Best climbing frames for kids 2024, tried and tested

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With summer and the school holidays fully activated, nothing quite beats a quality climbing frame to tempt the kids to ditch the tablet screens and head outside to burn off some energy.

Perfect for encouraging children to get active and improve balance, strength and coordination, climbing frames are also ideal for helping kids develop problem-solving skills and navigate risk. Even the simplest of setups can spark hours of imaginative and energetic play.

Unless you’re looking for a specific toddler or pre-schooler-friendly model to last just a couple of years, a climbing frame is typically a one-off buy, so, you want to buy well and choose a design that will last and is able to withstand anything the kids (and weather) can throw its way. As a result, you can expect to spend between £200 to £1,000 for a decent playset that will go the distance.

When you’re searching for the perfect climbing frame for your family, the biggest consideration is size. Depending on how much space you have, the choice is massive – with everything from cute and compact designs to sprawling wooden adventure play castles. We’ve tried to cover a decent range, to suit most families and spaces.

Assembly is another factor to consider. All of the climbing frames in our round-up require a certain level of DIY assembly but, while some were quick and easy jobs that only needed a screwdriver and a spare hour, others were full-on, power-tool-fuelled jobs that lasted a full day. If you’re at all hesitant about your DIY skills, it’s worth calling in the professionals to make sure your frame is assembled correctly and safely.

How we tested

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We roped in a gang of mini testers, ranging in age from two to 10, to help us put together our round-up of the best climbing frames. We looked at everything from assembly to safety, while our young testers were more concerned with how much fun they could have and how easy the climbing frames were to use.

The best climbing frames for 2024 are: