Best Climbing Toys For Kids offer a whole new way of playing, which is both entertaining and beneficial.
In the article “The Developmental Benefits of Playgrounds” (2004), Frost and his colleagues revealed certain reasons why children love to climb. They climb for fun, enjoyment, as well as for exploration and gaining new perspectives.
However, as parents, we will definitely not allow our kids to climb on random objects, which pose significant injury risks.
This is where climbing toys for kids come in for assistance. The toys act as wonderful instruments for your babies to exercise their climbing behaviors.
There are massive benefits acquired from such physical play. Hence, it is really worth spending a little bit of time researching the best climbing toys for kids.
Without further ado, let’s explore the world of climbing toys together!
Contents
- Overview On Climbing Toys for Kids
- Amazing Benefits Of Climbing Toys for Kids
- What Are The Best Climbing Toys for Kids?
- Climbing Toys Comparison Chart 2021
- Top 15 Best Climbing Toys for Kids Reviews in 2021
- 1. Step2 All-Star Sports Climbing Toy
- 2. Little Tikes First Slide Climbing Toy
- 3. Little Tikes Bus Sliding and Climbing Toy
- 4. Milliard Soft Foam Climbing Toy
- 5. Gym1 Deluxe Indoor Playground Climbing Toy
- 6. Easy Outdoor Space Dome Climbing Toy
- 7. Costzon Toddler Swing Set and Climbing Toy
- 8. ECR4Kids Caterpillar Climbing Toy
- 9. Eezy Peezy 3-in-1 Jungle Gym Climbing Toy
- 10. Children’s Factory 6-Piece Playset Climbing Toy
- 11. Eezy Peezy Monkey Bars Climbing Toy
- 12. Costzon Foldable Triangle Ladder Climbing Toy
- 13. Cassaro Play Tower, Slide and Chalkboard Climbing Toy
- 14. ECR4Kids Softzone Foam Playset Climbing Toy
- 15. Step2 Naturally Playful Woodland Climbing Toy
- Comprehensive Buying Guide on Best Climbing Toys for Kids
- Safety Precautions With Climbing Toys for Kids
- FAQs
- My Top Pick
Overview On Climbing Toys for Kids
Climbing toys, also known as climbers, are joyful structures designed for children, including toddlers, to learn how to climb. By engaging in this physical activity, kids will greatly strengthen their muscles, as well as their coordination and balance.
In addition, climbing toys support children in expanding their imagination and social skills, as playing with climbers usually involves interaction with their parents and other kids.
There are various activities that happen when your babies enjoy climbing toys. Some designs come with swing sets, while others have tunnels for kids to practice crawling. Specific climbing toys comprise slides that your babies can enjoy joyfully and land into the below ball pits.
In terms of applicability, climbing toys are categorized into indoor and outdoor types. Most climbers are suitable for both areas, while some models are dedicated to one of the two locations.
Climbing toys are usually made of plastic (lightweight types), or steel (heavier designs). However, regardless of the materials, almost all climbers require assembly.
Amazing Benefits Of Climbing Toys for Kids
If you think climbing toys are just pure toys for playtime, then you will be amazed by the tremendous benefits, both physical and mental, that these toys have for your kids. The following part will unveil what your babies can gain from using climbers.
Enhancing Physical Health
Upon interacting with the climbing toys, children will exert many climbing activities, as well as holding onto the toys. These actions greatly stimulate muscular building, motor skills, and overall strength development.
Engaging in climbing practices is a clever way to keep your babies strong and healthy. During the climb, your kids will have to use both hands and legs.
This physical task will greatly reduce baby fat, support muscular and bone development, and enhance both the upper and lower body strength.
Facilitating Creativity And Imagination
I believe kids are the most creative and imaginative creatures on Earth. They always form a compelling story about their activities whenever they engage in something entertaining and challenging.
Climbing is no exception. Climbing toys are very interactive objects, which can inspire your kids’ imaginative minds to the highest level.
Developing Critical Thinking
Critical thinking and problem-solving competency are crucial elements for the development of your children. Climbing toys can certainly help with enhancing such abilities.
This is how climbing assists critical thinking. While climbing up, children will naturally evaluate and determine what they should do next, which route they should follow. This constant flow of thinking will ultimately promote your babies’ critical analysis and problem-solving skills.
Building Coordination And Balance
Climbing toys for kids are the best instruments to augment their sense of balance and coordination.
The toys require children to exercise multi-functional tasks, from lifting, kicking to running, walking. These activities are wonderful chances to practice their motor skills.
Building up a good balance and coordination will surely encourage your kids to involve more in sports and gain more confidence in exploring the surrounding world. Your kids are also less likely to be injured.
Climbing toys for kids are not designed for solo play. Your children can obviously have a fun time with their friends. Hence, through exchanging ideas with each other, their social skills, as well as language ability, can be significantly improved.
