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9 best climbing frames for kids: as recommended by real parents
Climbing frames and adventure playsets can be a great way to keep children entertained while also encouraging lots of exercise. We've researched the best climbing frames to make your garden fun this summer and for years to come.
By Anna Cook By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Jun 27, 2024
Children may enjoy climbing the sofa and the walls, but the best climbing frames will help channel their energy as well as develop strength, balance and motor skills. You might remember the old-school metal climbing frames from your childhood, but there’s now a huge variety of sizes and styles to choose from.
With everyone looking to spend a little less on activites in 2024, we've scoured expert review sites as well as drawing on the wisdom of the Mumsnet Talk forums to help you make the most of your garden this summer. Whether you're looking for the best trikes or RC cars to keep your kids busy in the summer holidays, or the best hot tub or garden hoses to make your garden a real sanctuary, we've got you covered.
From small fold-away wooden triangles to plastic cubes for toddlers, as well as huge wooden forts with swings, slides, dens and bridges – we've hand-picked the very best climbing frames for kids, with options for both small and large gardens.
Here are the best climbing frames to buy this year, as recommended by parents.
Mumsnet trusted brand
Modular, extendable design
Fun climbing wall
Shaded sandpit area
High platform with 8ft wiggly slide
No cover for the sand area included
Price on writing: £420 | Suitable for: 3 years plus | Size:
H270 x W100 x D171.5cm | Max user weight: 100kg | Material: Wood with plastic extras
Mumsnet users and reviewers speak incredibly highly of TP Toys, thanks to their range of high-quality, modular climbing frames that can easily be extended and enhanced as your child grows.
The Skywood Wooden Play Tower makes a great all-rounder, allowing children of various ages to play together. Older children will love navigating the colourful climbing wall to reach the high lookout platform, while the ladder makes a helpful addition for younger children who may be less confident scaling the sides.
Active kids will love whizzing down the 8ft wiggly slide for a speedy descent, while the area underneath is the perfect spot to create a comfortable shaded sandpit. Sand is sold separately and we recommend you also invest in a cover to keep out rain, debris and your friendly neighbourhood cat.
Related: The best scooters for kids, tried and tested by Mumsnetters
Grows with your child
Den and swing features
Durable design
Not as attractive as some of the wooden frames
Price on writing: £230 | Suitable for: 18 months to 12 years | Size: 203cm x 205cm x 350cm | Max user weight: 100kg total | Material: Powder-coated galvanised steel
TP’s metal climbing frame isn’t just affordable – it’s adaptable too. You can assemble it at a shorter height so it’s suitable from 18 months. Once your child reaches age three, you can add more height to increase longevity to age 12.
It comes with a den, including a fun playmat and two doors. It also includes a swing arm for even more fun. What’s more, the durable metal frame is guaranteed to be free from rust for five years, providing excellent peace of mind that it'll be enjoyed for many years to come.
Can be used indoors and outdoors
Great for little ones
Bright, engaging design
Will be grown out of quickly (however Mumsnetters say kids find a way of playing with it well beyond the toddler years)
Some reviewers found it faded after long periods in the sun
Price on writing: £120 | Suitable for: 18 months to four years | Size: 77cm x 130cm x 76cm | Max user weight: 23kg | Material: Plastic
While they're best known for their very famous toy cars, Little Tikes also has a fab range of indoor and outdoor activity toys. This Toddler Activity Gym can help teach your toddler to climb, slide and repeat with confidence. It’s so easy to set up – the pieces just lock into place and can be dismantled just as quickly. It even has crawl holes and a mini platform.
It may not have the longevity of the large wooden frames, but it does exactly what it's designed for - we think your toddler will love it.
Read next: The best balance bikes for learning to cycle
Very solid
Tonnes of extras including sandpit, swings and towers
Lots of longevity
Pricey
Lengthy construction
Anchors not included
Price on writing: £1139 | Suitable for: 3 to 12 years | Size: 425cm x 787cm x 325cm | Max user weight:50kg per child | Material: Wood and plastic accessories
If you never want to visit the park again and have a lot of space, then Wickey’s Smart Queen Climbing Frame is fit for a princess and/or prince.
It’s a whopping 8m wide and is truly epic with a wobble bridge, two swings, sandpit, picnic table, telescope, racing wheel, climbing net, and not one but two towers. While you need room to house this contraption, you can configure the frame in lots of different ways, giving you some flexibility when it comes to fitting it in your (presumably very large) garden.
The downside of that flexibility is that you have to measure and drill the holes for assembly so it’s not easy to put together. You also need to budget extra for anchors – almost £300 – as these aren’t included. The pressure-treated solid wood means it won’t need painting and is guaranteed for up to 10 years (T&Cs permitting). Mumsnetters say if you can afford it, it's worth getting a professional to build the climbing frame.
