Discovering the joy of climbing structures

Have you ever wanted to encourage your child to take risks safely, to reach beyond their comfort zone and expand their skills, or to push past their fears to find a new level of confidence? Recently, my family stumbled across an outdoor activity that did all that—and all I had to do was stand and watch as my kids literally climbed to new heights. The Alpine Tower climbing activity allowed them to be challenged and to achieve something that looked completely impossible. It was all guided by the encouraging hands of an experienced employee and safety equipment. It was an experience none of us will forget.

Benefits of climbing structures for kids

Climbing structures provide a unique way for kids to be challenged, both mentally and physically. Each step calls for physical exertion and decision-making skills. Encouraging both gross motor skills development and strength, climbing also helps cognitive development. Climbing requires kids to assess risk, make split-second decisions, and use trial and error to develop strategies for success. Children can use their brains and their bodies in sync, at their own pace, in a safe environment. 

1. Taking healthy risks is good for kids

As a parent, it can be hard to embrace the concept of “risky play” and understand how climbing structures can facilitate it. However, rest assured that “risky play” is not about recklessness, but rather about calculated challenges that allow children to navigate and conquer obstacles in a controlled yet thrilling manner. As parents and caregivers, it’s natural to want to shield children from any potential harm, but there’s growing evidence suggesting that a degree of controlled risk can be incredibly beneficial for their development.

Taking healthy risks is an integral part of childhood development, paving the way for resilience, confidence, and crucial life skills. While the notion of allowing children to engage in risky activities might sound counterintuitive, it’s important to recognize that these calculated challenges play a pivotal role in honing their abilities to assess situations, make decisions, and manage uncertainty.

2. Climbing builds resilience and confidence

Climbing structures, with their varying heights, textures, and routes, offer a controlled environment where kids can step out of their comfort zones and experience a sense of adventure. Negotiating the ascent of a climbing wall or navigating the twists and turns of a rope ladder provides a controlled yet invigorating taste of uncertainty, allowing children to test their limits and build the confidence to confront future challenges head-on. In essence, these structures become a training ground for life’s uncertainties, fostering a mindset where calculated risk-taking is embraced rather than feared.

If your child hasn’t done a lot of climbing or is more reserved in his or her escapades, an Alpine Tower or other climbing experience is a great way for them to try something new safely. It may lead them to reach past their usual comfort zone with the security of a safety harness, all the while being encouraged and guided by a knowledgeable employee.

3. Climbing structures are fun for kids

If you, like me, have children who are climbers by nature, they’ve probably been terrifying you with their feats since toddlerhood. Many kids just love to climb! While not every kid wants to scale every tree they encounter, most of them love the challenge of climbing playground equipment, the couch, the stairs (upside down and backwards!), or a large rock.

Climbing towers and structures give kids an outlet for their climbing energy, in a safe environment that may feel riskier than it is. With a safety harness and a guide in charge, they are free to climb high, be challenged, and accomplish new and great feats. A climbing structure like an Alpine Tower is a great avenue for them to hone their skills safely, trying something new with the safety of a guide and a harness.

Our Alpine Tower experience was definitely not the first time our teenage son has climbed 50 feet in the air—but it was the first time he hasn’t scared me to death while doing it!

4. Climbing can help kids get over a fear of heights

But what if your child is scared of heights? Only you and your child can decide if this activity might be right for them. But the advantages of it are that it starts at the ground, with secure safety measures in place. A child can climb at the pace they need to, and can stop wherever they need to. There is a guide helping them and keeping them secure every step of the way. Even if they slip, they cannot fall. Those safety measures can help even a fearful child feel safe.

The cool thing about a tool like a climbing tower is that even if your child is scared of heights and they only make it ¼ of the way up, that’s still a victory! They achieved something they hadn’t done before. And it might give them the confidence to try again, or to branch out to something else they were frightened of before. Kids can learn the joy of trying something new, conquering a fear, and gaining a new skill through a climbing structure like an Alpine Tower.

Photo Credit: Sara @midwestnomadfamily

Climbing as a team-building experience for families

Many climbing towers are designed to work as team-building experiences. They are used as team activities at summer camps, colleges, and resorts across the United States. Depending on how they’re set up, climbing experiences can allow a team to work together to reach a common goal. 

This team-building experience can offer families a unique opportunity to forge deeper connections and strengthen their bonds. As each member tackles the ascent, the challenge transcends individual achievement and becomes a collaborative effort that demands communication, support, and shared strategies. The process of identifying the best routes, offering encouragement, and lending a helping hand instills a sense of unity and interdependence among family members.

In this setting, roles shift from parent-child dynamics to that of teammates, where mutual respect and active listening are paramount. The shared accomplishment of reaching the summit fosters a profound sense of achievement that is not only celebrated individually but also collectively. This shared memory becomes a cherished anchor in the family’s narrative, reminding them of their ability to overcome obstacles together and reinforcing the notion that as a united team, they can conquer any challenge life presents.

