Is your toddler just a great big ball of boundless energy? Are they always moving, crawling, and exploring? Little ones like to move and climb and love a challenge, too, continually!
It’s true what they say: No space or furniture will be off-limits when it comes to little ones. If they can crawl on it, they will crawl. If they can climb, they will climb. That’s a toddler truth right there.
A bit of risky play and adventure is a natural and essential part of childhood. Exploration and curiosity should always be encouraged and not stifled. But of course, safety is the top priority.
You want to let them be free to explore and learn while ensuring they are safe as they test their limits and strengths.
A climbing toy is a great and safe way for your toddler to burn off that seemingly endless energy while staying safe and learning simultaneously. Plus, it keeps them out of your furniture, stairs, and walls, which is always good!
If you are looking for safe ways to allow your toddler to climb and be physical in their play while honing their skills and aiding in their developmental growth, now is the best time to invest in a good climbing toy for your little one.
Climbing toys are also an excellent way to get them to engage in more physical play and keep them away from screens. They also keep them busy, which for you means less time spent chasing them around the house.
These toys also encourage creativity, imagination, coordination, balance, and key motor skills and sharpen their minds.
Creating an environment and a safe space for your little one to have room to explore and try out new things is essential to their childhood and their growth. Investing in a great climbing toy can significantly help you to able to give your toddler just that!
Little ones are natural explorers, and they are constantly on the move. Thankfully, finding safe avenues for them to climb and explore is possible. We’ve rounded up the best toddler indoor and outdoor climbing toys — and we’ve got options for outdoor play and indoor and smaller spaces.
Best Indoor And Outdoor Climbing Toys For Toddlers
Are you looking to get your little one away from all the furniture (and screens!) and engage them in hours of creative play (while learning, too!)?
These indoor and outdoor climbing toys cover a wide range of needs and considerations, and we’re sure you’ll find just what you are searching for!
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Avenlur 6-in-1 Jungle Gym | • Easy Assembly • Motor Skill Activities • High Quality Varnished Wood | |
 | Eezy Peezy Monkey Climbing Tower | • Portable • High Quality • Durable | |
 | Pikler Triangle | • Easy to store & Save space • Pretty easy installation • Premium Wood | |
 | Little Tikes First Slide Toddler Slide | • 100% Safe And High Quality • Easy To Keep And To Set Up • Perfect Beginner's Slide | |
 | Little Tikes Rock Climber And Slide | • Three crawl-though tunnels • Two large climbing walls • Adjustable slide | |
 | Wooden Rainbow Arch | • Easily create your own indoor play ground • The possibilities are endless—and truly up to them. • Water-based paint | |
 | Stepping Stones | • Non-Slip Bottom & Safe Design • Develop Balance & Coordination • Endless Ways To Play & 11-Piece Set | |
 | Wooden Balance Board | • Both for children and adults • Endless fun • Build confidence and balance | |
 | Jungle Gym Tree Climbing Rope Swing | • Adaptable Play • Sturdy & Safe • Easy To Install | |
 | Safe-Kids Climbing Net | • Won't Rot, Crack, or Splinter • Softer on Kids' Hands • Over Twice as Thick | |
 | Ninja Warrior Backyard Obstacle | • Easy To Set Up • Multiple Skill Levels • Healthy & Lively |
1. Best Indoor & Outdoor Climbing Toy: Avenlur 6-in-1 Jungle Gym
The Avenlur Outdoor / Indoor Toddler Gym is an excellent investment if you are on the lookout for a climbing toy for your toddler! It can be set up inside your house or backyard, giving you freedom of choice for where you want this to be.
It’s also got many great features that will keep your energetic little one engaged for hours on end. This toy is recommended for ages 2 and up.
Why We Like It?
It’s got climbing ropes, monkey bars, ladders, a slide, and a swing, plus a child-friendly rock climbing wall. The Avenlur 6-in-1 is made of pine wood and varnished, making it adaptable to indoor or outdoor setups.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Many activities and features all in one well-constructed toy
- Gives your active little one plenty of hours of playtime away from the screen
- Varnished finish allows for an outdoor setup
- Compact size makes it ideal for indoor setup
Cons
- You may need to place cushioning under the toy when setup indoors so that injuries from falls may be prevented
- It is a bit on the pricier side
2. Best Backyard Outdoor Climbing Toy: Eezy Peezy Monkey Climbing Tower
Looking for a climbing toy that your toddler can use indoors? The Eezy Peasy Monkey Climbing Tower is a great pick for indoor play!
This is a fun and effective way to give your little one an avenue to burn off all that energy — plus, its unique shape makes it even more interesting for those curious little minds. This toy is recommended for toddlers aged 3 and up.
