There is a huge range of climbing activities to choose from – both indoors at the climbing centre and outdoors on the rock face. The key thing is that the terrain is suitable for the activity.
Playing tag on terrain where there is a risk of falling, such as at a crag or a crowded climbing centre, is out of the question. The following four games work in a bouldering centre, at the foot of a wall or on a top-rope route – and are fun for children and adults alike.
Text: Matthias Bader
Team ball
The classic warm-up game: Two teams of equal size pass a ball to each other – if there isn’t one to hand, a knotted bundle of accessory cord will do. The ball must not touch the floor or be caught by the opposing team. A point is awarded for an agreed number of consecutive passes, say eight. The team with the most points wins.
Fire, Water, Storm
The ideal place for this is the bouldering area of a climbing centre. Everyone moves around on the mat without touching the wall. When the command ‘Fire’ is given, everyone must get to the wall as quickly as possible: hold onto red holds only, for at least five seconds and without touching the ground. When “Water” is called, only blue holds are allowed; when “Storm” is called, everyone lies down on the mat. Whoever is last each time is out.
Upside-down climbing
This game also works well in the bouldering centre. Everyone lies on their backs, with their heads facing the wall. The first person climbs two moves and lies back down. The next person climbs those two moves, adds two of their own and lies back down – and so on. Because you watch the moves whilst lying on your back, you see them virtually upside down. This trains your perception, your visualisation of movement and your ability to remember holds and movements.
Blind climbing
This also works outdoors on the rock and is great fun: first, you climb an easy route and try to memorise all the holds, footholds and moves. Then you climb it again whilst blindfolded – always on top rope. This primarily trains your spatial awareness and memory.
That was just a small selection from the almost endless variety on offer. If you’re looking for more, you’ll find what you’re after in the book ‘Kletterspiele’ (Climbing Games) by the Austrian Alpine Club: clearly laid out, it contains lots of games for warming up, practising climbing techniques or for the gym – and not just for children.
More on climbing with children: How to make warming up fun for children and Climbing training with children: what really matters.
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