Best Rock Climbing For Kids Around Boston
A mentally and physically challenging sport, rock climbing for kids invites climbers to push past personal boundaries and reach new heights! Several rock climbing gyms around Boston offer drop-in climb times, classes, clubs, competitions and even rock climbing birthday party options.
Get kids excited about fitness and about mastering their own personal challenges.
Exxcel Gymnastics & Climbing
Erynn: In addition to gymnastics and ninja warrior classes, Exxcel hosts climbing classes and open climb for kids. No experience is necessary and Exxcel's compassionate staff help kids develop their confidence and their skills. Classes are also offered during summer and school vacations.
Age: 4+
Cost: Open climb is $10/child, $15/family, member discounts available; Classes start around $350/session
Dedham Health & Athletic Complex
Erynn: Part of a larger complex that offers swim lessons, martial arts, junior tennis, and even laser tag, Dedham's rock climbing wall lets kids learn to climb! Try any of a number of kid-oriented classes depending on the season and availability.
Age: 4+
Cost: Classes start around $200/9-week class
Rock Spot Climbing
Erynn: Youth programs offered at Rock Spot Climbing's Boston-Dedham location includes Toddler Times let the younger crowd get in on the fit fun all the way up to Teen Climb. Day passes are available for a day of family fun!
Age: 1+
Cost: Day passes start at $16/person, $12/child (6 & under), Varies by location
Central Rock Gym - Watertown
Erynn: In contrast with Central Rock's Cambridge location, their Watertown gym hosts a wealth of youth programs. Climbing teams and clubs, summer programs, staff belay, and classes get kids engaged with climbing and help develop their skills. First Timer Programs starts kids on their climbing journeys, while the Adaptive Climbing Club welcomes kids (13+) who have disabilities.
Age: 6+
Cost: Day passes are $18/youth (6-22), $22/adult, $10/child (5 & under)
Central Rock Gym - Cambridge
Erynn: This gym location is ideal for older teens and adults, since the minimum age is 14 years. Focused on fitness and technique, Central Rock has 6,000 square feet of bouldering terrain, training equipment, and a dedicated yoga studio.
Age: 14+
Cost: Day passes are $18/youth (14-22), $22/adult (23+)
Boston University Fitness and Recreation Center
Erynn: Boston University's 30-foot climbing wall beckons to climbers of all ages and abilities. Also at the facility is a 12-foot bouldering structure. Current students at Boston University, alumni, faculty and staff, and friends and guests can all purchase memberships to the Rec center, which grants access to the open climbing times.
Classes are also available, with offerings like Parent/Child Climbing, Kid's Rock Climbing, After School Adventurers, and Climbing for Teens.
Age: 4+
Cost: Class pricing starts at $125
Brooklyn Boulders Somerville
Erynn: Interactive and challenging experiences will teach kids that it's ok to fail, as long as they get back up and climb again! Kids's programs range from daily 2-hour classes to week-long adventure camps.
Age: 5-12
Cost: $39/single Kids Academy class, Day passes & memberships available
Quincy Quarries Reservation
Erynn: This outdoor rock climbing excursion location beckons to novice and advanced climbers- and kids will have a blast scampering around on lower granite outcroppings. These rock formations lend themselves to casual climbing but experienced climbers should bring their gear.
A great place to introduce kids to the concept of rock climbing outside the gym!
Cost: Free
Boston Rock Gym - Kid's Climb
Erynn: Between rock climbing school and climbing summer camps, kids will develop and hone their climbing skills. Youth programs like Kid's Climb, which runs daily, book up quickly, so make sure to schedule your child's climb in advance!
Age: 5+
Cost: $25
MetroRock Climbing Center
Erynn: Between camps, after school programs, and workshops, Metro Rock has something for kids of all ages. Reservations are required if your child needs a belayer or if you want to try the ropes course (kids have to be over four feet tall for the ropes course).
Cost: $22/person (7+), $10/child (under 7), Free for children 4 & under, Punch cards & memberships available
Challenge Rocks
Amanda Banta: Challenge Rocks, an indoor climbing facility, offers every level of climber an opportunity to scale the walls. They offer tons of kids programming, including individual and team climbing, Parkour classes, school vacation events and birthday parties.
Age: 4+
Cost: Day passes start at $15/person (4+) plus equipment rental
Primary photo: Rachel on Unsplash
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