When it comes to finding a playtime solution for your kids, climbing is a worthy choice. 

Not only is climbing fun, but it has numerous benefits for growing children – such as developing motor skills and improving strength and coordination.  

To reap these benefits, you must find a structure that’s safe and durable to last in your backyard.  

Which brings us to our list of the best backyard climbing structures for kids in Canada.  

We rounded up insights from our gobaplay industry experts and assessed user reviews to find the premier option in the following categories:  

• Best outdoor climbing toy for toddlers 

• Best backyard climbing dome 

• Best backyard climber 

• Best backyard climbing wall 

• Best backyard climbing tower 

Ready to climb? Let’s get to it!  

5 Best Backyard Climbing Structures for Kids  

We will list the main pros and cons for each climbing structure, noting cost and user reviews, before wrapping up with a quick summary.   

In full transparency, we listed two of our gobaplay products in this article because we believe their unique structures and safety/quality features merit a spot on an objective list of the best climbing products for kids.  

*This list is not in any type of order. 

1. Best Outdoor Climbing Toy for Toddlers – Step2 Woodland Climber II 

Pros:  

• Multiple play features, including a climbing wall, play area, two steering wheels, a slide and a ladder. Also includes a lower level for hiding or extra storage space. 

• 240-pound weight capacity is significantly higher than other similar toddler climbing toys.  

• The design is more advanced aesthetically compared to other similar products. 

• Built with double-walled plastic construction – sturdiness was cited by verified users as a strength.  

• Easy to assemble for most reviewers.   

• Comes with a 3-year warranty – longer than the other toddler climbing toys we assessed.   

Cons:  

• $479 price is on the expensive side for toddler climbing toys.  

• According to user reviews, multiple customers struggled to move the product to a different location without pieces coming off.  

Cost: $479.67  

Reviews:   

• 4.7/5 (Amazon, 1,088 ratings) 

• 4.6/5 (Walmart, 71 reviews) 

• 4.6/5 (Toys "R" Us, 97 reviews). 

Summary: 

The Step2 Woodland Climber II is the best toddler climbing toy for its multi-dimensional features, high-weight capacity and comparably durable construction.  

The biggest sticking point would likely be price -- there are other toddler climbing toys for under $100.   

Photo courtesy of Amazon.  

2. Best Backyard Climbing Dome - gobaplay Summit Pro Climbing Dome 

Pros:  

• 7.5 ft tall and wide – larger and offers a greater challenge than most backyard climbing domes. 

• Holds up to 600 pounds and can accommodate up to six children; can also accommodate older kids (it can work as an outdoor climbing structure for adults, too). 

• Made from powder-coated steel with non-slip application texture application – will be able to last in various climates.   

• 2-year warranty is double the industry standard.  

• Unique gunmetal design stands out from the traditional climber design (see below from US Amazon): 

 

Cons:  

• No swing or additional accessory – just climbing. 

• The taller-than-average structure means extra precaution should be taken when climbing to the top of the dome. 

• Not the best climbing option for toddlers; ages 6-10 are the best range for this Climbing Dome.  

Cost: $449 

Reviews:   

• 4.5/5 (gobaplay, 8 reviews) 

• 4.5/5 (Amazon, 6 reviews) 

New product – not enough reviews to list three sources.  

Summary: 

gobaplay’s Summit Pro Climbing Dome is distinctively designed and stands out aesthetically among competing climbing domes.     

Its combination of size and safety/quality features differentiate the structure from traditional climbing domes.  

The gobaplay Climbing Dome is just built for climbing, though, with no additional play options. It’s also better for children past the toddler stage.  

3. Best Backyard Climber - Lifetime Earthtone Geometric Dome Climber 

Pros: 

• Great value for the price. 

• Nice design with a stylish earthtone colour scheme. 

• Holds up to 600 pounds and up to six kids at a time; Amazon reviewers were overwhelmingly impressed with the structure's sturdiness. 

• Made from powder-coated steel; includes an industry-standard 1-year warranty. 

• Resin rock climbing grips are a handy feature to help kids ascend and descend safely. 

• Weighs around 100 pounds, making it relatively easy to move around the backyard.   

Cons:  

• No swing or additional accessory – just climbing. 

