Triclimb Designer – An Interview with Christine Dunford
Chris thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. In one article on the Babipur blog you mentioned how you always loved working with wood and designing from an early age. What inspired you? What cultivated your love of woodwork and helped introduce you to it?
Chris is the talented lady behind the creation of what is fast becoming an ever evolving Babipur favourite product, the Triclimb and it’s range of accessories. I was delighted to interview her over email to find out a bit more of her background in woodwork, and the design process behind Triclimb.
I grew up in the country so there was always lots of space for tinkering. I would build huts and dens over in the fields with my brother, especially during the summer holidays. My Grandfather was always making or fixing something in his workshop – woodwork, metalwork, all sorts. I would spend hours investigating every single drawer and tool. We were always keen to help and thankfully he had the time to let us!
As far as I know children are introduced to woodwork in secondary school is that right?
Normally it’s in secondary school, yes. Although, I have seen a basic introduction to the subject of Design and Technology being given at primary level, but it’s not very common. It really depends on the skillset of the primary teachers and whether the school can afford to bear the cost.
How did you find Design and Technology at school?
Design and Tech is a great subject – a subject which allows those who study it to discover and develop their creativity. I was really blessed when I was at school, because my secondary Tech teacher was brilliant. We had the freedom to explore and choose our own projects, and that’s not easy for a teacher as it involves a lot of prep work. I taught Design and Technology myself for a few years and I know it is so much easier to give everyone the same project – everyone gets the same source materials and they all make the same thing in the same way. But it was such a privilege to watch the pupils in my classes develop their skills and discover that they have the ability to create something great.
I have been wondering how to nurture a young child’s interest in this area and where as there are classes children can go to for sensory play, swimming, football, gymnastics, gardening etc. Are there currently groups or classes that can introduce carpentry to children in a safe and interactive way? I thought of the Montessori learning with natural wood approach but that’s all I could think of.
Well, I’m sure there are classes available in some areas, but they aren’t as widespread as I would love to see. I haven’t found anything locally to my family -but it would be my dream to set something up – how cool would that
be! Maybe one day that could become a reality. If there’s nothing near you though, you can encourage your children yourself, even if your own skills aren’t that great! I did a little tester for my middle daughters birthday; we made bug hotels by hammering together pieces of wood and filling them with various materials to create a habitat for mini-beasts.
For anyone reading this who would be interested in cultivating a love for wood and creativity with their children, as I previously mentioned I could only think of Montessori learning with natural wood approach and the lovely natural wood toys and open-ended play that we find on Babipur. Apart from this which we all already know, what would you suggest?
Get out there and do it, give them tools, let them have a go. Drill a hole, screws a screw in, sand something, let them experience fixing something. It doesn’t have to be fancy – just getting them used to handling tools, seeing how different materials work. There are some good resources out there – check out a book called Harvey the Carpenter, which introduces children via a story to various tools of the trade and has a template and instructions at the back for making a wooden toolbox. We did it last year with our then 7,5 and 3 year olds and they ALL had a blast!
What happened after you left school? Did you study anything to do with your passion for wood or enter employment in this area?
After school, I spent 4 years studying furniture design and craftsmanship in Northern Ireland, then on to England for a year where I completed a Bachelors and then a Masters in Furniture Design and Technology. After I graduated, I worked for a central London design consultancy in Covent Gardens for a while before moving to Wales where I did some freelance work for Red ploy designing school seating solutions. I then went on to do my PCGE and taught Design and Tech for a few years. So – yes, very much so!
When did the idea of the Triclimb come to mind and how was the whole process birthed?
Well it’s a pretty long story! After the birth of our third child, it would have been a real struggle to return to teaching. So instead, I set up a small business making and selling Rainbow Boxes – wooden bookcases that I designed for children. Babipur were one of my stockists, which is how I met Peter and Jolene. They had a real vision to bring the Pikler-style triangle to the UK and into the mainstream, and they asked if I’d consider doing the design work. That was a brilliant challenge and I jumped atthe opportunity! After much research, many prototypes and a couple of wrong turns I came up with the final design as you see it today. The response was overwhelming; I started off making the frames myself but it quickly became clear we needed to grow and expand to meet demand. We’re still doing that now if I’m honest!
As to the name, I can’t really remember how I came up with “Triclimb”, but as soon as it popped into my head I knew it was a winner! Although a lot of people pronounce it “try-climb”, the “tri” is actually welsh for “three” and it’s pronounced “tree-climb”! I love the play on words – It’s a triangleand it’s made of wood (i.e. made of tree.) That’s why Peter and Jolene came up with the fabulous tree logo!
What can you tell us about the Triclimb?
Triclimb is a pikler-style climbing frame designed to encourage, enhance and engage little climbers.It’s an open-ended toy, designed to encourage children to be active, imaginative and creative in their play. Ours gets used for climbing, jumping, sliding (with the Miri attachment), as a den, a seat, a fortress and loads more! It’s designed and built to the highest safety standards using FSC certified timber. It’s safe from birth all the way up to 100Kg, which means adults can play too if they want to! It also folds away for easy storage. Check out @triclimb_designer on Instagram, there’s loads more information on the Triclimb there including all the features that make it so unique and special.
What have you developed since the Triclimb?
Building on the success of the Triclimb, we have already started to expand the range. We have the Miri slide in full production – a slide attachment for the frame which locks into place using our Trifix locking mechanism. It’s really simple, no tools needed – simply lift, set and drop. We also have a stainless-steel wipe board / play tray accessory for the Triclimb called the Biri which has been a real success.
And there’s loads more to come! We have had a Triclimb Mini and Ladder designed, tested and ready to go – just waiting for them to roll off the production line now. We have also have another product coming which is the first of its kind – the Archi, a rocker/climbing arch which folds and connects to the Triclimb using the same system as the Miri slide.
Customers will also soon be able to buy extra Trifix joints for the bottom of their Miri slide (or one day, their ladder) which will allow you to connect the slide between two Triclimb units, or from a Triclimb unit to the Archi. Once we have all that available, you’ll be able to buy a whole climbing system that can be connected together in loads of different ways!
Without giving away anything that you don’t want to disclose yet, what is next for Chris and this wonderful adventure of creativity that you are on?