So, the next time you have a playdate with some other parents, rest assured that your kids (and theirs as well) can play and socialize together with the climbing toy.
What Are The Best Climbing Toys for Kids?
The best climbing toys for kids are Step2 and ECR4Kids with their creative models and colorful designs. If you want to choose a more affordable climber for your babies, Little Tikes can be your ideal brand. Besides, other brands such as Eezy Peezy, Milliard, Gym1, Cassaro, and Easy Outdoor are also great choices for their user-friendly and versatile designs.
My review of the best climbing toys for kids will feature all of those famous brands. I hope my top 15 list will give you some ideas for your upcoming purchase decision.
- Best Overall: Step2 All-Star Sports Climbing Toy
“All-rounded, various sport combination, basketball hoop, soccer, slide, scorekeeper, well-constructed, bright and colorful, lightweight.” - Best Budget: Little Tikes First Slide Climbing Toy
“Diversified playing options, super sturdy, competitive price, enhancing fitness and balance, foldable for compact storage, easy assembly.” - Best Design: Little Tikes Bus Sliding and Climbing Toy
“Yellow school bus shape, steering wheel with a musical dashboard, “Little Baby Bum” nursery rhyme, joyful sounds, nice design, sturdy.” - Best for Safety: Milliard Soft Foam Climbing Toy
“Soft and safe, no sharp edge, high quality foam material, easy to clean, durable, great developmental toy, hook-and-loop strip connection, foldable in half.” - Best for Indoor: Gym1 Deluxe Indoor Playground Climbing Toy
“Attached to a doorway unit, indoors, alloy steel frame, many removable attachments, minimum indoor noise, durable, portable.” - Best Dome Climber: Easy Outdoor Space Dome Climbing Toy
“Unique playing experience, top quality steel, withstand up to 1,000 pounds, promoting interpersonal skills, vibrant design.” - Best With Swing Set: Costzon Toddler Swing Set and Climbing Toy
“4-in-1 design, featuring a swing set, packed with fun activities, non-toxic HDPE plastic, usable for both indoors and outdoors, two boxes of package.” - Best for Imagination: ECR4Kids Caterpillar Climbing Toy
“Caterpillar shape, great imaginative climber, 18-inch sunlit tunnel, easy to assemble, durable and sturdy, Greenguard certified.” - Best for Toddlers: Eezy Peezy 3-in-1 Jungle Gym Climbing Toy
“Combining climbing with a ball pit, wonderful choice for toddlers, quick setup, 50 colorful balls, compact design, extremely safe.” - Best for Easy Cleaning: Children’s Factory 6-Piece Playset Climbing Toy
“Very easy to clean, six foam blocks, vegan leather coverings, ideal for home learning, universal hook-and-loop fasteners, Greenguard certified.” - Best for Durability: Eezy Peezy Monkey Bars Climbing Toy
“Yellow bars, a dome with a rectangle on top, extremely durable, high quality plastic, UV protection, lightweight, portable, requiring good storing.” - Best for Storage: Costzon Foldable Triangle Ladder Climbing Toy
“2-in-1 design, Triangle ladder, additional ladder that can be tilted, solid foundation, foldable for storage, sturdy, environmentally friendly paint, many soft edges.” - Best for Versatility: Cassaro Play Tower, Slide and Chalkboard Climbing Toy
“Minimal design, light brown color from natural wood, massively versatile, easy assembly, boosting creativity, Pikler triangle connectable.” - Best for Portability: ECR4Kids SoftZone Foam Playset Climbing Toy
“Five building foam blocks, lightweight and soft, non-slip bottoms, easy to clean, high portability, wonderful addition for daycare, preschool and at home.” - Best for Outdoor: Step2 Naturally Playful Woodland Climbing Toy
“Ideal for outdoor playtime, natural decorations, realistic textures, requiring a little assembly, boosting gross motor skills, coordination and balance.”
Climbing Toys Comparison Chart 2021
Before going through all the details about each climbing toy in my recommended list, I have prepared a small comparison table for you. It is the necessary preparation before you go on with the article.
Top 15 Best Climbing Toys for Kids Reviews in 2021
I believe this section is the reason that you came here for. Essential information on the best climbing toys for kids in my list will be presented accordingly. I hope you will find your ideal climbing toys here from my suggestions.
1. Step2 All-Star Sports Climbing Toy
(Best Overall)
The all-rounded climber from Step2 consists of many amazing features. The climber comes with a climbing ladder (obviously), an attached basketball hoop, slide, football toss area, and the scorekeeper.
Can you imagine it? There are three different sports packed in this single climbing toy. Your babies are going to love this, as they can explore so many activities at the same time.