Photo Credit: Sara @midwestnomadfamily

Different kinds of climbing structures

Until fairly recently, I had never encountered the concept of climbing structures. I knew about rock climbing, of course. Some of our Creative Team members here at Run Wild My Child have shared all about rock climbing with kids and indoor rock climbing, also. But the rising trend of climbing structures is all new to me.

There are amazing parks and resorts across the country that have built challenging climbing structures for all ages, sizes, and skills. Some have entire Adventure Towers, with multi-level complexes of ropes courses and climbing challenges. The Alpine Tower is a more compact climbing structure, standing 50 feet high, with multiple courses contained in one structure.

Usually, climbing towers are larger structures that combine various climbing features, such as nets, walls, and ropes, creating a comprehensive climbing experience. They are versatile and engaging play structures designed to offer kids (and adults) a wide range of climbing experiences. These towers typically consist of multiple levels, platforms, and interconnected climbing elements that provide various routes for kids to explore and conquer. 

Our Alpine Tower experience

We came across an Alpine Tower at Seven Springs Resort in southern Pennsylvania. My husband’s company planned a trip there, and my kids were determined to conquer every single outdoor activity covered by our all-day activity pass. We moved through the kiddie rock wall easily, the trampoline bouncer quickly, and had a great time on the 1900-ft drop Alpine Slide. Our kids were in their element with all these fun activities. Some of them scared me more than the kids!

But, when we rode the shuttle out to the Alpine Tower, and I caught a glimpse of its towering 50-ft height, my stomach did a little flip. The tower loomed high in the air, with magnificent cross beams and ropes connecting the four poles.

Alpine towers are great for healthy risk-taking for teens

During the formative years of adolescence, the need for healthy risk-taking becomes increasingly vital. Teenagers and older kids are at a stage of development where they are eager to assert their independence, explore their capabilities, and discover their own boundaries. Engaging in calculated risks provides them with opportunities to test their limits, develop self-confidence, and learn to manage challenges effectively.

Alpine towers offer a secure and structured avenue for fulfilling this need. These towers are designed with safety measures in place, such as harnesses and trained facilitators, ensuring that the risk-taking experience is controlled and supervised. As teens navigate the complexities of an alpine tower’s climbing routes, they acquire critical skills in risk assessment, problem-solving, and teamwork. These skills extend into other aspects of their lives, helping them make informed decisions and navigate uncertainties with poise. In this controlled environment, Alpine Towers offers a safe yet exhilarating arena for teenagers and older kids to embrace risk, fostering personal growth and a deeper sense of self-awareness.

Our 15-year-old son is a veteran tree climber, fearless and agile. He’s been terrifying me from the tops of trees since he was in early elementary school. So I wasn’t the least bit surprised that he quickly stepped up to try out the tower. This sort of challenge was right up his alley.

Excellent guides for climbing structures

The employee in charge of the tower was knowledgeable, safety-conscious, and very friendly. She had quickly fitted our son with a secure climbing harness and a helmet. He was also connected to her by a belaying rope at all times. Despite the great height of the tower, the safety measures made it feel reasonably safe, even for this mama standing on the ground!

She showed our son the various routes he could take to the top of the tower. He chose the most challenging route open that day. (There were other variations from the different sides, but with only one employee working the tower, she could only have one side open at a time.) He made the whole ascent look pretty easy, but I had guessed that he would. For a kid who will free-scale a 75-foot pine tree all the way to the top, this tower was just a fun challenge.

The employee guided his descent off the side of the tower, lowering him carefully to the ground with the belaying rope. Before each climb, she anchored herself to a heavy belay bench on the ground. There was no chance her own weight could get thrown off and put anyone in danger. Once again, we were impressed by the safety measures in place. Although the thought of just pushing off the platform and trusting that rope to bring me down safely would have terrified me, it didn’t seem to bother our kids at all.

Next one up

After our son was unharnessed, I thought we’d be ready to take the shuttle back to the main resort. But the sweet employee (whose name I never did catch) had noticed our 11-year-old daughter watching carefully, and she asked if she’d like to try, too. I was a little surprised when our daughter agreed. Before I knew it, she was harnessed up and carefully scaling the posts of the tower.

She chose her route and was soon sitting on the platform halfway up. The guide was encouraging our daughter every step of the way. She allowed her to set her own pace, to think through each step, and to stop to rest whenever she needed to. We were so impressed by the guide’s skill and kindness.

I thought my daughter might choose to come down after reaching the midway point. Instead, she kept right on going to the top. She navigated the rope ladder up to the top platform, and I was truly amazed at her bravery. She sat up there at tree-top level for a minute before pushing off to belay down to the ground.

Fun for kids of all ages

At this point, I realized that every single one of our children was determined to scale the Alpine Tower. Fearless and undaunted, our eight-year-old daughter was next. Partway up the first climbing pole, she got stuck. She wasn’t afraid, just uncertain of her footing. The employee kept calling out encouragement to her: “Just take your time! You’ve got this! You can come back down if you need to, but you can do this!” As we all cheered her on, our daughter decided to return to the bottom of that post and re-evaluate her route.

The guide helped her belay back to the last platform. You could see her renewed focus and the problem-solving skills she was building as she began again. She moved past the section where she’d frozen up before. With renewed confidence, she kept climbing up.

Climbing structures help kids build skills

Watching the challenges our kids were facing and the skills they were building to overcome them, I began realizing what an amazing tool this climbing tower was. It was more than just a climbing course for people who were already skilled at climbing. It was a carefully designed obstacle course that could help climbers at any level. Kids could move past their comfort zone and safely accomplish new feats. The employee was trained to help and encourage people of any skill level to enjoy this and push through their fears.

It felt like our little girl was climbing up into the clouds. She stopped and rested on the midway platform, then resolutely began climbing again. I really thought she’d decide to come down, but she was determined to make it to the top.

One step at a time, she climbed the rope ladder and pulled herself up onto the platform 50 feet in the air. She had done it! She’d made it all the way to the top. She later told me that her favorite part was the feeling of accomplishment as she stood and took in the view at the top of the tower.

Even little kids can climb

Pushing herself off to be lowered down by the rope harness and the watchful guide, she belayed to the ground, a little giddy with her victory. And there waiting at the bottom was our five-year-old, who had already picked out her harness and helmet. She’s spent her whole life keeping up with her big siblings, and she wasn’t about to stop now.

Before I knew it, she was harnessed up and on her way up the tower. She resolutely went as high as she wanted to, then announced she was ready to come down. She belayed to the ground with great satisfaction. Climbing 25 feet in the air was plenty enough for that tiny human. She was so happy with her accomplishment!

Tips for climbing structures

Are you ready for your own climbing structure experience? Here are a few pointers to get you started!

Know before you go

Some climbing experiences and Alpine Towers have minimum height or age requirements. Be sure to consult the guidelines for your location before planning this excursion with littles!

Allow plenty of time

This kind of experience can’t be rushed. If the kids feel the pressure of a time crunch, they probably won’t enjoy it nearly as much. Make sure they can take all the time they need to work their way upward.

Be patient

If your child is nervous or hesitant to try a climbing structure, don’t put pressure on them. Let them observe for a while. Sometimes, cautious kids need to spend a good bit of time watching other kids before they’re ready to try something. They may need a friend or sibling to climb it first. Or they may just need time to plan their own ascent. Also, let your child know that it’s okay if they don’t reach the top on their first try. The goal is to have fun and challenge themselves, not necessarily to conquer the entire structure.

Dress appropriately

Be sure to wear comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement. Closed-toe shoes with good grip are essential for climbing safely. You may also want to bring water and snacks (because…kids). 

Encourage communication 

Teach your children to communicate with climbing partners or facilitators. Clear communication is vital for coordinating movements and ensuring everyone’s safety. If the climbing activity involves multiple participants, encourage teamwork and cooperation. Kids can assist each other by offering guidance and support. Offer encouragement and positive reinforcement as your child climbs. Celebrate their efforts, regardless of the outcome.

Have fun

Make this a special experience for your kids by approaching it with an encouraging, uplifting attitude. Let this experience be a memorable one because of the challenges they meet and the fun they have!

How to find a climbing structure near you

If you’re ready to get climbing, use Google to find a climbing structure experience near you! Use keywords such as “Alpine Tower,” “ropes courses,” and “adventure towers” to find locations all across the United States. Check with your local parks and recreation departments. Many cities and towns have public parks with climbing structures or adventure courses. Look for outdoor adventure centers, adventure parks, or nature reserves that offer climbing experiences. These centers often have alpine towers and other climbing structures. You could also research nearby adventure camps, team-building retreats, or educational facilities that provide alpine towers for activities. 

Have your kids ever tried a climbing structure?

About the author

Leslie is an Ohio farm girl and chaser of light, children, and sometimes chickens. She’s a lover of Jesus, wife to her high school sweetheart, and a homeschooling mom of four wild rascals who love the great outdoors as much as she does. As a family, they love hiking, camping, fishing, and just about any outdoor activity. She and her husband are just beginning the process of building a homestead from the ground up, doing most of the work themselves. Leslie has a lifelong obsession with writing and capturing everyday life from behind the lens. Follow along with their homesteading, homeschooling, and everyday adventures on her Instagram account.

You can find more from Leslie in the following locations:
Instagram: @c_l_allofus
Leslie’s RWMC posts: Leslie Alvis

The post Benefits of Climbing Structures for Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

When the kids are climbing the walls

Stop me if this scenario sounds all too familiar…it’s the middle of the day. The kids are tired of their usual play. They are starting to argue and fuss about being bored. There’s nothing to do at home. They’re full of energy. They are climbing the walls!

Well, the next time you find yourself searching for fun alternatives to climbing the walls, why not just let them climb the walls with indoor rock climbing? 

Checking out our local climbing gym

We recently had the opportunity to visit Sender One, an indoor rock-climbing gym in Los Angeles, California. From the moment we entered, we were welcomed into a supportive environment full of indoor climbing walls and friendly faces. This was such a great place to get started and learn the ropes from experienced instructors on a wide variety of climbing structures. There was even a special room full of rock walls and climbing structures just for kids. During our visit, we talked to indoor rock-climbing enthusiasts, experienced staff members, and instructors, all of which shared their best tips for indoor rock climbing with kids, which we’re passing on to you today! 

Benefits of indoor rock climbing for kids

The benefits of indoor rock climbing for kids are huge! In just one session at Sender One, my son’s climbing confidence skyrocketed. By the end of the session, he asked not only to return again but to attempt bouldering (climbing without ropes) as well.
 
Coordination, especially awareness of hand-eye-foot movements, is put to the test when indoor rock climbing. As kids reach for holds, place feet, and maneuver up and down climbing walls, it forces them to pay attention to their body awareness and focus on the task at hand. This focus helps to build problem-solving skills so they can navigate routes and figure their own way out when stuck.

Of course, indoor rock-climbing gyms are supportive environments, so young children also learn how to communicate and listen, especially when given instructions from their climbing partner. 
 
Kids get quite the workout while rock climbing. They use a variety of muscle groups, build strength, and engage in physical fitness when climbing. Kids might not immediately recognize the physicality of rock climbing, but after a few climbs up and down an indoor climbing wall, they might be slightly out of breath and in need of water! While group sports are not for everyone, rest assured that indoor rock climbing is considered a sport- an Olympic sport!

Bouldering vs. rope climbing

We quickly learned that there are two main types of indoor rock climbing. There’s bouldering, which is free climbing without the assistance of a rope belay or harness. In a bouldering session, participants climb indoor climbing walls or bouldering walls with color-coded grips and footholds of all shapes and sizes. Using their own strength, climbers ascend or descend a wall using their grip and muscles to maneuver around the climbing wall.
 
Similarly, rope climbing has color-coded rock grips and footholds on an indoor climbing wall. Unlike bouldering, climbers benefit from the assistance of a harness, a rope belay system, and a climbing partner to facilitate the belay action from the ground. The harness and rope belay allows the climber to climb higher with a sense of security from their climbing partner operating the belay. Some climbing gyms have auto-belay climbing routes. This means there is a mechanical rope and pulley system to provide tension so one can climb without the assistance of a partner.
 
When it comes to indoor rock climbing for kids, both bouldering and rope climbing are equally fun. Each type of climb offers its own unique benefits and challenges that will appeal to kids in different ways. During our first time visit to Sender One, we tried both bouldering and rope climbing. No surprise here, but the kids loved both!

When to start indoor rock climbing for kids

Let’s start by saying that kids are natural-born climbers! We know this, right? Here’s where you get to indulge in a Hollywood-style montage of kid memories playing through your head. Kids climbing out of the crib, climbing onto the couch, climbing into/out of the high chair, climbing into the bathtub, climbing up the kitchen counter, and, my favorite, scaling the refrigerator doors to the highest of heights to get to the good snacks. Need I say more?
 
Kids of all ages will love rock climbing. Indoor rock climbing for kids can start as early as 4-5 years old. Around that time, kids have refined their gross motor skills and problem-solving skills, and have the ability to follow directions so they can obey the gym rules. Each of these is an important consideration for the safety of your child. Not to mention, they go a long way in ensuring a positive experience in an indoor rock climbing studio.

Skills and abilities needed for rocking climbing

To climb, kids need bodily awareness so that they can use their muscles and body parts for strength, stability, and coordination. While harnessed and on a climbing wall, kids need to troubleshoot their way out of a situation where they feel “stuck” or unable to figure out their next move. And finally, kids need to be able to follow directions from their climbing partner/rope belay operator to remain as calm as possible when climbing a rock wall. Older kids will probably pick up on these things very quickly, but young children might surprise you with how quick and agile they are on the climbing walls. 
 
Some people will start their kids climbing sooner than age 5. You’ve probably encouraged your kids to climb boulders at the park or on a trail. Naturally, you might think they’re ready for an indoor climbing experience. You should consult an indoor climbing studio or gym and confirm their minimum age requirements for indoor rock climbing for kids.

Indoor rock climbing equipment 

Depending upon whether you’re bouldering or rope climbing, the equipment needs will be slightly different. For bouldering, a pair of climbing shoes is helpful, although not necessary, until your child shows a real interest in the sport. Climbing shoes have rubber soles for extra grip. Some gyms offer a shoe rental option until you’re ready to buy them.
 
