Summer Holiday’s

School’s out, walls are in. Keep the kids active, social, and smiling with our fun climbing sessions, running all summer long.

New to climbing or already hooked? We’ve got something for everyone.

 

 

 

 

HIGHBALL PLAY

What it is: HighballPlay is a supervised bouldering session aimed at younger climbers who just want to climb for fun. These are single ‘drop in’ sessions with no commitment – it’s all about time on the wall! The session begins with some fun warm-up games before heading over to the wall and seeing how high they can go. The session is led by one of our trained instructors and is ideal for new and more experienced climbers alike.

***Please note, this is a bouldering only session and we no longer offer any auto belay climbing as part of this session.***

When is it: Saturdays & Sunday

Who’s it for: Children aged 6-10

Duration: 1 x 60 mins

Price: £12.50

Book Here

PRIVATE SESSION

What it is: Highball Private Sessions can be booked for groups of up to 6 people – perfect for families! You’ll have your own dedicated instructor who will guide you through the fundamentals of bouldering in a fun and supportive environment.

These sessions are open to anyone aged 6 and over and can be tailored to suit your group’s skill level and interests. Pricing is for the entire group, so you can focus on climbing together without any surprises.

When is it: Weekdays & weekends

Who’s it for: Children aged 6+ (Adults can come too!)

Duration: 1 x 60 mins

Price: £45 – £75 per Group 

Book Here

BOULDERING SCHOOL

What it is: A comprehensive introduction to the world of bouldering. Over two sessions, we’ll cover everything you need to know to start bouldering safely and effectively. Working in a group, we’ll cover bouldering techniques, how to minimise the risks, climbing wall etiquette and even some of the lingo. The course takes place over 2 consecutive days.

When is it: Various days across the holidays

Who’s it for: Children aged 8-13

Duration: 2 x 75 mins

Price: £35

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Birthday parties

Give your child an unforgettable birthday or party experience with our climbing parties.

Our instructors will guide your group through the most exciting hour of fun-focused climbing, followed by time in our cafe area to enjoy some refreshments.

Learn more →

supervising children

Looking to supervise your own children? Adults who are competent climbers can supervise children on the wall without the need for an instructor. See our supervision page for more details.

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Are you a teenager looking to climb?

If you’re aged 12-17 and want to get in to climbing then look no further!

We have a dedicated page just for our teenage climbers where you can find out the rules depending on their age as well all the info on our teen dedicated sessions.

Learn more →

Kids climbing – Frequently asked questions

We know that many parents and guardians will have lots of questions about whether climbing is right for their children. That’s why we’ve collected some of the most frequently asked questions we get, to put your mind at ease.

Is climbing right for my child?

As we suspect you’ve already noticed, climbing on things is something that comes very naturally to children! As a sport, it’s a fun, playful and imaginative way to get moving. It builds on the core skills of flexibility, balance, coordination and overall strength. Climbing in a structured class also builds the valuable skills of risk assessment and responsibility.

All kids climbing is supervised by experienced coaches. The sessions are structured, whilst still allowing for buckets of fun.

Do I need to bring anything?

We provide all the climbing equipment they’ll need for the session. We recommend all participants wear comfortable clothing as you would for any sport (a spare change might be needed as clothes can end up chalky). A drink and a snack are recommended, too.

Can we climb as a family?

Our kids climbing sessions are just for those aged 6-17. If you want to come climbing as a family, we recommend booking a Private Taster Session, where a coach can create the perfect introduction for your little team.

Is there a syllabus?

Highball climbing centre is a National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS) accredited climbing centre but not all of our kids climbing sessions follow the NICAS syllabus. 

For more information on sessions which follow this framework, please visit our Junior Coaching Club page.

What if somebody is scared of heights?

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being scared of heights – it’s totally natural. We find that most children who are scared of heights very quickly forget about it once the feeling of accomplishment takes over. We always emphasise that all participants (big and small) only ever go as high as they feel comfortable – there’s really no pressure to reach the top of anything!

Can parents sit in on sessions?

We ask that no parents are on the mats during the sessions, but they are welcome to watch. If you want to stay nearby, we have a café that serves hot and cold drinks as well as an ever-changing range of snacks. You’re more than welcome to relax with a cuppa, although we do recommend bringing warm clothes in colder seasons.

What is the minimum age to climb at Highball?

Whether supervised by an instructor, or supervised by a competent adult, children need to be at least 6 years old to climb at Highball.