Want to know the best toys for climbing toddlers? From outdoor climbing toys to indoor jungle gyms, we’ve compiled a list of the best climbing toys that will save your sanity and your furniture.
Are you exhausted trying to keep up with your energetic toddler?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
As a fellow parent, I know how important it is to find the right toys to help your little one practice their new skills safely and in a structured manner.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best toys for climbing toddlers – from soft and wooden climbing toys to outdoor options and more.
By the end of this post, you’ll have all the information you need to narrow your search and find the perfect option for your family.
Get ready to discover the life-changing toys that will make your life easier and keep your sanity intact.
This post is all about the best toys for climbing toddlers.
10 Best Toys For Climbing Toddlers
- Important safety considerations
- Best Overall
- Best Budget Option
- Best for Versatility
- Best For Crawlers
- Best for Older Kids
- Best Dome Climber
- Best Toddler Small Indoor/Outdoor Playset
- Best for Outdoor Use
- Best Indoor Toddler Jungle Gym
- Best for Small Spaces
- How to redirect your toddler to use climbing toys
- How we chose the best climbing toys for toddlers
Important safety considerations
Before you dive into this post about climbing toys for toddlers, we want to make sure you understand that all toys, even the safest ones, come with some level of risk. As a parent, it’s really important to take the time to determine the level of risk you’re comfortable with when it comes to your child’s playtime.
Climbing toys can be a great way for kids to burn off energy and develop coordination and strength, but they still require caution and adult supervision.
Pay close attention to the manufacturer’s suggested age recommendations and weight limits. These guidelines are put in place to help ensure safe use and prevent accidents.
Additionally, always make sure the climbing toy is placed in a safe environment. Avoid placing the toy near hard surfaces or areas with sharp edges, and make sure there’s plenty of cushioning underneath in case of a fall.
Finally, it’s important to understand that any products recommended in this post are to be used at your own risk. We’ve done our research and believe these climbing toys to be generally safe and high-quality, but ultimately it’s up to you to determine the safety and level of risk you are comfortable with. Tiny Hands, Tidy Home assumes no responsibility for any injuries or accidents that may occur.
With proper precautions and adult supervision, climbing toys can provide fun ways for kids to play and develop their skills safely.
Best Overall
A climbing triangle is one of the best indoor climbing toys, providing numerous benefits for young children. They promote physical development and gross motor skills, helping kids build muscle strength, coordination, and balance. Furthermore, these toddler climbing toys encourage exploration and independence, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills. With their durable construction and engaging design, Pikler Triangles offer a safe and enjoyable environment for your child's growth and development. A Pikler Triangle was one of the best investments we made for our active toddler at around 16 months old, and she still uses it today at almost five years old. It was the perfect climbing toy for our apartment playroom. We opted to construct our own triangle. But there are also many great options to purchase online, such as the Pikler triangle climbing set from Tiny Land.
- Grows with child
- Sturdy and durable
- Versatile
- Develops gross motor skills
- Fosters independence
- Foldable for storage
- Assembly required
- Does not include cushion
Best Budget Option
The foam climbing corner offers a range of soft foam blocks, providing toddlers aged 1-3 with endless stacking and climbing possibilities. It is not only safe but also easy to clean and maintain. Bright colors on the surface help children develop color recognition skills and foster motor skills and coordination. The lightweight and stackable blocks make this foam climber easy to move around, and it's is a fun, affordable option for playrooms, nurseries, and daycares.
- Affordable price
- Good quality
- Perfect size for babies & toddlers
- Easy to clean
- Versatile
- Slide around easily
- May not fit in small spaces
Best for Versatility
The popular Nugget couch is aptly described as a fusion of toy and furniture, and it lives up to this distinction remarkably well. This set of cushions offers endless possibilities for children to engage in climbing, jumping, fort-building, and sliding. At the same time, it effortlessly doubles as a compact couch for playrooms, serving as an ottoman when desired. It even provides ample space for an average-sized adult to comfortably sleep on if ever necessary. Despite being a bit of an investment, the Nugget's exceptional versatility and prolonged lifespan make it a compelling choice if you appreciate long-term value.
- Machine-washable covers
- Versatile
- Durable
- Variety of color options
- Appeals to wide age-range
- More expensive than comparable options
Best For Crawlers
The SoftZone Climb and Crawl corner climber is an excellent option for babies and toddlers beginning to explore crawling and climbing. This product has garnered immense praise for its impressive durability, offering hours of delightful entertainment for little ones. The surface of the climber is remarkably easy to clean and its versatility is outstanding, as children can enjoy climbing, stacking, and rearranging the blocks in various configurations. Additionally, this climber proves to be an ideal choice for creating engaging obstacle courses as toddlers grow older.