Haha, Who knows?! I always have a million ideas flying around my head. Some might see the light of day, lots probably won’t. Actually, just this week I’ve hit upon a really cool idea which I’m going to spend some time developing. And beyond that… I think Triclimb as a brand has huge potential beyond the current planned range.
Is there anything else you would like to mention?
I’d really like to thank Peter and Jolene. They’ve been absolutely brilliant in turning the Triclimb dream into a reality. They have so much energy and enthusiasm, and it’s a real joy working with them. I’m also grateful to all our customers who have given us such positive and helpful feedback on the products so far. We’re always wanting to improve and refine, so if you have any comments we’re always up for hearing them.
Thank you Chris it has been an absolute pleasure interviewing you. We all appreciate your time, your vision and your hard work. We look forward to the future of Triclimb!
Interview by Jo Le Page.
Jo is a stay at home mum and writer who also has her own blog called Fresh Bread and Faith. Find her on Instagram @Freshbreadandfaith
Absolutely fabulous article <3 it’s inspiring- getting yourself and children more involved with nature, wooden toys and encouraging them in D&T- I always loved that subject in school.
The triclimb is a fantastic product, being a consumer of this product I can’t recommend it enough!
Oh this is a lovely insight into how Triclimb came to be. I loved working with wood and my hands as a youngster and was taught by my dad how to make wooden gates for the farm and doors. I was also shown and taught to make little seats and tables from the fallen tree trunks. My dad loved wood work so much. I try as much as possible to offer my children experience of experimentation with woodcraft. Such a lovely skill. The Triclimb is such a beautiful piece of craftsmanship.
What a lovely bit of insight! My boys school give them real tools and nails etc to use right from Nursery age which we couldn’t encourage more! Love it! Can’t wait to see what’s next for Triclimb ?
This is fascinating! Christine is a design genius! Such an exciting time for Triclimb and I can’t wait to see what’s next ?
Great interview! Christine is a real inspiration – and the Triclimb is a masterpiece of design, we love it!
It’s so great to hear more about what has inspired Christine and her design path. Great tips on getting children started at an early age with simple tools and engineering xx
Such a lovely read! I feel like I’ve got a real glimpse behind the scenes and it’s lovely to put a face to the name. Thanks again for all your hard work and effort…we adore all things triclimb! X
Great interview. Really interesting to hear more about Christine. She’s so inspiring. We love our triclimb and accessories. Excited for future releases!
Oh wow this is my dream toy for my daughter!
Love the idea of letting the kids knock up a little bug hotel. I know my son would enjoy it. What a great way to encourage creativity!
It’s amazing to know more about the story behind the triclimb and reflect on how fab it really is for children of a range of age.
My daughter would love it if they did those sort of classes. She loves pretending to build and fix and make things, although mainly she likes to build houses. Getting kids involved in such creativity is amazing x
Lovely read, I also grew up woodworking with my grandad.
Can’t wait to be able to get a triclimb for my son, he would absolutely love it.
Love this article. Interesting read and given me lots of inspiration to try with my own children.
What an inspiring read, thank you!
What a beautiful read, and lovely and fascinating insight to how it came about. ?
Lovely read
Brilliant enthusiasm and inspiration for a product with so many possibilities. Wish they did more of those classes now, I’m sure many children would thrive with them. So excited to see what comes next
Amazing article. Our triclimb is coming on Tuesday and I cannot wait to give it to our smallest boy. Keep up the amazing work x
Wonderful interview, really amazing to hear how triclimb came about 🙂
Love this. I was only asking my dad – who used to take us out to his garage to hit nails into wood – to do the same with my own children. It led to nothing creative for me personally but with them, who knows! We love playing on family’s triclimb and maybe we’ll get one ourselves one day. Fingers crossed!!!
I’m so excited to order my little boy a triclimb and Miri slide soon, he’s going to love it! A really interesting read to hear what the background is and what goes into making the triclimb ?
I love getting to hear more about the background of the people behind the product. And absolutely love the name now that I know how it’s supposed to be pronounced and the extra meaning it gives the product!
What a lovely read. How wonderful to have created such a fabulous product out of your passion for woodworking. My little girl is five months old and has had a tri climb since before she was born, it is the loveliest thing we have and it’s great to see how it is already growing with her-she used it as a baby gym and now sometimes uses it to help pull herself over, I can’t wait to see how she uses it in the future and how we can add to it too. It is lovely to read about the people behind such a trusted item in our house. Thank you for your hard work… I’ll start calling it the right name now too 😀 x
Fascinating ! We can not wait for the new products, and see what else Christine comes up with.
I really wish this has been around when my children were younger as they were very persistent climbers. As an EYFS teacher I can see them being fantastic in a playgroup setting as their is no limit to the different things you can do with the range!
What a lovely, refreshing a viewpoint! Just ordered tools for my soon to be 3yo, we’re all about letting lo get stuck in & learn where he wants to! Think the bug hotel will be a winner :).
Lovely read – it takes real talent to create something which seems effortlessly simple!
Thank you so much for the giving the interview! I bought the triclimb because it was a lovely design and I appreciated the extra safety measures and testing point at the top for my little one. It’s nice to know the care behind the design and the thought process. It’s made me appreciate my triclimb much more beyond something my child loves and I’m glad I’m supporting both a lovely indie and a lovely brand.
Great inspiration to encourage the younger generation to have a go and get creative!
What a great interview. I loved D&T when I was younger and felt a great pride when my Dad taught me how to fix something and I could then do it (almost) by myself. This is something I definitely want to instil in my little ones.
Really inspiring read. Amazing to hear the story behind the triclimb. We love ours here, such an amazing toy xx
What a wonderful read, and a fantastic insight into Triclimb. I so wish I had a creative ability, woodwork would absolutely be my thing if I had!
Really good read! I didn’t realise there were so many uses for a Triclimb. It looks so simple but has so many possibilities for play. Excited to see what’s next!
Lovely to read a bit more behind the scenes, love when you can get a behind the scenes glimpse of a company as it feels so much more personal! Really hope to be able to have a triclimb soon!!
Well done 🙂
Great read. So interesting.
Great stuft! Please keep inventing!
Great read my grandfather used to make wooden toys for my dad and his sisters (we still have his Noah ark he made) and it’s wodnerul to see wooden toys and activities coming back. The tri climb is on my list for when we move.