In addition to its great featured games, the product is also well-constructed and durable. It can withstand more than one kid playing together, which significantly enhances the fun.
I really like its bright-colored design as well. It surely can attract the attention of your kids from first sight.
If you wish to hear more reviews and see the product in action, feel free to check out this nice video clip:
Key Features:
- Combining three sports in one toy: basketball, football, and soccer
- Featuring a slide as a reward for your kids’ climbing efforts
- Assembly required
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Requiring little cleaning efforts
- Not only lightweight enough to carry around but also very stable to provide safe playing experiences for your kids
- Suitable size for both indoor and outdoor usage
- Great color
Cons
- The assembly instruction is not helpful
- A hand drill and several screws are required for assembly
Product Specifications:
Brand | Step2 |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Yes |
Maximum Weight | 60 pounds |
Storage Way | N/A |
Package Content | Coming with a basketball, a football and a soccer ball. |
2. Little Tikes First Slide Climbing Toy
(Best Budget)
This 3-foot-tall and 3-foot long slide from Little Tikes will definitely keep your active kids busy and entertained with many up and down activities. All this fun can be achievable indoors, too.
It might look like a simple slide. But, the simpler the toy is, the more playing options you can carry out for your kids.
With this slide, besides your babies climbing up and sliding down, you can do the same with their favorite roll balls and toy cars for extra fun. Some parents even turn this slide into an exciting secret place for their children by draping a blanket over the toy.
This slide is super sturdy, too. It can withstand the maximum weight up to 60 pounds, or even above that threshold. It also enhances your kids’ balance, coordination, and fitness. All these benefits are offered at a very competitive price as well.
All in all, this Little Tikes toy is the perfect choice for your kids, packed with so many entertainment values at a very affordable price.
Key Features:
- A blue stair for climbing up
- A red slide for playing slide down
- Handrails
- IMPORTANT INSTRUCTION: remember to press the handle down until you hear an audible click. This click signal the handle is secured
Pros
- Requiring no tool for assembly and folding down
- Can be played both indoors and outdoors
- Ideal for storing in tight areas or taking on the go
- Enhancing your kids’ fitness level
- Can be combined with small kid’s pools
Cons
- Must be positioned on soft surfaces
Product Specifications:
Brand | Little Tikes |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Yes |
Maximum Weight | 60 pounds |
Storage Way | Fold down without tools for compact storage |
Package Content | A staircase (blue) connected to a slide (red) |
3. Little Tikes Bus Sliding and Climbing Toy
(Best Design)
The Bus Climber and Slide from Little Tikes is the one toy whose design I love the most.
It has the shape of a yellow school bus with an actual stop sign. There is a climber on the rear that your kids can climb up for a simulated drive or slide down excitingly on the baby slide located in the back.
The fun does not end there. This large bus toy also features a steering wheel with a red button to produce a horn. You babies can pretend to be the school bus driver and imagine many fun drives in their little heads.
The surprise comes when they press the red button. Fun songs and sound effects are then played, which provides a more relaxing feeling for their imaginative journeys. Besides the button, the steering wheel comprises a whole musical dashboard that your kids can explore.
In short, Little Tikes Bus Climber and Slide is packed with pretend plays and climbing activities. Your kids’ fitness, as well as their imagination skill, will surely be enhanced with this lovely toy.
Key Features:
- Shaping as a school bus with a stop sign that can actually fold in and out
- Having a climber on the rear side
- A safe 18-inch tall baby slide located on the backside of the school bus
- Playing children’s favorite “Little Baby Bum” nursery rhyme and other fun sound effects
- Coming with a musical dashboard featuring a gear shift, working horn, and ignition
Pros
- Nice design with bright colors to attract kids’ attention
- Sturdy and durable bus toy
- Playable for both indoor and outdoor
- The horn works perfectly fine under all weather conditions
Cons
- Quite challenging to put the bus together (you will need a drill)
- Sounds cannot be switched off. The only way is to remove the batteries
Product Specifications:
Brand | Little Tikes |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Yes |
Maximum Weight | 100 pounds |
Storage Way | Cannot fold up, require large storing space. |
Package Content | A yellow school bus connecting to a light blue baby slide, coming with two “LR44” button cell batteries. |
4. Milliard Soft Foam Climbing Toy
(Best for Safety)
With kids, exploring the surrounding world is an exciting challenge that they love to take part in every day. Among the activities, climbing is one obvious thing they put on their to-do-list.
Thus, it would be nice to have a soft place for them to practice climbing, with high safety. Fortunately, Milliard Soft Foam Toddler Stairs And Ramp Climber Gym is a great 2-piece climber that can satisfy all your demand.
No other climbing toy can beat the safety level of this Milliard climber. Its safety comes from the sturdy design and the high-quality foam material. It is soft and has no sharp corner whatsoever. Your kids can literally enjoy this toy for years without bumps or bruises.
