure inside a living room with large windows and brick walls.

5. Joey

Best For | Affordable Montessori climbing sets
Ages | 6 months–8 years
Nontoxic Materials | Birch plywood
Prices Starting At | $81

Family-run brand Joey was launched after the co-founders (and sisters) saw the low quality and high cost of baby toys. Today, they run a small business in Houston, TX, and partner with wood manufacturers in Mexico and China to produce Montessori toys. Choose from climbing gym triangles, cubes, ramps, and more (including sets) — most of which are CPSIA tested for child safety. Orders shipped via the Joey Etsy shop are carbon-neutral, and the team allows for returns and exchanges as needed. Simultaneously support this family-owned company and upgrade your child’s playtime for under $100.

SHOP Joey play gyms, $81+

A wooden climbing triangle and two flat panels are placed on a blue rug in a room with light walls and two patterned poufs in the corner.

6. CassaroKids

Best For | Advanced Montessori play gyms
Ages | 6 months–5 years
Nontoxic Materials | FSC certified beech and birch wood, water-based paints & finishes
Prices Starting At | $995

If your little ones have already mastered the Pikler Triangle and you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, you’ll love CassaroKids’ playsets. With more advanced models, your preschoolers can learn to better balance, slide, and even swing upside down. You can rest easy knowing these are safe and strong, since CassaroKids uses only premium solid natural wood and carries the ASTM safety standard for each product. And on a sustainable note, the wood is FSC certified and the team plants a tree with every purchase via One Tree Planted. Unleash your child’s imagination with these creatively designed play gyms.

SHOP CassaroKids play gyms, $995+

Child climbing on a wooden indoor play structure with ladder, bridge, and climbing wall features, set on a patterned rug against a dark wall.

Two children play on a wooden indoor climbing set with arches, ramps, and rainbow-colored bars on a hardwood floor.

7. Tiny Land

Best For | Montessori 5-in-1 set
Ages | 6 months–6 years old
Nontoxic Materials | FSC certified birch & pine wood
Prices Starting At | $86

Tiny Land was also — you guessed it — inspired by this family’s experience with toys and a desire to unlock their children’s imagination. While Tiny Land carries tents, wooden trains, and more, we like the 7-in-1 Montessori Climbing Set that combines the ramp, arch, and Pikler Triangle for children up to six years old. The team is committed to quality customer service and even higher quality materials, so your family can enjoy the very best. We especially appreciate that Tiny Land offers free replacement parts within 30 days of delivery (and you can buy them at affordable prices after that deadline). If the price point feels a bit out of reach, check in on the Used Collections for gently used and discounted sets.

SHOP Tiny Land play gyms, $86+