Bouldering suits children well. The walls are low, the mats are thick and there is no rope to get tangled in. Most children take to it quickly, and a session is often calmer and more fun than parents expect. Here is how climbing works for younger ages at Crux and how to plan a first visit that goes smoothly.
What age can they start
The simple answer is six and up. Our kids' bouldering club runs at weekends for ages 6 to 11, with two instructors and twelve places. A club session lasts 90 minutes and costs £14, and shoe hire is included. We play movement games, learn to fall safely and climb the easy circuits, working up through the tape colours as confidence grows.
For younger children who are not quite ready for a club, or for families who want to climb together, the rule is that under 14s climb with a supervising adult who has had an induction. That adult can be you. Once they reach 14, and after a junior induction, they can climb on their own.
Parties and memberships
If you are looking for a birthday idea, our bouldering party is two hours with an instructor for up to ten climbers aged six and up. Parties run at weekends and shoe hire is included. You bring the cake, and the café tables are yours for half an hour afterwards. For regular climbers aged 12 to 17, the junior membership is £28 a month. A parent or carer sets it up, and it can be paused, changed or cancelled from your account.
Safety on the mats
The mats are what make bouldering safe, but they work best when they are clear and dry. Keep bags, bottles and shoes off the landing area, and give anyone on the wall room to fall. Teach children to check what is below them before they climb, and to land on their feet with soft knees when they come down.
Falling is part of the fun once they get used to it. A club session spends time practising safe landings low down, and it helps to keep the first climbs short and easy rather than tall and brave. Children often want to go straight to the top, so watch the height and steer them back down if the landing looks busy.
A first visit does not need to be long. An hour is plenty for younger children, and you can always come back another day. The café is open to everyone, climbing or not, so a drink and a flapjack afterwards is an easy way to finish the trip on a good note.
What to bring
A short list for a first visit:
- Comfortable clothes they can stretch and climb in.
- A water bottle and a small snack.
- Shoes, or shoe hire at the desk.
- A supervising adult with an induction for under 14s.
That is really all you need. Come a few minutes early so they can look around, and let them start on the green circuit, which is the easiest. Children often surprise themselves on the wall. Our job is to keep it safe, and yours is to cheer from the mats.