Read next: The best kids' bikes for all ages and stages
Small footprint, perfect for smaller gardens
Comes with a slide and den
Takes a while to build
Price on writing: £500 | Suitable for: 3 to 12 years | Size: 127 × 152 × 295cm | Max user weight: 150kg | Material: Pressure-treated wood
TP’s Castlewood Climbing Frame has a small footprint so is suitable for smaller gardens. The hexagonal shape means lots of children can play at the same time. There’s a ladder and an integral climbing wall plus a firefighter’s pole for quick and fun exits.
Like other wooden climbing frames, the Castlewood takes a bit of time to put together – around four hours for two people – but once assembled, it’s durable and long-lasting.
Read next: The best remote control cars for kids of all ages
Lifetime Dome Climber
Very sturdy
Suitable for multiple ages
Great for imaginative play
Just a climbing frame so no extras
Price on writing: £250 | Suitable for: 3 to 10 years | Size: 274cm x 274cm x 137cm | Max user weight:45kg | Material: Powder-coated steel
Dome climbing frames may look deceptively simple, but they provide hours of play for a variety of ages – great if you have siblings with a big age gap. There are no fancy extras (no slides or sandpits) – just a very sturdy steel frame. It can be great for imaginative play and will also double as a den.
While some users say climbers can be time-consuming to put together, this one comes clearly labelled, which makes it much easier. Plus it’s UV-resistant so the colour shouldn’t fade in the sun.
Read next: Best first bikes for kids: from balance bikes to pedal bikes
TP Toys, Active-Tots Pickler Style Climbing Triangle
Compact when folded
Helps develop motor skills, problem-solving and creativity
Anti-slip rubber feet and safety lock
Modular design can be combined with the climbing bridge and cube to create a more challenging climbing frame as your child grows.
Reviewers found the fold was a little fiddly
Price on writing: £60 | Suitable for: 12 months plus | Size: L90.6 x W78.1 x H58.3cm | Max user weight: 40kg | Material: FSC certified wood
Named after their inventor, a Hungarian paediatrician named Dr Emmi Pikler, Pikler Triangles have been popular on Mumsnet for many years. Recommended for indoor use only, they’re ideal for very young children as they first start to climb and balance, helping develop their gross motor skills, problem-solving and creativity.
This ‘Active Tots’ indoor climbing triangle from TP Toys is made from high-quality FSC-certified wood with a compact folding design, allowing you to conveniently pack it away when not in use. A modular, extendable system, it can also be combined with a climbing bridge and/or cube to create more of a challenge as your child grows.
We love how this climbing frame encourages open-ended play, however, it may start to lose its appeal once your child gains more mobility and confidence. In addition, to gain the benefits of outdoor play, you may want to combine this climbing frame with some of our other recommended best outdoor toys.
Read next: The best toys for 2-year-olds that Mumsnetters swear by
Lots of extras including a climbing wall, sand pit and slide
Smaller footprint than other climbing frames
Anchors and basketball net not included
Mumsnetters warn the delivery isn't great
Price on writing: £650 | Suitable for: 3 years to 12 years | Size: 4.36 x 3.24 x 2.45m | Max user weight:70kg | Material: Pressure-treated wood
Fat Moose’s FruityForest Fun XXL contains a lot of features considering its footprint. The platforms are an impressive 90 and 120cm tall and the wave slide includes a water slide option. There's a climbing wall, climbing net, steering wheel and sand pit underneath, which is great for rainy days.
It isn’t the easiest to assemble, but once it’s up your children will have plenty to entertain themselves with.
Plum Climbing Pyramid Wooden Play Centre
Variety of play areas including a rock wall, cargo net and 8ft wave slide
Camouflage den space
Made from premium sustainably-sourced wood
Can attach a hosepipe to make the wave slide a water slide in summer
Recommended 2-metre perimeter around the pyramid
The camouflage colour scheme won’t be to everyone’s taste
Price on writing: £450 | Suitable for: 3 years plus | Size: H210 x W390 x L150cm | Max user weight: 50kg | Material: Sustainably sourced wood
If you’re looking for a versatile climbing frame that can appeal to every personality type, this Plum Climbing Pyramid Wooden Play Centre is certainly worth considering.
A climbing frame, cargo net, slide and den all in one, it offers several unique ways to play, allowing friends and siblings to enjoy shared experiences or the option to play independently. The ideal canvas for imaginative role play, children will love the camouflage side panels that conceal their spacious forte - ideal for secret missions. On warmer days in the sunshine, you can even attach a hosepipe to the slide to create some fast-paced water fun.
