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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you go to a rock climbing party? 4yo birthday.

42 replies

Butterfly94 · 19/02/2023 13:20

So we've just come back from a rock climbing/soft play place with DD (3) which she LOVED. They do birthday parties and it's slightly cheaper than a soft play place with higher numbers needed. She said she wants her birthday party there. Would you let your child go to this, or would you be put off by the rock climbing? They could just do soft play and not go near the rock climbing, but I'm worried parents just wouldn't want to say yes to this.

YABU - I wouldn't let my child go
YANBU - that sounds like fun!

OP posts:
BlueRabbitWasNaughty · 19/02/2023 13:22

Mine would have loved it when they were that age. Makes a nice change from soft play.

ChannelyourinnerElsa · 19/02/2023 13:22

Round here this would be a popular party!

mummymummymummummum · 19/02/2023 13:22

Yes!

MadamOracle · 19/02/2023 13:23

Mine would have loved it.

SaltanVinegar · 19/02/2023 13:23

I think it sounds like a good idea, certainly different from just a soft play party. Can any kids who aren’t overly keen on trying rock climbing still play in the soft play?

Pinkflipflop85 · 19/02/2023 13:24

I think it would probably be a great party when they are a bit older and more physically able to climb.

Spudina · 19/02/2023 13:24

Our indoor climbing wall allows kids on from 4 I think. You just need to check the age limit. Also be aware that some of your DDs friends will be younger and might not be allowed on. I’d actually give it a year or two . My DD is super sporty as went to the top without fuss on her first go, but some of her friends didn’t like it and were crying which is not ideal.

JennyDarlingRIP · 19/02/2023 13:26

The biggest soft play near us has rock climbing, they're is a minimum height though, almost all of the parties we've been to since September have been there, some include the rock climbing some are just soft play, keep in mind some of the children may be too small to do the rock climbing and you don't want anyone to feel left out, say check with the venue. DS is one of the taller ones so something I would overlook, but we went to one last Saturday and there was a very upset five year old cousin because lots of the four year olds could go on but he was too small, which he felt was hugely unfair! 😁

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 19/02/2023 13:27

Great idea but my DS is scared of heights so he wouldn't have gone.

JennyDarlingRIP · 19/02/2023 13:27

Oh and there are always some who don't want to climb, it's just phrased as anyone who'd like to try the climbing come with party leader Sarah etc , the rest still do soft play or football

2tired2bewitty · 19/02/2023 13:30

Is it one of those clip and climb places, cos that’s more like a big climbing frame than actual rock climbing.

id be fine with that for a four year old, but as a pp says, check the Ts&Cs very carefully - there was a thread not so long ago where it turned out parents had to accompany party guests and had to pay £25 for the privilege!

florafaye · 19/02/2023 13:31

We've been to a couple, it's quite popular around here. My son loves it! Tends to be a couple who are scared/don't even attempt it though so worth considering that.

cannaethink · 19/02/2023 13:33

Both DC have been to rock climbing parties. They had a great time, same as any other party.

user1496262496 · 19/02/2023 13:34

I have literally just posted about outdoor activities!

If it helps, those rock climbing sessions at climbing walls are incredibly safe. There are a lot of safety standards that must be adhered to and inspections. The drive to get there is a massively more risky than the climbing.

Jenn3112 · 19/02/2023 13:40

Is there much that 3 year olds can actually do? We've been to lots of climbing parties but our local one only takes from 5 so it was from age 6 parties, even then some of the smaller and less sporty ones struggled a bit as they weren't really big enough. Probably fine if its a kid's place with a climbing wall not a climbing club.

OneTC · 19/02/2023 13:42

My local climbing wall this is their bread and butter income and the parties are always popular and well attended

fUNNYfACE36 · 19/02/2023 13:43

At all the walls I have been to there is a mi imum age of 5

TeenDivided · 19/02/2023 13:44

Not at 4 no. Neither of my DC would have enjoyed it at that age as not coordinated enough.
At 6 or 8 then yes.

Bemyclementine · 19/02/2023 13:45

My DC would LOVE thus, sadly our local place doesn't allow under 8s

ViktoriaPlzen · 19/02/2023 13:45

Not at that age. The one by me won’t take kids under five.

Oblomov23 · 19/02/2023 13:50

Sounds great. I'd do what she wants. Of a couple of friends don't want to climb they can just have the food and cake but later.

2bazookas · 19/02/2023 13:59

Rock climbing walls are great fun for older stronger better co-ordinated children.

I don't think its suitable for age 3. Falling off in a safety harness (jerk stop) is something a small child child can't anticipate and might give them a real fright

Trinity65 · 19/02/2023 14:06

Mine are all grown up now but I would have brought them to such a Party

In later Years two of them have done rock climbing (one with her mates at a place in SE1 and another with a Youth Group) They thoroughly enjoyed it so chances are pretty high they would have loved such a thing.
Go for It OP

Treecreature · 19/02/2023 14:18

I'd happily let mine go, but they wouldn't be interested.

GoodChat · 19/02/2023 14:19

DD would love it but here it's over 5s only