- Versatile
- Good quality
- Easy to clean
- Soft foam
- Small size for littles
- Higher price tag
- Child may outgrow quickly
Best for Older Kids
This ladder wall gym set from Avenlur is an outstanding choice for bigger kids seeking active entertainment. With its space-saving wall placement and a wide range of active play options, including a rope ladder, rock wall, slide, pull-up bar, gymnastic rings, and more, this product has received rave reviews from satisfied customers. Users appreciate the exceptional quality, easy assembly, and aesthetically pleasing design of this gym set and the enjoyment it brings to their kids. While it may come at a higher price, its high weight requirement ensures years of use. Overall, the Avenlur ladder wall gym is a top-notch option for those looking for a durable and versatile playtime experience.
- Doesn't take up much floor space
- Multiple active play options
- Easy setup
- Good quality
- High weight capacity
- Need a large wall space to install
- Not suitable for younger toddlers
- Expensive
Best Dome Climber
The Eezy Peezy Dome Climbing Tower is an excellent choice for parents seeking a top-quality climbing experience for their children. Recommended for kids aged 3-8, dome climbers provide endless entertainment and engage children in active play. While it is suitable for indoor play areas, it truly shines as an outdoor climber, offering ample space for kids to explore, climb, and have fun in the fresh air. With its sturdy construction and durable materials, the Eezy Peezy Dome Climbing Tower ensures the safety and enjoyment of little adventurers.
- Sturdy climber
- Fun appearance
- Longevity of use
- Lightweight
- Difficult assembly
Best Toddler Small Indoor/Outdoor Playset
This playset is a fantastic choice for adventurous toddlers and young kids, both indoors and outdoors. It features a wide slide with convenient side grips, providing a safe and exhilarating ride. The ladder is perfectly sized, adding to the overall convenience. Little ones can also explore the ground-level entry that leads to a secret fort, complete with a steering wheel for endless imaginative play. This playset not only fosters physical, cognitive, creative, and social development but also brings joy through active play. With its durable double-wall plastic construction, it ensures years of enjoyment.
- Indoor/outdoor versatility
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Made in the USA
- Difficult to store
- Challenging assembly
Best for Outdoor Use
If you're looking to provide an exciting outdoor play experience for your toddlers who aren't quite ready for a bigger playset yet, the Step2 Clubhouse Climber playset is a great choice. Recommended for kids ages 2-6, this playset comes equipped with various fun activities that you'd typically find at a park playground, such as a climbing wall, play area, slides, and crawl-through tunnels. And, the club-house style playset looks surprisingly good in terms of aesthetics for a large, plastic climber. The Step2 Clubhouse Climber playset is perfect for someone with a home daycare or simply looking for a fun experience for their kids right in the backyard.
- High quality
- Easy maintenance
- Easy to clean
- Engaging for kids
- Expensive
- Difficult assembly
Best Indoor Toddler Jungle Gym
This Indoor Wooden Jungle Gym Playground is not only super fun and adventurous, but it also helps children develop essential motor skills. This freestanding structure includes activities like rock climbing, sliding, monkey bars, rope ladder, wood ladder, and a swing, so there's always something exciting to do. The high-quality wood ensures durability for years to come.
- Good quality
- Nice aesthetic
- Active indoor play
- Versatile
- Need a large space
- Assembly can be difficult
Best for Small Spaces
This beautifully designed wooden rainbow rocking chair is visually appealing but also highly versatile for children. It serves as a fun rocking chair and can be flipped over to become a colorful climbing frame, promoting physical activity and exercise. Crafted from wood, this toddler climbing toy remains durable and it's easy to clean thanks to its smooth wood panel surface.
- Small size
- Multiple uses
- Sturdy
- Provides rocking sensory input
- Cute aesthetic
- Difficult assembly
- Limited age range
How to redirect your toddler to use climbing toys
If you’re tired of your toddler climbing on everything, I feel your pain!
Our daughter started climbing just about everything as soon as she could walk!
But here’s the deal – you can’t completely stop them from climbing. It’s just in their nature.
The good news is that with toys for climbing toddlers, you can redirect their climbing behaviors to a safer option than your furniture.
All it takes is some consistency and a little dialogue.
You can say something simple like, “I won’t let you climb on the table. You can climb on your triangle instead.” Then, gently guide your child away from the table and towards the toddler climbing toy you have at home.
I won’t lie; you may feel like a broken record as your little climber tests the boundaries. But stick with it. With time and consistency (a lot of consistency), they’ll get the hang of it.
For more information on setting limits and boundaries, check out our post on the best gentle parenting books for beginners.
How we chose the best climbing toys for toddlers
When picking the best climbing toys for toddlers, we dove into researching many top-rated options online. Along the way, we compared important factors, like overall aesthetics, age recommendations, durability, price tag, and other parents’ opinions about them. We also relied on our parenting experience to pick out the real winners and share personal tips on what worked best for us.
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