15 Best Indoor + Outdoor Toddler Climbing Toys: Montessori, Plastic, Foam, Wooden Climbers For Toddlers

Toddlers are the ultimate explorers, constantly on the go. Sometimes this means that they’re climbing on things like couches, railings, and dining room tables — areas where they might get hurt. Finding safe climbing activities for toddlers doesn't need to feel impossible though! We've rounded up the best toddler climbing toys to channel all that little kid energy appropriately!

Discover how to choose the best toddler climbing toys, benefits of climbing for kids, and our favorite toddler indoor and outdoor climbing toys below!

Best Indoor + Outdoor Toddler Climber: Avenlur 6-in-1 Jungle Gym

If you’re looking for a toddler climbing toy that has plenty of features to keep your rambunctious kid engaged, then the Avenlur Outdoor / Indoor Toddler Gym is a great investment. It's recommended for 2 year olds and up.

If the Avenlur is sold out (or you're just looking for something a little cheaper), then we recommend this one. It doesn’t have quite as many features (no rock wall, rope ladder, or swing), but it’s also costs a bit less too.

Best Baby Climbers: ECR4Kids SoftZone Climbing Blocks and Crawl Activity

Finding baby climbing toys that can grow into effective toddler climbing toys is no easy feat. However we love the ECR4Kids SoftZone for just that. They feature soft foam toddler climbing blocks that can be used indoors or outdoors in the backyard. It comes with five geometrically shaped colorful blocks in a few different color options:

Rest easy that the foam is CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD GOLD certified safe against harmful off-gassing. The simple blocks can be easily kept clean by wiping them down with a damp cloth. As children get older, they can stack, lift, and carry the blocks — helping to build gross motor skills.

ECR4Kids offers a ton of other soft toddler climbing toys in their softzone line, including a corner climb or add on tunnels as kids get older! 

Most Affordable Foam Climbing Toys for Toddler + Baby: FDP SoftScape Multiple Purpose Soft Foam Climb Play Set  

Once your baby has graduated from ECR4Kids SoftZone blocks, you may want to look into this foam climbing set as a more affordable add-on alternative! It's six pieces that can be configured in various ways for multifunctional fun and toddler playdates. We like that the half-circle foam shape folds out to become a seat – parents with back problems will also like the stretch it provides! It comes in five colors:

These pieces are made to be durable thanks to the reinforced polyurethane material and textured base that prevents slipping and sliding. You’ll also like that you can easily clean these pieces with a damp cloth or cleaning solution. This play set is perfect for both home and preschool use, and is also GREENGUARD GOLD and CertiPUR-US certified for low emissions. Note though that this set is rated for children from six to 24 months of age. 

Best Indoor Toddler Climbing Toy for Montessori: Pikler Triangle

While the Pikler Triangle isn't officially montessori, (it was created by Dr. Emmi Pikler a physician in the early 1900s), it has become a go to indoor climbing toy for montessori parents. It fosters independence, concentration, learning physical limits all while working gross motor skills as early as six months old and can be used all the way until the child is 6 years old at least.

Best Backyard Outdoor Toddler Climber: Eezy Peezy Monkey Dome Climber

If you prefer that your toddlers do their climbing outside, this miniature jungle gym is a great choice! The Eezy Peezy Monkey Bars Climbing Tower is one of our favorite outdoor climbing toys! It's an excellent way to help kids burn off that endless energy!

You’ll get plenty of mileage out of this climbing toy before it’s time to retire it! This pick is also safe for permanent outdoor installation and is rust- and fade-resistant. Plus, it can support up to 150 pounds so multiple children can play on it simultaneously. 

Best Playhouse Climbing Toy: Step2 Woodland Climber

If your little girl or boy prefers a little whimsy with their climbing toys, you'll love the Step2 Woodland Climber. The neutral playhouse is great for both indoor or outdoor use and features plenty of kid-friendly challenges to engage the mind and body. This toy is rated for children from ages two to six. 