It’s always great to learn the background behind something. We love our Triclimb – such a seemingly simple design but so clever and so much fun! I never knew it should be pronounced ‘tree-climb’ either!
So lovely to hear how passionate you are my toddler will go to a Steiner school and wood work is a big part for boys and girls they make so impressive things .
Great read. I grew up in France and we didn’t get taught woodwork at school, but I learnt it all from my father. Now I can’t wait to pass on that passion to my son and give him his first tool kit when he’s 3 yrs old.
Fab interview! Love that this came out of a return to work after having a baby – inspiring!
I’d love to have an ounce of creativity – thankfully my husband is really good and has a good range of tools so our children have been taught to use them safely and properly from a young age, they are always designing things that they want to create.
Great article!
Great insight and super inspiring! We adore our triclimb here!!
Fabulous read. So inspiring, both my husband and I are pretty useless with tools, but this has given me the confidence to give something a go when my son is a little older. And as for the Triclimb, well I want one even more now! And I love that it’s a little play on words and the real pronunciation.
It was lovely to read the history of the triclimb (and find out I’d been pronouncing it incorrectly, oops!)
Such a lovely insightful interview. Triclimbs look great 🙂
We absolutely love our triclimb, and I enjoyed reading this blog and learning how to pronounce the name properly! I love the quality of the triclimb and how easy it is to open and close and the self supporting joints! The Miri is such a great addition and we can’t wait to purchase the Miri sticks once they are back in stock! We look forward to seeing the new additions when they arrive!
Great read. Even though I’ve read before how to pronounce the name, I’ve still been saying it wrong. Lol! I’d love one of these for my children.
What a great read! It’s amazing to have seen Tri-Climb have so much success having followed them through Babipur from the start. I’m off to think of ways to encourage my boys to get into some woodwork without losing any fingers (I’m a bit on the clumsy side!).
We just love our triclimb and Miri so much, thanks ❤️
Love this
I’m never going to get over pronouncing it incorrectly all this time!! My boy loves his last nursery as they introduced a real workbench and tools, with a local joiner (aka someone’s Dad) doing a session on safety. He could spend days there, especially when he was finding the rest of the class too overwhelming for his sensory difficulties.
Love the design of the tri climb and we also let our child experience woodwork it’s satisfying making sonthing for yourself. Well done Christine and babipur
Nice interview!
Well now I need a triclimb ???
Such a great article and learning how the triclimb came to be gives you that warm feeling! Can’t wait for my little boy to experience it!
Interesting read, thank you
Lovely to read about it all.
It’s really important that children get to learn how to fix and make things, for personal development and to prevent the throw away culture that’s such a big problem in society. Well done Chris for highlighting how easy it is to get children involved, and for designing such amazing products!
Lovely to read more about the start and original idea and the background for it! Nd very exciting to hear of the new bits planned for release! Thanks for sharing x
Fascinating read. Great interview! I’m definitely a convert to a new way of playing, away from plastic etc
It’s really inspiring and encouraging how you followed your dream and now you’re where you are.
There’s a real need for skills to be taught and passed down to our children and I think the younger they are allowed to explore this the better.
That was my first look at the biri- looks fab!
A lovely read, took me back to my early experiences of wood work with my grandad prior to design tech at school. Great also to learn more about the collaboration between the designer and Babipur
Great read, amazing products!
We love our triclimb….but I’ve been pronouncing it incorrectly all this time!!
Amazing, a testament to innovation.
A lovely read. I loved woodwork at secondary school, will definitely check out the book and making a tools box with my little girls, thank you!
I never knew it was supposed to be tree-climb! And now I can’t stop but say try, haha! I’d love for my little man to be good with his hands and I’m hoping to get him doing woodwork type stuff; I’m a forest school leader so he’ll be exposed to it as he gets older. This was a fascinating insight into Tri climb, thank you!
Amazing blog. Excited to try out a little woodwork with my children, my eldest son is facinated on how things work, and is obsessed with screwdrivers. We are very excited about receiving our triclimb and miri for Christmas, we no it’s going to be the perfect gift for our boys ?
Lovely article
I absoloutely love supporting small businesses as they are always full of drive and passion. It’s lovely how far you have come and that you are providing families beautiful, high quality toys.
I was skeptical about buying the triclimb due to the price however once you receive it you then realise how much love and time has gone in to the product. It is so cleverly designed from the slide attaching with ease as well as all your other products to go with it.
My 19 month old climbed straight up it and has so far not done as much risky climbing on the kitchen table for once! My 5 year old builds dens, uses it as a boat, practises his crazy jumping. Our family really does love it so thankyou
Keep seeing posts about the triclimb. It looks fantastic. I grew up always tinkering and making little things with my dad in his workshop. Lovely to hear the story behind others creations. Hoping to purchase a trip climb soon. We are always climbing trees and exploring in the forest. This will be perfect for them to practise on at home.
What a wonderful interview thankyou so much for sharing. I too loved design and technology in school and being creative and turn my hand to wood work along with hubby.
Looking forward to seeing all your ideas develop. Xx
An incredible lady, My husband used to go off and tinker in his grandpas shed with his grandpa and make things, it really made his bond strong with his grandpa and it has given him the best memories ever.
Brilliant interview to read and very inspirational, I enjoyed reading this tonight.
Lovely to read about your background
Great article, and interesting to learn about the meaning behind the name!
Such an inspiring read, some lovely ideas to try with the children
Love our triclimb and really excited for the release of the mini and the ladder! Will make the perfect Christmas presents ❤️
Interesting read. This has inspired me to give my kids the chance to have a go at woodwork. Thanks
Fabulous interview really inspiring ideas to encourage little ones to get hands on
We love our Tree Climb, thank you all for your hard work ❤️
It’s great to read about the triclimb, how it came to be and your journey there. I never realised it was pronounced tree climb! My children love our triclimb and I am excited to add to it!
A great article about the Triclimb! Inspiring to read the different things you did before being set the challenge to design it.
Wow! I did not know it was ‘tree’ climb! Love the play on words! Love the stories behind the makes!
This is a great article! Lovely to hear more about the background to the Triclimb, although I will have to make sure I pronounce it properly now!
It’s so lovely to hear a back story to a wonderful product, I love the story of how the tri climb came to life and it makes me want one even more. I look forward to the many other products you bring out.
