I don’t remember rock climbing much as a kid, maybe a few times at birthday parties, and never outside. But I fell in love with climbing in college and climbed throughout my 20s. Now as a parent and uncle, I want to share my love of rock climbing with the kids in my life. And it’s gotten much more accessible over the years with the abundance of available indoor climbing gyms. Rock climbing indoors is easy to do with kids. Many gyms offer classes or camps specifically for kids and usually have gear that you can rent. But if you’re looking to climb outside, or you climb a lot at the gym, you’ll want to invest in the best kids climbing gear. This would include at least shoes, harness, and for outdoor climbing, a helmet.

Luckily, many climbing gear companies make kids climbing gear. But what’s the best kids climbing gear? What factors do you want to take into consideration when picking kids climbing gear? We wrote this article with the help of multiple experienced climbers who have climbed extensively with kids including their own kids, their nieces and nephews, and as professional climbing guides. With their expertise we put together this list of the best kids climbing gear.

Best Kids Climbing Shoes

We’re starting our best kids climbing gear from the bottom: the feet. When kids are really young, they will climb just about anything. And they don’t need special shoes (or even shoes at all) to do it. But for indoor or outdoor rock climbing, even small kids will appreciate the extra stickiness of rock climbing shoes. There are lots of options for kids climbing shoes. Here are our favorites.

Best Beginners Climbing Shoe

La Sportiva Stickit

The La Sportiva Stickit is a kids climbing shoe that emphasizes comfort over performance. The wider, more comfortable design allows kids feet to move and grow naturally. While this does decrease the performance compared to a more traditional climbing shoe, for a beginner that won’t matter. The Stickit is comfortable and has an easy on/off system, perfect for young kids just starting out.

BUY NOW: REI | Backcountry | Moosejaw

More kids content: Best Kids Camping Gear

Best Value Beginners Climbing Shoe

Butora Brava

Butora is newer to the climbing shoe market, but so far they have made a huge impact with high quality shoes at affordable prices. The Brava is no exception. It’s made from super durable synthetic microfiber and starts at only $34. It’s wide opening and simple single strap closure system makes it easy for kids to get it on and off. It also has a heel strap that can be loosened as your kids foot grows. The additional wedge of EVA foam under the heel also makes this a more comfortable shoe for kids to walk around in.

BUY NOW: Amazon | Backcountry | Moosejaw

Looking for shoes for yourself as well? Check out:

How to Choose the Right Climbing Shoes

Best Advanced Kids Climbing Shoe

La Sportiva Maverink

The La Sportiva Maverink are a great shoe for older and more advanced kids. If your kid feels like their current beginner or rental shoe is holding them back, the Maverink is the answer. It gives the performance you expect from a high-quality La Sportiva climbing shoe, while also designed to reduce the restrictions on young feet. The slipper design is easy to get on and off and La Sportiva’s No-Edge Technology ensures excellent performance. Even cooler, the shoe comes with two markers (1 black and 1 white) that enable kids to draw on the rubber and leather, giving these a totally customized look.

BUY NOW: La Sportiva | REI | Backcountry

11 Kid-friendly Outdoor Adventures

Best Value Advanced Kids Climbing Shoe

Black Diamond Momentum Kids

Black Diamond is known for excellent climbing gear, but only recently got into making climbing shoes. They make high-quality and comfortable shoes at affordable prices. The Momentum Kids look great, are super comfortable, and perform better than entry level kids climbing shoes. The flat bottom of the shoe provides great comfort but does not impair performance. And at less than half the price of the Maverink, these are climbing shoes that budget-conscious parents can get behind.

BUY NOW: Black Diamond | REI | Backcountry

Check out our favorite climbing sun protection gear

Best Kids Climbing Harnesses

Moving on in our best kids climbing gear to arguably the most important piece of climbing gear: the harness. If you’re just bouldering, you don’t need a harness. But top-roping or lead climbing, indoor or out, you will definitely need a harness. Since young kids have a high-center of gravity, they need a full body harness. Generally kids 5 and under will need a full body harness and they can usually hold about 88 lbs. Make sure when using harnesses (or any climbing safety equipment) to read and understand all of the safety information that comes with it. For example, tying the climbing rope into a full body harnesses is different than in a regular sit harness. It’s important to understand proper use of a kids full body harness before using it. Below we have our favorite kids harnesses.

