Blog

Toddler using the wooden activities on the Avenlur Aldar convertible Montessori activity table
What Are Fine Motor Skills? Examples and Activities by Age
Fine motor skills are the small hand movements behind feeding, dressing and writing. Here's what they look like at each age from 6 months to 5 years, and simple activities... Read more...
Toddler playing at the Avenlur Aldar Montessori activity table
What Is a Busy Board, and Is It Really Montessori?
Busy boards turn the latches and switches toddlers love into safe play. What they teach, how they compare to Montessori dressing frames, and what to look for.   Read more...
Avenlur Grove indoor jungle gym for kids in a playroom
Jungle Gyms for Kids: The Right Fit for Every Age and Every Room
Toddler climbing frame or backyard jungle gym? Use our age-by-space finder to choose the right indoor or outdoor jungle gym, then set it up safely, plus answers to the questions... Read more...
Close-up of the Montessori activity panel with geometric blocks and tactile ribbons on the Avenlur wooden playpen
What Is a Busy Board, and Is It Really Montessori?
Busy boards are everywhere, and almost all of them are sold as Montessori. Here's what a busy board actually teaches, how to tell if one is truly Montessori and what... Read more...
Toddler playing at an Avenlur outdoor wooden water table
Water Tables for Kids: How to Choose One, Play Safely and Keep It Clean
Single basin, multi-level, sand and water, or a playset with a water station? How to choose the best water table for toddlers, what age to start, how to keep it... Read more...
Avenlur wooden car ramp racer toy with four tiers and wooden cars
When Can a Toddler Play With a Car Ramp?
From drop and watch to racing and building: when toddlers are ready for a car ramp, what they learn at each stage, and three kinds of ramps to try at... Read more...
Toddler playing on the Avenlur Hazel wooden Pikler triangle set in a bright playroom
Play Couch or Pikler Triangle: Which Is Better for Toddler Climbing?
A foam play couch and a Pikler triangle both promise climbing, but they do very different jobs. Here's what toddlers learn on each, how to choose and why many families... Read more...
Toddler playing on an Avenlur wooden Montessori climbing set
Montessori Climbers Explained: Every Piece, Every Age and How to Choose
Pikler triangle, arch, ramp, rocker, jungle gym: what each Montessori climber piece does, what age it suits, what comes in a set of 3, and how to choose the best... Read more...
Avenlur large wooden water table with channels and water wheels
What Is Sensory Play, and Which Equipment Actually Helps?
Sensory play is how young children learn with their hands and bodies. Here are the eight senses kids use, easy ideas from your kitchen, and when equipment is worth it.... Read more...
Baby exploring the activity panels of an Avenlur wooden playpen
What Play Equipment Does a 6-Month-Old Need?
Six months is when play starts to change. A newborn mostly watches. A 6-month-old reaches, rolls, grabs and is getting ready to move. Over the next six months, most babies... Read more...
Avenlur outdoor Chestnut cedar jungle gym in a backyard
How to Care for Wooden Play Equipment: A Season-by-Season Guide
Fall prep, winter protection, spring resealing and a simple routine for indoor climbers: a season-by-season guide to caring for wooden swing sets, playhouses and climbers so they last for years.... Read more...
Toddler playing on an Avenlur wooden Pikler triangle set at home, a popular big holiday gift
When to Start Holiday Shopping for Big Gifts: A Week-by-Week Countdown
When should you start holiday shopping for a big gift? By mid-November. Here's a week-by-week countdown from measuring and ordering to checking parts, hiding the box and Christmas Eve setup.... Read more...