An at-home climbing gym is an excellent idea, especially for those with little ones running around. A DIY rock climbing wall will keep kids active and entertained, which is why we’ve rounded up the best DIY climbing wall holds to make your own home climbing gym. These kids’ climbing holds are sure to complete any home wall or playset, satisfying both parents and children.
There are a number of reasons why building a DIY kids climbing wall is a great idea for parents. Considering the current pandemic, many children are stuck at home and unable to attend after-school activities and sports. A climbing wall is an excellent way to keep them busy and in shape.
Additionally, if you build your wall indoors, you will have a fun activity that kids can enjoy even when temperatures drop in the winter. Finally, if you start training your kids from young, they are certain to find a hobby that they can enjoy for the rest of their life.
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What’s the Best DIY Climbing Wall For Kids?
We’ve reviewed countless climbing holds for kids to find the best options for your DIY kids climbing wall. We’ve compared products based on price, quality, versatility, and more to ensure that you can find the best climbing holds for children possible. And be sure to check out the buying guide and FAQ section at the end of the article if you still have any doubts about which kids’ climbing holds you should purchase.
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Most Important Features to Look out for
When it comes to choosing the best DIY climbing wall holds, there are a number of things that you’ll want to pay attention to. First off, if you are tailoring your rock wall towards children, ensure that the holds are large enough for kids to be able to grab on to with ease. Additionally, you’ll want to consider the texture of the holds, as slippery holds may be more difficult for children to grip. Finally, consider how large your wall is when deciding how many holds to buy, as you will want to purchase the perfect amount to fill up your DIY rock climbing wall. A good guideline is to have at least one climbing hold per square foot of wall surface.
Precautions to take note of
When it comes to choosing the best climbing holds, one important precaution to pay attention to is whether or not the holds are appropriate for outdoor use. Some holds do not have proper weather protection, meaning that they will wear out on an outside wall or the bolts may rust very easily, so they would be more appropriate for a DIY indoor climbing wall where the temperature and weather elements are less varied. Additionally, ensure that the bolts are the proper length for the surface that you plan on attaching the holds to.
Basic Setup and Usage
The most important thing when it comes to making a DIY climbing wall is safety, and you’ll want to make sure that you set your holds up correctly before using. Pay close attention to the length of the bolts that the holds come with, as they should normally be 3/8th inch, as depending on the thickness of the surface that you plan on mounting them on, they may be too long or too short. Also be sure to mount the holds at a safe height off the ground, ensuring that there is space for a safe and clean landing onto the crash mats.
1. Climbing Monkey 25 Holds
| PROS |
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Made with very solid plastic Comes in a variety of colors and shapes Comes with its own hardware Can be mounted in a variety of places: jungle gym, plywood wall, indoor wall, etc |
| CONS |
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Colors fade over time Somewhat slippery |
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The climbing monkey climbing holds come with 25 fun, colorful holds designed with kids in mind. They can be mounted both indoors and outdoors, and come with all of the necessary hardware required to mount them, whether it be on plywood, a swingset, or an indoor climbing gym. It’s important to know that the bolts are quite long, so they might not be the appropriate length depending on where you plan on mounting the holds.
2. 24 Pack Colourful Atomic Kids Holds
| PROS |
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All necessary hardware included Suitable for indoors and outdoors Comes in a great variety of colors, shapes, and sizes |
| CONS |
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Premium pricing Holds are quite small for young children |
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This colorful array of holds come with 24 holds of varying shapes and sizes. They are guaranteed with a lifetime warranty and can be used both indoors and outdoors. However, they are a bit on the smaller side, so they might not be appropriate for children who have had no previous exposure to climbing.
3. Escape Climbing 51 Starter Pack
| PROS |
|---|
Comes with over 50 holds in a variety of shapes and sizes Great friction and grip helps holds last over time All necessary nuts an bolts included |
| CONS |
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Not especially designed and suited for kids Only comes in one color |
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These high quality holds are designed with a beginner climber in mind and come in a variety of jug, crimp, and pinch styles. All necessary bolts are included, and their rough surface provides excellent friction and grip. Additionally, this pack comes with 51 holds, which is plenty to build a decent-sized climbing wall, though large jug holds are lacking, which is something to be aware of.
4. Milliard DIY Climbing Holds Set
| PROS |
|---|
Colorful and grippy holds are great for children Sturdy rope and climbing handles included Durable in inclement weather Ideal for outdoor use |
| CONS |
|---|
Suitable for toddlers as it is tailored to playset use Some supplemental hardware will be required |
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These colorful holds are designed with children in mind and come with 25 holds, 2 climbing handles, and an 8 foot knotted climbing rope, making it an excellent choice for those with little ones. The holds can be mounted practically anywhere and won’t suffer wear from rain or snow, so they are a great option for a DIY outdoor climbing wall. Extra-thick bolts are included to ensure the safety of your children, and the texture of the holds offers great grip.
5. Safe Kidz 10 Assorted Deluxe Rock Climbing Holds
| PROS |
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Colorful assortment that comes in 10 or 22 hold option Sturdy, durable holds and high quality screws Easy to install hardware |
| CONS |
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Hold texture is a bit slippery |
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These assorted climbing holds are easy to install and come in packs of either 10 or 22 holds. The holds are colorful and, while sturdy after installation, are a bit slippery. The handholds, however, are the perfect size for childrens’ hands, and they can be mounted either indoors or outdoors.
6. Jungle Gym Kingdom DIY 25 Ninja Hand Holds
| PROS |
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Affordable Sturdy materials Easy installation Come in a variety of fun colors |
| CONS |
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Bolts may be too short for some wall surfaces Rope is a bit thin and slippery to have a good grip for kids |
See it in your local store:
These 25 climbing holds are the perfect accessory for your child’s jungle gym. They are designed to attach to a swingset, ninja playset, treehouse, or climbing wall, and come in an assortment of colors. They come with the bolts and hardware necessary for mounting the holds on the majority of surfaces, and the set even includes an 8 foot knotted rope.
7. Kandi 25 Assorted Climbing Holds
| PROS |
|---|
Come in a variety of sizes and colors Excellent grippy texture that provides friction and protects hands |
| CONS |
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Not design specialised for children Screws and hardware not included |
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These 25 assorted climbing holds come in a variety of shapes and colors and are appropriate for kids and adults alike. 8 large and 17 small holds are included in the pack and have an excellent texture: grippy enough to provide sufficient friction while still being smooth enough to prevent damage on the hands. They can be used both indoors and outdoors as they will hold up well against wind and rain.
8. Eastern Jungle Gym Textured Playground Holds
| PROS |
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All nuts and bolts included Will withstand weather conditions Easy to assemble |
| CONS |
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Lack detailed instructions on set up |
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These large, textured climbing holds are designed with kids in mind. They are made with UV protectors, making them an excellent choice for a DIY outdoor climbing wall, and all necessary hardware is included, allowing for easy installation.
9. Topnew 25 Rock Climbing Holds
| PROS |
|---|
Relatively easy to assemble Extremely sturdy Straightforward mounting system |
| CONS |
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Limited variety in hold shape Bolts not be suitable to mount on thin wooden surfaces |
See it in your local store:
These 25 climbing holds are appropriate for climbers of all ages and come in 5 bright colors and 3 unique shapes. All necessary nuts and bolts are included, allowing for easy installation, and the long bolts are appropriate for a variety of surfaces. These holds are sturdy enough to hold a 230 pound adult, so both parents and children can enjoy.
At the end of the day, our top choice for the best DIY climbing wall holds for kids has to be the Milliard DIY Rock Climbing Holds Set. This set of holds is perfect for both indoor and outdoor climbing walls, and is designed with kids in mind. It even comes with 2 climbing handles and an 8 foot rope, which kids are sure to enjoy. The extra thick bolts ensure increased safety for children, so you can let them enjoy their DIY kids climbing wall with ease of mind.
Questions and Answers About DIY Climbing Wall Holds
How do you attach rock climbing holds?
Rock climbing holds can either be attached with screws or bolts. Screw-on holds are attached with small screws, while bolt-on climbing holds are attached with an Allen head bolt and a T nut. With bolt-on holds, the bolt goes all the way through the wall and is secured with a nut, providing extra security. However, screw-on holds give you the freedom to place your holds wherever you would like, as you don’t have to depend on the presence of a nut.
What type of T nuts for climbing holds should I use?
When it comes to choosing your T nuts for your DIY climbing wall, the most common size that climbing holds require are ⅜ inch threads. The cheapest (and most commonly used) T nuts are made of Zinc plated steel, but if you plan on building your climbing wall outside or in a humid area, it is best to use stainless steel T nuts. Though they are significantly more expensive, they are much more resistant to rust and will hold up better in inclement weather.
What is the best wood for an outdoor climbing wall?
While you can choose between OSB (oriented strand board) and plywood when it comes to building a climbing wall, we recommend plywood for a DIY outdoor climbing wall. Plywood has a lower tendency to retain moisture, making it a better option than OSB for a wall that will potentially be subject to precipitation.
Where can I get a good climbing wall design guide for kids?
There are a number of online resources that you can use when it comes to designing a kids’ climbing wall, both for outdoor climbing walls and indoor walls. A thorough internet search will help you to find the right guide for you depending on your personal situation and how much space you have available.
Should I build a backyard climbing wall or indoor wall?
Whether you should build a backyard or indoor climbing wall depends on a number of factors. The most important thing to keep in mind is the climate where you live. If you experience inclement weather or lots of precipitation in your region, it is probably best to build your climbing wall indoors, as it will hold up better. However, if you lack sufficient space in your home to build a wall, an outdoor wall would be a better option for you.
Is there a difference between kids climbing holds and adults holds?
The main difference between kids’ climbing holds and adult holds is the size. Kids’ climbing holds tend to be larger, which is important for kids who are new to climbing. Additionally, kids’ climbing holds are usually more colorful, which will create a fun and attractive environment for them to play. While adult climbing holds can be smaller and more aggressive in the form of crimps or slopers, kids’ climbing holds should offer plenty of surface to grip onto.
What is the recommended age for a kid to start climbing?
Ultimately, it is up to you as a parent to determine whether or not your child is ready to start climbing. However, there are some guidelines that you can follow when it comes to the best age for a kid to start climbing. Kids can start bouldering as young as 3 years old, as long as they have proper parental supervision and spotting.
Children have already developed the motor skills and footwork that climbing demands by the age of 2, but when it comes to top roping, they should be a little older, as most kids’ climbing harnesses are designed for children ages 3-4. It is most common for kids to start climbing and getting their first pair of kids climbing shoes around the age of 5.
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