Adding a climbing wall for kids' rooms — including safety precautions and ideas

Encouraging your kids to remain active indoors with a climbing wall in their bedroom is the latest trend and one we're absolutely here for. It is not hugely costly, but definitely is a special feature that can be made more and more complex as they get older. 

Find out what to consider in terms of safety, preparation and bedroom design below with our helpful guide. 

Why build a climbing wall

"A climbing wall in a child's room is so much fun. It encourages physical activity and helps build motor skills like strength and coordination," begins Jules Yap, founder of IKEA Hackers, who built a climbing wall in her own home using a series of IKEA purchases.

"As they climb, they'll also learn to problem-solve as they figure out the best way to reach different holds. 

"Nevertheless, parents should only install a climbing wall in their children's rooms with safety in mind. Start with easy-to-grip holds and a low wall, then swap them for more challenging grips and expand the height as your child gets stronger and braver. This way, their room becomes a constantly evolving training ground for their growing bodies and minds."

Jules Yap

Jule Yap founded IKEA Hackers as a perioal blog in 2006, before it became a wold-wide sensation, providing advice on transforming off-the-shelf products into bespoke and beautiful designs. 

How to build climbing walls

There are a couple of routes you can take to build climbing wall in the bedroom or playroom. 

First, the easiest option, is to buy pre-built freestanding apparatus. This requires minimal know-how and simple safety precautions. However, children might quickly grow out of this often-rudimentary set-up, and the bulky nature requires a decent amount of space to make it worth it indoors. 

The next option, and increasing in complexity, is to buy pre-made panels that simply need to be fastened and secured to the bedroom or playroom wall. Kits like these ones from climbAwall, need a wooden framework for extra security on plaster board. Alternatively, if the wall is solid and of decent quality the panels can be afixed directly to them. The hand and footholds can simply be adapted and changed around as required. 

The final option is the most complex: building the walls yourself. The benefits of this allow for more bespoke designs, including angled overhangs for more complex bouldering. Plywood of at least 25mm in thickness is required. 

Although some utilise pre-existing furniture to adapt into a climbing wall, Jule Yap, who went down this exact route shares her concerns. "While the IKEA climbing wall hack sounds creative and cool, it may not be for everyone. Every child is different, so is every parent and his or her DIY skills. 

"Modifying furniture can compromise its original sturdiness. Unless you're very handy and confident in your building skills, a pre-built climbing wall with certified safety features might be a better option, especially for younger children."

Climbing wall costs and where to buy parts

Climbing holds can bought easily and cheaply from places like Amazon, or a little more expensive from custom stores, such as Kong Holds. 

Plywood for a 1.2 x 2.4 climbing space would cost around £352 from DIY shops like B&Q, plus batons spaced as you would for studwork costing another £30.

Pre-made panels with holds included, on the other hand, can cost around £420 for the same area from climbAwall. 

Climbing wall safety precautions

You must ensure a safety mat or crash pad is directly underneath the climbing wall, if not directly installed on the floor so it doesn't move away while bouldering is happening. 

"Besides that, climbing walls, even well-built ones, require adult supervision," adds Jules. "Having an at-home-climbing wall doesn't replace the need for proper instruction and watchful eyes. If you're not comfortable supervising your child while climbing, or enrolling them in climbing classes, then this DIY project should not be recreated in your home."

Climbing wall size

In theory, a climbing wall can be as big or as small as you like. Some like to install some small panels and holds above the bed, but others enjoy space for longer routes and more complex activity. There is no minimum ceiling height required, but if you're dealing with very low rooms, consider making the wall longer by going further horizontally. 

Naturally, depending on the age of your child the bigger will be better for a great range of movement as they grow older, but smaller kids just learing to boulder would be very happy with 1.2m x 1.2m kits. 

Climbing wall ideas

1. Create alternative access to a loft bed

This modest-sized kid's bedroom utilises the vertical space masterfully to encourage another way to access the loft bed away from the low sloping eaves. 

A crash mat can be stowed in the under-bed storage, or a a thick foam mat (at least 300mm) could be desined underneath a soft floor covering. 

2. Keep the climbing wall stylish and versatile

Children's bedrooms are a place to express themselves and develop individuality and tastes, so encourage your child to paint the plywood or panel in a colour that interests them – even changing it up every few years. 

This home has also added complexity to the bouldering space, but including ceiling holds and hoop swings. The safety mat is also neatly positioned in the the alcove. 

3. Use aparatus for a temporary approach

Perhaps you're in rented accommodation, or perhaps you have a nagging feeling the climbing phase might not last forever. Whatever the reason, you might not want to drill into walls and have a permanent bouldering wall so using pre-build apparatus could be a great alternative. 

These sets also usually come with a variety of activities for different types of exercise – from swings to monkey bars. 

If you are still designing your child's room from scratch, there are plenty of other fun features you can perhaps consider including, from bunk beds that look like a ship to adding a tiny door for child only access to certain areas. For more inspiration, take a look at our piece on children's bedroom ideas.