Great article. Great ideas ?
Really loved reading the background to this toy. I’ve had my eye on the Miri for ages. My bits would love it I’m sure.
Being the wife of the arts faculty department head ( which includes design tech) I know how much this subject needs to be promoted in schools. More
Money should go towards these practical
Subjects to encourage the next generation of creators
I can’t wait to start messing about with hammers etc with my 3 year old ( when she learns that hammers are jot for hitting me ?)
Absolutely love the idea of introducing children to carpentry, it’s something I wish I could’ve done. If only there were classes, something to dream of indeed!
Tree-climb?! *drop the mike* this will send shockwaves through the hangout ? beautiful product
What an insightful read! It’s great to see how Jo developed the Triclimb with such a huge level of successful- a real inspiration to girls who are interested in going to into more practical careers and STEM related domaines. I’m already seeing that my 8 month old daughter is into fiddling with parts of things and can see her wanting to work with her hands, so inspirational women like this are great to see!
(Also, I never knew it was pronounced ‘tree-climb’, love the play on words!)
Always interesting to read the stories behind brands, and put a face to a product! I’d really love a Triclimb for my little boy one day (and let’s be honest, for me! Thank goodness for that generous weight limit!) So much thought in this design, I love it.
Fab article! Tree-climb, wow! I’ve been saying it wrong, not anymore!
So lovely to learn about the story behind the product! I have fond memories of wood working with my dad, making a bird house and a go cart and things. This had been a welcome reminder of things we can try when our children are bigger 🙂
I just told my husband about Harvey the Carpenter and he is very keen to try it with our daughter!
Very interesting! Thank you.
Love this! When my grandad died he left his wood lathe and I used to plague my dad to let me play with it (he wouldn’t let me without supervision…. Meany!) I also have a half finished head that my grandad was carving of me around 4 years old as well as some toys etc. It would be fab if these skills were taught more these days I feel they are being lost!
Also we have a triclimb for my just turned 2 year old, she likes to sit at the top and watch the world go by whereas my nearly 10 year old would rather try to hang upside down underneath!
Love the story and ethics behind the triclimb and absolutely love the product! I am excited to build on the triclimb collection for my little girl in the future; it’s great seeing her explore the different uses of the triclimb.
Always great to hear the stories behind great products. Can’t wait for the new products!
Oops I’ve been pronouncing it wrong!
They are such a beautiful toy.
Such an inspirational and heat warming story. It’s amazing what can be achieved and what a wonderful partnership as well. Makes me want to try harder in my own life.
Well i never…..tree not try….. ? Love her passion for woodwork! Do you still make bookcases?
Such an interesting read. Something I didn’t know I needed to see. Thank you for taking the time to do this article!
This has made me want a triclimb even more! My daughter would love it!
Wow I love this. What an inspiration as I would love to be able to work with wood like this.. I have recently built a gate and a fence and desperate to make some shelves with scrap wood I have xx
Ahh how brilliant that you were so encouraged and free as a kid! I have one child that loves designing and making things (mainly out of toilet rolls ?) I hope he has such encouraging teachers as you when he gets to doing design and technology classes!
I loved techi at school, I still have some of the wooden items I made! I was the only one in my year who took it as a higher (though there was no woodwork in the course at higher level). Both my kids love playing with tools (safely of course!)
Schools need to encourage specialists to teach hands on crafts such as woodwork perhaps as a drop down week or as a block in a particular year group. As a teacher myself I’m aware of the cost implications of ‘buying someone in’ but teachers are mostly not skilled in such areas and don’t have the passion and knowledge in specialist areas to inspire pupils. It’s so important to offer children opportunities to find their ‘thing’, their talent but this is so easily forgotten in our target driven schools.
What a great story. It’s fabulous to hear about a working mum making her dreams come true.
Very interesting to see how the idea of Triclimb came to fruition. Also interesting to hear Christine’s career path and how she came to where she is now. Hoping to buy one for my sons 1st birthday in November!
Lovely to know everything that has gone into the triclimb, you can tell the how much time and effort has gone in by the end product, beautifully designed and safe we love ours
I love the hidden meaning behind the name… and yes, I’ve been pronouncing it wrong. ?♀️?
Would love to add one of these to our house . . . my little would love it
My husband loves woodwork and can’t wait to teach our boys it. So inspiring reading how you’re early exposure has shaped your life. Fascinating!
What a wonderful article, I loved reading about how the Triclimb name came about, it’s significance and also how to properly pronounce it !
Looking forward to buying my newborn little girl one of these once she’s a bit bigger ! Hopefully there’ll be lots more additions to the range by then too 🙂
Amazing read, love imaginative play
Wonderful to hear about a varied career that ended up designing the triclimb. Just so great to see you need to follow your path and see where it takes you.
I also loved DT at school – so much so that I took the GCSE even though I expected not to do very well! Definitely feeling inspired to try to find some way of introducing my daughter to using tools, I think she’d love it.
Thanks for this – loved reading!
Really enjoyed reading this and makes me want a tri climb even more!!
Wow! What an absolute hero! I was a tomboy growing up but I’m absolutely useless st even basic DIY! I love the whole ethos of Triclimb products and one day would love to be able to get one for my dare devil inspirational girl.
So excited to see what new things are in store over the coming years. Thank you for a gorgeous product! I hope it’s bring you as much joy as it’s bringing us.
Lovely to see a women behind these, especially after DT at school. Only 1-2 pupils at GCSE or A- level took up DT. I went to an all girls school.
Amazing product and so beautiful
Lovely interview, reminded me of my time at school and loving DT ! Definitely has inspired me to do more with my children, and perhaps one day we will own our own tree ? climb
A fab story. Can’t wait for the Archi!x
Really interesting!
Love to hear in detail about the triclimb and the story behind it we are yet to get one ourselfs, always baught plastic with my other two starting a new more eco friendly toys with my yougest(15months) how amazing is this product wish we found it sooner
Really interesting to read and very inspiring. Love the triclimb and all the beautiful accessories
Very inspiring! I might let my kids try a bit of woodwork in the near future now x
A lovely interview! Good inspiration to allow children to explore and investigate in all areas from a young age…I love the bug house making idea!
Lovely to read a little more about Christine and how the triclimb came to be!
So insightful! It really is such an incredible open ended toy suitable for a huge age range.
