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Build your own climbing wall: a rocking DIY time for kids

Safety mats are lying under a DIY climbing wall for kids in a garden.
You can safely install the DIY climbing wall in a wide range of different places.
  • Difficulty
    medium
  • Cost
    66-94 €
  • Duration
    2–4 hours

Introduction

Climbing is fun, challenging and helps develop your kids’ motor skill – three good reasons to build a DIY climbing wall. This step-by-step guide will show you how to build a DIY climbing wall with flexible climbing holds from old boards at home. We use a traditional second-hand garden table and bench set in our example.

Take a look at the ‘Planning and background knowledge’ section, where we’ve also compiled a number of handy tips on building a climbing wall, ranging from safety to hole spacing to existing standards – whatever you need to know, we’ve got you covered.

Have you heard about our 18-volt system yet? It offers a huge variety of devices for many different applications. The thing that makes the project below so special is that you can use the same rechargeable battery for every part of this project. Simply swap out the battery pack, insert it into a different device that’s part of the 18-volt system and move on to the next step.

 

Pay attention to occupational health and safety every step of the way to protect yourself and your health. You’ll find all the important information you need to know in our overview of Safety precautions for DIY projects.

You need

Let’s get started – step-by-step instructions: Build your own climbing wall

Step16

Preparing the garden set

Build your own climbing wall: A wooden bench is being sanded with a cordless random orbit sander.

It’s definitely worth sanding boards that are getting a little long in the tooth.

You need:
Random orbit sander
,
Sanding and Polishing with Random Orbit Sanders
,
Advanced Vac 18V-8
,
1 board, 2000 x 500 x 25 mm, 2 boards, 2000 x 250 x 25 mm, Alternative: old marquee set with two benches and a table

You need sturdy and long wooden boards to build a DIY climbing wall. We’re using a garden table and bench set. It’s helpful to first remove any major dirt or paint flakes with a brush, depending on the condition your furniture is in. However, the wood should of course still be sturdy and free of damage.

Once you’ve got everything ready, you can start sanding the wood directly using the random orbit sander equipped with 60-grain sandpaper. Connect a wet and dry vacuum cleaner to the sander. Take a look at our separate article to see why working in a dust-free atmosphere is beneficial.

Step26

Designing the hole pattern

Build your own climbing wall: Drill holes are being made deeper with a cordless drill/driver and a countersink drill bit.
Build your own climbing wall: A square is being used to mark a measurement on a board.
Build your own climbing wall: A hole pattern is being drilled into a board with a cordless drill/driver.
Build your own climbing wall: Drill holes are being made deeper with a cordless drill/driver and a countersink drill bit.
Build your own climbing wall: A square is being used to mark a measurement on a board.

You need:
Cordless drill/driver
,
5 piece-wooddrill-bit-set
,
Countersink Drill Bits
,
g-clamps, Sanded marquee set from step 1

The pattern you decide for the climbing holes is the second-most important criterion for a climbing wall – after safety, of course. Plus, you can rearrange the climbing holds for your kids when they want to practice a new route.

You can choose to place the holes however you like. We have gone for a diamond arrangement. The outer holes are 50 mm away from the sides, and there is a gap of 100 mm at the top and bottom. The distance between the holes is 200 mm in each case. Make the drill holes deeper with the countersink drill bit in preparation for the next step (image 3).

Step36

Fitting the drive-in nuts

Build your own climbing wall: Drive-in nuts are being hit into a board with a hammer.

Don’t forget ear protection when using a hammer; it gets really loud.

You need: hammer, Prepared boards or marquee set from step 2, M6 drive-in nuts

Now turn the bench onto the seat and hammer the drive-in nuts into each hole.

Step46

Painting the climbing wall

Build your own climbing wall: Taped boards are being painted with a paint roller.
Build your own climbing wall: Sanded boards are being taped with masking tape.
Build your own climbing wall: Taped boards are being painted with a paint roller.
Build your own climbing wall: Sanded boards are being taped with masking tape.

You need: masking tape, paint roller or paintbrush, Prepared marquee set, Weatherproof wood paint

Now comes the artistic part. You can design your DIY climbing wall however you like. We masked off the straight edges with masking tape and then applied the paint using a paint roller to create the appearance of a mountainscape. It’s better to use a cordless paint spray system to paint larger areas. You can find everything you need to know in our paint spraying guide. Make sure to use a weatherproof paint that’s also eco-friendly.

Tips
Pouring out paint without making a mess
There is a simple trick to prevent paint dripping everywhere and making mess. Stick strips of masking tape about 10 cm long in a V shape over the edge of your tin of paint. This will stop paint from running into the rim while you’re pouring it, and you’ll also avoid the classic streak of paint dripping down the side of the tin.
 
Step56

Sawing the branch into discs and drilling them

Build your own climbing wall: A clamped branch disc is being drilled through with a cordless drill/driver.
Build your own climbing wall: A piece of branch is being sawn off with a reciprocating saw.
Build your own climbing wall: A clamped branch disc is being drilled through with a cordless drill/driver.
Build your own climbing wall: A piece of branch is being sawn off with a reciprocating saw.

