At the beginning of your child’s climbing journey, you need to know some important things. This is mainly about safety rules, what is a good age for a kid to start climbing, and what is important in this sport? There are several types of climbing that your child can try, and with each one, the safety rules are very important.
So what is a good age for a kid to start climbing? As a rule of thumb in any sport, the earlier children start training, the better they will be at it. Even children just a few years old can try their hand at climbing, under the supervision of professionals of course. Climbing is above all about having fun and using your child’s energy appropriately.
What is a good age for a kid to start climbing?
There are no formal age limits. It all depends on the child’s physical abilities and willingness. Climbing harness manufacturers require a certain height to be able to use their products safely. The average age of young children who start climbing is 6 years old; you can already enroll them e.g. climbing sections or classes with an instructor.
However, the most important thing is that your child wants to climb, doesn’t feel pressured, and enjoys it. Climbing, just like any other activity, should first be a fun and good use of our children’s energy. The joint activity with a climbing group is good fun but also teaches integration and the desire to compete.
How a kid can start climbing?
If your kid is about to start climbing, there are a few things to keep in mind to get started. The climbing hall provides safe environments and different climbing routes, varying in difficulty. In addition, knowledgeable staff are on-site and can always be approached if you have questions or difficulties.
A climbing course is the best and easiest way to start a new hobby. These multi-day climbing courses take place regularly in climbing halls or outdoors. They provide you with the necessary knowledge for climbing independently and for belaying partners. There are several types of climbing and there is something for every child, these types are:
- Bouldering
- Rope climbing
- Rock climbing
- Mountain climbing
Any type of climbing will give your child a lot of fun and teach them new skills, and what is a good age for your child to start climbing depends on their willingness and aptitude. Whatever type of climbing your child chooses, it’s important to pay attention to proper training and basic equipment. This can of course be hired from a climbing facility to start with, but over time it’s worth buying your equipment, important items are:
- Climbing shoes
- Ropes
- Belay device
- Carabiners
- Quickdraws
- Climbing cams
- Helmet
- Chalk bag/chalk
This is basic equipment for climbing in a climbing hall, where we have panels with routes to climb. As far as the safety rules are concerned, which every climber young or old must follow, you can read about them here. We should know these rules from the very beginning and take them into account whenever we go climbing or climbing in the open.
What are the basic safety rules in climbing halls?
Whether our kid wants to start climbing with a rope or train in bouldering, there are a few universal safety rules for these facilities. These safety rules should be known before we start climbing, remember that even up to 16 years old should not climb alone, but mainly under the supervision of an adult or instructor. On climbing halls, keep these few important rules in mind:
1) Do not block the place of a possible fall.
2) Report any damage to holds, panels, and climbing equipment to the staff.
3) Do not climb without a rope – this applies to rope climbing, where climbing walls have an average length of 20 meters.
4) Only use a lower belay when you have the necessary knowledge.
5) Climbing equipment must comply with current safety standards.
6) Climb only in clean climbing shoes or gym shoes.
7) Kindly draw others’ attention to the violation of basic safety rules.
8) Always consider others and climb carefully.
These are mainly safety rules and how to behave on a climbing wall, if you are with a years-old child who is just starting his climbing adventure pay special attention to his safety and do not leave him unsupervised.
If your child shows a great interest in climbing, bouldering will be suitable to start with. Your child can learn the most important techniques he or she will need later on in rope climbing. The right age for a kid to start climbing usually depends on the child’s desire for the sport and individual abilities, but even children as young as a few years old can already climb.
In Summary – What Is A Good Age For A Kid To Start Climbing?
We already know a few basic rules about safe behavior when climbing, whether on a bouldering or rope wall. Everyone who starts their climbing adventure should know these rules for their own and others’ safety. What is a good age for a kid to start climbing depends on several things.
Mainly it depends on the child’s willingness, predispositions to climbing, whether the child is not afraid of heights, and whether the sport gives him pleasure. If your child learns the basic rules, they can try their hand at bouldering, climbing with a rope, or even rock climbing in the field. However, each type of climbing requires the right skills and the skillful use of climbing equipment.
