9 best climbing frames for kids: as recommended by real parents

Children may enjoy climbing the sofa and the walls, but the best climbing frames will help channel their energy as well as develop strength, balance and motor skills. You might remember the old-school metal climbing frames from your childhood, but there’s now a huge variety of sizes and styles to choose from.

With everyone looking to spend a little less on activites in 2026, we've scoured expert review sites as well as drawing on the wisdom of the Mumsnet Talk forums to help you make the most of your garden this summer. Whether you're looking for the best trikes or RC cars to keep your kids busy in the summer holidays, or the best hot tub or garden hoses to make your garden a real sanctuary, we've got you covered.

From small fold-away wooden triangles to plastic cubes for toddlers, as well as huge wooden forts with swings, slides, dens and bridges – we've hand-picked the very best climbing frames for kids, with options for both small and large gardens.

Here are the best climbing frames to buy this year, as recommended by parents.

Best climbing frames at a glance

• Best overall climbing frame: TP Toys Skywood Wooden Play Tower with Ripple Slide | £350

• Best budget climbing frame: TP Explorer Metal Climbing Frame and Swing | £199

• Best climbing frame for toddlers: Little Tikes Junior Activity Gym | £118

• Best climbing frame for large gardens: Wickey Smart Queen Climbing Frame | £1,429

• Best climbing frame for small gardens: TP Castlewood Wooden Climbing Frame | £499

• Best climbing frame for big age gaps: Lifetime Dome Climber | £250

• Best indoor climbing frame for toddlers: TP Toys, Active-Tots Pickler Style Climbing Triangle | £70 £50

• Best wooden climbing frame: Fat Moose FruityForest Fun XXL | £620

• Best climbing frame with slide: Plum Climbing Pyramid Wooden Play Centre | £600

How to buy the best climbing frame

There are lots of different types of climbing frames on the market. When considering which will work best for you consider:

• Age of the child/children: Climbing frames for very young children often won’t be suitable for more than two or three years. You can adapt larger climbing frames for younger children with extras like baby swings and smaller steps. Some climbing frames will last until your children are teens or beyond.

• Size: The size of the climbing frame is one of the most important factors. Many climbing frames can be assembled in different formations – the swings at the side or back for example – so you can make the most of the space you have, whether indoors or outdoors.

• Material: Metal can be cheaper than wood. Pressure-treated wood will weather well and won’t need repainting. Some people also prefer how it looks in the garden. Lots of climbing frames for younger children are made from plastic. Look out for UV-resistant plastics or they will fade.

• Safety: All climbing frames will be built to conform to regulations so make sure you take note of minimum and maximum age and weight guides. Some manufacturers suggest concreting posts into the ground or installing bark or plastic chippings in case children fall. Some also recommend anchors to fix climbing frames to the ground – not all of them include these fixings in the price.

• Extras: Climbing is fun, but children sometimes appreciate extra features. Some climbing frames come with single or double swings, sandpits, slides, dens and climbing walls. Companies like Wickey, Fat Moose and Dunster House also sell additional items like telescopes, periscopes, baby swings, pull-up bars and more.

• Cost: The price is often one of the biggest factors to consider. Climbing frames don’t come cheap. Even a small plastic frame can cost £100 and the most expensive on our list works out at just under £1,800 by the time anchors are included. If your child plays on the climbing frame most days over 10 or more years, then on a cost per use basis they can work out to be good value.

• Assembly: Lots of the larger frames suggest you need two people to assemble. Frames that are able to be configured in different ways often don’t come pre-drilled so you will need basic DIY skills like measuring and drilling. The larger frames can take several hours to assemble.

What's the best climbing frame?

TP Toys Skywood Wooden Play Tower with Ripple Slide is very popular with parents and the best climbing frame to buy right now. With its built-in climbing wall and wavy slide, it is sure to be a hit with the kids this summer.

For toddlers, the Little Tikes Activity Gym is affordable, easy to assemble and a great way to teach them to climb.

How do you safely install a climbing frame?

It's important to install your climbing frame correctly, ensuring it's safe, stable and secure before your children use it for the first time.

Prepare the ground 

Before building your climbing frame, choose the space in your garden wisely. Check the dimensions of the climbing frame and ensure you have room to install with plenty of space around the entire perimeter, allowing children to run freely and climb up and down without risking injury. 

Where possible, the ground should be level and flat to prevent tipping during use. You should also avoid positioning your climbing frame on harder ground such as paving slabs or patios, instead opting for grass to create a softer landing should they lose their footing during play. 

For additional peace of mind, you may wish to invest in some soft rubber matting or play bark, which can offer an additional layer of protection for your child.

Check the pieces 

As a natural material, the quality and finish of the wood can vary, so it’s important to check the individual pieces as you build, ensuring there are no rough edges or protrusions that could cause injury or catch on your child’s clothing. You can gently sand down any rough areas found during assembly. 

Dig the anchor points 

Most climbing frames require anchoring, with anchor posts that need to be sunk into the ground to hold the frame securely. If anchors are required, mark out the locations before digging down to the recommended depth (this will vary depending on the manufacturer's instructions)

Follow the instructions

Follow the instructions closely, even if the build feels intuitive, ensuring that you secure all the joints and connections securely using the screws and nuts provided. Once assembled the frame should feel rigid and secure, so if you are noticing significant movement, check back to ensure nothing has been missed. 

Anchor the frame 

Once the anchor points are in the ground, it’s recommended you concrete them in place to prevent movement or tipping. The concrete must be given sufficient time to cure before using the climbing frame for the first time (no matter how tempting this may be!) 

How do you maintain a wooden climbing frame?

Particularly if made from natural materials like wood, you can expect your climbing frames to change colour and weather over time. To keep them safe and looking their best, you should inspect your child’s climbing frame regularly, replacing or repairing any parts that are showing signs of damage. We also recommend you clean down the frame every few months (spiders anyone?) and tighten the bolts which may start to loosen slightly after extended use. 

How we chose our recommendations

All of our recommendations for climbing frames came from Mumsnet users themselves. We searched the Mumsnet forums for posts about which frames they recommended for their toddlers, children and teens. We also looked at other reviews to see which climbing frames got good reviews.

About the author

Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.  

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