20 Best Climbing Toys For 1 Year Olds in 2023 (and Toddlers!)
20 Best Climbing Toys For 1 Year Olds in 2023 (and Toddlers!)
Climbing is among the most critical developmentally playing forms for kids. It’s associated with numerous benefits, including refined motor skills, improved muscle strength, and better hand-eye coordination.
But, while this physical activity is incredibly beneficial for kids, it’s usually accompanied by various safety dangers that can harm your child. For easy and safe climbing, you need to procure a suitable climbing toy for your child to improve their abilities and explore more.
However, the market is flooded with many substandard and weak climbing toys you need to be careful not to purchase.
Instead of going through the many options available today, check out our 20 top picks, all approved by satisfied parents and contented kids.
But first, let’s discuss the various benefits your child will have so much fun from having a climbing toy.
Table of Contents
The Four Primary Benefits of Climbing for 1 Year Olds (and Toddlers):
Improves kids' motor skills, spatial awareness, and memory
Climbing can significantly enhance the development of gross motor skills. A PlayCore Study indicated that climbing at an early age promotes directional and spatial awareness and improves physical skills like agility and foot and hand coordination.
Research shows that when kids use their hands and legs and deal with different incline levels or distances between various platforms, they can improve their proprioception. This skill helps them to sense their body positions/movements in space.
A 2015’s research from the University of Florida showed that climbing could dramatically boost core executive functions such as working memory.
Boost academic performance and physical fitness
Studies show that climbing while still young also improves academic performance and physical fitness. Most schools experimented by introducing various playing activities in their school, and it greatly enhanced the kids’ academic results, discipline, mood, concentration, and physical fitness.
A physically fit child is more flexible, has improved balance and coordination, and can’t fall or get injured easily.
Promotes confidence and better problem-solving skills
Children usually learn to face their fears head-on by climbing things. At first, they can be scared but with time they get used to it. The approach kids take towards various climbing challenges helps them develop better critical-thinking skills.
For example, when they discover new climbing routes, determining where to position their feet/hands or ways to climb higher than they did yesterday.
Enhances social skills
Kids enjoy climbing with other children of their age. It’s for them to socialize and cooperate when they explore the climbing structure together. Through this physical fun activity, they tend to develop better communication, teaching, and listening skills.
Now that you know how the toy you’re planning to get your child will benefit them, you’ll have no doubt that you’re making a wise decision buying your child a climbing toy.
Here is our list of the best climbing toys (for 1-year-old and older children):
Best Climbing Toys for 1-year-olds
According to the manufacturer’s recommendation, this climber is suitable for 1-4-year-old kids.
It has the right size and features a mini-tunnel and climbing wall for your little adventurers to play the hide and seek game.
The climber also comes with a slide downslope that warrants safer and gentle landings.
It’s also not heavy and easy to assemble for both indoor and outdoor play activities.
It can help your child learn better balancing and coordination due to its small size. Your child can also boost their physical strength through tons of outdoor adventures.
However, it’s best to supervise your child to ensure they don’t fall as the rock wall is somewhat slippery.
Things We Like...
- Encourages physical activities
- Features a soft mini slide
- Quick to assemble
This climber is one of the best indoor climbing toys and can help your kid learn to climb, slide, and crawl safely while learning other essential growth skills, social skills, and hand-eye coordination.
It’s best for both in-home and institutional use due to its strong and versatile features.
It’s easily foldable and connected with solid Velcro straps for enough support and safety when kids use it.
It’s constructed for indoor climbing with a non-slip base to prevent slipping and accidents.
Things We Like...
- Easy to use, fold, and store
- Excellent color choice
- Safe!
- Develops gross motor skills and physical strength
If the 6-piece set is too much for your kid or home space, you can consider the Children’s Factory Up & Down 2-piece set.
It comes with a soft play surface and structure friendly for 1-year old kids. It’s constructed using soft foam and has bright colors that attract your child to play with it.
It’s safe for babies’ use since it’s not made with plastic or hard materials that can break and harm your child. Its Velcro strips will ensure these 2-set blocks don’t fall apart when your little one plays with them.
Things We Like...
- Helps with the development of balance and coordination
- Cleaning easiness
- Safe for toddler and 1-year old babies
- Certified by Greenguard gold
The Sportstatic Activity Center is another excellent climbing toy for 1-year olds. It’s a versatile climbing toy and playset featuring 3-in-1 sports activities, including a molded-in soccer goal, tethered baseball base, and basketball hoop.
