Climbing is fun and even more so as a family. But in winter it's too cold for children to climb outside on the rocks, which is why more and more climbing families are heading to the climbing gym.
There are a few rules to follow to ensure that the outing remains a positive memory for everyone. Here are some tips for climbing with kids in the climbing hall.
Climbing gyms are not children's playgrounds
Young children in particular must be supervised around the clock in climbing gyms. There are always hair-raising situations when children run around in the climbing hall.
The bouldering area in particular, with its soft floor mats, tempts every child to run around and play.
You can't imagine what would happen if a boulderer fell on a child.
Separate children's area in climbing gyms
All the better if there is a separate children's area in the climbing hall. Children can run around and play here, giving them a playful approach to climbing. There is such an area at the Innsbruck climbing center, for example. The Bergstation climbing hall in Telfs and the Steinblock climbing hall in Imst also have an area especially for children.
Separate children's area with slide at the Innsbruck climbing center
Children on the large bouldering wall
Of course, children can and may also climb on the large bouldering wall. However, parents are required here. The children must be supervised at all times and the following questions must be asked:
Are the children in the fall zone of another climber? Is the boulder free? Is another climber crossing the boulder? Where would the boulderer fall? It is advisable not to let the children climb all the way up in the boulder area. Otherwise there is a very high risk of injury if they fall onto the mat.
This is often very difficult to assess, especially for parents who do not climb. In this case, it is advisable to register the child for a taster course. Almost every climbing hall offers such a course as a playful introduction to climbing.
Children can also climb like adults in the bouldering area
Children in the lead and route area
The lead or route area is also not taboo for children. However, they must know how to belay.
Caution: An adult cannot be belayed by a child. The difference in weight is too great.
Children always enjoy climbing at the beginning. To ensure that this remains the case in the long term, it is advisable not to exert any pressure. Every child is more or less afraid of heights at the beginning and will not climb all the way to the top the first time.
But with fun, a playful approach and lots of patience, sooner or later they will succeed.
Children always have fun climbing, here at the Telfs mountain station
