Kids of the 1980s and 90s climbed trees after school for fun and play. This is very rare these days for a variety of reasons. Which does not mean that children of kindergarten and elementary school age no longer exercise. Although less than before. Children are explorers from birth, want to explore the world, try things out. Before they can walk safely, they try to climb onto chairs or pull themselves up on small climbing frames in playgrounds. Parents can ignore this natural urge to move, take note of it or promote it in a targeted manner. For the latter, there are a few ideas that can even be implemented in your own four walls with a little manual skill, a bag of climbing stones and a pinch of creativity. In the following article you will find out how to transform children’s rooms into a cool adventure playground with just a few climbing stones.
The term climbing stones is actually somewhat misleading. Climbing holds or climbing steps are more appropriate. Whatever you want to call the child: Climbing stones are the icing on the cake for young and old climbing and bouldering fans. They are colourful, of different sizes, are made of a non-slip composite material and cast in any shape. Usually they have two holes. These are needed to attach the climbing stones to a wall or ceiling with screws and drive-in nuts. Climbing stones for children should have rounded edges and a diameter of about ten centimeters so that children’s hands and feet can find a secure hold. Most handles can be loaded with up to 200 kilograms – provided they are securely and professionally attached. This also gives dad the chance to test his climbing skills. Unless otherwise stated, the climbing stones can be installed both indoors and outdoors. Important: Experts recommend a minimum ceiling height of 2.50 meters for indoor climbing courses.
So that the little ones can climb their own climbing wall at some point, parents have to take a few safety precautions. Particularly important: The climbing stones must be firmly anchored in the wall or screwed to a wooden panel. If you want to attach the climbing holds directly to a concrete wall, you need special drive-in dowels. These drop-in anchors are galvanized and are expanded after drilling with a so-called set tool. Only then do you screw the climbing hold into the internal thread of the dowel with a suitable screw. With the appropriate space and a little manual skill, the climbing wall can also be planned and implemented with a wooden construction. The principle: Depending on the size of the planned climbing wall, one or more multiplex panels are screwed onto a substructure made of wooden slats. In order for the climbing stones to hold in the wall, so-called drive-in nuts have to be knocked onto the plate from behind. Place the climbing stone, insert wood screws, screw tight, done.
Anyone who does not have space for a climbing wall in their own four walls can also use climbing stones outside. In the garden, for example, playhouses or wooden climbing frames are suitable for creating small bouldering routes for children. It is always important to work with drive-in nuts and the right screws. Otherwise, you can let your creativity run free here. Make sure, however, that the distances between the climbing stones are not too large. That could cause frustration among young climbers. Of course, this also applies to the climbing wall at home. Trees are also great for climbing. In order to create a climbing route on the trunk without damaging it, it is best to use ordinary climbing stones and tie them around the tree with small ratchet straps. The straps can be threaded through the holes in the climbing stones. Depending on the thickness of the tree trunk, two or three climbing stones should be threaded onto a belt on each floor. Then tighten with the ratchet and off you go. Here’s the complete set for bouldering on a tree.
Bouldering doesn’t go too high, but vertical scrambling isn’t entirely without danger. Even falling from a small height can result in painful injuries. That’s why there should be a soft floor or fall protection mat under every bouldering or climbing wall to cushion uncontrolled falls. If you need to save space, it is best to use a foldable version. Whether foldable or not: lay out the mats generously and ideally with the short edge against the wall. It is important that the mats are non-slip, washable and made of skin-friendly material. Climbing or bouldering shoes, which are also available in children’s sizes from many manufacturers, are also helpful and important for better grip on the handles and steps.
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