It also has a small mini slide and two miniature stairs. Your baby can easily climb it to its top and scoot down the soft slide without being exposed to any hazards.
Besides its compact, convenient design, this climber has built-in storage for every sporting tool.
Things We Like...
- It comes with miniature stairs and a slide
- Built-in storage
- Versatile due to the 3-in-1 sports
Little Tikes First Slide is a great climbing toy for kids aged 1.5-6 years old. It’s constructed for indoor and outdoor use, and it’s effortless to assemble.
For an enhanced experience, you can use this climber with a ball pit, where your little climbs on it, the slide joyfully and smoothly to a ball pit.
However, this slide has a weight limit, it can only be used by one kid at a time with not more than 60 lbs.
Things We Like...
- Easy to assemble and store
- Bright colors
- Suitable for indoors and outdoors
This climbing is suitable for indoor use only.
It features a 2-piece set of soft and highly sturdy polyurethane foam. One of the pieces has a stair-form shape, while the second one has a ramp shape.
Your kid can use the 2-steps stair to climb on this toy’s top and slide safely on the sloping block.
These blocks are joined with solid Velcro strips to keep the blocks from detaching when your little champ plays with them.
The toy is soft and lacks sharp corners that can poke your little one.
Its one-foot height is easy for kids to climb, and the lightweight blocks are easy to move from different rooms.
The vinyl cover is waterproof and will keep the toy safe even when kids spill liquids on them when playing.
Things We Like...
- Aids motor skills
- Durable, sturdy, and water-resistant cover
- Compliant with ATSM standards, hence it’s safe for kids
The Ecr4kids Kids Softzone Climber comes with many climbing and playing sets that can significantly transform your kid’s playing area to look like a daycare.
Although pricy, this climbing set will give your child an optimal experience and significantly improve their hand-eye coordination, creativity, strength, sensory, and memory with the many playing blocks available.
Unlike most foam climbers, this Softzone toy comes with a crawling tunnel your child can play hide and seek and has other fun games.
However, even though this climbing toy set looks safe, it’s advisable to supervise your child when they use it.
Things We Like...
- Many climbing and playing sets
- Big enough
- Many bright colors
- Crawling tunnels
Several years back, this climbing set received the Parent’s Choice Award. Hence, it’s pretty clear that it’s an excellent option worth considering.
It features an extra-wide slide with easy-grip side rails, a handled ladder for easy climbing to the spacious 2-tiered platform.
It also comes with a playhouse with openings your child can use to crawl in and out, with double-wall construction, making it even more fun and safe.
Things We Like...
- Easy-to-grip side rails
- Simple to assemble
- Excellent color choices
- Safe space with double-wall construction
This ynkoo toddler’s slide and swing net is a versatile 3-in-1 toy suitable for 9+ months old kids.
It features sliding, swinging, climbing activities, and even has a basketball hoop.
It also has a bottom area kids can crawl in or use as a playhouse/storage area for their favorite toys.
It also helps develop gross and fine motor skills like hand-eye coordination, creativity, and more.
It’ll also grow with your child as it’s recommendable for older children at the age of up to 10 years.
Things We Like...
- Numerous activities for your little one
- Develops sensory and gross motor skills
- Easy-to-grip surface
- Great for older siblings
This Children’s Factory 6-piece set is one of the best climbing toys for 12-months old babies.
The six bright-colored foam blocks will give your baby an exciting and creative playtime.
These pieces are made using high-end foam and have PVC-free polyurethane covers for easy cleaning or wiping.
The complete set includes a ramp, cylinder, half-moon, cut-out rectangle, a small and large square blocks.
With the many shapes, your child will develop their motor skills while playing and arranging the blocks in different configurations.
Things We Like...
- Safe and durable material
- Lightweight, strong build
- Improves creativity and kids motor skills
Best Climbing Toys For Toddlers (above 1 Year)
This climbing tower is a sturdy, rust-resistant, UV-resistant, and durable climbing tower for toddlers.
These features make it suitable for outdoor and indoor settings.
The interlocking connectors and plastic tubes provide numerous possible ways for kids to play with the climber and burn off their excess energy.
It’s also surprisingly lightweight and simple to assemble.
Things We Like...
- The double-lock system ensures maximum safety
- Fast assembling and disassembling
- Solid structure
This Step2 climber can give your child an excellent time climbing and sliding while simultaneously enhancing their motor and physical skills, social skills, STEM learning, and more.