Best Full Body Kids Harness

Petzl Ouistiti

Kids harnesses are historically very simple, focusing on comfort and ease of use. Petzl has kept the comfort and ease, and created a fully featured kids full body harness. It’s thick padded shoulder straps, leg loops and waist belt definitely makes it comfortable enough for kids to hang in. The buckles being located in that back is a great feature, it makes sure kids don’t fiddle with them while on the wall. The gear loops and rear attachment point are just added features that enable even more types of climbing and applications. Lastly, the low, single tie in point on the front closely mimics how it feels to hang in a regular sit harness, making it easier for kids to transition to a sit harness when they are ready.

BUY NOW: Backcountry | Moosejaw | Amazon

Climbing Festivals Across America in 2021

Best Sit Kids Harness

Petzl Macchu (plus optional shoulder straps)

The Petzl Macchu is a fantastic kids climbing harness. It’s a sit style harness with all of the features of an adult harness including padded leg loops, two double-backed buckles, and stiff gear loops. The belay loop is bright green making it easy to differentiate from the other loops. And possibly the best part is that Petzl make separate shoulder straps that pair with the Macchu, turning it into a full body harness. This means you can buy one harness and use it as a full body and a sit harness. And did I mention it comes in blue and purple?

BUY NOW (HARNESS): REI | Backcountry | Moosejaw

BUY NOW (SHOULDER STRAPS): REI | Backcountry | Moosejaw

Related: Guide to the Best Approach Shoes

Best Kids Climbing Helmets

If you’re climbing in the gym, you won’t need a helmet. But if you’re doing any type of outdoor climbing, we strongly recommend making sure your kids (and you) are wearing a helmet. For young kids who are just starting out and probably only top-roping, a bike or ski helmet will likely be fine. With top roping mostly what you are concerned about is stuff like rocks falling from above, and really any type of active helmet will protect against that. Once your kid is more advanced or doing any type of leading or following, they definitely will want a climbing specific helmet.

Petzl Picchu

The Petzl Picchu is our favorite for many reasons. First, it’s safety certified as both a climbing and a biking helmet, so you save money and only need one helmet. The Picchu has narrower webbing straps than adult helmets, making it more comfortable for a kids smaller head. It’s also super durable and has great ventilation. And as a bonus it comes with an awesome sticker pack so kids can decorate and personalize their helmet. The Petzl Picchu is an obvious pick for our best kids climbing gear list.

BUY NOW: REI | Amazon

Related: The Super Secret Language of Climbing Lingo

Best Kids Chalk Bag

When it comes to the best kids climbing gear, a chalk bag is probably the least critical, but it’s definitely the most fun. While kids could really wear any chalk bag, there are some kid-specific chalks bags that are pretty fun either because of their smaller size or creative design. Here are some of our favorite kids chalk bags.

Black Diamond Mojo Kids Chalk Bag

For a kid who wants to have a chalk bag that looks and works like an adults, this is our top choice. It has all the features of the Black Diamond Mojo Chalk Bag, but in a kid’s size.

BUY NOW: Black Diamond | Backcountry | Moosejaw

8BPLUS Chalk Bags

What kid wouldn’t love these “monstrously fun” chalk bags. 8B+ promises you will find your “chalk bag soulmate” and they truly deliver. Each design has a unique name and personality.

BUY NOW: REI | Moosejaw | Amazon

Grip Jammers Chalk Bags

Check out Grip Jammers, one of our favorite Etsy creators. They make chalk bags out of your kids favorite characters. Pikachu, Groot, Garfield, Stitch, and many, many more. You will definitely find a chalk bag your kid loves.

BUY NOW: Grip Jammers Etsy Shop

If none of those are exactly the chalk bag you’re looking for, check out one of our most popular articles 21 Unique Chalk Bags for Every Climber. You’ll find unique designs from primarily smaller artisans and designers. We also love the chalk bags from Organic Climbing, Cotopaxi, and Prana.

Check out our 12 favorite camping games before your next trip!

Best Kids Climbing Gear – the other stuff

Shoes, harness, helmet, chalk bag. That’s pretty much all the gear your kid needs to go rock climbing. But what are the other items you might want, especially for a day rock climbing outside with your kid? It would be great if they could carry some amount of stuff, even just their own snacks and water. Here’s some of our favorite  “other stuff” you might need for a day of rock climbing with your kid.

Best Kids Backpack for Climbing

A day of rock climbing pretty much always require carrying stuff. Increase your kids’ willingness to help out by getting them their own cool backpack.  Our favorite is the REI Tarn.

REI Tarn Kids Backpack

The REI Tarn comes in two size, 12 liter or 18 liter. It has all the features you would find on a high quality adult backpack, just in a smaller size. Padded straps, space for a hydration bladder, large mesh water bottle pockets, sternum strap, hip belt, and plenty of space to carry everything they need. It’s made from ripstop nylon with a durable water repellent coating, so it can stand up to anything your kid puts it through.

BUY NOW (Tarn 12): REI and (Tarn 18): REI

Also looking for a backpack? Best daypacks for every type of adventure 2021

Best Kids Carrier

If you have a young kid who can’t make the approach to the climbing site on their own, you will definitely want a carrier. Strollers won’t make it to most climbing sites, and a nice backpacking style kid carrier is way more comfortable than a normal front pack. Plus, they usually offer storage space so you can carry the kid and everything they need. Our favorites is the Osprey Poco Plus.

Osprey Poco Plus

Osprey is known for making great backpacks, and their Poco Plus child carrier is no exception. It has super comfortable padded straps, tons of storage space including room for a hydration bladder, and it’s ultra durable. It’s built in sunshade pops out easily and completely protects your kid from the suns harmful rays. The reverse harness secures your child and puts the buckle behind them so they can’t get out. Adjustable seat and stirrups make it easy to get a comfortable fit for your child. Read the reviews on this one, parents and kids both love this thing.

BUY NOW: REI | Backcountry | Moosejaw

Check out: Best Headlamps 2021

Best Kids Snacks and Water Bottle

Everyone knows a hungry kid is a grumpy kid. And hiking and climbing makes a kid hungry. Here are some of our favorite snacks, snack containers, and water bottles for kids. Don’t forget to bring enough for yourself!

Sea to Summit X-Seal and Go Set

For the best kids snack containers we like the Sea to Summit X-Seal and Go Set. It comes with two containers: a bowl/plate and a cup/snack dish. Both have lids that turn either the plate or cup into a leak-proof container. The silicone is soft, pretty much unbreakable, and easily cleaned. And when not in use, they  pack down to just over an inch tall.

BUY NOW: REI

Hydroflask Kids Water Bottle

Keeping hydrated is an important part of being outside. Dehydrated kids are irritable and won’t have energy to play. Encourage them to drink water by getting them their own water bottle. We love these colorful kids water bottles from Hydroflask—the wide-mouth design is easy to clean while the straw lid is easy to use and prevents spills. Comes in three fun colors.

BUY NOW: REI

Favorite Kids Snacks

We recommend bringing healthy and delicious snacks, and plenty of them. It doesn’t have to be fancy. We love PB&J, apples, carrots, and maybe a cookie. For a treat we love these low sugar gummies from Project 7. Our favorite bar for kids is the classic Chocolate Brownie Z-bar from ClifBar. For a kid with a more sophisticated palate (or for the parents!) anything from Patagonia Provisions is amazing. And last but not least, we absolutely love these homemade citrus cashew bliss balls.

Read More: Gift Ideas for the Outdoorsy Mom

Rock climbing with kids is all about being active and having a good time. Picking the best kids climbing gear should be about maximizing fun while keeping kids safe and comfortable. Do you have any favorite kids climbing gear, or any great stories about taking your kid out climbing? We’d love to hear them! We hope you’ve enjoyed our article on the very best kids climbing gear.