For rope climbing, in addition to climbing shoes, you’ll need a helmet and harness. A helmet should be properly fitted and rest level on a climber’s head, with little to no slack on the chin strap, and the “Y” of the strap resting below the climber’s ear. A properly fitted harness has snug leg loops, a snug waistband that sits above the hip bones, all buckles double-backed, and shoulder straps snug against the shoulders. Kids over 48 inches can get by with a waist harness, but kids shorter than 48 inches may be required to wear a full-body harness.

What you need to know to rock climb

Rope climbers will need carabiner clips and knowledge of tying knots. In an intro to climbing session, your instructor will help with the very important work of tying your knots. In our session, we had someone to help us tie a Figure 8 for the main knot and a double fisherman knot for added safety. When auto-belaying, it’s important to attach the carabiner clip to your harness correctly. It’s also a good idea to check and recheck that your carabiner is secure before starting a climb.

Tackling indoor rock wall climbing routes

When your littles are ready to tackle indoor climbing walls, here are a few pointers to help get you on your way. Many gyms have colorful climbing walls filled with colored grips and footholds. Those colors mean something- they differentiate routes along the wall, oftentimes by the level of difficulty. Beginner climbers typically follow one color up and down the wall.

As your climber acclimates and their skill level increases, they can attempt “rainbow climbing” which simply means they mix colors along their route. At Sender One, the color-coded routes had fun and fanciful names like Fairy Tears, Newt’s Eyes, the Tortoise, and the English Open. Indoor rock climbing for kids becomes that much more fun with names like these!
 
Rock climbing walls at indoor gyms are fun to look at. Not only are they colorful, but they have a variety of shapes to simulate the diversity of rock surfaces one might find in nature. These grips, or “holds,” as they are called, have descriptive names like seats, bubbles, lightning bolts, etc. The most common holds kids will use are called “jugs,” but holds like “slopes” are helpful for kids to palm, and “pinchers” can be gripped from the top and bottom.
 
Pro tip from a Sender One instructor: Get your feet nice and high! It’s not a new climber’s first instinct to move their feet to help them find a handhold to continue their climb. By moving your feet around and getting them nice and high, it opens more holds for them to reach. 

Indoor climbing walls & kid safety 

Indoor rock climbing for kids has risks, but when you exercise caution and good judgment, it can be a very safe sport. A few safety tips to keep in mind have everything to do with knowing how to land and fall.

• To fall on your back, stay relaxed, bend your knees and arms, tuck your arms in, and roll back.
• To fall on your side, look at your landing zone, bend your knees and arms, tuck your arms in, and fall, letting the pads do the work.
• Similar to learning how to fall from a bike, never use your hands to break your fall. 
• Like in gymnastics, when you stick a landing, bend your knees but don’t lock them.

Be aware of your surroundings and always follow directions! When indoor rope climbing, it’s important to know how to descend safely. Once your little one climbs as far as they feel comfortable, encourage them to sit back like they’re in a chair and relax as they make their way back to the ground. To keep them from twisting their rope on the way down, instruct them to stay focused on the wall until their two feet are safely touching the floor.   

Climbing gyms

Climbing gyms are a perfect place to get started when your child is first interested in learning how to rock climb. For one, climbing gyms provide a supportive environment filled with instructors and experienced climbers that are willing to help with advice and tips. They also offer gear rentals which makes it a low-cost commitment to try out while you decide if this is something you’d like to continue before investing in gear. If you love rock climbing, a gym membership would be a great gift for your child. 

Check out the Indoor Climbing website to find a climbing gym close to you. Many indoor climbing gyms offer youth programs and classes specifically for kids, with professional adult supervision. There may even be youth discounts for young climbers. They may also offer day camps, summer camps, birthday parties, open gym time, kids’ activities, games, private lessons, school programs, themed day events, competitive youth teams, group events, and other ways to make climbing fun and social for kids. 

Earn a merit patch for indoor rock climbing

Are you excited to try indoor rock climbing with your kids? Want to earn a fun merit patch for trying this fun new sport? 

Wonder Club Explorers is an independent scouting program for kids and features 18 patches in 9 different fields of learning.  During our indoor rock-climbing adventure, my son earned his Wonder Club Explorer Obstacle Ninja and Maze Master Merit Patches. Indoor rock climbing, in and of itself, was a vertical obstacle challenge, but maneuvering around the holds was a three-dimensional maze to be solved. This activity proved to be a two-for-one as rock climbing satisfied both patches in one outing.

Check out our website to learn more about Wonder Club Explorers. 

Indoor rock climbing basics for kids

Indoor rock climbing for kids is an absolute blast! My son had so much fun and I loved watching him gain confidence as he learned a new skill. Before we sign off, we want to make sure you’ve got the lingo of a real climber. As you initiate the climb, your climbing partner will say “On Belay” to which you respond, “Belay On.” “Climb on,” says your partner, and off you go! Whether you’re climbing the walls at a gym or scaling your own climbing wall at home, we hope you have fun! Until next time!
 