One positive thing about using foam as the material is its ease in cleaning. You will have a clean and fresh climber by just wiping it down. The covering made of vinyl is durable, stain resistance, and easy to clean, too.
In addition to the high safety, the climber is also a great developmental toy. It helps strengthen your babies’ ability in balancing, running, and climbing (of course). It also allows your children to experience safe risk-taking and realize their personal limits.
This climbing toy can be combined and separated with a simple hook-and-loop strip connection. There is no button or fastener that can pose potential dangers to your kids.
Key Features:
- Two bright blocks: one is a climber, the other is a slide
- Connecting with strips of velcro, which are located on the bottom face of the block
- The foam wrapped in phthalate-free vinyl covering is soft enough for the slide down but also tough enough to withstand many kids’ playing activities
Pros
- Blocks can be combined in various ways, and the connection is very firm
- Lightweight and portable, easy for moving from one room to another
- Extremely easy to clean
- Can be folded in half for storage
- Safe for kids to engage in climbing activities
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons
- The toy’s size is quite small
Product Specifications:
Brand | Milliard |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Yes |
Maximum Weight | 50 pounds |
Storage Way | Foldable in half for storage. |
Package Content | Two blocks that can be linked with strips of velcro. |
5. Gym1 Deluxe Indoor Playground Climbing Toy
(Best for Indoor)
Our world is at huge risk caused by the pandemic. Everybody stays inside most of the time to prevent further outbreaks of the virus. In that circumstance, what can be better than to bring a gym room into the house for your kids, right?
Yes, I am talking about Gym1 Deluxe Indoor Playground. This climbing toy is a doorway unit comprising a swing, ladder, rope climb, rings, and trapeze attachments. Its frame is made of alloy steel so that your babies can be confident hanging on it.
This compact, indoor gym for your kids can be set up in a matter of minutes. No need for those troublesome drilling or holes. You only need to attach it to the top of the doorway. It fits perfectly with the regular 25-inch to 36-inch wide doorways.
In my opinion, this set is the greatest choice for playing indoors in our current quarantine period. Your kids’ motor skills and hand-eye coordination will be immensely developed.
Key Features:
- A Core Doorway Unit
- Many attachments dedicated to specific exercises
- A patented Vise-Grips that support swinging motion while adding extra safety
Pros
- Easy and quick setup
- Producing minimum indoor noise, thanks to the heavy gauge rope
- Exercise-packed for your kids to improve fitness level
- Portable, lightweight, and simple for storage
- The Core Doorway Unit is very durable
- Attachments can be easily removed and replaced
Cons
- Can only use an attachment at a time, with one child play only
Product Specifications:
Brand | Gym1 |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Not applicable |
Maximum Weight | 300 pounds |
Storage Way | Can be detachable from doorsets for storage. |
Package Content | Including a patented core doorway, together with swing, ladder, trapeze, rope, and rings. |
6. Easy Outdoor Space Dome Climbing Toy
(Best Dome Climber)
This following climbing toy is different from its counterparts. Other climbers only allow the kids to simply climb up the stairs. The Space Dome Climber from Easy Outdoor creates a more unique playing experience by allowing kids to explore climbing in various creative ways.
Made of top-quality steel, this dome climber is durable and resilient enough to withstand up to 1,000 pounds. This toy is really as solid as a rock. For that reason, this dome climber is a wonderful choice for your backyard.
This toy will enhance your kids’ balance and agility, as well as their limb strength. You can even invite other kids to come and play along with yours, in order to promote their interpersonal skills and improve their confidence.
Key Features:
- Produced from high-quality steel, connected by underside bolts
- Over 100 bolts to tighten
- The color scheme includes red, yellow, and blue
- You children can climb up, through, around, and even under the structure
- Having a two-year manufacturer warranty
Pros
- Very durable and resilient
- Nice and vibrant colors, which attracts kids effectively
- The bars do not absorb heat too fast, which makes the toy playable even under hot weather conditions
- Can make a fort by covering the climber with sheets and place a chair underneath
Cons
- Assembly requires two people for an easier setup
Product Specifications:
Brand | Easy Outdoor |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Yes |
Maximum Weight | 1000 pounds |
Storage Way | N/A |
Package Content | A steel frame connected with each other via bolts to form a dome shape. |
7. Costzon Toddler Swing Set and Climbing Toy
(Best With Swing Set)
Our next candidate for the best climbing toy for kids is a climber from Costzon that features an exciting swing set.
This climber has a 4-in-1 design, which provides a smooth slide, a basketball hoop, a sturdy swing, and a ring toss. It is packed with fun activities for toddlers.
