Rock climbing ticks off some important boxes for kids: developing problem solving skills, becoming more comfortable with heights, and going on an active adventure! From rock climbing walls inside a local climbing gym to dedicated facilities offering lessons, parties, and more, we’ve got the scoop on spots where kids can rock climb all over the Chicagoland area.
Indoor Rock Climbing Walls in Chicagoland
Astro Fun World (formerly Galaxi Fun Zone)
301 South Route 59
Aurora, IL 60504
(630) 206-0267
Interactive climbing walls that includes an 18-foot Rubik cube that will test your balance. Other attractions at this location include: Indoor go-karts, ropes course, zip line, laser maze, glow mini golf, kids play zone, paintless paintball, virtual reality games, and arcade games.
Annerino Community Center
Bolingbrook Park District
201 Recreation Drive
Bolingbrook, IL
(630) 739-0272
Open climb happens every Thursday and Saturdays. Private lessons are also available. Open climb rates are $4/resident and $6/non-resident.
Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center
Glen Ellyn Park District
800 St. Charles Road
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 317-0130
As of July 1, 2022, the Ackerman Alps climbing wall is still closed. We were informed that it was going to be renovated this summer without an open date set. Continue to check their website for more details.
Climb On
18120 Harwood Avenue
Homewood, IL 60430
(708) 798-9994
Dedicated rock climbing facility with day passes ($15 for adults and $13 for students). Gear rental comes as add on costs. Punch cards, and memberships are also available. Inexperienced climbers will need an appointment before visiting.
Hidden Peak Climbing Gym
937 W. Chestnut St.
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 563-9400
For ages 5 and above, their website claims to have the most successful Midwest training programs for kids. Kids get to train with junior and competitive teams during group classes.
Brooklyn Boulders
100 South Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 268-0002
2121 North Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 717-5660
Their locations offer youth programs that feature interactive learning, paired with STEAM activities. Daily and punch card rates at West Loop and Lincoln Park locations in the city. Kids academy and adventure camps offered, too.
UIC Climbing Wall
737 South Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 996-7730
University of Illinois Chicago’s climbing walls are officially open for the summer on Tuesdays and climbing classes have started operating. Kids 5 and older can participate. Refer to their website for memberships and prices.
Movement Climbing, Yoga and Fitness
1115 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60613
(872) 817-9815
Movement Wrigleyville spans just over 43,000 square feet that hosts 11,000 square feet of bouldering. Private coaching, classes, and party options are available for booking.
North Wall Rock Climbing Gym
824 S. Main St. Suite #106
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Day passes, punch passes, prepaid, and full memberships available. From summer camps to youth memberships, there are many options for kids.
Upper Limits Bloomington
1304 West Washington Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
(309) 829-8255
Autobelays, top roping and bouldering options are available. Plenty of youth program options are also available.
Courts Plus
Elmhurst Park District
186 South West Avenue
Elmhurst IL, 60126
(630) 993-4722
As of July 2022, the rock climbing program is still suspended. Check the website for updates.
Vertical Endeavors
246 Windy Point Drive
Glendale Heights, IL 60139
(630) 784-9000
Day passes and memberships available, as well as climbing teams, clubs, and camps.
Funtopia Glenview
2050 Tower Drive
Glenview, IL 60026
(224) 432-5435
Online registration highly recommended. Birthday parties, camps, and programs. There are strict weight requirements for the climbing walls so be sure to check those out.
Funtopia Naperville
2639 Aurora Avenue #103
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 718-4327
Online registration highly recommended. Birthday parties, camps, and programs. There are strict weight requirements for the climbing walls so be sure to check those out.
The Club at Prairie Stone
5050 Sedge Boulevard
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
(847) 285-5400
Ages 4 and up are welcome to climb at The Club. Open wall and climbing classes; see climbing wall page for info. Member and non-member rates.
Gizmos Fun Factory
66 Orland Square Drive
Orland Park, IL 60462
(708) 949-8948
Must be at least 44″ tall for the climbing walls. Daily rates include climbing walls and other attractions. Birthday parties, too.
Sportsplex Rock Climbing Wall
11351 West 159th Street
Orland Park, IL 60467
(708) 645-7529
Drop-in rock climbing, as well as classes and camps. Resident and non-resident pricing. Ages 5 years and older. They have summer rock climbing programs too that are currently sold out for 2022 so be sure to check it out next year.
Indoor Rock Climbing Facilities with Multiple Locations
First Ascent
These rock climbing facilities offer recreational classes and parties, as well as day passes, punch cards, and memberships. There is specific Kids Classes, Camps, Climbing Team, and other youth programming tailored for your young ones.
3516 N Spaulding Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 564-9815
108 N State St, 4th Floor
Chicago IL, 60602
(312) 285-2337
2950 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 697-9743
4718 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 275-1212
Urban Air Adventure and Trampoline Park
Urban Air consists of many different attractions from dodge ball areas, ropes courses, trampoline parks and of course climbing walls and more. There is a height limit of 41″ tall to climb. Please call the location to ensure the specific one have their walls open for climbing.
7401 West 25th Street
North Riverside, IL 60546
(708) 505-2980
19800 South La Grange Road
Mokena, IL 60448
(312) 528-9405
140 East Lake Street
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
(331) 251-8335
2732 East Main Street
St. Charles, IL 60174
(331) 251-8335
1955 Glacier Park Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
(331) 251-8335
Chicago Athletic Club
As of July 2nd, 2022, climbing is paused at their locations until further notice. Classes, camps, teams and parties. Member and non-member rates. Refer to their website for more information.
2040 West North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
(312) 850-9490
3212 North Broadway Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 529-2024
1019 West Diversey Parkway
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 529-2022
4662 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 529-2023
1455 Webster Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 850-9491
1380 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 850-4667
1635 West Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 850-4668
Fitness Formula Club
Staffed and unstaffed climbing wall hours for members and non-members. Classes, camps, teams and birthday parties.
140 North Addison Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 882-0140
3657 North Pine Grove Avenue
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 477-3664
1030 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 944-1030
939 West North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 337-1244
1114 Lake Street
Oak Park, IL 60301
(708) 383-1114
1235 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 640-1235
826 West Touhy Avenue
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 802-9826
1151 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 360-1151
444 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 627-0444
10 South Clinton Street
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 902-2040
Life Time Fitness
Open climb, climb club, events and birthday parties for members.
601 Burr Ridge Parkway
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
(630) 230-0011
1220 Lakeview Drive
Romeoville, IL 60446
(630) 759-9995
16333 South La Grange Road
Orland Park, IL 60467
(708) 364-0300
YMCA
Not all YMCA locations may have a rock climbing wall, however these specific locations are shown to have rock walls on their location guides and some are currently shut due to staffing issues so be sure to check. Only open to members.
200 S. Illinois Street
Belleville, IL 62220
(618) 233-1243
2501 Fields South Drive
Champaign, IL 61822
(217) 359-9622
300 East Northwest Highway
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 296-3376
1025 N. Old McHenry Rd.
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
(847) 438-5300
5804 N. Main Street
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 489-3374
711 59th St.
Downers Grove, IL, 60516
(331) 803-4509
Our indoor activities page has even more great things to do with kids in Chicago’s suburbs!