I love the idea of just letting them DO something, even if you think they might not know how. Like giving them tools, for example. How are they going to learn if we never let them try anything?! They learn so much by doing and trying!
What a wonderful and inspiring woman!
I feel even more love for our triclimb which arrived a few days ago after reading this. What a lovely lady!!!
Loved reading this, what an amazing mind and amazing mum. Thank you for your wonderful creations and inspiring mums all over. Can’t wait to see what comes next X
This is a lovely insight into triclimb life!
Love it! I’m hoping to order one in the next week or so for the children I look after. Very excited!!
I love so much that you’ve always had a passion for woodwork. That passion shows so much in your products. I always thoroughly enjoyed woodwork in school and I wish I’d have chosen this as one of my options to study further!
Ps, I mentally noted tree-climb then ready try climb the very next time it popped up!!
My oh once gave my daughter (8) a drill and hammer to try and drill “diamonds” out of a stone!
I was so nervous but she was so careful with it and asked lots of questions.
She may not have a love of wood but if her love of finding diamonds continues she shall be a successful miner ??
Well done on your success!
Lovely article – so interesting to hear the back story.
What an inspirational story. I love the simplicity of the concept and the many options that it holds. I can’t wait for bump to be big enough to have one of their own to play with.
An amazing read. So lovely to be able to learn more about a product that is loved by so many and learn more about Christine the creator. The future items for the triclimb already sound amazing and we so look forward to following your journey to see what others you come up.
Tri Climb is pronounced “tree climb” ? mind = blown ? We can’t wait til our 1yo feels confident enough to have a climb on his and a slide down his Miri.
Really enjoyed this blog, I wish these had existed when my eldest was little he would have never been off it.
Such an inspiring read!
Interesting article
I have a real admiration for the hard work you’ve put in to this from the start to now. I look forward to all new products!
It’s great to hear about the background of the Triclimb and about all the new things to come!!
It has been great to hear about how the tri-climb came about. A very talented lady! Amazing how you took your creativity and ideas into schools to pass on to the next generation. I would love to have one of these for my children.
Lovely read. Would like a triclimb and interesting to see what else she may come up with.
Inspiring ?
I love reading interviews like this, it’s nice to know who’s behind my children’s toys, lovely knowing they’re British (even better, Welsh made?) made
A great article that gives us a real glimpse of the passion and following of dreams that has led to the creation of such great open ended joy that is triclimb. I’m currently saving for one as can see they offer great scope for both physical, imaginative and colaborative possibilities. What was most heart warming was the passion and dedication this lady has for developing and creating both the physical objects but also instilling a love of developing and creating in others, especially children.
This is fantastic, so inspiring
Fantastic to find out a bit more about the people behind our favourite toys!
Thanks so much. Really interesting to find out more about the origins of the Triclimb, and how to pronounce it :). And of course about the creator Christine.
Some great ideas here for getting our family involved in tinkering and learning with wood – will be looking at the toolbox project – thank you!
So amazing! Loved reading Christines story behind all this fabulous work! Keep the ideas coming, such great toys 🙂
Really interesting…definitely think these skills should be encouraged in schools!
Great interview! Can’t wait to get one for my youngest’s birthday and it’s inspired me to try a bit of woodwork with both kids. Thanks, Christine!
Such a fabulous talent. Classes for little ones would be so exciting!
Is like to get into woodwork, such a handy skill to have. I did think about joining a wood turning group that do workshops and socials but just didn’t get around to attending it yet. Excited for what else is to come with tri climb
It’s lovely hearing the story and ideas behind a product and ‘meeting’ their designer too.
What a brilliant article! It will forever be a ‘try-climb’ to me but that is a fascinating piece of info. Can’t wait to buy the Biri for Christmas
Really enjoyed reading this y children have all grown up but I’m starting again with my grandchildren my daughter introduced me to this I’m so glad she did
We absolutely love our Triclimb here – it has so many uses! I especially love the Miri slide which we also have. Lots of fun for all ages, plus the craftsmanship is just stunning.
Great read. My partner would have loved to have done something like this for a living. He works in hospitality but hand built our kitchen by watching YouTube!
How inspiring, what an amazing company you are building.
Can’t wait for my kids to start making things with beautiful natural materials. Interesting read, thank you!
Such an inspiration to other mum’s out there. Wonderful products
Such a lovely collaboration! Love my triclimb@
Great interview and some truly spot on points. I done design and technology at school and was truly awful at it. I have so many ideas but lack the skills. You have inspired me to simply try again as an adult. There are somethings I’d really love to make. You are such a remarkable lady and inspiration to women to get on and do what is typically associated with men. I hope my daughter gets a teacher like your grandad at school and I hope i can be her inspiration at home.
Love the triclimb and it’s lovely to know how the idea developed. I wasn’t aware of babipurs involvement in this fantastic brand. Looking forward to see the new ideas in the future, toys that can be loved by generations.
What an inspiring story, how brilliant it must be to design such a toy that will be loved by children for years to come x
Absolutely brilliant –
Can’t wait to buy one of these for my little boy
Looking forward to seeing what comes next from Chris’ imagination. We have the Triclimb, Miri slide and Biri and they really are fantastic.
Great to learn the background of the triclimb. I’d say my 19 month old would love it!
This has made me want to buy one even more!
Brilliant to learn more about the triclimb, and exciting to hear there’s more to come! Thankyou for the lovely interview x
How have I not seen the Biri before?!! Love the look of a triclimb, just not sure if will unleash an even crazier side to my 2 year old!
I loved reading about how the triclimb came about and also how to correctly pronounce it! Can’t wait to finally get one for my little boy for his first birthday ?
Love learning more about how triclimb came into being and that it is so founded in the importance of getting children to be in touch with nature.
Clever and talented, love the play on words with the Welsh word tri.
I always thought the ‘tri’ was for triangle!!!! ?
I want to let my children play with the tollbox now, thank you! 🙂
Brilliant toy!
Lovely to ‘meet’ the face behind triclimb. We can’t wait.to get ours for our little ones first birthday! X
Such an interesting article. Definitely have a Tri-climb (which I have been pronouncing incorrectly) on the wish list!
Have only recently come across the triclimb but am already super keen to get one for the kids along with the Miri slide. It’s a fab idea and means my youngest can explore climbing without wearing out the carpet in the stairs ?. Fab idea!
