Bouldering is a great activity for kids of all ages. It's a great way to get them active and engaged, and it's also great for developing problem-solving skills. If you're looking for a place to take your kids bouldering in Melbourne this school holiday, here are three of the best places to check out. Please supervise your children at any bouldering venue for safety.
Bloc Haus in Port Melbourne has the trifactor - dedicated kids bouldering area, emergency snacks and ample car parking
2/359 Plummer St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207
https://mlb.blochaus.com.au
03 96466018
Mon, Wed & Fri: 6am to 10am
Tue & Thu: 10am to 10pm
Sat & Sun: 9am to 9pm
If you've ever been stuck for something to do with the kids on a Saturday afternoon, why not get them down to Bloc Haus in Port Melbourne? Kids aged 12 and under (no minimum) will get loads of fun out of the dedicated children’s bouldering wall, FamilyHaus complete with a cubby house, rope and slide. There is also a slackline for practicing balance.
Plus, if you forget to bring snacks, they sell Clif Bar (energy bars), fresh fruit, sodas, pizza and pretzels. The kids bouldering section is suitable for beginners as young as 18 months, however kids 4 years and older tend to get the most out of bouldering. If your child is comfortable climbing all over the place at the park, they will have a ball at Bloc Haus. Ample parking is available.
Pro Tip: For the early risers, Bloc Haus is open from 6am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. No more boring early mornings! Plus, kids 4 years and under go free with a full price adult pass.
Boulder Lab in Clayton is great for more experienced little climbers
1418A Centre Rd, Clayton South VIC 3169
http://www.boulderlab.com.au
03 87973448
Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri: 11am to 10pm
Thu: 6am to 10pm
Sat & Sun: 8am to 8pm
Boulder Lab Clayton’s dedicated children’s bouldering area, Kinder Lab, is accessible by kids aged 12 and under (no minimum). They have a spray wall, which is slightly angled to be steeper for training. As such, Boulder Lab Clayton’s kids bouldering section is more suitable for children 5 years and over.
Pizzas, energy bars and cookies are available for snacks, but there are also many restaurants nearby. Parking won't be a hassle as there is ample car parking available and Boulder Lab is 12 minutes walk from Clayton train station.
Boulder Lab runs a comprehensive youth program with foundational classes for under 10s (Mini Monkeys), under 12s (Super Monkeys), and a Youth Squad that can progress climbers onto the competitive climbing pathway. They also stock kids climbing shoes in their climbing gear shop.
Pro Tip: Kinder Lab is generally closed on Friday from 11am to 6.30pm and Saturday from 10am to 12:15pm due to classes. This changes from time to time so best to call Boulder Lab Clayton before you turn up on Fridays and Saturdays. Even better, join one of their youth programs so your child can be part of the class and you don’t have to supervise them!
Meet Jimmy the coffee van at Climb West in Altona and feel free to bring your doggo
193 Maidstone St, Altona VIC 3018
https://climbwestmelbourne.com.au
Mon to Fri: 10am to 9pm
Sat: 9am to 7pm
Sun: 10am to 7pm
For those living in Melbourne’s west side, Climb West in Altona is the place to be. Not only is it owned and run by women, they have also created a cozy atmosphere. Although there is no dedicated space for children, the staff is friendly and the gym is not so busy all the time.
Dogs are welcome, and if you get hungry or thirsty, Jimmy the coffee van can serve you up coffee for the parents, toasties and smoothies.
For any kid, fitness should be fun. There’s no one perfect gym for every kid or adult – no matter how seasoned they may be. The right gym for your young ones is the one that makes them feel good, where they want to come back, and where they can reach their goals. But above all else, it should bring a smile to their faces while they experiment with how their body moves to solve mental and physical bouldering problems. With a little bit of imagination and effort, there’s no limit to the opportunities available to get your kids moving from a young age.