If it's a little on the pricey side for you, you'll be happy to hear Little Tikes makes a ton of plastic climbing playsets that are affordable and durable. Including a mini version similar to this pick that's suitable for 1 to 4 years old, without quite as many bells and whistles. You can check it out on Target, Amazon, or Wayfair.

Best Waldorf Climbing Toy: Wooden Rainbow Arch

For parents looking for a beautiful waldorf inspired climbing toy, the Bunny Hopkins Climbing Arch is perfect! Following Waldorf, it uses the colors of the rainbows on the rungs and no right angles for the ultimate sensory experience. Along with the vibrant colors, this is a multipurpose toy that can be repositioned for endless fun. 

Best of all it's made in the USA with American maple wood and birch wood. It measures in at 36″ L x 17″ W x 17″ H and we recommend only using it outside or on a carpet to protect your floors and the wood.

Best Toddler Slide: Little Tikes First Outdoor / Indoor Slide

Sometimes you can’t go wrong with a classic choice. This Little Tikes First Slide Toddler Slide is easy to assemble and can work for indoor or outdoor purposes. Nostalgic parents will appreciate the red and blue slide which is fairly easy to assemble.

Having been on this myself quite a few times (my friend has it for her kids to get in and out of their trampoline), I can say this: you can go on it if you weigh more than 60 lbs, but it's very lightweight and not anchored, thus it can (and will) easily tip over if you do not follow Little Tikes climber safety recommendations.

Best Climbing Toy For Small Spaces: Stepping Stones

Don’t have the space for a larger climbing toy? Consider this cute Stepping Stones for Kids kit which features 11 non-slip “stones” designed to help improve your child's balance and coordination. We like that the brightly colored pieces are rated safe for children as young as three while older kids and even adults will appreciate them for both play and exercise.

As a cheaper alternative and close runner up we love this set which doesn't come with as many stones – nor do they stack – but you do get 24 activity cards, if you're unsure what to do with stepping stones. The stones are a little bigger too which may make it easier for some toddlers, but won't last as long as the others.

Best Montessori Climbing Toy For Small Spaces: Wooden Balance Board

While a wooden balance board wasn't officially created by Dr. Maria Montessori, it has become a favorite toy for montessori at home families. It's simple, builds concentration, fosters independence, encourages creativity and works gross motor skills.

The board we have measures 31 inches in length and is 11.8 inches wide. It's pretty lightweight and can be moved around easily. It's sturdy enough that we as parents can use it too. Our toddler uses it to practice balancing, pretends it's a boat that she rocks on, uses it as a step stool when working at her easel, and has turned it on it's side for hide and seek or “theater” time.

We've also used it for STEM lessons like building a ramp for egg rolling or racing cars. It's a much more cost effective (and space saving) alternative to the waldorf climbing arch previously mentioned on this list!

Best Climbing Toy To Grow With Your Child: Ninja Warrior Backyard Obstacle Course

If your toddler loves a good challenge and moves through climbing things pretty quickly they'll probably love this Kid’s Ninja Obstacle Course. As a parent, you'll appreciate that it includes a ton of items that can be put up and taken down (or you can build an awesome obstacle course) to really LAST for years with your growing child.

With a total weight capacity of 600 pounds, plenty of children can play with this at once and adults can even get in on the action, making it fun for the whole family! For young toddlers, we suggest starting with just one or two items up like the monkey bars, swing, or the rope ladder (note: you'll want to stabilize the rope ladder when first introducing it as they learn to balance).

Best Climbing Rope Toy: Jungle Gym Tree Climbing Rope Swing

Who doesn’t love a rope swing? Let alone one that can be climbed!? The Jungle Gym Kingdom Rope Swing combines the classic gym rope climb with a swing seat to make it the ultimate outdoor fun. The disc swing seat has textured climbing platforms, which make it easier on the hands than a classic rope climb, as well as a four-foot polyester tree strap with a locking carabiner. 

