December 7

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Is Rock Climbing Safe for Kids?

By Michael Bryant

December 7, 2022


Is rock climbing safe for your kids? Yes! Done properly, it is a lifetime sport. Getting your kids involved in a sport as physical as rock climbing can be challenging. It can also be fun, but it is essential to know that climbing can be safe and rewarding.

We must respect the other climbers in the area. They should not get in the way or climb above or below other climbers. This will keep your kids safe.

If you have a very young child that you want to get vertical. Get them into a full body harness to make sure they stay upright while top-roping.

kids full body harness

Climbing is an excellent way for kids to get a workout and develop their confidence. It is a challenging sport that challenges them to overcome their fears and see their mistakes and shortcomings as something that can be overcome.

The most important thing to remember is to teach your kids to be responsible for their safety. You can make them aware of basic safety rules, but it is up to you to actively participate in their safety.

There are fundamental rules to keep kids safe:

  • Check your knot! 
  • Watch for loose rock.
  • Never take your brake hand off the rope belaying
  • Check your harness and double back if you need to
  • Focus on the amount of rope out and be an attentive belayer
  • Have fun and be aware of the situation

Each rule should be explained to your kids, but you should enforce it to keep them safe.

The other thing to remember is that you should always look up while belaying. Looking up is essential for many reasons, and one of them is that you can see your climber more clearly to avoid surprises. 

Choosing Kids Climbing Shoes

There are so many options for kids climbing shoes. Shoes are the most important piece of climbing gear. What your feet stick to is what will keep you on the rock. Good footwork requires good shoes. But no need to break the bank on a kinds climbing shoe, there are some solid and relatively inexpensive options.

cheap kids climbing shoes

Why is Rock Climbing Good for Kids?

Taking your kids rock climbing can be a great way to boost their mental and physical health. Rock climbing helps strengthen their core muscles and also improves hand-foot-eye coordination.

Climbing walls are fun challenges that require active thinking, problem-solving, and planning. They also teach children cooperation and communication skills. These skills will help them later in life.

Climbing also boosts self-confidence and improves self-esteem. Children participating in this activity will have an easier time handling challenges in other areas of their lives. It helps them learn to follow through and makes them more motivated to succeed.

Climbing is also a fun way for kids to meet new people. Many climbing gyms have low-difficulty walls that are perfect for young climbers. Climbing can also boost concentration and memory.

Kids are sometimes too afraid to try new things, but overcoming their fear of heights is a great confidence booster. Climbing helps kids see that even the most significant challenges can be overcome.

Taking your kids rock climbing is a great way to introduce them to a new activity that will benefit them for a lifetime, which can help them perform better in school and reduce stress.

It is a good idea to introduce your kids to climbing early. Most climbing experts recommend that kids start at around 4 or 5. This allows them to experience success at an early age.

Safe Climbing for Kids = A Solid Helmet

kids climbing helmet


How is Nature good for Kids?

Getting kids outside can profoundly affect their physical, mental, and emotional development. In addition, nature encourages kids to engage in hands-on experiences, which can improve their learning skills, boost their creativity and enhance their concentration.

This can be as simple as taking them for a walk in the park or backyard. Children are naturally inclined to play in the dirt and climb trees and other objects. It's also a good idea to take them to the local community garden and nature trail.

Nature can help kids build a positive relationship with the planet. In addition, kids learn how to problem-solve and assess risks. This helps kids grow to be tough, resilient people. Finally, spending time in nature improves cardiorespiratory fitness.

Kids Rock Climbing for Self-Confidence

Getting kids rock climbing is a great way to help them develop self-confidence. This can be a fantastic experience for both parents and kids.

Rock climbing builds muscle strength and flexibility. It also builds coordination and balance. Climbing requires a lot of communication, and kids need to be able to understand what their belayer is saying.

Climbing also provides a good outlet for stress. Physical exertion releases endorphins, which help children deal with stress and anxiety. Rock climbing is a great way to develop creative problem-solving skills. It encourages kids to think outside the box and use their imaginations to find new ways to climb the wall. Developing self-confidence in kids helps them make new friends and overcome other fears.

Getting kids rock climbing can also improve their behavior. Children who have confidence in themselves will be more outgoing and less frightened of being judged. This can also lead to better performance in other areas of life.

Rock climbing also encourages kids to spend time together as a family. It's an activity that everyone can participate in. As a result, kids can learn how to work together and positively impact their families.

Kids rock climbing is a fun, exciting lifetime sport. Kids will learn to focus and make decisions with every foothold. The goal is to get to the top.

Climbing Harness for Older Kids

A seat harness is the next progression for a kid climbing safely. REI has some great options to keep your child safe while scaling walls and growing into an outdoor enthusiast. . 

kids climbing harness

Kids Building a Climbing Community

Whether for competitive or recreational purposes, it's a full-body workout and a way to develop a child's strength, balance, and coordination. Rock climbing can also help a child develop a strong sense of community. It's a great way to get kids out of the house and off screens. And it can help kids develop a strong sense of self-confidence, which lasts beyond rock climbing.

Kids can also use their past experiences to improve their climbing skills. New climbers can start on easier routes and advance from there. It just takes a little trial and error, but it's a great way to develop a child's personality and habits.

Rock climbing can also help a child learn how to solve problems. This is because climbing requires a lot of focus, decision-making, and coordination. As a result, children learn to concentrate on the task at hand and avoid making mistakes.

Climbing is also a great way to learn about teamwork and leadership. Kids on climbing teams learn how to tie a top rope and how to climb safely while meeting fellow young climbers that will enrich their lives. 

Developing a strong sense of community is an excellent way for kids to build trust. Kids are encouraged to support one another, and the community becomes a source of encouragement for the kids.

Friendship from Rock Climbing for Kids

Getting kids to climb isn't just a good idea for physical health. It can also be a great way to develop friendships. It's a great outlet that lets kids see the rewards of their hard work.

Rock climbing is an excellent way to teach youngsters about goal setting, self-confidence, and overcoming challenges. It's also a perfect way to build a strong sense of community. When kids are climbing together, they learn about teamwork and communication. 

When kids climb, they're getting exercise in every muscle in their body. It's an excellent way to improve cognition and logic. In addition, they boost hand-eye coordination, refining motor skills and problem-solving skills.

Rock climbing for kids also teaches kids to be more self-disciplined. They're learning to focus on their goal, listen to their instructors, and be patient with their mistakes.

Rock climbing for kids is a great way to teach children about trust. In every relationship, trust is crucial. When kids climb together, they learn to trust their teammates and instructors. This builds confidence and trust.

When climbing with friends, the best way to make them feel good is to compliment them. Keep the stoke level high in your climbing community!

Michael Bryant

About the author

After a lifetime spent in the outdoors and 10 years in the outdoor sports industry, I figured out what I'm best at. Finding great mentors to show me the ropes. Without the Lifers that taught me all I know, I wouldn't be where I'm at, which is... "pretty solid" at most adventures outside.

Mentors are the best way to access the backcountry. Learn with us.