Family Climbing Day – How to Get the Whole Family Involved
Is there anything more fun than rock climbing with the whole family? Bonding over excitement for each other when one of you finishes a climb on the wall brings a family closer!
Together, you can build stronger relationships with your kids by collaborating to solve complex problems and encouraging them to overcome the mental barriers that they face. Imagine your pride and excitement when your child conquers a challenging climb!
Rock climbing is a great way to connect with your kids, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned parent. Ready to hit the gym with your little ones? Check out these four steps for a fantastic family climbing day you’ll soon want to relive!
Step 1 – Climbing Waiver
After you’ve chosen the climbing gym to take the fam to, save some time before you get there and fill out the waiver online. Once your kids walk in and see the massive walls and funky-colored holds, they’ll want to start climbing ASAP. Skip the ten minutes it takes to fill out the waiver at the front desk while trying to prevent your kids from wandering into the climbing area (this also makes it easier for the desk staff).
Climbing gyms require waivers because, although they’re built on keeping everybody safe and having a good time, climbing is an inherently dangerous activity. But don’t let that discourage you from letting your kids try it! Who knows, you could be the parent of the next Alex Honnold or Sasha DiGulian! (Maybe without the free soloing part).
Step 2 – Climbing Clothes
Make sure everybody wears breathable and stretchy clothing. Climbing requires a lot of body contorting. Imagine stepping up to the next hold only to be stopped by your stretchy-less pants!
Moisture-wicking fabrics aren’t necessary, but they’re great at helping during a sweaty gym session. You’d be surprised how much energy you spend wrestling with those walls!
Wear lightweight pants to minimize scrapes from bumping your knees into the wall or other climbing holds. Even though some climbing holds are big and obvious looking, they can come out of nowhere and ram right into your knee!
Step 3 – Safety
Safety is the most important priority for a family climbing day. Rest assured, the climbing gym staff will provide a thorough orientation, covering the basics of the facility and what they expect of everybody there. This includes learning how to fall properly, where not to stand when somebody else is climbing, and how to look out for others before you start climbing.
Gym staff will give you an orientation to cover the basics of the facility and what they expect of everybody there. During this orientation, you will learn how to fall properly (yes, there is such a thing as a good falling technique), where not to stand when somebody else is climbing, and how to look out for others before you start climbing.
Never climb too close to another climber, never walk under another climber, and always stay away from the wall while somebody else is on it! As long as everybody is aware of their surroundings, you’ll have a wonderful time!
Step 4 – Have fun!
Enough safety; let’s get to the climbing! Remember, the ultimate goal of this family climbing day is to have fun and bond with your loved ones. So, relax, enjoy the experience, and celebrate each other’s achievements!
Bouldering is the most social and collaborative style of climbing because everyone is concentrated in a specific area. When people aren’t climbing, they typically hang out together while others are on the wall. They share tips and analyze climbs from the ground together to give each member a good chance when they step up to the wall!
If the gym you visit offers tall walls with auto belays, you’ll need to rent a harness. An auto belay has retractable webbing connecting to your harness’s gear loop. It retracts as you climb and automatically catches and lowers slowly when you let go of the wall. Auto belays are a super fun way to challenge your comfort with heights!
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your kids and hit the climbing gym for a family climbing day!
