Why Rock Climbing is Good for Kids

Rock climbing for kids and toddlers is surging worldwide...

In some countries, there will be about 2-3 gyms in each capital, but just in the tiny island city of Singapore alone, it has almost 20 rock climbing and bouldering gyms for both adults and kids, a lot more compared to what was available just a good 3 years ago when I first started rock climbing as a young working adult.

And it is not surprising – it is to cater to the growing demand and interest in climbing as a recreational sport, from 20,000 about 6 years ago to 50,000+ till date, according to the Singapore Mountaineering Federation (SMF).

With the influx of climbing available, rock climbing gyms are also aware of the necessary precautions needed to ensure the safety of their rock climbers, from female school students, young toddlers to beginner climbers just coming to give this activity a go.

But one trend we see growing is – more kids and toddlers starting rock climbing. And why is it so?

Perhaps we should dive deeper into why this is a healthy andd perfect outdoor activity for the inactive ipad addicted Singaporean kid these days.

Benefits of Rock Climbing for Kids and Adults Beginners:

1. Work that Body + Brain

Rock climbing is one of the most holistic outdoor sports/ activities you can find around Singapore and Asia. Being such a good workout, it engages not just the limbs movements, stronger core as well as..sharper brain development as you have to think and work your way up the rock wall.

So if you do not have the luxury of a weekend to bring your kids on outdoor activities around Singapore, drop them off in the climbing gym and let them play. Kids at a toddler age can usually just climb in their own shoes, if not you can likely rent kids size climbing shoes and kids climbing harness for them to wear.

2. Rid the gadgets, get active

Playground for the monkey within all of us. Have we forgotten how we use to be fearless and curious as kids.

Well, the best way to enhance that part of your child but pulling him/ her away from their iPad videos, Pokemon Go, and get that young body moving. If they ain’t moving when they are young, what would they be like when they hit your age?!

Where are the Climbing gyms in Singapore to do your rock climbing certification?

3. Mental Growth and determination

YES..Everyone needs to train this aspect of their mind, and it should start young! Mental capacity/ strength and health is very helpful to overcome many challenges/ mental blocks as you get older. While you climb, you are forced to focus and clear all distractions from your head to reach your next step.

So forget those tuition classes, bring them out to scale some rocks too!

And once your children/ kids grow older, they can decide if they want to explore the great outdoors and bring climbing to a whole new level beyond what we envision ourselves to do when we were young. Some of the places I have gone climbing are like Long Dong in Taiwan and Siurana in Spain.

Once your child is ready, they can move from indoor rock climbing to outdoor climbing as they get older.

To read more about the best climbing gyms in Malaysia and where to get the cheapest rock climbing courses/ take your level 1 belay certification, leave a comment below!

Start your kids young! It will change their lives!

More articles/ tips about the benefits of bouldering:
– 10 Reasons to start bouldering
– Is bouldering a cheap or expensive sport?
– Top bouldering gyms in all of Asia
– Kickstart outdoor bouldering as a sport