If you have a toddler it's no secret they love to climb, and what better way to satisfy their need, than to get them a toddler climbing frame? From soft sofas to more challenging chairs and stairs: nothing is off-limits once a toddler starts moving. If you've got a little climber on your hands, it might be time to start thinking about buying a toddler climbing frame to keep them safely off the furniture.
Whether you're looking for an toddler outdoor playset, or an indoor climbing frame, we have plenty of suitable choices for you and your little one. From well-known brands, to newer brands on the market you're bound to find something to fit for your needs.
Are climbing frames good for toddlers?
As well as giving your little one a chance to burn off some energy and all the obvious physical benefits of climbing, did you know that using climbing frames aid with their mental development too? Little Tikes have found that when children are climbing a frame, they engage their brains to determine how they'll get to the top and what actions they need to complete to do so. They practise their decision-making skills, visualise solutions to a challenge, and solve low-risk problems.
Toddlers also improve their sensory awareness by performing kinetic tasks when climbing. It includes pushing against rungs or footholds to climb, stretching to reach the next handhold, swinging from one handhold to the next, and pulling onto a handhold to climb.
And let's not forget the social benefits too. A toddler climbing frame gives them confidence in their ability to overcome challenges and learn to cope with fear and stress when working through the difficulty of their climb. They will develop their self-reliance as they work out how to scale their frame on their own.
Best toddler climbing frames at a glance:
• Best plastic toddler climbing frame: Little Tikes Junior Activity Gym Buy now on Amazon
• Best contemporary toddler climbing frame: TP Explorer Metal Climbing Frame Buy now on TP Toys
• Best toddler climbing frame for little scamblers: Plum Toddler Wooden playcentre Buy on Amazon
• Best climbing frame for sporty toddlers: Step2 Sports Climber Buy on ActivityToysDirect.com
• Best overall indoor climbers for toddlers: Costway 3-in-1 Triangle Climbing Set Buy now on B&Q
Best plastic climbing frame for toddlers
Rrp: $162.72
Perfect for use indoors and outdoor, your little one will get hours of fun out of this climbing frame by Little Tikes. They'll love climbing up the frame to glide down the slide once they reach the top. There are also toddler-size portholes in the side where they can play peek-a-boo and crawl through.
Review: "Granddaughter is 16 months old and has great fun climbing up to platform and then sliding safely to bottom of slide, you should see the smile on her teddies when they have a shot too. A good size for use indoors in the playroom but even better outside in the sunshine. Will probably last until she's 3. She hasn't used the holes in the bottom section yet, preferring to climb up the outside. A very safe item and child can use it unaided."
Pros
- Good for sliding and crawling as well as climbing
Cons
- Reviews have stated that it is hard to put together
| Material | Plastic |
| Dimensions (cm) | 130L x 76W x 77H |
| Maximum user weight | 30 kg |
| Recommended age | From 18 months |
Best for little scamblers
With a mini-rock climbing wall and a cargo net, this frame presents two different kinds of climbing challenges for your toddler. If that wasn't enough, there's also a four-foot slide to zip down and a semi-covered den underneath where they can camp out with their little friends.
Review: "Love this climbing frame. The natural wood looks lovely in the garden, it’s hard-wearing and good quality. The kids love it, the right amount of challenge for my 3-year-old, and still fun for my 6-year-old! They especially love the den underneath."
Pros
- Wood is treated so it can be used outside straightaway
Cons
- Will require some DIY knowledge to put together
| Material | Wood |
| Maximum user weight | 40 kg |
| Recommended age | From 18 months |
Best climbing frame for sporty toddlers
www.activitytoysdirect.com
If your bundle of joy has lots of energy to burn off, you need this climbing frame! As well as steps to climb and a slide to go down - mini-athletes will love shooting some hoops and scoring goals through the holes. There will be no losing count of the score either, thanks to the scorekeeper clicker knobs to help you tally up the points.
Review: "This slide in activity centre was very simple to put together and while it's light, it's quite sturdy. My daughter loves climbing up the ladder, coming down the slide, and racing around to do it all over again. It's fun for older kids, but it's easy enough to climb for younger toddlers. I was pleasantly surprised when she repeatedly put the ball through the hoop, squealing with laughter each time and going back for more. The built-in scorekeeper is great as she loves to count along as she turns the dials."
Pros
- Multi-purpose ball is included
- Simple to put together
- Suitable for a good age range
- Built-in scorekeeper is a hit with kids
Cons
- Some reviews have mentioned it is smaller than expected
| Material | Plastic |
| Dimensions (cm) | 108H x 157.2L x 77.5W |
| Maximum user weight | 27.2 kg |
| Recommended age | 3 - 6 years |
Best for building strength
www.tptoys.com
Transform any room into an adventure playground with TP Toys' wooden climbing frame. It encourages toddlers to stand and climb at their own pace in the comfort of their own home and under your watchful eye. It also comes with a foldaway swing for double the fun.