Why We Like It?
It is made of sturdy material that won’t wear over time because it is rust and fade-resistant. This means you won’t have to retire it for many years, and your child will get a lot of mileage out of it.
The material also allows for outdoor setup, should you prefer it! Another great thing we like is its weight capacity is 150 pounds, meaning multiple kids can play together.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It has a wide age range and can be used from the ages of 3 to 10
- It allows for simultaneous play with multiple kids
- It gives you the option to use it outdoors as well
Cons
- The unique shape can make it a little confusing to set up — plus, some have said that the instructions on anchoring the toy can likewise lend to some confusion
3. Best Montessori Toddler Indoor Climbing Toy: Pikler Triangle
The Pikler Triangle may not be officially considered Montessori. Still, this toy created by Dr. Emmi Pikler – a physician in the early 1900s – is a go-to staple for Montessori parents when looking for indoor climbing toys.
There are many Pikler triangle options around, which gives you options for which one you feel will best suit your child’s needs. Children as young as six months can start using this (with parental assistance and supervision, of course), and it can be used until at least six years of age.
Why We Like It?
The Pikler Triangle is relatively uncomplicated and easy to use. Still, it packs a lot of features that will help your child’s development. It is a toy that encourages concentration, independence and testing one’s physical limits. Plus, it also works gross motor skills from a very young age.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It aids your child’s development and encourages independence, concentration, balance, and more.
- It is easy to set up and store
- It is safe for both indoor and outdoor play
- It is compact but comes with a lot of activities
Cons
- There should always be someone supervising the kids when using the toy
4. Best Budget Toddler Indoor & Outdoor Climbing Toy: Little Tikes First Slide Toddler Slide
The slide is undoubtedly one of the kids’ top picks for active play. And honestly, you can’t go wrong with a classic and beloved toy. The Little Tikes First Slide Toddler Slide is effortless to set up. It takes up very little space and can be placed indoors and outdoors.
The red and blue color adds a cute nostalgic touch that appeals to parents. It can support up to 60 pounds and is recommended to be used by one kid at a time.
Why We Like It?
It’s a simple toy that’s got great appeal for kids! It’s also easy to use and foldable, making it easy to store and an ideal option if you have limited play space.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It’s a classic activity that kids adore.
- The slide is portable and foldable, making it compact and easy to store
- It is easy to assemble – no tools needed!
- This can be a great introductory toy for little ones just starting to explore slides.
Cons
- The toy is lightweight and has no anchor, so it can be unstable.
5. Best Playhouse Toddler Climbing Toy: Little Tikes Rock Climber And Slide
Kids are imaginative and may adore a touch of whimsy in their toys. The Little Tikes Rock Climber and Slide are perfect for creative and imaginative little ones.
This colorful playhouse can be set up indoors and outdoors and is packed with child-friendly challenges and activities! It’s got three crawl-through tunnels, two climbing walls, and a slide, and you can also put a steering wheel and a telescope for added fun!
This climbing toy is recommended for kids aged two to six.
Why We Like It?
The slide height can be adjusted so it is a toy that can grow with your child. And it’s very adorable! It provides a lot of activities that will engage their bodies and minds as well as their imagination.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It has a lot of engaging play activities – three tunnels, two climbing walls, a slide, and more.
- The slide is adjustable, so your child can use it for many years
- It can be set up either indoors or outdoors
Cons
- Some have said that the steering wheel and the telescope sometimes fall off.
- Assembly can take some time and can be a little challenging.
6. Best Waldorf Toddler Climbing Toy: Wooden Rainbow Arch
The wooden rainbow arch makes an excellent choice if you are hunting for a lovely Waldorf-inspired toddler climbing toy. This toy follows Waldorf by using the various colors of the rainbow on the arch’s rungs, and it also has no right angles, which makes for an optimal sensory experience when playing.
And did we mention that it is multipurpose too? Yes, this toy can be repositioned for even more fun play options, like turning it upside down to turn into a rocker boat — and then adding a pillow to the mix to turn into a faux hammock.
When turned on its side, it can be a small nook for make-believe play, with kids transforming it into a “kitchen” or “cafe.” The Wooden Rainbow Arch can also support as much as 200 pounds, is CPSIA certified, and is safe for kids three years old and up.
Why We Like It?
It’s a wonderful mini climbing toy that can be repurposed into a rocking boat, hammock, and more, which lends endless hours of fun for your little one. It is an easy, portable toy that kids will love playing with in many ways.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It has a multifunctional design provides many uses and hours upon hours of play.
- It encourages play that is both collaborative and creative
- It is Waldorf-aligned and CPSIA certified
- The toy has a colorful and stable design, making it sturdy and appealing.
