Do you have kid/s, who always keep your heart rates up, and are you looking for climbing toys for 1 year old?
If you’re both, then this article is for you.
I remember the first time I saw my daughter standing up on top of one of her first birthday gifts – an activity cube.
Or when she started climbing out of her crib at the tender age of 1 year old.
I felt like I had a small heart attack. And I never want to experience that again.
So I know the feeling and possibly desperation in looking for an activity or a toddler climbing toys. Something that can prevent them from breaking their necks or worse, no matter what the price.
So you’ll see here toddler and baby climbing toys that can also be played by older kids.
But first, let’s take a look at the features you should consider when looking for the best climbing toys for your toddler.
I hope you’ll love the products we recommend! Just a quick note: if you click on a product link below and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.
List of Contents
In a hurry? We recommend…
The ECR4Kids SoftZone Climb and Crawl Activity Playset for beginner walkers or climbers.
The Quadro My First Climber or the Pikler Triangle Set for more adventurous 1 year old and older kids.
ECR4Kids SoftZone
Quadro My First Climber
Pikler Triangle Set
How To Choose Baby Climbing Toys, For a 1 Year Old and Above
Safe and Durable
This is a non-negotiable. As you don’t want the equipment or climbing toy to suddenly break into a million pieces while your kid is climbing it.
You’d also want something that can last for a long time. Something durable enough to hold an older, heavier kid.
Space
Consider the available space you have. Is it enough for the climbing toy you’re eyeing?
If you’re lacking in space, there are still some toy options or alternative toddler activities you can do, to keep your little ones busy and entertained.
Assembly
Something that’s quick and easy to install is always infinitely better than something that requires a dozen tools and screws.
But it ultimately depends on the design, accessories, and its type, so don’t be deterred by climbing toys that take a while to assemble.
For all you know, it’s worth it, especially when you see your kids having fun on it for years to come.
It would be ideal if you can disassemble or fold the climbing toy for keeping and easy storing.
Cleaning
An outdoor climbing toy can easily be hosed down but an indoor climbing toy might be a little bit tricky to clean.
So if you’re a little OC, choose something that’s easy to maintain and clean.
Versatile
Some kids climbing toys have ball pits, swings, and slides.
Some can be transformed into different playthings.
Some are pretty simple and are only meant for climbing.
Kids are pretty easy to please so simple climbing toys would suffice for them but do consider when they get older.
They would find a versatile climbing toy more fun to play with. So if you can find one that can offer other activities other than climbing, then that’s a winner.
6 Best Climbing Toys for 1 Year Old
ECR4Kids SoftZone Climb and Crawl Activity Playset
Recommended for: 9 months to 3 years
You wouldn’t need to worry about your 1-year-old falling with this soft yet durable foam climbing set.
It’s made with CertiPUR-US Certified foam and is also a GREENGUARD [GOLD] Certified product, making its materials safe for babies.
There’s also no need to tinker or assemble anything! You can just take it out of the box and set it up in any way you want.
It’s a very suitable baby climbing toy. It’s very versatile as your infant or toddler can climb, crawl, slide or play with their other toys on it.
They can even carry the parts and change the setup if they can, which also practices their gross motor and fine motor skills!
It’s also very easy to clean, which is helpful in case your little one keeps drooling, vomits, or does a poonami.
They tend to slide and separate a lot though, especially if you have hardwood floors, according to some parents.
So try putting a velcro strip or placing it on a yoga mat to add more grip to it.
Pros:
- Suitable even for younger, mobile babies
- Baby-safe yet durable material
- Easy to clean
- No assembly required
Cons:
- Doesn’t grip well on hardwood floors
Other similar options:
FDP SoftScape Toddler Playtime Corner
Amazon Basics Soft Play Climb and Crawl Play Set
Quadro My First Rugged Indoor/Outdoor Climber
Recommended for: 6 months – 2 years
Maximum weight: 160 lbs or 73 kg
This equipment here is probably one of the most versatile items I’ve seen. It even caters to crawling babies or those who are just learning how to stand and cruise!
You can create a lot of different things from this structure. Such as a jungle gym, a fort, a more horizontal one for your crawling or cruising little ones, a house, a store counter – anything you and your kids can think of!
Its parts are certified safe as it is free of PVC, BPA, PAHs, phthalates, and lead. It also exceeds the European safety requirements for toys (EN 71).
The maximum weight it can hold will depend on the size and shape of the structure. But let’s just say a 2×2 Quado frame reinforced with an acrylic glass top can withstand a 5-ton African elephant.