• There were 344 negative reviews on the assembly process on Amazon; the number of pieces you have to put together was cited as a negative.  

• Size of the climber is average (120 x 120 x 60 inches) and may not be the best fit for older kids.  

Cost: $651.23  

Reviews:   

• 4.8/5 (Amazon, 5,229 ratings) 

• 4.9/5 (The Home Depot, 556 reviews) 

• 4.7/5 (Walmart, 1,126 reviews)  

Summary:  

The Lifetime Earthtone Geometric Dome Climber is a stylish, sturdy option that’s priced affordably compared to competitors.  

There are bigger, more multifaceted, backyard climbing structures out there that might be a better fit for older kids, however.  

Photo courtesy of Amazon. 

4. Best Backyard Climbing Wall – Step2 Skyward Summit 

• 6.5 ft tall is a good height for its suggested age range (4-8).  

• Provides over 100 square feet of climbing area. 

• Fits up to four kids, holding a maximum weight of 300 pounds.  

• The gray rock wall design is visually pleasing compared to other plastic climbing toys.  

• Includes easy-grab junior grips. 

• Capture the flag feature at the top is a nice touch for friendly competition.  

• Solid 3-year warranty for plastic components.  

Cons: 

• Expensive for an age-limited kids’ climbing structure.  

• Assembly gave Amazon reviewers challenges; unclear directions were cited as a negative.  

Cost: $749.99  

Reviews:   

• 4.6/5 (Amazon, 366 ratings) 

• 4.6/5 (Walmart. 301 ratings) 

• 4.6/5 (Step2, 226 reviews)  

Summary:  

If you’re willing to pay close to $800 for a product built for a limited age range (4-8), it is the best-of-the-best in the Backyard Climbing Wall category.  

It’s a good-sized structure, providing plenty of room for multiple kids to play simultaneously with a fun design to keep kids engaged.  

Photo courtesy of Step2.   

5. Best Backyard Climbing Tower – Summit Pro Climbing Tower 

 

Pros:  

• At 8.5 ft tall and 7.2 ft wide, it’s bigger than most backyard climbing structures, with a distinct design.  

• Multiple climbing options with three different difficulty levels; includes molded climbing grips for a realistic climbing experience.  

• Includes a built-in play feature with six bean bags and a vertical cornhole wall. 

• 53-inch shaded deck is a unique touch; perfect for turning into a playhouse. 

  

• Fits up to three kids at a time (100 pounds per person x 3 people). 

• Strong construction: non-slip powder-coated galvanized steel with adequate rust resistance.  

• 2-year warranty on the frame is double the industry standard.  

Cons:  

• $749.99 price tag is more expensive than traditional backyard climbing towers. 

• 150-pound weight capacity per person rules it out for most older kids; 6-10 is a good age range for this climbing product. 

• Different components could make assembly more time-consuming.  

Cost: $749.99 

Reviews:   

• 5/5 (gobaplay, 5 reviews) 
• 5/5 (Costco, 5 reviews) 

New product – not enough reviews to list three sources.  

Summary:  

The gobaplay Summit Pro Climbing Tower catches the eye, with its towering structure and multiple play features being winning factors over the competition. 

The biggest drawback to gobaplay’s Climbing Tower is it’s slightly more expensive than other climbing towers for kids.   

Which Backyard Climbing Structure Is Right for You?  

Whatever type of structure your child prefers – traditional climbers, domes, rock walls or towers – these five were chosen as the best based on our expert analysis.   

Now, the best climbing structure for your kids will depend on many factors, including:  

• Your child’s preferred design – is it a dome? Traditional climber? Tower? 

• Safety features and quality of materials used. 

• The current age and expected growth of your child (look through age ranges provided by manufacturers!) 

• Durability through the seasons (important for areas that experience frequent severe weather). 

• Weight capacities (per child and for multiple children) and stability while in use. 

• Its size and the amount of backyard space required to assemble. 

• Preferred features – do you want just climbing or other other play features as well? 

• Ease of assembly. 

• Warranty coverage and customer support.  

Consider these factors, then look through user reviews and videos to find your perfect climbing structure.   

If you were intrigued by the dome or tower options, check out our gobaplay Backyard Climbing Structures for more details.