Lovely article. Also I never knew I’d been pronouncing triclimb wrong!
Love this story. We mothers can surely do something amazing even after we have kids! So inspiring. ❤️
Absolutely fascinating to learn the story behind it all! It really gives you appreciation for the product and workmanship that goes into it!!! I need a triclimb!!!!!
Such a good idea to introduce little ones to wood skills early on.
these are so beautiful
Well done, you have achieved so much! It’s amazing ?
I love the idea of younger children’s groups for tinkering and woodwork. My kids would absolutely love it.
Great read, thank you for sharing.
What a beautiful versatile product. Really interesting to hear the story behind it. Thank you
A great article. I’ve always had an interest in woodwork. I used to love watching my dad as a child. I can’t resist popping into a Carpenters, the smell is absolutely the best smell in the world! And the tools totally intrigue me. We love the Triclimb design. It looks wonderful!
A lovely read. I completely agree about the comment on the provision of woodwork in primary schools. I’m a primary school teacher and I know that we probably don’t offer the best provision but I think it’s because the skills and knowledge among staff is lacking.
Interesting read, and who knew I’d been saying triclimb wrong all this time!
Either way, the triclimb in our home is loved hugely and has given our now nearly 2 year old a scary yet brilliant confidence in climbing everything in sight!
Great read. Very interesting to learn more about the person behind the product and where their passion began.
Great article xxx
Awww what a lovely read. I did Design Technology as an AS level and loved it, I loved working with wood. As much as I truly love my job I’d absolutely love a career like yours. I hope to get my LG working with tools for a young age, she already loves helping Daddy.
I love tre flexibility of the tri climb system. Can’t wait to get one for my mountain goat 1 year old!
It’s inspiring that they managed to turn an idea into a reality! Great article!
Looking forward to seeing what creations are to come
I did not know Peter and Jolene had such a large involvement with making the Triclimb a reality, thats really great. (I have also learnt how to pronounce its name properly!)
Can’t wait to get a triclimb for our new addition. Lovely read x
Lovely article and it’s interesting to learn the story of our favourite toys)) Thanks for inspiring us!
Lovely interview – it’s good to learn about the history of our favourite toys – thanks for inspiring us!
Really enjoyable read! Love the look of the Triclimb and the added accessories are very clever! Especially love the Biri tray x
Ah so lovely! Totally going to get my four girls into some woodwork now!
A lovely interview, very inspirational and interesting to read about the story behind the triclimb. I would have loved to learn more about woodwork as a child, it was very brief in school. It has certainly got me thinking about trying something with my kids and giving them that experience early on. It would be great to have some sort of home instruction kit that we could use for simple projects, as I wouldn’t know where to start without spending time to research.
Wow, a lovely read. I will walk away knowing how to pronounce Triclimb as well!! ?
Such a brilliant read! I love the idea of the triclimb and all its potential, still working on the other half to see how amazing it is. On the other hand, the book is definitely on the ‘to buy’ list!
Great article and insight into how the triclimb came about. We love ours and I’m excited to see how it can be expanded in the future too.
Really interesting to read about Christine’s background in furniture design and teaching and her ideas for introducing children into woodwork at an early age.
This is great, I have always been of the more practical nature but had to go to uni etc at the behest of my mum but I want my daughter to know that if she wants to become a joiner or a plumber or a doctor or a lawyer, I’ll be proud regardless. Doing what makes you happy is always going to be so much more fulfilling!
The logo makes so much more sense now I realise I was saying the name wrong! I am so excited to get one of these for my babies in the future. How clever and I love that it folds away!
Great interview! Thanks for sharing your process!
I love love the passion and love for your craft here and can even picture you with your grandfather. My little boy loves wood and helping his grandad to Male things always exploring! Congratulations on a fantastic product
What a lovely story and great to hear how the range will expand in the future, wishing you all the best with the new ideas too x
This article has themes that are so important to me! I’m training as a primary teacher and I don’t think there is enough focus on the trades that allow children to grow up to be self sufficient. I grew up not knowing how to sew properly and I really regret never learning. Not only do woodwork and needlework etc. allow people to express their creativity, it gives them the opportunity to create something for themselves if they are strapped for cash. It is such an economical and sustainable thing to teach and we should be doing this from a young age. I hope I can bring my daughter up like this.
Great to read the story of Tri Climb (which I discovered I have been pronouncing incorrectly this whole time!) Look forward to seeing your further developments.
Lovely to hear how she started out. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next
Very interesting read!
So inspiring for kids, but also for us adults. I have really enjoyed discovering toys that are open ended as they don’t just end up in the back of the cupboard.
Really great interview. I agree with everything Christine said about introducing children to design and technology early and me and my husband are looking forward to teaching our daughter when she’s a little bigger.
Interesting to read more about the design process and looking forward to seeing the development of the Triclimb brand
Lovely to hear the background of the product and inspiring me to try some new things with my kids!
What a fascinating article and person! I can’t imagine our kids’ primary school organising woodwork classes. So I take along the advice to set up some projects myself, at home. 🙂 Great story, nice to see the face behind the product. Thanks!
Really fascinating read about the tri climb and great to know about future developments.
Reading this is making me even more excited about all the new elements that are on the way.
Reading this is making me even more excited about all the new elements that are on the way. It’s great to hear about how it all came about.
A fabulous article! I’ve been researching which Pikler to gift our daughter and Tri-Climb is definitely our favourite. We’ve waited for a longtime for the stock to return, to order in time for her birthday and Christmas.
What a lovely read. I hope there are more D & T teachers that encourage individuals. We are planning on getting a triclimb for my sons first birthday 🙂
What a lovely history the Triclimb has! I didn’t realise how involved Babi Pur were
Wonderful inspiring interview, showing that with a some imagination and the skills you can create something as genius as the Triclimb ? I hope that more girls have this determination.
Great article. My 2 year old loves helping and poking random holes with the screwdriver, but will definitely involve him with the other tools we use. Now I just have to remember how to pronounce triclimb correctly 🙂
I keep forgetting that it’s tree-climb too. ? I never see these without thinking how thoughtful and elegant the design of the top hinge is.
Such a great blog!
Love the meaning behind the name. I can work out probably why the slide is called Miri, but what’s the meaning behind the other bits like biri?