You need:
Bosch bajonettsager
,
Cordless drill/driver
,
5 piece-wooddrill-bit-set
,
g-clamps, scrap wooden board, Branches as thick as an arm

Discs made from tree branches make the best climbing holds. They are stable, uneven and easy to grip. Find a healthy branch that is as thick as your arm to use. Clamp it tightly with G-clamps to saw it, as the reciprocating saw is a powerful tool.

The pieces can be of different widths, ranging between two and five centimetres. Now all you have to do is drill a hole through it. To do this, place a wooden board under your workpiece so that you don’t damage your worktop.

Step66

Mounting the branch discs

Build your own climbing wall: A branch disc is being screwed onto a painted board.

You need: Allen key, Painted boards or marquee set from step 4, Wooden discs with holes drilled through them, M6 Allen screws

You have now almost reached the summit of the project. Attach the branch discs to the climbing wall with the cylinder screws and then you’re done! Make sure that you pay attention to the condition of the wall and the stability of the plugs and screws when you’re mounting it so that the kids can climb safely.

The climbing wall is also a great way to access a DIY tree house or even a DIY kids’ pallet loft bed . And if your kids want to let off steam on terra firma, we also have a step-by-step guide for a DIY fold-up football goal or for a DIY mud kitchen.

We hope you enjoy building and using your new climbing wall.

Planning and background knowledge for the DIY climbing wall

You’ve decided to build a DIY climbing or bouldering wall? Then you probably have a few questions that go beyond how to actually build one. You will find all of the answers here.

Climbing or bouldering – what’s the difference?

Climbing and bouldering are considered two different sports by those in the know. They differ primarily in terms of the height up to which you climb and, depending on this, the type of protection and the potential danger.

Bouldering sees adults free climb up to a height of around 4 m, and by ‘free’ we mean climbing without the security of by a rope. This mostly happens on artificial indoor or outdoor bouldering walls. There are fewer limits on the height to which you can climb. You can go up to 30 m or more, no matter whether you’re outdoors or indoors. That’s why safety equipment, including ropes, hooks, a helmet and so on, is essential when climbing.

For our purposes, we haven’t taken the different definitions too seriously, as we simply wanted to provide both climbing and bouldering fans with ideas and inspiration. When it comes down to it, both sports are concerned with the same physical activity, that is, vertical movement.

Climbing wall for indoors or outdoors – what differences do I need to consider when planning?

You have to consider different details depending on whether you want to build an outdoor climbing wall or dream of having a DIY bouldering wall in your basement. While the construction process is similar in both cases, the materials you choose need to suit the location and purpose.

For instance, all of the boards, beams, holds and steps you use should be 100% weatherproof if you’re building a climbing wall in your garden. You should only use corrosion-resistant materials for the climbing holds, screws and drive-in nuts in particular.

On the other side of the coin, you have more flexibility in your choice of materials when building an indoor climbing wall. Limited indoor space in particular often poses a challenging when building an indoor version.

How big should the DIY climbing or bouldering wall be?

The answer to this question also depends, of course, on who the wall is intended for and for what purposes. Do you just want to build a low bouldering wall or are you planning to build an entire climbing course? Is your climbing wall going to be mainly for the kids to play on – like the one in our step-by-step guide – or do you intend to use it to practice your climbing skills? The size, height and materials you use can vary greatly depending on what you have in mind.

Do you want to build a climbing or bouldering wall for kids or for adults?

This is just as important as the location and size of the wall, and it has a significant impact on the design.

If you are planning a larger outdoor climbing wall to practice on, for example, you will most likely need a substructure to ensure it stands safely and securely. But you should make sure you have sufficient safety precautions in place and definitely lay out bouldering mats even for smaller projects, for instance, if you want to build a playhouse made of pallets and add a smaller climbing wall for kids.

If you want to build your own DIY climbing or bouldering wall for adults – regardless of whether outdoors or indoors, it should have an area of at least six square metres so that you can comfortably climb on it. For safety reasons, it’s not advisable to build a wall more than three metres high if kids are going to climb on it.

Also do some research into child-friendly holds and spacing. You can use industrially manufactured holds, homemade wooden holds or climbing wall stones that are attached to an existing hole pattern or holes that you’ve drilled yourself.

Tips
Building for and with children
Check out our DIY ideas for family and leisure time if you like to do DIY together as a family. You’ll find plenty of step-by-step guide here, from the DIY play kitchen to the DIY ring toss game. And on top of that, we’ll explain how to build with children.

Which materials are suitable for building a climbing wall?

When it comes to the material, you have a choice between special climbing wall boards that can be purchased ready-made or glued multi-layer boards. Whichever board you choose, it should be at least 18 mm thick. If you don’t want to mount your climbing wall directly on another wall, then you should also build a suitable substructure. Make sure to factor in aspects such as inclination, height and attachment options if you go down this route.