They did however mention that it’s not designed for older kids.
So it’s better to have this when your kids are just starting to crawl or learning how to stand.
If you want a more expandable version that can hold older kids up to 6 years old, try the Quadro Climbing Pyramid Expandable Modular Component Playset.
Pros:
- Safe and durable material
- Very versatile
- Suitable for younger, mobile babies
Cons:
- Not recommended for kids older than 2 yrs and up
Other similar options:
Pikler Triangle with Ramp
Recommended for: 2 years old and above
Maximum weight: 160 lbs or 73 kg
This is probably one of the most popular Montessori and climbing toys that even parents recommend on forums and groups online.
It’s very versatile as not only can your 2-year-old use it for climbing, they can also turn it into a fort or house with sheets and pillows, use the ramps for racing cars, or anything that they can imagine!
Take away the ramp and your 1-year-old or even a cruising 10-month-old can use it!
They can play with it when they get older as it’s very sturdy and durable.
Some parents said it took them 20 – 30 minutes to assemble on their own.
You also might need to constantly supervise your little one initially, just to be safe.
But once they get the hang of it or they get older, you can just leave them on their own and they can just play with it for hours!
Check out other highly recommended by parents and best pikler triangles right here.
Pros:
- Very versatile
- Can cater to different ages
- Super durable and sturdy
Cons:
- 1 year old might need constant supervision
Other similar options:
Eezy Peezy Playset with Balls
Recommended for: 1 year old to 3 years old
Maximum weight: 150 lbs or 68 kg
This 3-in-1 jungle gym lets your kids climb, slide and even do sensory play with its ball pit!
It’s not that easy to assemble though according to most parents. But they also said it’s worth it, as their children loved it, making it the instant favorite toy in the house!
Some parents even mentioned their 7 months old playing on it!
It can hold 2 kids with its safe and sturdy plastic construction. Although some parents mentioned that the ball pit has a nylon type of fabric which isn’t the most durable.
Some have seen it getting ripped so they don’t allow shoes outside nor any rough playing in the ball pit.
Some parents have used this outdoors. But it’s advisable to only use this indoors, to prevent any bugs or spiders from hiding in it and for the ball pit fabric to stay intact.
Pros:
- Very versatile
- Can cater to different ages
- Durable material
Cons:
- Hard to assemble
- Ball pit fabric can get ripped
Little Tikes First Slide Toddler Slide
Recommended for: 18 months old and above
Maximum weight: 60 lbs or 27 kg
This is actually meant 18 months old but it can be a great and affordable beginner’s slide for your little one.
You might need to constantly supervise your child on it initially, especially if they’re a little wobbly or if they’re a little rough.
If they’re just starting to walk, they could lose their balance on top of the slide and fall, so put it on a padded mat if possible.
Or they could do what my kid did. I remember mine was trying to push it on the ground, as it’s that lightweight!
It’s quite easy to assemble and you can also fold this for keeping when not in use.
Some parents find it flimsy and cheaply made but the majority say the material is quite durable and even their 4-year-olds can play on it.
Pros:
- Can be folded for storing
- Durable material
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
Cons:
- 1 year old might need constant supervision
Other similar options:
Little Tikes Hide and Seek Climber
Little Baby Bum Wheels on the Bus Climber and Slide
ikkle Wooden Cube for Climbing
Recommended for: 6 months to 3 years old
Maximum weight: 150 Lbs or 68 kg
This wooden cube allows even beginner walkers to use it by cruising and holding on to it. So getting this earlier would give you more bang for your buck.
Multiple kids can play on its very sturdy and smooth surface and they can do a lot of things on it – climb it, play hide and seek games, make it into a fort, etc.
Or even combine it with a ramp and a Pikler triangle and you’ve got a bigger indoor playground!
Some parents noticed though that it doesn’t grip well on floors so it tends to slide when being used by their kid. So they always set it against the wall to prevent that from happening.
Others also mentioned it seems a little too small, especially for their taller toddlers.
Pros:
- Can be used for 6 months and up
- Durable material
- Can cater to different ages
- Versatile
Cons:
- Doesn’t grip well on floors
- Might be a little smaller for bigger toddlers
Other similar options:
Goodevas Wooden Climbing Arch/Rocker
Benefits of Baby and Toddler Climbing Toys
Here are a few advantages of having climbing toys for your kids:
- Helps with physical development – strengthens their arms, legs and core muscles
- Develops their gross motor skills – necessary to learn basic physical skills such as climbing stairs, running, etc.
- Improves fine motor skills – needed for essential life skills such as feeding themselves independently, turn pages in a book, picking and cleaning up toys, etc.
- Provides opportunity for risky play – your child learns to be adaptable, to conquer their fears and try something new
- Boosts confidence – promotes “I Can Do It! attitude!
FAQ: Climbing Toys for 1 Year Old
Can a one year old climb?
Yes, a one year old can climb. Especially if they’re advanced walkers.
For eg., my child started climbing out of her crib a day after her 1st birthday. Literally a day. She was already walking by 9 months so climbing out of anything that she can grip on was no problem for her.
Are climbing toys good for toddlers?
Yes, they are. It’s a great way to develop their gross motor and fine motor skills. Plus it’s also a way for them to redirect all their focus and energy to an age-appropriate safe climbing toy or equipment.
So they can use those, instead of climbing over any furniture or item in your house that can lead to them getting hurt.
Are climbers safe for toddlers?
Yes, as long as safety precautions are followed and proper assembly is done to the toy.
Why is climbing beneficial for toddlers?
Climbing has tons of benefits to toddlers, which includes:
• Improves gross motor and fine motor skills
• Enhances agility, coordination, and balance
• Develops visual perception as they decide where to place their foot or hand when climbing up or going down
• Develops cognitive skills such as problem-solving and decision-making as they learn how to navigate going up or down
What to do with toddlers that like to climb?
Do these thing with toddlers that like to climb:
1. Talk about boundaries – use cause and effect toys to explain consequences and possible scenarios where they can get seriously hurt.
2. Supervise – tell and show them constantly, what they can and can’t do.
3. Provide a safe area for them to play – could be a dedicated, baby-proofed room with a play mat or crawling rug.
4. Provide climbing toys – Pikler triangles or other climbing toys might be necessary, especially if they’re not developmentally mature to understand boundaries
Helpful Tips: Kids Climbing Toys
- Consider second-hand items
As long as it’s still in good condition and you can see some positive reviews about the seller, then it’s perfectly fine to buy a used climbing toy for toddlers.
Just make sure to check the item first thoroughly, before finalizing the sale and bringing the item back home.
You can check out the Facebook marketplace, groups, online forums, eBay, Craigslist, etc. for second-hand toddler climbing toys.
Check out few items below that are gently used and barely used from GoodBuy Gear. Click on the pics to find out more.
- Constantly redirect climbing attempts
If you already have the climbing toys but your little one is still trying to climb the windows, bookshelves, etc., redirect their attention to their climbing toys. Again and again.
Stop them from climbing and offer their climbing toys. Teach them how to use it. Play with them if needed, initially, so they will get the hang of it.
Be consistent in reminding your little ones to always use their climbing toys.
- Check out gym memberships
If you have the budget, there are some sports classes for toddlers that can teach safety precautions in climbing – how and where to climb safely, etc., – like My Gym or The Little Gym.
These programs have teachers constantly supervising your kids.
Plus your kids can spend their energy in these classes, instead of wreaking havoc in your home.
- Create a safe non-climbing room
Putting a baby gate in my toddler’s room and removing anything that she can climb, eat, or anything that can hurt her has been one of the best decisions I’ve made as a parent.
It lessened the worry for me to constantly supervise her.
So when I need to do anything alone for a few minutes, I just put her in her bedroom, a.k.a “toddler jail” and I know she will be safe there.
- Let them use an age-appropriate playground
Let them explore in the playground.
Encourage them to climb ladders, swing on monkey bars, and more.
So they’ll get more confident and also tire them out!
Try to also make them only play at playgrounds where there’s not a lot of bigger, older kids, for safety reasons.
- Teach them how to climb
If you can’t beat them, join them!
Kidding. It’s not the best solution to deter them from climbing but at least, they’ll try to do it as safely as possible. Hopefully.
But tell them where they can and cannot climb.
For eg., you can teach them to climb the stairs but not the fridge.
You can tell them to climb on the sofa with all the padded mat around it but not the bookshelf.
Tell them the reason why and remind them over and over again until they finally get it.
Because they will eventually get it.
Takeaway on Climbing Toys for 1 Year Old
Seeing your toddler standing on top of an activity cube or on top of the fridge can scare the living daylights out of you.
So avoid that with the right climbing toys that’s suitable for their age and skills.
It would be better to get something that they can use earlier, even when they’re just learning how to stand. Like the Quadro My First Climber so it will give you more bang for your buck.