Special thanks to Sender One for showing us the ropes of indoor rock climbing!

Additional resources

If you’re interested in learning more about rock climbing and other related activities, be sure to check out a few more of these great posts:

• How to Get Started Rock Climbing with Kids (indoor and outdoor)
• Best Experience Gifts for Kids
• Letting your Kids Take Healthy Risks Through Adventures

About the author

Michelle spends her days working on projects to improve the quality of life for the citizens of her community and her nights reading books to her 6-year-old about every kind of dinosaur there ever was (there are 900 validated species, in case you’re wondering). Together with her son, Michelle created Wonder Club Explorers, a company to inspire wonder and curiosity in kids. She carves out time for herself on the weekends as an early morning exerciser and metalsmith of fine jewelry. Michelle is also the co-host of the Run Wild My Child podcast. She resides in Altadena with her husband and son amongst California oak trees and a stone’s throw from the San Gabriel Mountains. 

You can find Michelle online in the following locations:
Instagram: @wonderclubexplorers
Website: www.wonderclubexplorers.co
RWMC posts: Michelle Garrett

The post All You Need to Know About Indoor Rock Climbing For Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

A climbing adventure

A few years ago, I was perusing a shop in one of our favorite mountain towns and came across a shirt with the quote “Adventure is a Family Value” written across the front. While that shirt has long since been put away (thanks to many kid-caused stains), the quote is something I adopted in my heart and still live by to this day.

Part of adopting that motto meant trying new things and sharing those experiences with my kids. And one of the best new things we started doing as a family was rock climbing. I’m so excited to share this fun activity with you in the hopes of convincing you to give it a try with your kids! 

Benefits of rock climbing for kids

Rock climbing is a great activity for families to try together. There are so many great benefits of rock climbing for young kids. It helps teach problem-solving and decision-making skills. It’s great for working on communication and building/establishing trust with one another. Plus, we all know the benefits of staying active, playing together, and spending time OFF screens. 

Climbing is also a great sport for both younger kids and older kids. Climbing helps them with eye-hand coordination, gross motor skills, and body awareness. It is an activity that engages every major muscle group and requires the climber to pay attention to how they are moving their body. Rock climbing helps kids build courage, confidence, and self-esteem, as well as increases their concentration, focus, physical fitness, and patience. It helps with agility, endurance, speed, concentration, flexibility, and perseverance.

Best age to start rock climbing for kids

The good news is that there’s no magic age for learning how to rock climb. You can learn at any age (adults included). Most climbing gyms will have a minimum age of 5 years old, but depending on your child and the type of climbing they’re doing, some places allow kids as young as 2 to give it a try. The requirement to be 5 is more about the child being mature enough to listen and follow instructions, more than them being “ready” to climb. Climbing comes a lot more naturally to young children and requires less upper body strength for little bodies, so starting them early gives them a good jump start over starting as an adult. 

Types of rock climbing for kids

There are several different types of rock climbing, and understanding the difference can help you know what type of gear you will need and where to start. For kids and adults that have never been rock climbing before, bouldering or top-rope climbing is a great place to begin.

Bouldering

Bouldering is climbing in its simplest form and is great to kick off with. When bouldering, you leave behind ropes and harnesses and just climb (sometimes using climbing shoes, chalk, and safety mats). The point of bouldering is to climb short but tricky routes or sequences using balance, technique, strength, and your brain. You have to problem-solve on the fly. You don’t need experience, much instruction, or lots of expensive gear, making it really easy to get into if you’ve never tried it before. Bouldering climbs are enough to be exciting, but most routes are easy to jump off of or climb down from, so they’re not super intimidating or scary for kids. Many indoor climbing gyms offer a variety of bouldering walls. 

Top rope

This type of climbing is the most popular setup for beginners both in climbing gyms and outdoors. Top rope climbing is what most people imagine when they think of climbing. Top roping is when the climbing rope is anchored to a spot at the top of the route. The climber then climbs toward the anchor while their partner keeps the rope taut, known as belaying. Top roping is a great option for beginners because it is safer than other types of climbing and requires a lot less knowledge for beginners. New climbers really only need to know one knot and bring along one person who can belay. It allows new climbers to get a feel for rock climbing without many risks. 

Taking your rock climbing skills to the next level

If climbing becomes a sport your family wants to get more involved with, there are always opportunities to progress and advance your skills. Whether that’s in ain indoor rock climbing gym setting or taking your skills outdoors on your own! Beyond bouldering and top-roping, there is sport and traditional climbing, both of which involve lead climbing and setting up routes on your own. For both of these types of rock climbing, you’ll need more advanced training, a bit more gear, and lots of practice.

