Step Up Your Toddler's Confidence: 5 Benefits of Toddler Climbers and the Toys to Match
The toddler climbing years are upon you, and your little one has graduated from nimble crawler to brave mountaineer, gaining confidence with every summit conquered. It may be a natural stage in toddler's development, but it can leave parents holding their breath with every daring reach. And while safety is the utmost priority, encouraging your child during this pivotal growing stage is essential to their confidence, self-esteem, and problem-solving abilities. It's true. With every climb, your toddler is flexing serious brain muscle as well as their physical development.
So how to give toddler space to grow their self-esteem while letting your mind rest easy? Remembering that this is one of many exciting milestones in the Toddlerhood adventure and an essential practice that allows your little one to reach new heights—in more ways than one! Read on to find out more of the benefits that lie in-store and the best toy climbers to help toddler get there.
1) Best Toddler Climbing Toy for Developing Spatial Awareness
With every pull, touch, and leg over, your toddler is gaining more insight into their body and its relation to the world around them. Spatial awareness is a key cognitive skill that informs concepts like distance, direction, and personal space. From the moment baby is born, spatial awareness begins, and by 18 months, they will have a basic grip of what their body can do. As toddler slides and climbers go, the ECR4Kids SoftZone Single Tunnel Climber offers a 360° experience, covering stepping, crawling, and low-impact climbing. Its soft vegan leather is a great way of introducing young baby to the adventures of toddlerhood while letting you rest easy.
Buy it: ECR4Kids SoftZone Single Tunnel Climber, $279.99, Walmart.com
2) Best Toddler Climbing Toy for Building Balance
Balance is more than a state of mind; it's fundamental to toddler becoming one with their body. With a sense of balance comes increased coordination skills and possibilities of a successful sporting career. Climbing allows your toddler to get a solid feel for navigating gravity and coordinating each body part in harmony. This Indoor Playground and Jungle Gym For Kids by SimreHomeLiving is ideal for young toddlers and includes plenty of opportunities to hone those hand-eye coordination skills. Between the climbing section, basketball hoop, and gymnastic rings, your little one will be entertained for hours. It may be easy to assemble, but its durable plastic makes it as sturdy as can be.
Buy it: Indoor Playground and Jungle Gym For Kids, $596.88,SimreHomeLiving
3) Best Toddler Climbing Toy for Problem Solving
No climb ever comes without its challenges, and that is precisely what your toddler's growing mind needs. There's a reason they call climbing routes "problems." Every structure presents a series of dilemmas even the most seasoned mountain climber must solve. These same cognitive functions form the cornerstones of decision-making, memory, and critical thinking. With every solution comes an increase in toddler's confidence, determination, and ability to adapt to the unknown, which will only bode well for their academic years. Montessori-inspired climbing frames like this one from Wood and Room UA are an excellent way of challenging your little one. The three-piece set not only looks beautiful, it provides absolute flexibility to keep your toddler on their toes.
Buy it: Foldable Triangle + Arch + Ramp with slide, from $157.00, Etsy.com
4) Best Toddler Climbing Toy for Improving Health
With all that shuffling, pulling, and gripping, it's no surprise toddler is getting quite the workout. Such physical activity is ideal for helping your child build muscle and strengthen their growing bones. Not only does climbing develop upper and lower body strength, but toddler jungle gyms also promote cardiovascular health. Naturally, you want to encourage this empowering movement, and the Step2 All Star Sports Climber does this and more. With a basketball hoop, soccer goal, and football toss, it offers boundless engagement while keeping your little one active.
Buy it: Step2 All Star Sports Climber With Slide And Balls, $106.99, Wallmart.com
5) Best Toddler Climbing Toy for Developing Social Skills
When it comes to exploring formidable structures, those who climb together thrive together. Overcoming any climb, no matter how big or small, encourages meaningful cooperation. By working together, children can learn how to guide, listen, and communicate. Even better is the shared celebration that comes from finally reaching the top and the trust gained.
These pivotal cooperative skills form the basis of lifelong relationships and social interactions. Ideal for playdates, the Indoor Playground for Kids by GoodevasKids encourages plenty of collaborative effort for up to five toddlers. In one neat structure, little ones can enjoy drawing, building blocks, and even a hiding place for swapping stories before the big ascent.
Buy it: Indoor Playground for Kids 1 - 7 years old, $469.50, Etsy