How to Make a Montessori Pull-Up Bar

Is your little one starting to pull up onto furniture in their environment, or getting close? By incorporating a Montessori pull-up bar in your home, you are preparing the space very intentionally to meet the quickly changing needs of your baby! I’ll share with you more about the Montessori pull-up bar and how to make your own in your house. I’ll also share the benefits to your child’s gross motor skills and at what age a Montessori pull-up bar is good to have. 

What is a Montessori Pull-Up Bar? 

A Montessori pull-up bar is a wooden handrail and mirror that is mounted at the perfect level for a baby who is beginning to work on their new standing-up skills. A designated spot in your baby’s play area, like this pull-up bar, can help isolate this gross motor skill of pulling up to standing. The bar is ideal because it is easy to grasp for their little hands and is secure, unlike furniture that may not be so solidly in place. It is also prepared to be the perfect size for your baby.

Having a mirror on the wall is a great way to create points of interest for the baby. It also can provide feedback to the baby on their movements. Just imagine yourself working out in a room where you can’t see what you are doing, versus a room with a mirror on the wall. Odds are, when the mirror is there you will be more aware of how you are doing the actions. The same is true for our babies. Learning to pull up onto objects is a big gross motor skill, and it takes lots of practice and repetition to be able to pull up and get down with ease. This Montessori pull-up bar will support your child beautifully! 

The Montessori wall mirror can be used even before the use of a pull-up bar. You could use the Montessori mirror during tummy time to encourage interactive play. My twin boys would look into the mirror and be so excited by their reflection in the mirror! 

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What are the Benefits of a Montessori Pull-Up Bar? 

There are so many benefits to a Montessori pull-up bar, other than just the fact that it is pretty adorable to see this space prepared in your home. Maybe it’s just me, but I love preparing spaces with the needs of the child in mind. It just makes it feel so special and intentional. 

1. Isolation of a skill: A Montessori pull-up bar has one purpose, for a child to practice their pulling-to-stand skill. This is beneficial because it allows them the space to practice and develop this new skill on a secure bar that is at just the right height for them. They will have such satisfaction pulling themselves up to stand and seeing their reflection in the mirror!
2. Strengthening them as they prepare to walk.
3. Vertical core strengthening: Having the bar encourages the baby to hold themselves upright. This uses a greater amount of core strength than leaning into something to hold yourself up. Oftentimes times I see my babies leaning into the furniture or object to stay upright, and the pull-up bar encourages more core stability and seems to keep them more vertical when they pull up onto it.
4. A Montessori pull-up bar is a great Montessori tool to support the natural progression of physical development.

How to Make a Montessori Pull-Up Bar

How to Make a Montessori Pull-Up Bar

There are different ways to set up your Montessori pull-up bar, but the essential elements are the same: a mirror and a wooden bar.

Supplies Needed 

Railing bar

We had some wooden dowels hanging around the house that we used for our bar. You can purchase a railing bar from a hardware store like The Home Depot. If you know the length of the rod before you go they will often cut this for you in the lumber yard if you ask. You will want to sand the railing down if it is unfinished and oil it a little bit. Different wood types and wood colors can be chosen. Choose whatever style you prefer for this pull-up bar.

Mirror 

I found our high-quality mirror from Home Goods for $40. This was a little more than I wanted to spend but I wanted to find something that I would use somewhere else in the home if we no longer needed this Montessori pull-up bar area. You could definitely find a mirror at thrift stores or garage sales! I love myself for a good garage sale! 

I chose to have a mirror that went pretty close to the baseboard because I wanted it to be another point of interest in the room. By having it cover a good portion of the wall, they were able to use the mirror while crawling around on the floor. Another option would be one of the over-the-door-size mirrors, this would just require a much longer bar, but can be a great option. Those size mirrors are often very affordable! Choose the right size for your space. 

Railing brackets (x2)

We found railing brackets at the hardware store. Very inexpensive and you can find it in a finish that matches the rest of your home. 

Screws/anchors/tools

Make sure you have all the screws, anchors, and tools necessary to hang both the mirror and the bar. You could attach the mirror with command strips if you want, just make sure that you use enough of them to really secure the mirror to the wall. 

Instructions for INSTALLATION

1. The first thing is to decide where you want the pull-up bar and mirror to be. Ideally, find wall studs to anchor the pull-up bar into and make a custom-length bar to ensure it is anchored securely. 
2. Cut the railing bar to be longer than the mirror, so you can install the brackets on the outer side of the mirror. 
3. Sand the railing down if unfinished. Oil unfinished railing bar with either olive oil or avocado oil.
4. Measure and mark where you want the mirror to hang as well as the railing. Hang the railing about 14 to 16 inches off of the floor. This may vary based on the height of your baby, we hung ours at 14 inches off the floor. 
5. Install the brackets, making sure it is level. Make sure there is enough room between the mirror and the railing bar for their fingers to wrap over the top of the bar. 
6. Install the mirror. Screw into the wall as needed to hang the mirror securely. 
7. Secure the railing bar to the brackets.
8. Clean the mirror. 
9. Allow your baby to explore this area of your home and see how when they are ready to begin pulling themselves up to a standing position with the bar. 

Notes

We installed our bar a good month or so before they were pulling up onto things. I liked having it all set up and ready to go for when the twins got to this stage. 

There is no need to put your baby onto the pull-up bar before they are ready. One Montessori concept is to follow the child. When we are thinking about following a young child, such as a baby, we can do this by not putting them into positions that they can’t get into or out of on their own. They will get there! Trust their process and let them grow in confidence and satisfaction when they do pull themselves to standing!

What age is a Montessori Pull-Up Bar good for? 

Babies begin pulling up anywhere between 6-10 months old. Every baby is different. By offering freedom of movement and giving opportunities for them to explore with their body movements. We are doing everything we can to support them and their development. 

Our boys began pulling up onto things right before they turned 9 months old. 

Can I purchase a Montessori Pull-up Bar? 

Yes! If you are looking to purchase a Montessori pull-up bar you can. Here is a link to one! However, you will likely save money by pulling the pieces together yourself. 

Are you looking for some more Montessori sensory activities for your baby, check out these ideas!

Need another DIY project for a future baby?! Check out this DIY Montessori Munari Baby Mobile!