What is Climbing Tots?
Climbing Tots are fun sessions for parents or carers and their kids, and a great chance to try out climbing!
There will be an instructor overseeing the whole class, whilst a person with parental responsibility supports their child climbing, as a ‘spotter’. This is essential for the child’s physical and emotional safety, especially when they are younger.
The instructor will always be there if a parent or carer requires help.
They’re fun, engaging sessions
The fast-paced, engaging classes are designed with layered activities to stretch all 2-5 year old climbers, whatever their ability, attention span, focus level and experience.
The aim is for children to enjoy climbing and play in whatever form, in a safe environment. If a child is particularly enjoying an activity, we are happy for them to carry on with the support of their parent or carer. There is no expectation for the children to participate in all activities.
Great exercise
Adults are encouraged to join in with play and exercise, so should come wearing comfy clothes.
We recommend close-fitting trainers, with less wriggle room at the end for toes. Climbing shoes are available to borrow for free if your child wants to try them.
These sessions are great exercise, even if it seems like you’re just having fun!
Come and socialise
Get to know other parents and carers during the sessions, and afterwards you can head to the cafe for a bite to eat.
Siblings welcome
For the Climbing Tots sessions, you can bring 2 children to participate or watch. We just ask that if both children are climbing, they take turns on the wall, as you can only spot one child at a time.
Babies and children under 2 are more than welcome to come along, but must stay clear of any fall zones to avoid accidents.
We recommend having a trial class to see if it is manageable for you, as every child, baby and circumstance is different. Your instructor is always there to help support, so feel free to ask.
How to spot a child safely
When your child is climbing without ropes (bouldering) you should stand behind them with your arms out, ready to brace their fall.
When climbing is new to a tot, especially before 30 months, there will be more need to physically support them and guide their foot and hand placements, as well as support their weight on vertical and overhung walls.
Regular climbing sessions
Outside of the instructed Climbing Tots sessions, you must adhere to the usual guidelines. The minimum age for public climbing is 4, and any child aged 4 or 5 must be directly supervised by an adult in a 1:1 ratio. Find out more about supervision ratios.