If your child loves climbing up every outdoor sculpture or big tree he sees, take that rambunctious energy inside to one of the many indoor rock climbing gyms in the area for some safe yet thrilling fun. A great workout for children of all ages, climbing combines upper and lower body strength to propel a climber up the wall. Additionally, the independent nature of the activity can build endurance and self-confidence in your little adventure seeker.
Note that for all these facilities below, a parent or legal guardian needs to sign a waiver before anyone under the age of 18 can go up for a climbing session.
Movement
At its six locations throughout DFW, Movement gyms offer climbing, yoga and fitness in sprawling facilities with towering rock walls. At the Plano location, the 55-foot-tall lead wall is the highest climbing wall in DFW. Movement locations offer camps, kids climbing clubs for ages 6 and up, and the Little Rockers introductory climbing program for children 3–6.
Denton, 940/808-1107
Dallas Design District, 469/941-5100
Dallas, The Hill, 214/447-3159
Fort Worth, 682/708-3359
Grapevine, 817/251-9815
Plano, 972/599-0865
movementgyms.com
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Canyons Climbing Gym
Canyons rock climbing in Frisco offers a day pass for $19, or $13 for children under 12. You must also rent a harness for $4. A Kids Klimb class for ages 6–12 is offered Wednesday and Friday or Sunday for $85 per month, which includes a gym membership for unlimited climbing.
Frisco, 214/872-2992
canyonsclimbinggym.com
Dyno-Rock Indoor Climbing Center
With more than 16,000 square feet of climbing space and 25-foot-high walls, your little climber will feel like he’s in the middle of the Rocky Mountains at the Dyno-Rock Climbing Center. For $20, you get a day pass and full gear rental that includes shoes and a harness. Come on Sundays when they offer free gear rental for kids. Check out their year-round teams classes for kids at three age levels, as well as weekly camps during the summer.
Arlington, 817/461-3966
dynorock.com
Hapik
After you’ve shopped around at Firewheel Town Center and still need to wear the kids out, check out this indoor-climbing-experience-meets-theme-park. Hapik sports colorful and unique climbing structures with a special harness system to keep climbers safe. Plus, it’s the only one of its kind here in Texas. (You’ll find it located next to Gloria’s Latin Cuisine.) Online reservations encouraged. Pricing starts at $15 for a 1-hour climbing session; open to adults and kids as young as 4.
Garland, 972/696-0514
hapik.us
Alley Cats
The entertainment complex has four rock climbing walls of varying difficulty and they go as high as 26 feet (or two and a half stories). Climbers must weigh a minimum of 45 pounds and maximum of 250. If you only want to climb, you can get three climbing attempts for $6 per person. But this is a full-on entertainment complex, so your best bet is likely to get the “Best Day Ever Pass” for access to all the other fun, like bowling, putt-putt and laser tag.
Arlington, 817/784-2695
Hurst, 817/589-0523
alleycatsbowl.com
Oso
This climbing gym in the Dallas Design District means business about rock climbing (this is a bouldering gym) and about all-around fitness. The locally-owned gym offering kickboxing, spin classes, weight training and yoga too, and though it is geared more toward adults, kids are welcome to climb with you. Get a day pass to try it out; day passes are $25.
Dallas, 844/676-4967
climboso.com
Top image courtesy of Hapik