Thanks so much for this fab article. I’m definitely going to look into woodwork with my children you’ve really inspired me.
What a great story. I enjoyed reading how this very promising range will expand. Triclimb is most def on my wish list. Wishing you all the best!
This is such a beautiful product and it’s always nice to read about the behind-the-scenes making of. My LG loves her tool set and this inspires me to maybe try out some real tools (in a safe environment of course!) with her soon. Also, I’ve been pronouncing tri-climb wrong all this time, so thanks for explaining the name and how to say it!
Wow I’ve been saying try-climb all this time.
Great interview! Very inspiring!
Cannot wait to get our own Triclimb!
Very interesting read also I’ve beeb pronouncing the name wrong all this time. Think it’s important to develop children creative side so we get more fabulous designers in the future
I just love all the creative ideas! Such beautiful work. Sustainable toys that children of all ages can play with are definetly the future.
Fabulous blog post and amazing products. Just wish I’d found it sooner as I so would have bought a Tri Climb! #lovewoodentoys
Great informative blog, looking forward to the new attachments! Exciting!
Love the Welsh background behihd name and your passion to support your family and children within other families so unleash their imagination
Also amazing for teaching economical and sustainable things that help us in times of need
Loveky story wishing you all the best in the next chapters of the story
I love the name explanation. Obviously being English I’ve always called it try-climb. Now I know it’s tree-climb I love it even more.
Amazing read and inspiring story. Thank you for sharing! I know my twins would love a tri-climb!! Will look into getting the children’s carpentry story book too – sounds fun. Christmas can’t come soon enough ?
We’re really hoping to encourage technical skills in our daughter and are always letting her help with any DIY projects that we get up to and get her used to different tools etc as she mentioned. I think we May make it a more deliberate thing though and see if she wants to make something specifically and help her go about it!
Really interesting facts about the triclimb!
I’m a first time mum not originally from the Uk and saddens me to read that things like woodwork aren’t taught until secondary school 🙁
And thanks to this article I have decided that I am going to do a little course myself in woodwork so I can show my son how to do it from an early age.
We love wooden toys and games!
Lovely article. As a forest school leader I Introduce children to wood and tools. They love it. I used to have a workbench and tinker station in my classroom, but as you say it depends on the skills and interests of the class teacher.
This is an amazing insight into the triclimb and lovely to read more about the designer and the process too. I can’t wait to but a triclimb for my baby boy and think it’s a wonderful concept. Also super thrilled with the extra additions that have been coming out which attach to the triclimb. A simple yet brilliantly effective toy for children which helps develope their motor skills (safely). As a kid who grew up climbing trees my whole life I definitely have no doubt my little boy is going to just as much an eager climber ♥️
Can’t wait for the next additions! Lovely interview. Thank you
Definitely inspired me to get my daughters into woodwork!
I’ve been umming and ahing about getting a triclimb but this article has convinced me, especially knowing all the potential to expand its uses with all the attachments. Lovely knowing how it all came together as well, and loved the tips on how to get kids interested in creating from a young age, will definitely take those on board, thanks!
What a fascinating insight in to how triclimb came to be. Im a primary teacher, specifically early years and we are trying to fit more skills like these in to an ever growing curriculum.
Fabulous article. I totally agree that being given the flexibility at school to design something original really helped my interest and passion in design and the practical skills alongside it. It gives you joy and ownership, and instils as sense of responsibility for what you make. I don’t design any more but my d &t teachers were a very special part of my growing up. The trucking is an amazing idea and I wish all involved the best of luck with it evolution
This is an excellent article and it was great to read! I can’t wait for my son to go to secondary school so he can hopefully start learning woodwork in D&T.
Definitely need a triclimb now! And I’ll pronounce it properly!
Such a fantastic article
Lovely to read more about the Triclimb development
A very inspiring read. Congratulations on such a fantastic product.
Fab inspiring article! I loved woodwork at school. Wish I’d progressed it further so I could now make my own things instead of trying to find what I’m looking for or get someone else to make them.
As for little people, my dad recently let my 3.5 year old help him take an old wooden gate apart and use his electric screwdriver, my son loved it!
I’m deliberating a tri climb for my son but not sure if we missed the boat? He’s just really started climbing now and is climbing everything but not sure if with his age we won’t get our moneys worth?
I love how tri-climb is directly related to nature through the pronunciation of tree-climb. Being outside and exploring is so important, I never had the opportunity when I was a child so I always make sure I take my daughter to places where she can be around nature. She loves being outside and she always loves ‘helping’ her daddy with her little toolkit that she has. As a secondary English teacher, I’ve definitely noticed a decline in creative subjects like design and technology and actually, I think they’re the most important subjects because they provide students with an outlet where they can be themselves. I definitely hope that by the time my daughter starts school, there will be opportunities to design and build – she says she wants to be an ‘engineer like daddy.’
What an inspiring woman. I love her concept and product. Never heard of it before (in Ireland) but would absolutely get triclimb things if i get my hands on them. As outdoorsy and manually and creatively active people I very much love her attitude.
Really interesting reading, hopefully inspiring many young carpenters.
A wonderful interview. We are trying to be a little more Steiner focussed and with my training in forest schools, we do use tools at home with the kids for woodwork etc. It’s a brilliant skill that I would highly recommend to all. I was also lucky to have had an amazing secondary tech ed teacher who I’m still friends with and work with 30+years later! Wonderful story… and looking forward to seeing all your future creations x
What a lovely read! Well done Jo!
This is lovely. I never knew it was pronounced Tree Climb… makes sense! A fabulous product with so much integrity and thought.
Always interesting to know how things are made and the inspiration behind them. Can’t wait for my little one to be old enough to climb all over one of these.
Really interesting to see how the Triclimb came to be. I’ve been really impressed with the quality of ours and we’re investing in a Miri for our daughter’s Christmas present.
This is a really lovely interview!! Very insightful and inspiring. Sounds like the future of the triclimb is super exciting!
Great article! I’m inspired to go out to the shed now and start tinkering! I remember Christine launching the rainbow box, I hadn’t realised she was behind the Triclimb too, really pleased to read her story.
A lovely inspirational read.
Lovely ro hear where it all started, reminded me of my younger self following my dad around and watching everything while he’s working and checking out all his tool ?
