Winter-themed Climbing Wall Games

Changing climbing activities with the seasons helps to bring variety to the climbing experience. With winter just around the corner, give these a try with your climbers!

Finish the Snowman

Climbers remove objects from the climbing wall and toss them into the snowman to finish building it.

Grade Level: 2 and up

Materials:

Hoops, beanbags and other items (optional)

Advance Set Up:

Create several snowmen about 4 feet apart at a distance from the Traverse Wall® by placing 2-3 hoops either on safety mats, or just off the safety mats, in the shape of a snowman made of 2 or 3 circles.
Next, place bean bags on hand holds, high and low across the Traverse Wall®. These will be used to create eyes, nose, mouth and buttons.
Place other items on the climbing wall to make scarves, hats, arms, etc, if desired.

Activity:

Have climbers climb to items on the climbing wall and toss them into a snowman to try to make a face or add buttons. Depending on how many climbers you have, you should limit the items they toss to 2-4 to allow other climbers a chance to remove and toss items. Once climbers have completed the traverse, have them replace to the climbing wall any items that did not hit the target (i.e. – did not make part of the face or buttons on the body).

Note: Items will have to be replenished to the climbing wall over time.

National Standard(s): 1,2,3,4 & 5

Grade-Level Outcomes:

Nonlocomotor (S1.E7, S1.E8, S1.E10)
Manipulative (S1.E13, S1.E26)
Movement concepts (S2.E1, S2.E2)
Engages in physical activity (S3.E2, S3.M3, S3.M4, S3.M5)
Personal responsibility (S4.E1, S4.E2, S4.M1, S4.M2)
Rules & etiquette (S4.E5, S4. M5, S4.M6)
Safety (S4.E6, S4.M7)
Challenge (S5.E2, S5.M3)

Silent Feet

Tis the season for jingle bells, but in this activity, silence is golden. Climbers must focus on smooth and controlled footwork to avoid ringing the bells.

Grade Level: K and up

Materials:

Jingle bell ankle bands, one for each foot of each climber

Advance Set Up: Assemble or locate jingle bell ankle bands.

Activity:

Have participants attach jingle bells to their ankles. Challenge them to climb making the least amount of noise possible. The goal is to climb in a smooth and controlled manner.

Variation: Try the activity with bells on wrists (Silent Hands).

Teaching Tip: This activity forces climbers to think about controlled and careful foot placement. Encourage them to use the inside part of the foot under the big toe which offers the most stability.

National Standard(s): 1,2,3,4 & 5

Grade-Level Outcomes:

Nonlocomotor (S1.E7, S1.E8, S1.E10)
Movement concepts (S2.E1, S2.E2)
Engages in physical activity (S3.E2, S3.M3, S3.M4, S3.M5)
Personal responsibility (S4.E1, S4.E2, S4.M1, S4.M2)
Rules & etiquette (S4.E5, S4. M5, S4.M6)
Safety (S4.E6, S4.M7)
Challenge (S5.E2, S5.M3)

On Thin Ice

In many areas, winter brings ice. You want to be sure to avoid patches of thin ice in this climbing activity that requires avoiding the “ice” obstacles.

Grade Level: 2 and up

Materials: Bungee cords, string or tape (preferably Gaffers’ tape)

Advance Prep: Use bungee cords, string or tape to mark off areas that will be “thin ice,” or areas that cannot be used for climbing. The cords and string can be wrapped around several holds to create the imaginary areas of challenge. Keep safety in mind as you space the areas so that there are clear opportunities for climbers to climb above, under and around thin ice to get from one side of the climbing wall to the other.

Activity: Climbers are challenged to avoid areas of “thin ice” on the climbing wall. This activity brings some new challenges to the climbing wall by “eliminating” some of the holds from use by climbers. As they climb, climbers must abide by these rules:

The climber’s feet/hands/body cannot touch, or pass over, any part of thin ice (border and interior space).
Regular climbing wall safety rules still apply.
If the climber breaks any rule, s/he must return to the starting point and try again.

Variation: It’s Opposite Day! Now try climbing ONLY using areas of thin ice. This will likely require adding more thin ice or giving people three strikes, or three times, to use any part of the wall.

Teaching Tip: Encourage participants to climb more slowly than usual since this activity requires additional problem solving and possibly new body positioning.

National Standards: 1,2,3,4 & 5

Grade-Level Outcomes: