Best Rock Climbing for Kids Around Philadelphia
Did you know rock climbing for kids is one of the fastest growing sports in the world? Plus, several of these Philadelphia rock climbing gyms offer competitions, clubs and even a chance at having a rock climbing birthday party! It's fun, challenging, and kids love it!
Children are natural climbers and can benefit greatly from practicing rock climbing. It is a full body workout that builds confidence, helps develop a better sense of body control, and improves problem-solving skills. Rock climbing also makes a great family activity, so get the whole family to try it out!
Philadelphia Rock Gyms
Vanessa M.: Watch your children gain strength and self-confidence as they master climbing skills. Philadelphia Rock Gyms offer climbing classes for children at each of their 4 locations. Kids will learn the basics of climbing, equipment use, knot tying, teamwork, goal-setting, and much more in a fun and safe environment with qualified coaches. All kids under 16 must climb with a rope (and parents will assist). On weekends, they have Youth Walk In Packages where they hold the ropes for you.
Ages: No age minimum, most kids start around 4+
Cost: day pass $18.95, 8 week session $150+
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Downingtown Rock Gym
Vanessa M.: Downingtown Rock Gym offers a wide variety of all-ages drop in and youth climbing programs in their 10,000+ square foot facility. Kids classes, youth climbing club, competitive team, Kids Night Out, summer camp, birthday parties, and private instruction are offered to give your kids the best rock climbing experience!
Ages: all ages welcome, some weight restrictions start at 22 lbs
Cost: day pass $12 plus gear rental (or bring your own)
The Delaware Rock Gym
Vanessa M.: Delaware's top indoor climbing facility, the Delaware Rock Gym has climbing routes for children and adults of all climbing experience levels and abilities. They offer bouldering, trial climbs (a great way to introduce kids to rock climbing), an intro to climbing class, and drop in climbing. Click here to learn about birthday parties!
Ages: No age limit on climbing and most are 5+ ; Belay Intro Classes are limited to ages 14+
Cost: Trial climb $20, day pass $15RiverWinds Community Center
Vanessa M.: RiverWinds Community Center offers many fitness opportunities and community amenities for families. Kids will enjoy testing out their 28-foot rock climbing wall! Use of the climbing wall and equipment rental is already included in the price of admission. Climbing routes are set for every skill level, including beginners, so everyone can feel comfortable trying this out.
Ages: 6+
Cost: resident $8-10, non-resident $10-15Go Vertical Rock Climbing
Vanessa M.: Go Vertical invites kids to, well, go vertical! The largest rock climbing gym on the East Coast, they boast 13,500 square feet of climbing space. Youth classes, drop in climbing, birthday parties, and more are available for kids. The separate children's wall is great for beginning climbers! Youth certification classes are ideal for teens who would like to learn the basics of climbing, equipment use, and belaying, in addition to experiencing the many challenging climbing walls and features.
Ages: all ages, youth certification 13-17
Cost: day pass $14-19 plus gear rental (or bring your own)
Doylestown Rock Gym Adventure Center
Vanessa M.: With over 12,000 square feet of climbing surface, the Doylestown Rock Gym is great for climbers of all ages and ability levels. Rock Kids offer youth classes, youth climbing club, kids night out, summer camps, and birthday parties. Family climbing class is a great way for the whole family to enjoy climbing together.
Ages: 2.5 years+
Cost: day rates $12-14 plus gear rental (or bring your own)
Elite Academy
Vanessa M.: South Jersey's premier climbing facility offers lots of options for rock climbing kids! Your child can drop in for a climb, enroll in youth classes (click here for more info), attend a Friday night Kid's Club climbing session for ages 7-14, join a youth climbing team, and they even have a family package to get the whole family involved. Never tried climbing before? Stop in for a free trial!
Ages: 5+
Cost: day passes $15 adult, $11 ages 14 and under, plus gear rental (or bring your own). Packages start at $45
Warrior Gyms
Vanessa M.: Warrior Gyms is the perfect family gym! Their custom made rock climbing wall towers 30+ feet tall, and is an exciting physical workout for kids 4+. In addition to rock climbing, the gym offers children's Ninja Warrior and Parkour training, and a fun inflatable obstacle course in their impressive, jungle themed facility. Find the gym's schedule here. Birthday parties and camps provide more opportunities for fun at Warrior Gyms.
Ages: 4+
Cost: $15 drop in/day pass, monthly memberships $49+
Rockville Climbing Center
Vanessa M.: Rockville Climbing Center is New Jersey's favorite indoor rock climbing facility. With climbing programs for kids, specifically their After School Climbing Club, Junior Climbing Club, summer camps, and even birthday parties, Rockville Climbing Center is a great place for kids and families to get climbing! See your climbing package options here.
Ages: 8+
Cost: day pass $17-19 plus gear rental (or bring your own). Classes $250 (10 sessions)
Primary photo: Rachel on Unsplash
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