It also features a ball/water/sandpit and a non-leaking drain plug for easy drainage of the basin
It comes with ten balls for your child to use with the ball pit and a large playing area to accommodate multiple kids.
Things We Like...
- Multiple possible activities for kids
- Spacious design
- Develops coordination and motor skills
The Step2 Skyward Summit is an excellent climbing toy for parents looking sturdy, classy, and durable climbing walls for their dynamic adventurers.
It features a strong cargo net and kids-friendly hand grips for a real and fun climbing experience.
Your kid will be more creative and logical as they progressively succeed in determining various strategies to reach the wall’s summit.
However, this toy is only suitable for kids with 4+ years, and adult supervision is recommended.
This product will give your child almost all the climbing benefits, including fine and gross motor skills.
However, it may be somewhat pricy for parents with tight budgets.
Things We Like...
- Dynamic
- It comes in many bright colors
- Robust and high-end cargo net
- Junior-friendly has grips
Pikler triangles, also called climbing triangles, have been around for over a decade, and it’s to see why.
They help kids develop better gross motor skills, concentration, social skills, self-confidence, and creativity while providing them hours of play and entertainment.
The Cassaro Pikler triangle is big enough to accommodate kids with 1-8 years. It’s made from natural wood and has no protrusions or sharp ends; hence, it’s health-friendly to your child.
Things We Like...
- Easy to assemble
- Foldable
- Sturdy and stable
This climbing set provides a real jungle setting for your little adventurer and their friends.
This climber set has many exciting features, and it’s robust enough to accommodate kids who weigh up to 66 pounds.
The jungle gym’s climber has numerous activity features, including a slide, stairs, and side cut-outs kids can use to climb the toy or as windows for the base area.
It’s best for both indoor and outdoor settings and can be easily disassembled for store for future use.
It’s best for kids at the age of 3+ years.
Things We Like...
- Bright colors and excellent design
- Climbing cut-outs
- Easily reversible stairs and slide
- Easy to assemble
The Lifetime easy outdoor space Dome Climber has a geometric design and features sturdy HDPE climbing hand grips for safer climbing and descending.
Your kid can also enjoy the jungle gym and improve their mental and physical abilities, as well as hand-eye coordination.
Its powder-coated steel frames used to make the jungle gym ensure the toy’s durability, heat prevention, and resistance to rust and wear and tear.
Putting together this doe is quite simple and fast.
Things We Like...
- Sturdy, interactive design
- Suitable for kids with 3-10 years
- High weight capacity (300lbs)
- Bright colors
- Easy assembling and disassembling
This UTEX climbing toy has a 3-in-1 design featuring a lengthy tunnel, square-shaped tent house, and tepee house.
Your active toddler can use all these three areas separately or together for a nice, fun playtime.
The mesh panels can be a great choice for playing pick-a-boo, while the tunnel is excellent for crawling games.
It’s a pop-up playing tent constructed from a high-quality 190T polyester taffeta that’s highly resistant to wear and tear. Its pit-tent is compliant with all safety standards.
Moreover, assembling this play tent is very simple. You can easily pop it quickly and effortlessly fold it for storage.
The only disadvantage is you’ll have to buy the pit balls yourself.
Things We Like...
- Multifunctional for fun playtime
- Simple to assemble, disassemble, and store
- Made with safe materials
Kids Jungle Gym Climbing Tower is another simple but efficient and robust climbing toy that can improve your child’s strength and coordination.
It’s relatively big, but it’s also foldable for easy storage.
It’s suitable for toddlers with 3+ years and a maximum weight of 90 pounds; hence you’re your kid can invite their friends for a playdate.
Things We Like...
- Relatively cheap
- Durable
- Easy to store
This climbing toy will help your kid unleash their Ninja skills while assisting them in learning essential growth skills like coordination and fine and gross motor skills.
It is enjoyable and challenging enough to keep your child on toes and develop better critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Things We Like...
- Numerous kids activities
- Adjustable obstacle distances
- It comes with a ladder for easier climbing
The main feature making this toy unique is its convenient size suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
It has a well-proportioned structure and soft, comfy slide with a buffer zone and better hand grip to prevent poor landing and injuries.
The basketball hoop can keep your little champ engaged, but it may be relatively high for some kids.
Things We Like...
- Safe and non-toxic materials
- Easy cleaning
- Foldable
- Multifunctional
Final Thoughts
Climbing tools are highly beneficial in your kid’s development process. It’s best to consider their recommended age, size, materials, quality, and functions to buy one that fits your kid’s weight, age, and needs.
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