Turning Walls into Playgrounds: A DIY Rock Climbing Wall for Kids

DIY Rock Climbing Wall Supplies:

• Plywood
• Trim
• Primer
• Paint
• Spackle for Wood Filling
• Caulk
• 220 Grit Sandpaper
• Hand Holds
• Swing
• Spray Paint
• Spray Primer
• Screws
• Lag Bolts and Washers
• Nail Gun
• Stud Finder

It is very important that you build this in a way that it will be safe and secure, in order to keep the kiddos safe. The first step is to find the studs in the wall. We will want to make sure everything is attached to a stud so that it is the most sturdy.

Once you find and mark your studs, you will need to get some wood to attach to the studs to act as an anchor. We will then be installing the plywood buildings on it. I used scrap wood from previous projects, but you can use 2x4s or rip down some plywood. Attach the wood horizontally across the wall, securing it with screws into the studs.

Put this anchor piece wherever you will have the rock wall. You can install more as you go if you need to.

Step #2: Design & Cut the Buildings

I started by taking a photo of my wall and “drew” buildings to determine how I wanted them to look. The easiest way to do this is to open the photo on your phone and edit it. There should be an option for you to draw on the photos. If you do that, you can get an idea of how and where you want each to be.

Now you will take that draft and decide on the measurements and sizes. You will then take those measurements and designs and draw them on the plywood and cut them out.

Pro Tip: When cutting a straight line, take a scrap piece of wood and two clamps. Place the scrap piece on the plywood and clamp it to use as a guide. Then take your jig saw and follow the edge of the scrap wood to cut a straight line.

Step #3: Install the Buildings

Now, take your buildings and install them on your wall. Be sure to secure them to the scrap wood you attached to the studs. I used so many screws on this because I wanted it to be super secure!

Step #4: Add Trim

I wanted the buildings to look like they were solid, so I found trim that I could attach to the edges to close them off. I cut and attached the trim all the way around the edges of the buildings using my nail gun.

Step #5: Wood Fill, Sand, & Caulk

Ahhh… the tedious step: Filling all the nail holes. This takes so much time, but is absolutely necessary. Once everything is filled, and dried, you will sand it all down. I did not realize how hard sanding this down would be. It was so messy!

I then wiped everything down to clean up all the dust. I used baby wipes, but you can use a towel or terry cloth.

Finally, go through and caulk anywhere the wood met the wall or where two pieces of wood meet at an angle.

Step #6: Prime & Paint

Make sure the wall is all clean and dust-free before painting. I used a gray-tinted primer. Note: When priming raw wood, you will get some texture or rough spots. So I recommend taking some 220 grit sand paper and sanding it down. Then apply the second coat of primer.

Next, go over it with a couple of coats of paint. Remember to take the tape off while the paint is still wet to avoid paint peeling.

Step #7: Paint the Handholds & Swing

I got THESE handholds and THIS swing. However, they were not the color I wanted. You can buy them in specific colors, but the price difference was not worth it in my opinion. So we are going to paint them! The hand holds are plastic, and finding a paint that sticks to plastic is kind of challenging. So I am going into this expecting to have to do some touch ups. That’s okay!