Cons
- There is an assembly required that may require more than one person.
7. Best Toddler Climbing Toy For Limited Spaces: Stepping Stones
Having limited space for play does not mean you have to forego climbing toys for your child! The Stepping Stones for Kids kit is a climbing toy well-suited for smaller spaces.
It has 11 non-slip “stones” that are designed to aid in the improvement of your little one’s coordination and balance. It is easy to set up and pack away — you can even stack the stones one on top of the other, so you’ll need little storage space, and stacking the stones can be an added activity for your child!
The set comes with four small, four medium, two large, and one jumbo stone, and kids will have fun making new patterns each time they play with them. This toy is safe for kids three years and up and can even be used by older kids and adults.
Why We Like It?
It’s a great choice that requires minimal space for set up and storage. The colorful stones come in various sizes to inspire creativity and strategic placement each time they play.
Kids of all ages will enjoy this set, and it’s suitable for play, exercise, and improving gross motor skills.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Durable, non-slip construction for easy indoor and outdoor play
- It is compact and easy to set up and store, plus it is small-space friendly
- It encourages coordination and balance
Cons
- The color of the stones may fade over time.
8. Best Montessori Toddler Climbing Toy For Limited Spaces: Wooden Balance Board
Dr. Maria Montessori may have yet to create the wooden balance board officially. Still, it has nevertheless become a top pick for toys for Montessori at-home parents and kids.
Kids will enjoy and love the swaying, rocking motion they feel as they try to maintain balance. Their core skills will be developed as well as their gross motor skills, as they play with their wooden board.
Kids can use it not just to work on their balance in a super fun way but also to rock on it as if on a boat, use it as a seat or stepping stool, or turn it on its side to create a little area. It’s sturdy, too, and can hold older kids and adults.
Why We Like It?
The wooden board is as simple as fuss-free as it gets — but don’t let the basic design fool you. It’s a great toy that works gross motor skills, encourages independence, hones concentration and focus, and fosters creativity and imagination.
It can also be used for STEM lessons and free play. And it is a toy they can keep using as they grow older!
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Both kids and adults alike will be able to use this and have fun with it
- It can hold a wide range of weight
- It promotes balance, concentration, skill development, and imagination.
Cons
- Older toddlers and kids may find it too short to work as a slide properly.
9. Best Toddler Climbing Rope Toy: Jungle Gym Tree Climbing Rope Swing
A rope swing is definitely something kids enjoy. A rope swing that can be climbed on — that’s double the fun for the little ones!
The Jungle Gym Tree Climbing Rope Swing is a two-for-one deal: It combines the classic gym rope climb activity with a seat to make it a swing. This toy is easy to assemble and can support a wide weight range of up to 150 pounds.
Your child will still be able to use this past the toddler stage! It’s weather resistant too.
Why We Like It?
This disc swing seat comes with climbing platforms that are textured. This makes it easier for their little hands to hold on to than a classic rope, so they’ll have an easier time playing on it. It’s a great outdoor climbing toy that your child will enjoy for many years.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It’s easy to set up and assemble.
- It’s a very adjustable toy, so you can shorten or lengthen the rope depending on your child’s height.
- The toy can hold a wide capacity of up to 150 pounds, so your kid can keep playing with it as they age.
Cons
- Younger toddlers may find it challenging to achieve balance at the beginning on the swing seat.
10. Best Toddler Climbing Wall Toy: Safe-Kids Climbing Net
Toddlers love to climb, and they are fascinated with trying to climb walls (hey, older kids and adults often channel their inner Spider-Man and try this, too!).
The Safe-Kids Climbing Net is a sturdy and fun rope climbing wall that will last long. It’s constructed with polyester, making it durable. And it has Bilt-2-Last connectors that make for a more secure hold. It won’t crack, splinter, or crack, and it’s UV-resistant, too, so it is safe to install outdoors if you prefer.
This toy is rated for children between the ages of three to ten years old and can support up to 150 pounds maximum weight.
Why We Like It?
The Safe-Kids Climbing Net is a cool way for little ones to make their wall-scaling dreams come true.
It’s sturdy, safe, and secure and can be installed indoors or outdoors because it is made with high-quality materials. It also already comes with the tools needed to install it securely!
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It comes with all the tools you need to install it as securely as possible
- The toy has a reinforced rope which makes it even more durable
- It can be used by a wide range of ages – from 3 to 10
Cons
- This toy may not be suitable or favorable for very young toddlers.
11. Best Toddler Climbing Toy Your Little One Can Grow Up With: Ninja Warrior Backyard Obstacle
The Ninja Warrior Backyard Obstacle Course is an awesome find for your little one who loves a challenge and works through climbing activities and things quickly.
It’s super fun and comes with many challenges, with plenty of items you can put up or take down depending on the type of challenge your kid wants. You can even build an excellent obstacle course that your growing child will adore for years!
The toy has a training line, two fist holds, two gymnastic rings, 15 safety strap buckles and delta rings, two monkey bars, a 68-inch wooden rope ladder, and a 35-inch bridge obstacle! And it can hold up to 440 pounds, which means it is good for simultaneous play.
Why We Like It?
This toy checks all the boxes: It can be installed outdoors or indoors, provided you have enough space for play, it has so many different activities, and you can customize and switch around, it is secure and safe, and it can be played with by many kids at the same time!
Pros & Cons
Pros
- You can customize and create new obstacle challenges according to your kid’s needs and whims.
- It’s an excellent activity that hones gross motor skills.
- The 440-pound weight capacity makes it great for simultaneous play.
Cons
- There are some items that very young toddlers may not be able to use quite yet
Also Read: 10 Best Educational Toys for 3-Year-Olds
Choosing Climbing Toys For Toddlers: A Basic How-To Guide
Finding the climbing toy that best suits your toddler entails a lot of things.
You need to consider a few things, such as your little one’s skill level, whether the materials are durable and safe, and where exactly you would like to put it — plus if it’s something your toddler can still use as they get older. Check out our basic guide on how to find the right climbing toy for your child:
1. Purpose
What are you getting this toy for? Of course, the primary purpose is for them to have a place to climb their hearts out and burn all that energy as they learn and develop skills and thinking.
That being said, consider if you want your toy to be just a single function or if you want it to be multifunctional. Do you want just a climbing wall, or do you want something that provides more activities? Do you prefer something that will grow with them?
2. Location
The space accessible to you in your home will greatly influence the kind of climbing toy you buy. Your options will be colored by the available space you have.
So you have to consider where exactly you can set up the toy, how much space you have, if you need something portable or can be stored when not in use, and so on.
If your space is small, you need something you can pack away. If it’s outdoors, materials have to be weather-resistant and sturdy. If you have a dedicated play area indoors, you can consider something with a more permanent installation.
3. Material
Another important consideration is material. What material is the toy made of? If you are looking for an outdoor toy, the materials must endure weather changes and sun exposure.
If you want something for long-term use, the materials should be sturdier and of higher quality. If plastic, it should be BPA-free. Also, are the materials safe and do not cause harm to your kids, such as scratches and the like? Are they easy to clean?
4. Development / Skills
Choosing the suitable climbing toy for your little one depends on the development and skills you want to focus on. At the most basic level, climbing toys are constructed to help build and strengthen your little one’s muscle groups.
This, among other things, is part of the gross motor skills developed when playing with these toys. But there is so much more that can be honed and developed with climbing toys, such as critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, imagination, and cognitive development.
5. Safety
Climbing toys for toddlers can be nerve-wracking and uncomfortable for parents. Watching them climb for the first time and try new things can make you nervous for their safety and well-being.
This is why safety is always the number one consideration when looking for the right climbing toy for them. It’s important to keep your kids safe, first and foremost.
Read More: Everything Fabulous: Battery-Free Toys for Kids
Toddler Climbing Toys: The FAQs
You’ve got the questions, and we’ve got the answers regarding climbing toys for toddlers.
As long as you are careful and thorough in your research and pick the climbing toy suitable for your little one’s age and weight, as well as where you will put it, then yes, toddler climbing toys are safe for use with an adult supervising and guiding them.
That’s why it’s of the utmost importance to put safety considerations above everything else and invest in a well-made, high-quality climbing toy.
Yes, climbing toys make for excellent toy choices for little ones. They provide a safe and developmentally appropriate play space for your toddler — a great alternative to furniture, that’s for sure!
They are also very excellent toys that aid in your child’s development. And they also build confidence, self-esteem, balance, and much more.
Spending too much time just sitting without much physical activity is unsuitable for grown-ups. Well, it’s the same for toddlers.
Children must build and develop their physical strength and motor skills at this young age. Climbing is a great way to do that and more.
Climbing toys are great for toddlers because they bring about a ton of benefits, among them:
• Building strength
• Honing directional and spacial awareness
• Refining gross motor skills
• Learning balance and physical limits
• Increasing hand-eye-foot coordination
• Encouraging problem solving
• Boosting agility
• Building confidence and self-reliance
• Stretching their body
• Increasing cardiovascular and respiratory strength
• Increasing focus and concentration
Toddlers have a ton of energy, and climbing toys are the perfect outlet to release all that energy safely.
Plus, they come with many benefits, too — and they are just so much fun! Climbing toys are an awesome way to get children away from the screen and towards endless hours of imaginative, creative fun.