Sport climbing

The first type of lead climbing that most people learn is sport climbing. Sport climbing is climbing using fixed protection for safety.  The climber wears a harness and is tied to a rope which is managed by a belayer below. The climber clips the rope into bolts that are pre-drilled while climbing. For this, we use “quickdraws” to clip into the bolts with hangers as you progress higher on the wall.

Traditional climbing

Traditional climbing, also known as “trad” climbing, is the most advanced of all types of rock climbing. This form requires the climber to use specialized gear that is placed in natural cracks and holes in the rock for protection. Trad climbing requires you to learn how to place this gear in a way that the gear can safely catch a belayed fall, but it can also be removed when done with the climb. 

If you are interested in learning these more advanced forms of climbing, I always suggest taking a clinic or hiring a professional to teach you these skills before going out on your own. 

Where to get started rocking climbing

After deciding which type of climbing most interests your family, the next step is finding the right location to begin your training. The best ways to get started are either at a local indoor climbing gym or with a certified guide. 

Climbing gym

Getting started in a climbing gym is probably the easiest and most economical way to learn how to rock climb. Climbing gyms are a great place to get started from the beginning as they generally have both bouldering and top-rope climbing areas so that you can test out both styles in a controlled environment. Climbing gyms also provide a supportive environment filled with climbers that are willing to help with advice and tips. They also offer gear rentals which makes it a low-cost commitment to try out while you decide if this is something you’d like to continue before investing in gear. 

The best way to start in a climbing gym is to take an orientation or an “Intro to Climbing” class. These rocking climbing classes offer new climbers an understanding of how the systems and styles work. Although bouldering is relatively easy to start on your own, top-roping requires learning how to tie into a rope as the climber, and how to manage the rope as a belayer. An Intro class will teach you the various types of climbing skills on the indoor climbing walls so that your family can enjoy all a climbing gym has to offer. 

Check out the Indoor Climbing website to find a climbing gym close to you. Many indoor climbing gyms offer youth programs or youth discounts for young climbers. They may also offer day camps, summer camps, birthday parties, open gym time, kids’ activities, games, school programs, themed day events, competitive youth teams, and other ways to make climbing fun and social for kids. 

Rock climbing outdoors with a guide 

If you want to take the adventure outdoors, the best way to go about this is to hire a certified rock climbing guide. Outdoor climbing can be a risky sport, so learning from an experienced guide is highly recommended to provide for a safer environment. When you hire a rock climbing guide, you will get personalized instruction, and most guides have gear for you to use while out for the day. 

When considering a rock climbing guide, look for an AMGA-Accredited guiding business. The American Mountain Guides Association is a nationally recognized organization that provides guides with the training they need to lead others in outdoor pursuits safely. In order for a business to become certified by the AMGA, it must commit to the highest standard of safety and professionalism. 

Here is an example of two certified businesses:

• American Alpine Institute
• Pisgah Climbing School

Climbing terms you should know

Whether you get started in a gym or with a guide outside, you will likely hear other climbers and your guide use some words you’re not familiar with. As with most sports, climbing has its own language. Getting a head start on some of the terminology can help in understanding this sport in a better way.

• Belaying: Using a piece of gear, called a belay device, to control the amount of rope going to a climber and to arrest a fall. The person belaying is called the belayer.
• Route: Common term for a particular path to climb, either on a natural rock face or gym wall.
• Boulder problem: Instead of “route,” the word “problem” is often used when referring to bouldering rather than roped climbing.
• Pitch: A segment of a rock climbing route for which one rope length is used. Most outdoor rock climbs are one pitch.
• Multi-pitch: A route of more than one pitch, which requires resetting the rope progressively higher up the wall as climbers ascend. (advanced climbing)
• Anchor: A point (or set of points) where gear is secured to fasten the rope and hold a fall.
• Crag: An outdoor rock climbing destination, typically one that consists of many different single-pitch climbs.

Rock climbing gear for kids

Like with most outdoor adventure sports, climbing gear can come with a hefty price tag. But do not be dismayed! When starting out, rock climbing gyms and guides will have the gear you need to get started. And depending on what type of climbing your family is interested in, one or two key pieces of gear are probably all you need. As your family develops more skills, you can start to invest in what makes the most sense for you. 

When people ask me what gear they should invest in first, I always say a good pair of climbing shoes and a harness. Yes, most gyms and guides generally have rentals, but if climbing is a sport your family finds they really love, those rental fees can add up after a while. 