The colorful toy is made of non-toxic HDPE plastic, which greatly enhances its sturdiness. The climber can bear a maximum weight of 110 pounds. Therefore, this 4-in-1 climber can totally accompany your children as they grow up.
You can use this toy both outdoors and indoors. The setup part is also simple, with clear and detailed instructions. All necessary setup tools are provided together with the package.
Key Features:
- A smooth slide
- A sturdy swing set with strong hangers and high-quality ropes
- An exciting basketball hoop that is detachable
- A ring toss for some extra fun
- A climbing ladder positioned next to the swing set, with a non-slip staircase design
- The package comes in two boxes
Pros
- Providing additional games apart from climbing for your kids (swing, basketball, ring toss)
- Assemble with ease, requiring no complex setup tools
- Very safe and stable for playing, with each game being carefully made of durable and long-lasting materials
- Height adjustable for ring toss and basketball hoop games
- Lightweight and portable, which can be moved around the house or outside
- All the games, as well as the swing set, are easy to put together or take apart
Cons
- Requiring your strict supervision while your kids are playing
Product Specifications:
Brand | Costzon |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Yes |
Maximum Weight | The slide is 100 pounds, and the swing is 60 pounds. |
Storage Way | N/A |
Package Content | A slide, basketball hoop, swing, and ring toss. |
8. ECR4Kids Caterpillar Climbing Toy
(Best for Imagination)
ECR4Kids Caterpillar is a wonderful climbing structure for children and toddlers aged two to six years old. What I impressed most about the toy is its shape as a colorful caterpillar. Your kids can freely climb over it, over crawl through it like a tunnel.
This climber is built for group play, as your kids can enjoy a fun time with their amazing friends. Along the caterpillar body are many peek-holes, which makes the tunnel bright and sunny. It could be a great socializing location for kids and their friends.
Not only fun to play with, the caterpillar climber is also safe for your kids to explore. The whole structure features no single sharp edge that might harm your little angels. There are many rainbow feet along the caterpillar’s body to provide additional stability for the structure.
I also like their bright and vibrant color choice, and I believe all the kids out there love it too. Other positive things about the climber include its high durability and portability. You can easily assemble it and carry it anywhere suitable, both indoors and outdoors.
Key Features:
- A caterpillar-shaped climbing toy with a caterpillar head joining an 18-inch tunnel
- The tunnel is equipped with peek-holes for sunlight
- Fourteen colorful large boot-shaped feet to keep everything firmly in position
Pros
- Simple to set up within a matter of minutes
- Can be utilized both indoors and outdoors
- Very durable and sturdy, with weather-resistant plastic material
- Spark your kids’ imagination with its bright and vibrant color
- Having Greenguard certification for meeting low emission standards into indoor air during usage
Cons
- The caterpillar’s head joint is quite weak
- Quite a high price (but definitely worth it)
Product Specifications:
Brand | ECR4Kids |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Yes |
Maximum Weight | 66 pounds |
Storage Way | Detachable for storage |
Package Content | A caterpillar-shaped climber with an 18-inch tunnel and 14 colorful feet. |
9. Eezy Peezy 3-in-1 Jungle Gym Climbing Toy
(Best for Toddlers)
Do your kids enjoy playing in a ball pit? Do they love climbing as well? If there are two yes answers, then you definitely need to purchase Eezy Peezy 3-in-1 Jungle Gym right away, as the climber offers both options and more than that.
The climber features a super safe red slide, connected to a whole blue section of the ball pit and climbing structure. It also includes a toss target area for your babies to try out their throwing skills. It is a wonderful choice for your toddlers.
In my opinion, this item is a must-have toy for your playroom. With a simple and quick setup, you will have a climbing toy that offers hours of fun and active play for your little babies. Not only that, the climber is extremely safe, too.
Soon enough, it will become your kids’ favorite toy for their playtime.
Key Features:
- Having a super safe slide in red color
- Including an additional ball pit, a climbing structure, and a toss target section
- Coming with 50 colorful balls
- Featuring interlocking plastic tubes and connectors with self-locking springs
Pros
- Incredibly durable, thanks to the sturdy and high-quality structure
- Compact design that fits perfectly indoors and can hold up to two kids
- Packing with many entertaining activities like slide, climb, throw, toss and jump in
- Ideal for both indoor and outdoor playtime
Cons
- Manual instruction is quite confusing and difficult to follow
Product Specifications:
Brand | Eezy Peezy |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Yes |
Maximum Weight | 150 pounds |
Storage Way | Can be stored with a simple fold. |
Package Content | A red slide, climbing structure, ball pit, and toss target, together with 50 colorful balls. |
10. Children’s Factory 6-Piece Playset Climbing Toy
(Best for Easy Cleaning)
What makes the next recommendation stand out for me is not its entertainment value (also great, but not the greatest), but its ease in cleaning.