Review: "We love this, the swing is much loved by our 6 month old. Relatively easy to build, arrived very quickly, good quality components. I'd definitely recommend it to other parents."
Pros
- Comes with anti-slip feet for stability
- Easy to put together
- Study
Cons
- Must be fixed to a wall
- Quite difficult getting child in and out the swing
- Noisy swing
| Material | Wood |
| Dimensions (cm) | L101 x W83.5 x H101 |
| Maximum user weight | 40 kg |
| Recommended age | From 18 months |
Best for outdoor adventures
www.kiddies-kingdom.com
With curved edges, low platforms and hand grips to help stability and balance, the Plum Toddlers Tower has been specifically designed with tiny fingers and little feet in mind. The slide and swing will give your child a great introduction to outdoor fun. There's also an element of imaginative play to explore with a steering wheel and bell attached.
Review: "Really good quality product, our children love it! Takes a while to build as there are a lot of pieces but it's definitely worth it."
Pros
- Packed with activities, the slide and swing is just the right height
- Sturdy and well made
Cons
- Be prepared for a long build
- Swing is awkward to get child in and out
| Material | Wood and plastic |
| Dimensions (cm) | H123 x L244 x W162 |
| Maximum user weight | 25kg |
| Recommended age | From 12 months |
Best contemporary toddler climbing frame
www.tptoys.com
As a more stylish and sleek-looking climbing frame compared to others on our list, the TP Explorer will be suited to modern gardens. It's ideal for playing with on sunny days as it has a shaded tipi-style area at the top and a pit underneath that can be filled with sand or balls. With additional accessories available, this climbing frame can be adapted to include more fun ways to play as your child grows up.
Review: "Fantastic climbing frame. Kids love various ways of climbing up and the den at the top. The instructions could be a bit clearer as it takes a while to build, but well worth the time."
Pros
- Comes with a five-year guarantee against rust causing failure
- Really sturdy and robust
- Suitable for several ages
Cons
- Sand and balls not included
- Set up was difficult
| Material | Steel |
| Dimensions (cm) | <br>L208 x W182 x H201 |
| Maximum user weight (combined) | 100kg |
| Recommended age | Not specified |
Best overall indoor climbers for toddlers
www.diy.com
The Costway 3-in-1 Triangle Climbing Set Wooden Toddler Climber with Reversible Ramp Arch is a versatile playset that can help your child develop a range of skills. From enhancing motor skills and balance to stimulating logical reasoning and sensory perception, this set offers a fun and engaging way to learn and grow. The interchangeable pieces allow for creative play, either individually or combined, making it a perfect addition to any child's playtime.
Review: "I bought this for my 2 year old. Even though she's not using it, we had it out at her birthday bash and all the other kids loved it. It's sturdy, easy to assemble and exactly the same as other pickler climbing frames, the only difference is the the cheap price!"
Pros
- Sturdy
- Versatile
| Material | Wood |
| Dimensions (cm) | Climbing Triangle: 75 x 55 x 64 (L x W x H) / Climbing Arch: 89 x 52 x 44 (L x W x H) / Climbing Ramp: 98 x 40 (L x W) |
| Maximum user weight (combined) | Not specified |
| Recommended age | From 12 months |
Are toddler climbers worth it?
Taking into account the benefits for a toddler listed above, toddler climbers are a popular choice with many parents, they help with physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. However, a couple of cons when it comes to buying a toddler climbing frame is the cost and whether or not you have the space. And if you have siblings whether or not it will be suitable for all ages.
What age do kids start using a climbing frame?
Generally, children can start using a climbing frame around 2-3 years old, however many of these toddler climbing frames can be used from an earlier age. It is always important to supervise your child closely.
It's also important to choose a climbing frame that's suitable for their age and skill level. Look for one with sturdy construction, smooth edges, and age-appropriate challenges.
Where is the best place to put a toddler climbing frame?
Whether your chosen toddler climbing frame is for indoor or outdoor use, you'll need to think about the area surrounding it. You'll want to make sure you have plenty of room around the frame - so if your child does accidentally slip and fall off, they're not going to catch themselves on bits of furniture indoors or bushes and trees outdoors.
Additionally, if your climbing frame is for outdoor use, they are best placed on flat, solid ground for stability. You may also want to think about installing it in a shaded spot - so your little one doesn't get too hot while they're playing.
What should you put underneath a climbing frame?
We know little ones can be a bit accident-prone, so there may be a chance that they could slip and fall. Children should always be supervised when playing on a climbing frame. To give you peace of mind, you should consider adding something around it to cushion the landing.
For an indoor use climber, we would recommend having a play mat nearby, but check that your climbing frame is stable if you do this. Playing outdoors? Consider laying a rubber mat or adding rubber chippings to your play area - they'll provide some level of cushioning if your toddler takes a tumble.
Some parents like to add play bark around their child's play area too. While this won't provide the softest of landings if your child falls, this will help to protect your play area. It will aid with keeping structures stable and increasing longevity by soaking up rainwater, helping to slow the rate of weathering and water damage, like rust.
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