• Shoes: A good pair of climbing shoes will fit snugly and provide the friction needed to grip holds while climbing. There are lots of styles, so it is best to go try them on at a retailer to see what shoe fits best. 
• Harness: If you are climbing with ropes, you will need a harness. The harness allows you to tie into the climbing system safely. Harnesses consist of two main components; a waist belt and leg loops. This is another piece of gear that is worth trying on before you buy. 
• Helmet: When climbing outdoors, a helmet should always be worn. Helmets are designed to protect your head from possible falling debris and if a climber falls. Climbing helmets should fit snugly and comfortably, like a bike helmet. 
• Chalk & chalk bag: Climbers use chalk to help with grip while on the wall. The chalk helps to absorb any perspiration on your hands so they’re not slick. Chalk is carried in chalk bags attached to the back of a harness. 8BPLUS makes fun chalk bags my kids love.
• Crash pad: If you are going to take bouldering outside, these are a must-have item. Crash pads are made of dense foam and placed under a climber to protect their fall. Plus, they make a great nap spot for tired little climbers. 
• Carabiners: Strong, metal rings with a spring-loaded gate that are used to connect rope and other gear. The first carabiner that you purchase will most likely be for use with a belay device. 
• Belay device: The belay device is an essential piece of gear that you will need the more you get into climbing. Most gyms and guides will have some for use, but this may be something to add to the purchase list early on. The belay device is used by the belayer to control the rope. These devices allow the belayer to take in slack created by a climber, and let out rope to safely lower a climber.
• Ropes: There are lots of different ropes on the market, but when just getting started, there is really only one type of rope that is necessary. Rock climbing ropes need to be dynamic, meaning they have enough stretch to absorb the energy of a fall. I always recommend speaking with a professional before purchasing your first rope. 

Practical advice for rock climbing with kids

Now that our family has been climbing together for a while now, I’ve learned a few things that keep us successful, whether we are at the gym or spending a weekend camping and climbing at a local crag. Here’s my most practical advice for parents when just getting started rock climbing with kids. 

Start small

The first time you go rock climbing may not be the grand adventure you were expecting. Your first few times will be a lot of instruction, outfitting, familiarizing yourself with the gear, and trial and error. Those first few times trying, kids will learn how it feels to be in a harness, the names and usage of equipment and climbing commands, how it feels to tackle different climbing holds, how to rappel with proper form, and trust the belayer and equipment to protect them from falls. That’s a lot! And may not leave a lot of time for the actual climbing.

The first time we all went to the gym together, I thought we would be there for at least two hours. We left a little after 20 minutes. Everyone climbed one route, and then they were tired and done. It was small, but it was a start. Sometimes, that’s enough. 

Lower your expectations

Lower your expectations for your rock climbing with kids experience. Now lower them again! While almost all kids climb something in their daily lives (think kitchen cabinets, furniture, trees in the yard, playground jungle gym), that does not always mean they will jump on the wall and climb to the top. As a youth climbing instructor, I have seen many kids freeze as soon as they tie into a rope, and not climb more than three feet off the ground. That’s ok! They are getting comfortable with new gear and a new environment. Go into your rock climbing adventure with zero expectation, and maybe your child will surprise you! 

Bring snacks (and entertainment)

As with all of our adventures, I never leave home without an arsenal of favorite snacks. Sometimes taking a break to enjoy a favorite treat or energizing granola bar can be just the motivation they need to try again. Climbing can take a lot out of your kids, so keeping them fed and hydrated is key to keeping them happy and focused. Also, because rock climbing usually requires 2 people working together at a time (one climber and one belayer), if you have more than one kid, bring along entertainment for your younger kids to do while others climb. 

Be positive

Sending a route does not have to be the only measurement of a successful climbing day. Work together as a family to choose what you’re going to climb. Let the kids help in any part of the process that is safe. And, if all they want to do is climb a few feet up the wall and swing, then let them swing! Keep your attitude positive and supportive. Encourage your kids to climb, but don’t push them beyond their comfort zone. Let them decide what they feel comfortable with. Every time you go rock climbing with your kids, you increase their exposure to the sport, and they get more experience. But most importantly, you spent time together. 

* Thank you to Pisgah Climbing School for providing pictures.

Rock climbing with kids

I hope this post has inspired you to give rock climbing with kids a try! It’s such a great sport for children of all ages (and parents) and a perfect way to spend time together doing something active, challenging, and fun! Next time you’re looking for something fun for the whole family to do, check out the options and availability at your local climbing gym and give it a try! Or sign your little climber up for one of the many climbing camps offered at a climbing gym this summer. We hope your kids will learn to climb to new heights this year! 

Have your kids tried rock climbing?

About the author

RyAnn is a mom of four (20, 18, 15, 6) that loves exploring her home in the Pacific Northwest. She works as a youth outdoor program instructor for the Mountaineers Org. in Washington state. RyAnn also loves getting out and adventuring with her family as much as possible. They enjoy traveling around the PNW in their converted Sprinter campervan. On her days off she generally loads up the van and hits the trails for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, or climbing. RyAnn is passionate about instilling love and respect for outdoor spaces in her kids and the youth she is lucky to work with.

You can find more from RyAnn in the following locations:
Instagram: @mountain_mama4
Website: Mountain Mama
RWMC articles: RyAnn

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