This climber from Children’s Factory features 6 foam blocks covering in soft, vegan leather material. To clean, you only need to wipe the blocks with soap and water.
Apart from its easy cleaning feature, this toy is very versatile and ideal for home learning. Your kids can rearrange these six blocks in various ways to refresh their play sessions. Through such activity, they can develop their coordination, as well as gross motor skills.
If you are concerned about safety during playtime, then stop it because it is unnecessary for this toy. All the block pieces have universal hook-and-loop fasteners to firmly hold them into place.
Similar to ECR4Kids Caterpillar Climber, this climber also achieves UL Greenguard Gold Certification for its promotion of healthy indoor air quality.
Key Features:
- Featuring six foam building blocks: a large and a small square, a rectangle with cut out, a ramp, a cylinder, and a half-moon block
- Each foam block has a different primary color, including blue (large square), orange (small square), purple (rectangle with cut out), red (ramp), yellow (cylinder), and green (half-moon shape)
- The main material covering the six blocks is vegan leather that is soft and eco-friendly
- Universal hook and loop fasteners to keep everything connected
- Triggering the development of coordination and gross motor skills of your children
- Having UL Greenguard Gold Certificate, which is the recognition for promoting the healthiest air quality for the indoor environment
Pros
- Encouraging your kids’ imagination, social interaction, teamwork, and creativity
- Developing motor skills of your babies through playtime
- Various ways to join blocks together to keep every play session new and refresh
- Clean easily with a simple wipe down
- Very sturdy
Cons
- The price is a little bit expensive
Product Specifications:
Brand | Children’s Factory |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Not recommended |
Maximum Weight | N/A |
Storage Way | Stacking up or lining them up for storage. |
Package Content | Six foam blocks with various colors and shapes. |
11. Eezy Peezy Monkey Bars Climbing Toy
(Best for Durability)
I have mentioned many climbing toys with high durability along the way. However, this next Climbing Tower from Eezy Peezy is always at the top of the durability list for me.
Its resilience comes from the interlocking plastic tubes and connectors with their double self-locking springs. The sturdiness is also attributable to the high-quality plastic with the UV protective feature. This composition ensures a long-lasting lifetime for the climbing toy.
Not only being tough and strong, but the climber is also very lightweight and hence very portable. You can carry the climbing tower around easily. With easy setup, the toy is playable both outdoors and indoors. You kids can always enjoy the game regardless of weather conditions.
Key Features:
- Featuring many yellow bars
- Utilizing a double lock system to keep everything connected
- Made of high-quality plastic with the UV protection feature
- The top rectangle section is detachable to open doors into the tower inside
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Do not pale, rust, or corrode
- Encouraging exploration and active play
- Super strong structure
- Lightweight and portable
- No anchors are needed, thanks to its wide base that prevents the risk of tipping over
- Very well-written and detailed instruction
Cons
- The setup part can be a bit challenging, as the clips that secure the tubes are easily popped out (during the setup only). Once completed, the toy is safe and sound
Product Specifications:
Brand | Eezy Peezy |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Yes |
Maximum Weight | 150 pounds |
Storage Way | Can be uninstalled for storage. Must be stored well to prevent degradation. |
Package Content | Many yellow bars connected in a dome with a rectangle shape on top. |
12. Costzon Foldable Triangle Ladder Climbing Toy
(Best for Storage)
This triangle ladder features a 2-in-1 design: a triangle ladder and another ladder that can be tilted for climbing and sliding.
The main structure – triangle ladder – supports a solid foundation that can bear the maximum weight capacity of up to 132 pounds.
What I am fond of the most about the toy is its ability to fold up. Its size reduces significantly once folded, which is really convenient for storage.
This Costzon climber is also sturdy and features environmentally friendly paint on it. It is made of high-quality natural wood, which provides great strength to the structure. The paint sprayed on the surface is BPA free and odorless, which is very safe for kids during their play sessions.
Key Features:
- Featuring a triangle ladder with metal connections, which overall acts as a solid foundation
- Involving another ladder that can be tilted as required for climbing and sliding
- Can be folded to reduce its size for more compact transportation
- The triangle ladder’s base is fixable, providing various play types for your kids
- The wood surface of the triangle ladder is waterproof
- Passing ASTM certification for providing high safety to your kids’ playtime
Pros
- Can save a lot of storing space, thanks to its foldable ability
- Very sturdy, with the main material being high-quality natural wood
- Environmentally friendly paint sprayed on the climber’s surface
- Colorful designs that spark great interest in kids
- Safe for playtime with many soft edges
Cons
- Requiring parent supervision
Product Specifications:
Brand | Costzon |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Yes |
Maximum Weight | 132 pounds |
Storage Way | Can be foldable to reduce size for storage. |
Package Content | A triangle ladder, with another ladder that can be tilted. |
13. Cassaro Play Tower, Slide and Chalkboard Climbing Toy
(Best for Versatility)
If you are a true minimalism fan, you won’t be able to find a better option than my upcoming climbing play tower from Cassaro.