Of course, anything that you want to mount directly on to an existing wall needs to be done so correctly – and that includes a climbing wall. Check out our video tutorial on attaching things to the wall. Take a look at another of our step-by-step guides to find out the best way to drill holes into a concrete wall.

The following materials are often used to build climbing or bouldering walls:

Materials Pros Cons
Ready-made climbing wall boards, bouldering wall boards, climbing wall panelling and so on Prepared accordingly for indoor and outdoor use, comes with manufacturer’s information on permissible weight and so on, comes with ready-made recesses for holds Ready-made climbing or bouldering wall boards are relatively expensive and often limited to certain dimensions.
Plywood Layered and glued veneers, stable, versatile, different quality levels, high stability You have to use boards specially suited for outdoor use if you want to build an outdoor climbing wall.
OSB Sturdy, durable, versatile, different sizes and thicknesses OSB is not suitable for outdoors, unless it is treated.
Wood Natural raw material, easy to process, comparatively cheap Wood is high-maintenance and also needs special waterproofing to withstand the weather.

 

What regulations apply to building a climbing wall?

All climbing or bouldering walls in public use are subject to EN 12572. This standard defines wall heights, sizes, fall space and impact area, as well as the placement of holds, materials, routes and safety precautions. These regulations do not necessarily apply to a climbing wall for private use. Nevertheless, they can serve as a guide for building your own climbing wall in order to reduce the risk of accidents and to be able to climb properly and safely.

Do I need a permit to build a climbing or bouldering wall?

You don’t need a permit in Germany if you want to build a climbing wall in your garden or home for private use only. However, this does not apply if load-bearing walls are affected or special safety measures are required due to the size of your DIY climbing wall. In any case, you should research the applicable regulations and standards that apply where you live before you start building.

Ready-made parts vs. DIY parts

Ready-made parts boast the major advantage that the materials, sizes and hole patterns have already been optimised for use later down the line. For example, holes in industrially manufactured climbing walls are often 15–25 cm apart, meaning they can be used for a wide range of different things. However, they are quite expensive.

If your budget is limited or you have very specific ideas about how you want to build your climbing wall – maybe even using recycled materials as we did in our step-by-step guide – then building your own is a good option. However, follow any existing standards and hole spacing of industrial climbing boards so that you can easily adapt your wall should you need to.

How far apart are the holes typically and how do they affect the difficulty of the climbing wall?

As we mentioned earlier, the holes in climbing walls are typically 15–25 cm apart, or up to 50 holes per square metre. This means that you can move and rearrange holds whenever you like. The difficulty of the routes will vary depending on the distances, hold sizes, material and inclination of the wall chosen.

Climbing or bouldering gyms have colour-coded routes. For example, if you follow the green route, it means that you can only use the green holds on the wall.

How can I prevent injuries when climbing?

Climbing requires skill and strength. That’s why doing a proper warm-up before you climb and stretching afterwards is essential. Moreover, if you have little or no climbing experience, you should be cautious and only take on new challenges when you’re ready. Be careful with each test of strength. It’s also important to have bouldering mats and sufficient safety equipment, depending on whether you’re climbing or bouldering. You must have a belay partner when climbing higher walls.

The best thing to do is to go to a climbing or bouldering gym and get instruction from qualified staff, or take a beginner’s course if you don’t have any experience yet. It’s also great fun to do with the kids!

How often should I maintain and care for the climbing wall?

A climbing wall has to withstand great loads. That’s why it’s important to use high-quality materials when you build it. The more often and intensively you use your climbing wall, the more often you should check the screws, beams and boards for possible damage. An outdoor wooden climbing wall in particular should be maintained and cared for at regular intervals to ensure it remains safe when you’re climbing. Make sure you check the wall before each time you use it. Pay extra attention to your safety (belay) equipment if you’re going to climb a high wall.

Can I contact experts to help me plan my climbing wall?

You can find countless hints and tips for building climbing and bouldering walls online. Even a look at the EN 12572 standard can help and guide you. We also recommend seeking individual advice on which materials are particularly suitable, for example, in a DIY store or specialist wood shop. Alternatively, you can use ready-made components such as climbing wall boards and holds.

You can, of course, also call in the experts, which we recommend doing for safety reasons, especially if you’re building a large climbing wall. There are companies that specialise in building of climbing and bouldering walls. Carpenters can also provide information regarding the load-bearing capacity and best way to install materials.

Costs: build your own climbing wall:

How expensive your climbing or bouldering wall will be in the end depends on the material, design, size and equipment you choose.

Here’s an example calculation for a climbing wall with ready-made components:

You can pay up to €1,000 for a 15-square-metre climbing or bouldering wall. A single board (1.24 x 1.24 m) costs around €150 depending on the material and colour. Then there are the climbing holds, which cost between €25 and €200 per hold.

You’ll need more time if you choose to build your climbing wall completely by yourself, that is, without using ready-made parts, but it’ll be cheaper. You may even be able to make use of second-hand materials, provided they’re in pristine condition, of course. The model from our step-by-step guide is based on second-hand garden benches and should only be used by children.