Boulder Tots

Big adventures for little climbers

Fun, coach-facilitated climbing for the ages of 1-4 at YMCA Village

Boulder Tots is a playful, parent-and-child climbing session in the YMCA Village Climbing Centre. With a friendly climbing coach guiding simple games and movement on and off the wall, your little one can explore, move and try new things – with you right there beside them for every “look what I can do!” moment.

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What is Boulder Tots?

Boulder Tots is a 60-minute, coach-facilitated session designed especially for children aged 1–4 and their parent or guardian.

  • Fun introduction to climbing through play, themed activities and simple challenges
  • Lots of opportunities to crawl, climb, balance, jump and explore
  • Your child can move at their own pace – there’s no pressure to “keep up”

What to expect each week:

Each week follows a simple theme, helping your little climber build confidence from the ground up, while developing:

  • Physical skills – balance, coordination, strength and body awareness
  • Social skills – taking turns, sharing space and joining in
  • Cognitive skills – problem-solving, following simple instructions and trying new things
Book Now Call Reception

Why you’ll love Boulder Tots

Step into the world of Boulder Tots, where we go beyond just climbing walls.
  • Quality one-to-one time with your little climber, away from screens and distractions
  • Watch their confidence grow as they discover what their body can do
  • A relaxed, welcoming environment – no previous climbing experience needed
  • Flexible, pay-as-you-go style sessions, so you can come when it works for you
  • Sticker charts, a fun way to track progress
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Step 1: Parent Introduction £5 (required before your first session)

Before your child joins Boulder Tots, you’ll attend a coach-led safety briefing where you learn how to supervise your child safely on and off

In this session you will:

  • Learn how to supervise your child safely on and off the wall
  • Go through key safety points and complete consent forms
  • Give your child a chance to see the space and try the wall at their own pace
  • Ask any questions you have

Once you’ve completed the Parent Introduction, you can start booking Boulder Tots sessions.

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Step 2: Boulder Tots Sessions
  • 60-minute coach-facilitated sessions
  • Small groups of parents and children aged 1–4
  • Themed activities and simple climbing-based games
  • Coaches on hand to suggest ideas, support nervous little ones and celebrate their progress
  • Sticker charts, a fun way to track progress
Book Session

Boulder Tots Timetable

 

Day

Time
Monday
1:00PM – 2.00PM
Thursday
10:30AM – 11.30AM
Sunday
10.30AM – 11.20AM

 

Prices:
  • Supporter Member: £5.50 per session
  • Non-member: £6.50 per session

You only pay for the sessions you book – there’s no term commitment, so you can choose the days that work for you.

Safety and our Climbing Team

 

 

Sessions are supervised by qualified Climbing Wall Instructors

 

All coaches are safeguarding trained and DBS checked

 

 

Climbing takes place over soft crash matting in a controlled indoor space

 

Our team will show how to support your child safely, on and off the wall

 

As they grow: What’s next?

 

YMCA Y-kids - instructor coaching young boy how to attach a climbing harness in Clip n' Climb Centre, Newark.

Clip ‘n Climb – from age 4+

Experience the thrill of climbing in a fun, safe, and engaging environment.

WILD Climbers – from age 5+

Introducing NICAS while having fun and exploring the climbing environment

FAQs
  • Do I need climbing experience?

    No. Boulder Tots is designed for complete beginners. Our coaches will show you everything you need to know during the Parent Introduction and will be around to support you in every session.

  • Does my child need to do the Parent Introduction too?

    Yes. The Parent Introduction is for supervising adults, but your child can come along to see the space and have a gentle taster. It’s a great way to help them feel comfortable before their first full session.

  • How do I book onto Boulder Tots?

    Once you’ve completed the Parent Introduction, you can book Boulder Tots sessions online via OpenPlay, by speaking to the team in the Climbing Centre, or at Reception at YMCA Village.

  • How many children can I bring?

    For safety reasons, one supervising adult may only supervise one child in a Boulder Tots session.

  • Can I bring a child who isn’t mine?

    Yes – you can bring a child who is a friend or family member as long as:

    • Their parent or legal guardian has completed the parental consent form, and

    You have attended the Parent Introduction before your first session with them.

  • What should we wear?

    You and your child should wear:

    • Comfortable clothing suitable for lots of moving and climbing
    • Clothing that fits well – we recommend avoiding skirts and dresses unless worn with shorts/leggings underneath
    • Closed-toe footwear such as trainers (please avoid crocs, sandals and wellies)

    Climbing shoes may be available in smaller sizes; our team can advise when you arrive.

  • Do we have to attend every week?

    No, you don’t have to attend every week. Sessions are booked individually, so you can choose dates that suit you. We do rotate themes, so your child might miss a sticker or activity for that week, but they can pick it up when the theme returns.

  • Can I drop my kid off and collect them later?

    No. Boulder Tots is a parent-and-child session, not a drop-off activity. A supervising adult must stay with their child at all times and is responsible for their supervision, with support and guidance from the coach.

  • Is equipment included?

    All climbing equipment needed for the session is available in the Climbing Centre.
    Optional extras such as small climbing shoes for little feet may be available in certain sizes – our team can advise on the day. Sticker charts and similar resources, when used, are included in the session at no extra cost.