In fact preparatory to the actual climbing there are a few key steps. Before jumping on the rock, take a few moments to look around and check out where you are going to be bouldering. It’s always a good idea to assess the quality of the rock surface. If you reach for a hold and the rock moves or crumbles in your hand, you might want to rethink that particular area for bouldering. Loose and crumbly rock is not much fun, nor is it safe. Solid rock is what you want. Also, it’s important to consider the consequence of a fall and gauge yourself accordingly. With kids, this obviously is the grown-ups responsibility.

Keep it fun and light for the children. Encourage them to try, but do not push your child beyond what they feel comfortable with. Let them watch you for a while, and demonstrate slow, careful movements. When the child is ready to climb, choose a spot where they won’t have to go too high, or stretch too far. Also, you need to spot the child, (as unobtrusively as possible.) It’s safer for the child, and gives them a sense of security and they can try more challenging moves without painful consequences. Remember going up is often easier than coming back down. This is a very important lesson to share with the kids, as