Right from the first look, you can be immersed by its plain and simple design. The light brown color from premium natural wood really impresses me, as I always believe in the saying “The simpler, the better”.
This color can blend perfectly into your house, whether it is the living room or the kitchen, or even the bedroom.
However, that simple design contains a massive versatility inside. Cassaro really knows how to combine various playing activities into one single object. You children can learn, play and grow up via interaction with its step-up stool, pop-out slide, Pikler bridge, and even a chalkboard.
Depending on what type of activity your kids want, you can transform the Cassaro climber with just a few simple twists and turns. That is versatility at its very best!
Key Features:
- A tall step-up stool that allows your kids to help you with your baking or cooking
- An indoor slide and Pikler bridge are indeed the front panel of the toy, which can be turned into a slide or connected to a Pikler Triangle for extra fun
- A chalkboard is also equipped on the backside of the front panel, giving your kids chances to unleash their creativity and imaginations
- A climbing tower with a firm overhead grip to help your kids in balance
- Featuring a plank for your kids to sit on the climbing tower
Pros
- Encouraging kids to spend more time at your “level” to help you in your cooking
- Extremely versatile in its various playing modes
- Boosting creativity and ability in learning numbers, alphabet, or even drawing
- Connectable to Pikler Triangle for additional joy
- Can be played inside the bedroom, kitchen, or even outdoors
- Very safe and sturdy, thanks to the high-quality natural wood
- Easy to assemble with an Allen wrench
- Minimal design, which looks stunning!
Cons
- The screws require to be tightened frequently
Product Specifications:
Brand | Cassaro |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Not recommended |
Maximum Weight | 180 pounds |
Storage Way | Can be uninstalled for storage |
Package Content | A climbing tower with a tall step up stool, a front panel that acts as both a slide and a Pikler bridge. Its backside is a black chalkboard. |
14. ECR4Kids Softzone Foam Playset Climbing Toy
(Best for Portability)
Your infants and toddlers can freely engage in various climbing and crawling activities with the lovely collection of five soft foam blocks from ECR4Kids SoftZone Climb And Crawl Foam Playset.
The climber is like an expansion pack of the Millard Soft Foam that I mentioned above, from two to five building blocks. They are made of dense foam, which provides their lightweight and soft structures. There are even non-slip bottoms to keep the blocks firmly in place.
ECR4Kids have tried their best in making these gymnasium blocks user friendly and straightforward to sanitize. A solution of water and mild soap is enough to wipe the blocks from contaminants.
However, the coolest thing about this toy, to me, is its high portability. These blocks are light enough to move around the house. They do not even need assembly to play.
This ECR4Kids is indeed a wonderful addition to your kids’ daycare, preschool, as well as home environment to develop their gross motor skills.
Key Features:
- Featuring five foam blocks with different shapes and colors to keep the playing session fresh and entertaining
- The plush but resilient foam blocks are covered in soft leather polyurethane material that is phthalates free
- Enhancing your kids’ gross motor skills via their climbing playtimes
- Suitable for use at daycare, in a classroom, or at home
- Receiving Greenguard certification for healthier indoor air, as well as CPSIA-compliant for safety and CA-117 for fire retardancy
Pros
- Offering endless play possibilities with various block arrangements
- Extremely portable and lightweight to move around
- Easy to clean with a simple wipe
- Great colors blend with green, blue and gray
- The blocks are low enough to the ground to make sure falling does not hurt
Cons
- Additional velcro is required for more stable positioning
Product Specifications:
Brand | ECR4Kids |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Not recommended |
Maximum Weight | 50 pounds |
Storage Way | Stacking them up or placing them neatly for storage. |
Package Content | Five colorful pieces with distinct shapes: square, rectangle, wedge, round, and half-moon. |
15. Step2 Naturally Playful Woodland Climbing Toy
(Best for Outdoor)
My last suggestion on the best climbing toys for kids is an option ideal for outdoor play: the Step2 Naturally Playful Woodland Climber. This item comprises two steering wheels, two climbing sides decorated as rock walls, a slide, a platform play area with a sandbox underneath.
The climber blends nicely into the residential surroundings, thanks to its natural decorations and realistic textures. This is why I think it is an ideal selection for playing outdoors.
In addition, this Step2 product is durable as well, which is capable of accompanying your kids along their grow-up. Only a little assembly is required, so you can set this thing up very quickly.
Personally, this outdoor candidate from Step2 offers great climbing experiences for your children. Besides entertaining values, the climber strongly encourages your kids in physical activities that boost their gross motor skills, coordination, and balance.