This toddler climbing toy comes in five colors and is easy to assemble. It can support up to 150 pounds. Meaning your children can continue to use this — even once they’re out of the toddler stage. We like that this is intended for outdoor use and is weather resistant.

Best Climbing Wall: Safe-Kids Climbing Net

My toddler is obsessed with rope ladder climbing walls! We love the Cargo Climbing Net from Safe-Kidz which is a nice rope climbing wall that will last. It's made from solid polyester for added durability and features Bilt-2-Last connectors for a stronger hold. Safe-Kidz promises that the rope won’t rot, crack or splinter with use. And the rope is UV-resistant, making it safe for outdoor installation.

We like that it can be used as a climbing wall indoors or outdoors – with modifications of course to safely secure it to wherever you choose (e.g. don't just throw it over a beam in your home!). Many families did it as an add on to a playground:

It measures 96 inches long and 30 inches wide, and we like that this toddler climbing toy comes with the drill bit you need to safely install it. The climbing net supports up to 150 pounds and is rated for children ages three to 10. 

How To Choose Climbing Toys For Toddlers:

Picking the right climbing toy for your toddler is a combination of understanding your child’s skill level, considering where you want it to go, and determining whether the materials are safe and durable. Of course, you also want something fun that can grow with your child and won’t be useless after a few months. 

Purpose:

Obviously the purpose of a toddler climbing toy is to burn some of that toddler energy while refining gross motor skills. With that said, when choosing a toddler climber, do you want it to serve a single function or multipurpose?

For instance, a toddler climbing wall is great, but they will only do that same climb over and over again. If you're adding this to a playground or side of your house, it's great and will grow with your child!

However if you're looking for a kids climbing toy that offers some creativity and imagination, they may prefer a soft climbing toy like this or a montessori climbing toy like a pikler triangle or montessori balance board that can be used a variety of ways mentioned above.

Where you plan to put it: 

Knowing exactly where you plan to put a toddler climbing toy can seriously narrow down your options alone. You'll want the exact measurements of the space to ensure the footprint of the toy isn't too large.

There are a variety of important factor to consider, and fortunately there's a toddler climbing toy on the market for every home size.

A couple of things to consider: Are you looking for a toy that can be left outside in the backyard permanently? Or do you want a toy that can be disassembled or folded down easily and stored out of sight between uses?

Typically, climbing toys designed to be portable or easily stored aren’t made from weather-resistant materials. So, you might not want to get them wet or leave them indefinitely under direct sunlight. In contrast, toys designed to be left outside might be too bulky to leave in your living room. 

If you have a dedicated play area that isn’t multipurpose, then opting for a more permanent indoor structure might make sense. Meanwhile, if your living room pulls double duty as a play space during the day, then a temporary climbing toy like collapsible crawling tubes and pop-up tents might be a smarter investment. 

Material: 

Beyond determining whether a toy is intended for indoor or outdoor use, you also want to consider durability, safety, and how easily you can clean the toy. Obviously, toddler climbing toys intended for exclusive long-term outdoor use are going to be made from more durable materials such as finished wood, BPA-free plastics, and even weather-treated textiles. 

While all of those materials can also be found on indoor climbing toys, you can also opt for soft-sided crawling tubes. But in this case, you’ll want to prioritize rip-resistant materials. 

Just be careful with wooden climbing toys, as some are not finished making them not great for long term outdoor use unless you finish them with a sealant.

Regardless of whether you opt for indoor or outdoor toys make sure that they can be easily cleaned. You should be able to wipe down hard-sided climbing toys and ideally spot clean or fully wash soft climbing toys. 

Skills/Development: 

At a minimum, climbing toys are designed to help build and strengthen your child’s larger muscle groups. This falls under the category of gross motor skills development. 

But they can also encourage problem solving and cognitive develop as they figure out how to maneuver obstacles.

