Climbing is fun – and even more so as a family. Because it gets cold very quickly out on the rock in winter, more and more families who enjoy climbing are heading indoors.
Here are the most important tips to ensure the trip is safe and relaxing for young and old alike.
Text: Matthias Bader
Young children, in particular, must be supervised at all times in the climbing centre. Time and again, hair-raising situations arise when children are left to run about freely in the centre.
The bouldering area in particular, with its soft flooring, tempts every child to run about. It’s unthinkable what might happen if a boulderer were to fall on a child.
All the better if the centre has its own children’s area. There, the little ones can run about and play, and in this way discover the joys of climbing in a fun way. Children’s areas can be found, for example, at these centres:
Of course, children are also allowed to climb on the large bouldering wall. However, this is where parents need to step in: children need constant supervision here too. Before each boulder, you must check:
It’s best not to let children climb right to the top in the bouldering area – otherwise, there’s a very high risk of injury if they fall onto the mat.
Tip for parents who don’t climb themselves: it’s often difficult to assess the risk. In that case, it’s worth signing your child up for a taster session – almost all climbing centres offer such courses as a fun way to get started.
The rope area is not off-limits to children either – provided they know how to belay.
Please note: A child cannot belay an adult. The difference in weight is too great.
At the start, children almost always enjoy climbing. To make sure it stays that way, the key is: don’t put any pressure on them. Every child is a bit afraid of heights to begin with and won’t climb all the way to the top on their first attempt. With a playful approach and plenty of patience, they’ll get there sooner or later.
More on this topic: Lots of fun, no pressure: climbing with children.
Tips & Safety
Would you like to know more about climbing safety? Click here for our safety tips.