Key Features:
- Including two steering wheels with two climbing sides, a fun slide, a platform play area with a sandbox placed under it
- Boosting gross motor skills, coordination and balance
- A wonderful selection for outdoor usage, but also good for indoor play
Pros
- Beautiful decoration with natural colors and realistic textures
- Very durable that can outlast your kids’ grow-up
- Simple setup, which requires only a screwdriver
- The slide is propped up a little bit so that your kids can land on their feet
Cons
- There are some sharp spots on the plastic which need to be filed down
- The steering wheels are quite hard to turn
Product Specifications:
Brand | Step2 |
Outdoor Use Applicable? | Yes |
Maximum Weight | 60 pounds |
Storage Way | Detachable for storage. |
Package Content | 2 steering wheels, 2 climbing sides, a baby slide, a platform play area with a sandbox underneath. |
Comprehensive Buying Guide on Best Climbing Toys for Kids
Climbing toys for kids is a vast category whose items come in many shapes and sizes. Hence, picking up one model that is suitable for your babies requires serious consideration. Right here, I have outlined some factors that you should pay attention to during your selection process.
- Space: Climbing toys often take up a lot of space in your house. Hence, consider carefully the size of the climbers and your available space. Make sure to include some extra feet around the toy for safety purposes.
- Product Life: You may prefer a climbing toy that is long-lasting and can be passed down to a sibling. Thus, check the materials that make up the climber to know whether the toys are durable enough. Usually, steel climbers have longer product lives.
- Assembly Effort: Some climbing designs require more complex assemblies than others. Therefore, choose climbers that come with detailed assembly instructions, or read some reviews to know whether that model’s assembly is simple or not.
- Weight Appropriateness: Make sure the climbing toys can withstand your babies’ weight. Climbers designed for the younger age range can topple if they are used by older kids.
- Versatility: A climbing toy that is versatile means it is packed with many different activities for your kids. The more activities there are in a climber, the more fun they bring, right? Usually, besides climbing, the toy offers various educational elements or sports in its design.
- Portability: Apart from the measurements to determine the long-term spot for your climbing toy, portability is also an important factor worth considering, as you will have to move the toy around sometimes. Portability is not always about the product’s weight. It also counts other design features, such as its ability to fold up.
- Indoor and Outdoor Applicability: Some climbing toys are designed specifically for indoor usage, while others are dedicated to outdoor play. Some toys are even able to adapt to both environments. If indoor climbers are usually lighter and smaller in size, outdoor toys are heavier but more durable. It really depends on your preference.
Safety Precautions With Climbing Toys for Kids
Safety must always be regarded as the number one priority for every kind of toy. Let’s learn some precautions on what you should take and what you must avoid in order to provide the safest playing environment for your kids, especially with climbing toys.
Examine The Climber’s Durability
We all know how kids play with their toys. If toys can express feelings, they would definitely scream out for help all the time, as kids really play them tough. Therefore, durability should be the first piece of information you need to check for.
The durability of a climber relates directly to its materials. Another indicator of highly durable toys is the weight limit. Make sure the climber you choose can hold enough weight and not break down from repeated play.
You can also inspect the rigidity of all the climbing toys’ connectors after being assembled.
Say No To Climbers With Sharp Edges
If you think falling is the only injury risk caused by climbing toys, you had better think again. What if the climber has sharp edges, which can lead to scratches on your babies’ arms or poke in their eyes? The consequences would be extremely terrible.
A good suggestion is to choose climbing toys with all rounded edges. They are proved to be much safer than their sharp-edged companions.
Beware Of The Age Recommendation
Age recommendation is an important safety precaution from the toys’ manufacturers. Only select the climbing toys that fit your babies’ age range. If you buy a model designed for older children, your kids will be in great danger for playing it the wrong way.
The principle also applies if the matter is flipped the other way around. Once your babies’ age surpasses the age recommendation of the climber, you should discard it right away, even if it is still in good condition. Such toys cannot withhold your kids’ weight and may collapse.
FAQs
It is high time for me to answer all of your concerns relating to climbing toys. I truly hope this section will cover all the remaining information about the items so that you can be confident in making the selection for your babies.
My Top Pick
Out of my fifteen suggestions, the climbing toy that I prefer most is the Cassaro Play Tower, Slide And Chalkboard Climbing Toy. I know you will be surprised, but let me explain myself.
What I love most about the Cassaro climbing toy is its minimalist design. However, such a simple toy can be played in many different ways with just a few adjustments. Moreover, with the climber, you and your kids can prepare the family meal together. This is such a beautiful image of family bonds.
That’s it! How about you? What is your choice for your kids’ climbing toy? Please share with me your thoughts in the comment section below. I would love to hear from you so that our discussion has more dimensions.