Some kids climbing toys offer fine motor skill development as they manipulate their hands and grip through various holds.

And, if you have more than one child, or often invite other children over for playdates, a good climbing toy can serve as a way for children to work on social skills like taking turns and sharing.

Consider which of these are important to you and look for them when selecting your toddler climbers!

Safety:

Toddler climbers can make a lot of parents uncomfortable. I speak from experience as multiple people have gasped as my 18 month old climbed to the top of her pikler triangle and sat there. Safety is always a top concern, especially when kids are climbing!

You'll always want to supervise your toddler and kids while climbing. Beware of the manufacturer's age and weight recommendations and follow them accordingly. Look at the product and see if it has any safety certifications for an added level of comfort.

Also be sure that there aren’t any choking hazards or rough edges that could also create unexpected injuries. 

If you buy an outdoor toddler climbing toy, be sure to follow all installation and mounting instructions so that the toy is stable and doesn’t pose the risk of tipping over, especially while your kids are on it. 

FAQS About Toddler Climbers

Are climbing toys safe?

Assuming you pick a climbing toy that’s compatible with your child’s age and weight, yes they are generally considered safe with adult supervision.

Climbing toys help to engage and enhance your physical and mental skill sets. 

This includes fine and gross motor skills, as well as problem solving, hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, and strategy development skills. And for group play, you can also include language development. 

Why is climbing important for toddlers? 

We all know that for adults extended periods spent sitting is bad for their health. But the same can be said for toddlers. Especially at a young age, it’s important that toddlers build up their physical strength and improve their gross motor skills. 

Climbing allows toddlers to do that, plus enhance mental acuity, all in a fun and low-stress environment. Getting and keeping children active from an early age can help to reduce the risk of developing childhood obesity. 

Benefits of climbing for toddler:

• Refine gross motor skills
• Build strength
• Hone spatial and directional awareness
• Increase hand-eye-foot coordination
• Learn physical limits with balance
• Boost agility
• Problem solving
• Reduces stress and acts as a positive coping skill
• Builds self reliance and confidence
• Increases concentration and focus
• Stretches the body
• Increases respiratory and cardiovascular strength

Are climbing toys good for toddlers?

Yes! Climbing toys provide a developmentally appropriate and safe space for toddlers to climb instead of the window sills or furniture in your house!

Babies begin to work on the skills they’ll utilize for more challenging climbing around 6 months old when they are learning to pull themselves up. This is why many Montessori parents choose to get a Pikler Triangle as a safe climbing activity for baby and toddlers around that time.

Climbing toys provide toddlers with the opportunity to build self esteem, balance, coordination, and so much more as noted above.

How do you entertain a climbing toddler?

You don’t really need to entertain a climbing toddler. Dr. Maria Montessori talked about “sensitive periods” that toddlers go through, including the sensitive period for movement. If your toddler is obsessed with climbing everything in your home and it’s driving you crazy (we get it!) the climbing toys on this list should provide some relief!

Remember there are a lot of development components that go into climbing (pulling up, balance, reaching, etc.) so stepping stones like these make a great option for playing games if you want to focus their climbing efforts a bit more! You can have them start on hardwood floors, then move to a foam mat, then grass to make it more challenging.

Final Thoughts:

With all that energy, toddler climbing toys can create the perfect outlet to let little ones release it safely. While you should pick an age appropriate climbing toy, the good news is that many of the toys available today are designed to grow with your child so you get more mileage for your investment. 

If you want an all-in-one solution, the Avenlur 6-in-1 Jungle Gym is a great 360-solution that works for indoor and outdoor setups. Meanwhile, if you want a space-saving solution that’s also great for all environments, the Little Tikes First Slide Toddler Slide is a smart choice and wallet-friendly too.

With that said, my personal favorite is the Pikler Triangle as it folds up, provides a few options (rope climb, rock wall climb, wrung climb), and can be used from 6 months to 6+ years old!

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Originally published 10/6/21; Updated 1/12/24