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.
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
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: £50 – £85 per Group
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether supervised by an instructor, or supervised by a competent adult, children need to be at least 6 years old to climb at Highball.
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.
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.
We advise to wear something comfortable that they can move easily in, and don’t forget to bring layers if it’s chilly outside (we’re based in an unheated warehouse!).
No. We have hire shoes available.
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!
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.
That’s great news! To supervise your child, we expect you to understand the basic safety requirements to climb at Highball. If you have no climbing experience, our Intro to Bouldering is the perfect way to get up to speed ready to take your child climbing.
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.
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.
Yes! We have 42 dedicated parking spaces available.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best climbing centre in East Anglia just got even better. Incredible bouldering routes, some top out sections and a long 10m overhang. SuperbTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This place is clearly going to be amazing when finished. Would only say one thing, which is that I would put in down climb holds, as opposed to just the odd one dotted around. Actual down climb mini “ladders”. Especially during this time when the matts are “firm” and bedding in, because landing on them from the top ain’t funTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Another fantastic outing at the new centre. All staff very friendly and welcoming. We had our three grandsons aged 12 to 16. To say they enjoyed it is an understatement ! Special mention to instructor Ben. Went over and above in ensuring that they really had fun as well as instructing . Fantastic. We will be back !!!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Booked the half term kids climb with Richard and thought it was excellent value for the session. The kids absolutely loved it, he was so attentive with the group of children he had. It’s spacious inside, great coffee and the cookies went down well post climb. If you are watching it’s not that warm whilst they are renovating but I imagine it’s great if you’re climbing and that said they do have blankets on the sofas.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I used to climb at old Highball in 2017 and then started up again once I moved back to Norwich last year, and loved the old Centre. It was my favourite Centre I’ve climbed at and when they announced they were moving I was excited to see the new place! It’s bigger and better but still has all the same qualities of the old centre. It has a great variation of climbs, all the staff are both friendly and super helpful, always happy to assist when you need advice on a climb, and the general atmosphere is always fantastic. I can’t wait to see how the new centre develops over the coming months and years and expect to be visiting for many years to come. Special shoutout to Jude and Gilby for not only getting me back into climbing, but for also pushing me to climb higher and smarter!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing atmosphere with lovely staff and has a wide range of routes that suit all climbers