Plum recommends you have a two-metre perimeter around the climbing frame in order to keep everyone safe, so be sure to check the dimensions are suitable for your garden space.
Related: Birthdays looming? Toy box in need of a refresh? We've got you covered with our essential, Mumsnetter-approved guides here: best toys for 5-year-olds, best toys for 6-year-olds and best toys for 7-year-olds.
How to buy the best climbing frame
There are lots of different types of climbing frames on the market. When considering which will work best for you consider:
Age of the child/children: Climbing frames for very young children often won’t be suitable for more than two or three years. You can adapt larger climbing frames for younger children with extras like baby swings and smaller steps. Some climbing frames will last until your children are teens or beyond.
Size: The size of the climbing frame is one of the most important factors. Many climbing frames can be assembled in different formations – the swings at the side or back for example – so you can make the most of the space you have, whether indoors or outdoors.
Material: Metal can be cheaper than wood. Pressure-treated wood will weather well and won’t need repainting. Some people also prefer how it looks in the garden. Lots of climbing frames for younger children are made from plastic. Look out for UV-resistant plastics or they will fade.
Safety: All climbing frames will be built to conform to regulations so make sure you take note of minimum and maximum age and weight guides. Some manufacturers suggest concreting posts into the ground or installing bark or plastic chippings in case children fall. Some also recommend anchors to fix climbing frames to the ground – not all of them include these fixings in the price.
Extras: Climbing is fun, but children sometimes appreciate extra features. Some climbing frames come with single or double swings, sandpits, slides, dens and climbing walls. Companies like Wickey, Fat Moose and Dunster House also sell additional items like telescopes, periscopes, baby swings, pull-up bars and more.
Cost: The price is often one of the biggest factors to consider. Climbing frames don’t come cheap. Even a small plastic frame can cost £100 and the most expensive on our list works out at just under £1,800 by the time anchors are included. If your child plays on the climbing frame most days over 10 or more years, then on a cost per use basis they can work out to be good value.
Assembly: Lots of the larger frames suggest you need two people to assemble. Frames that are able to be configured in different ways often don’t come pre-drilled so you will need basic DIY skills like measuring and drilling. The larger frames can take several hours to assemble.
What's the best climbing frame?
TP Toys Skywood Wooden Play Tower with Ripple Slide is very popular with parents and the best climbing frame to buy right now. With its built-in climbing wall and wavy slide, it is sure to be a hit with the kids this summer.
For toddlers, the Little Tikes Activity Gym is affordable, easy to assemble and a great way to teach them to climb.
How do you safely install a climbing frame?
It's important to install your climbing frame correctly, ensuring it's safe, stable and secure before your children use it for the first time.
Prepare the ground
Before building your climbing frame, choose the space in your garden wisely. Check the dimensions of the climbing frame and ensure you have room to install with plenty of space around the entire perimeter, allowing children to run freely and climb up and down without risking injury.
Where possible, the ground should be level and flat to prevent tipping during use. You should also avoid positioning your climbing frame on harder ground such as paving slabs or patios, instead opting for grass to create a softer landing should they lose their footing during play.
For additional peace of mind, you may wish to invest in some soft rubber matting or play bark, which can offer an additional layer of protection for your child.
Check the pieces
As a natural material, the quality and finish of the wood can vary, so it’s important to check the individual pieces as you build, ensuring there are no rough edges or protrusions that could cause injury or catch on your child’s clothing. You can gently sand down any rough areas found during assembly.
Dig the anchor points
Most climbing frames require anchoring, with anchor posts that need to be sunk into the ground to hold the frame securely. If anchors are required, mark out the locations before digging down to the recommended depth (this will vary depending on the manufacturer's instructions)
Follow the instructions
Follow the instructions closely, even if the build feels intuitive, ensuring that you secure all the joints and connections securely using the screws and nuts provided. Once assembled the frame should feel rigid and secure, so if you are noticing significant movement, check back to ensure nothing has been missed.
Anchor the frame
Once the anchor points are in the ground, it’s recommended you concrete them in place to prevent movement or tipping. The concrete must be given sufficient time to cure before using the climbing frame for the first time (no matter how tempting this may be!)
How do you maintain a wooden climbing frame?
Particularly if made from natural materials like wood, you can expect your climbing frames to change colour and weather over time. To keep them safe and looking their best, you should inspect your child’s climbing frame regularly, replacing or repairing any parts that are showing signs of damage. We also recommend you clean down the frame every few months (spiders anyone?) and tighten the bolts which may start to loosen slightly after extended use.
How we chose our recommendations
All of our recommendations for climbing frames came from Mumsnet users themselves. We searched the Mumsnet forums for posts about which frames they recommended for their toddlers, children and teens. We also looked at other reviews to see which climbing frames got good reviews.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
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