Love these products, im starting to look more towards wooden toys while trying to reduce plastic in our house x
I like the play on words for the name of it. Kids need to be more creative and encourage to use tools. My son loves taking things apart and building new things. He is not afraid of using adult tools and knows how to be safe. Would be great if more schools did more practical class
What a lovely read! The Triclimb is very much loved in our home. It is beautifully designed and executed. Christine is an inspiration and we are very much looking forward to see what she comes up with next!
Amazing interview definately a product i would love to buy for my kids so many possibilities leading to endless fun.
So great to hear / read about the talent behind such a great product!
Lovely to hear the story behind the product and how it came about….and we have been been saying ‘triclimb’ wrong! Might be a hard habit to change. Look forward to the collection expanding. Might also think about introducing some woodwork for my son.
Wow great interview – time to find Harvey the carpenter !
Brilliant, I really think more should be put in to practical subjects in schools. There’s so much emphasis on the academic side, but that just doesn’t suite every child. Love the tri climb, can’t wait to see what’s coming ?.
Great interview!
And such an amazing product, so talented ?
So interesting to read about – thank you!
Lovely interview, thanks 🙂
Thank you for the tips for encouraging children to try woodwork! Mine love it but we don’t do it enough. And thank you for the beautiful products.
Great interview, always great to hear about the story and process:)
It’s really interesting hearing about how it all started and the plans for the future.
Lovely to hear about your professional and inspirational journey! I love woodworking but l don’t have any training for it. My only experience of it is joining the kids in the wood eorkshop at forest school every time we go there and some little furniture upcycling projects we did at home. My 5 yo and l totally love a drill and a sander, and now we’re looking into finding some child friendly tools to buuild a fully functioning box. So your book suggestions definitely comes in handy, thank you.
What a really great read! It’s so good to see how passionate you are about what your company does.
We very rarely get any sort of insight into how things started and the reasons behind it.
We love our triclimb and can’t wait to see what else is in store next!
Really interesting interview!
I absolutly love the idea of this project ever expanding and even already being an open end toy that will never have an expiory date it can still continuously get better , i cant wait to see where you go woth this x
Interesting read.
What a great interview! Really interesting to learn more about how it came to be. Working with wood as a hobby is something I hope to do a bit more of, and this has inspired me to start thinking about how I can make things for and with my daughter over the next few years.
I’m currently persuading the hubby we NEED a triclimb, but having read this I’m definitely buying one anyway!
What a fascinating read, and some lovely inspiration for with my own children. Thankyou. I’d wondered how to say it!
Excited to see what’s to come
Really interesting read, thank you for posting this! Love the Triclimb and dream of owning my own for my toddler and baby one day soon.
Lovely read.
I wish I had known about these when mine were younger they would have loved them
Oh, this is wonderful! Whilst we were at the Starry Skies Festival, they had a wonderful wood work area that my 4 year old loved. Older children built a full climbing frame on and through the trees. My little boy, new to power tools or any tools at, made a sword with his dad. He was so proud of himself! It’s definitely changed my perspective on children using tools. I’d love to give him and his little sister more opportunity to build at home. This interview has given us some lovely ideas. It’s wonderful to hear how tri climb began and what the future holds! Congratulations on living your “wood work design” dream x
What a lovely read! X
Lovely read. Very interesting to see how the product came about.
Love the triclimb design and birth of the name and mix of cultures!.I recently found out that Christine is my friends Alison’s cousin! Small world.
Lovely interesting read about an inspirational lady and her fantastic products. Off to hunt down a Biri now!
Wonderful interview and very inspiring, we absolutely love the Triclimb, thank you Chris
Such an interesting read 🙂
What a brilliant insight. I’d never thought to get Toddlebeast involved in wordwork etc. But, I will now!
Really interesting read, wasnt sure how much use my 3 Yr old would get but I love the idea of a climbing system! Really a talented lady and looking forward to see what comes next
Wow an inspirational read
Lovelyarticke
Lovely article! Things to think about looking at with younger children
Lovely inspiring read. I would love to try the triclimb once my baby is big enough!
Lovely read, I’m very excited to order a triclimb when funds allow!
Great to get younger children thinking about using tools and being creative – love the ideas and will be buying the book suggested! Thanks.
I feel fortunate that we have D&T workshops for 4+ that run during the holidays. The kids get to use the saws/hammers etc on scrap wood to make whatever they like. My oldest loves going.
Such an interesting interview, thanks for the book suggestion and really looking forward to finding out the new products that Christine is working on.
Never heard of the biri before! Love it and am saving to get my little one the whole set now!
I loved building things with my dads off cut woods blocks as a kid! Wish I had the time and money to have my own shed to build things too! wish I could get a triclimb for our boy he would use it everyday!
Fab interview
Lovely to hear the background behind Triclimb – who knew I’d been pronouncing it wrong the whole time‽ Totally agree that more practical, creative subjects need to be available in schools (and would love to see more ‘clubs’ or classes around, especially in cities). Great article x
Ah this is so inspiring!
Great interview! Design and tech is so important for many things but sadly seems to be dying out a bit. The tri climb is a brilliant idea and we will definitely be purchasing one when we have the funds
What a lovely story and clever designer!
Very interesting read. My 3 year old son already likes to build bits with his Dad and Grandad, something we encourage. My dad is already looking at a tools for when he’s abit older.
Great interview. A proper origin story too. I love hearing about how great pieces of design or innovation come about. I hope we can add a triclimb to our house for baby no.2 and before baby no.1 gets too big! At any rate we’ll be trying some woodwork ‘tinkering’ of our own for sure.
Such an inspiring lady! The Triclimb is so beautiful and I can wait to be able to get one for my daughter. Thank you for a great informative interview, what a lovely back story ?
Lovely article, so interesting to read more about the Triclimb story. Now I can’t wait to see the Archi!
Thankyou for posting this,really insightful! Can’t wait to introduce my little one to the wonders of making!
I am a home ed mum to 4 girls and I love inspiring blogs like this where they can see options for stuff women can do! We made weaving peg looms last year with saws and drills for a bit of practical woodwork… I am always looking for ways for them to explore new skills that will be useful to them as adults.
Really interesting read. Im feeling really inspired to get my children involved with some hands on work with wood and tools.
Well done Christine, you are amazing, and I loved reading the article, and following your success.