A trip to a local rock climbing gym offers so many great challenges for kids! Not only do they develop their strength and coordination, they also practice problem-solving, become more comfortable with heights, and enjoy the thrill of an active adventure.
We’ve scoped out all of the indoor rock climbing gyms near Chicagoland. These include dedicated facilities offering classes and camps, more general gyms that have their own climbing walls, and kid-focused entertainment centers that specialize in active play. If your child has never climbed before, be sure to look for spots that offer intro classes or tutorials.
Closures since last year include the Latoff YMCA in Des Plaines, the climbing wall at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center in Glen Ellyn, and the Lincoln Park location of Brooklyn Boulders. New spots include ClimbZone Chicago and Movement Lincoln Park. If we’ve missed a spot by you, please email annie@mykidlist.com or comment below to let us know!
Climbing Gyms in Chicago
Hidden Peak Climbing Gym
937 W. Chestnut St.
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 563-9400
For ages 5 and above, Hidden Peak focuses on training programs for kids. They specialize in bouldering, which is climbing without ropes at lower heights. Kids get to train with junior and competitive teams during group classes. Day passes are $15; punch cards, monthly passes, and annual passes are also available.
Brooklyn Boulders
100 South Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 268-0002
Their locations offer youth programs that feature interactive learning. Youth programs include two-hour drop-off classes for kids aged 5-12 for $39/session; day passes are $25. Memberships and packages available. The Lincoln Park location closed down in 2022, but this West Loop location remains open.
ClimbZone Chicago
2500 W Bradley Place
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 455-0555
Created for kids, ClimbZone’s 65 colorful climbing walls are hand-painted with all kinds of themed artwork to help each climb feel fresh. The center also has laser tag, high ropes, bumper cars, soft play, and a zip-line. A two-hour package with climbing and soft play access is $29.99; see pricing for more details.
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 Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; check the website for the schedule. While UIC sometimes runs youth programs, regularly the wall is only accessible to students or via a community membership.
Movement Wrigleyville
1115 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60613
(872) 817-9815
Movement Wrigleyville focuses on climbing, yoga, and fitness, with 11,000 square feet of bouldering. Private coaching, classes, summer memberships, and party options are available for booking.
Movement Lincoln Park
1460 N Dayton Street
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 579-4454
Like its sister location, Movement Lincoln Park focuses on climbing, yoga, and fitness. This spot has more than 200 rock climbing routes aimed at a variety of ages and abilities, with walls reaching up to 56 feet high. Classes, youth programs, parties, and more.
Climbing Gyms in the Suburbs
Astro Fun World (formerly Galaxi Fun Zone)
301 South Route 59
Aurora, IL 60504
(630) 206-0267
Interactive climbing walls including an 18-foot Rubik’s Cube that will test your balance. Other attractions at this location include indoor go-karts, ropes course, zip line, laser maze, glow mini golf, a kids play zone, paintless paintball, virtual reality games, and arcade games. Climbing walls are $10 when priced as a single attraction.
Annerino Community Center
Bolingbrook Park District
201 Recreation Drive
Bolingbrook, IL
(630) 739-0272
Open climb happens every Thursday and Saturday; check the schedule for details. Open climb rates are $4/resident and $6/non-resident. Private lessons are also available.
Climb On
18120 Harwood Avenue
Homewood, IL 60430
(708) 798-9994
Dedicated rock climbing facility with day passes ($18/pass), as well as punch cards and memberships. Gear rental is available for an additional cost; see all pricing. Inexperienced climbers will need an appointment before visiting. Climb On offers a variety of lessons, including a family orientation option.
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.
The Centre of Elgin
100 Symphony Way
Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 531-7000
Elgin’s recreation center has a climbing wall with five ropes and two auto belays, designed with routes for both kids and adults. See the website for the open climb schedule and pricing, which starts at $6/resident, $8/non-resident for youth ages 5-18.
Courts Plus Climbing Gym – Closed
Elmhurst Park District
186 South West Avenue
Elmhurst IL, 60126
(630) 993-4722
As of July 2023, 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. Day passes are $22.
Funtopia Glenview
2050 Tower Drive
Glenview, IL 60026
(224) 432-5435
Online per-registration is highly recommended at this spot with climbing walls, ropes courses, caving replicas, and more. They host birthday parties, camps, and programs in addition to Fun Zone sessions. There are strict weight and height requirements for the attractions, so be sure to check those out. Drop-in pricing is $20-$34 for 1-2 hour passes; membership for one-hour passes is also available. One non-participating parent may accompany each paying child.
Funtopia Naperville
2639 Aurora Avenue #103
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 718-4327
Climbing walls, ropes courses, ninja courses, and more. Online pre-registration is recommended, but drop-ins are welcome. Unlike the Glenview location, Funtopia Naperville uses all-access daily passes, which are $25. For an extra $5, you can add on two slices of pizza, a bottle of water, and a snack. Passes are discounted to $20 on Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm – 9pm, and one-hour pass memberships are available, too. Non-participating parents go free. Funtopia also hosts birthday parties, camps, and programs. There are strict weight and height requirements for the attractions, which you can view here.
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 at this arcade and attraction center. Daily rates start at $29.99 and 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. Drop-in climbing wall fee is $4/resident and $7/non-resident; check the schedule for times and membership options. Ages 5 years and older.
Chrouser Sports Complex at Wheaton College Climbing Wall
601 Centennial Drive
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 752-5146
This college recreation center, which offers community memberships, has a climbing wall. Kids 14 and under must be belayed by parents. The wall was designed with college students in mind, so it may be better suited for older kids and teens. See the website for more details and the open climb schedule.
First Ascent
701 Rohlwing Rd
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(224) 735-7150
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
These rock climbing facilities offer recreational classes and parties, as well as day passes, punch cards, and memberships. There are specific classes, camps, teams, and other youth programming tailored for kids.
Urban Air Adventure and Trampoline Park
140 East Lake Street
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
(331) 251-8335
19800 South La Grange Road
Mokena, IL 60448
(312) 528-9405
1955 Glacier Park Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
(331) 251-8335
7401 West 25th Street
North Riverside, IL 60546
(708) 505-2980
2732 East Main Street
St. Charles, IL 60174
(331) 251-8335
Urban Air has active play attractions including dodge ball areas, ropes courses, trampoline parks, climbing walls, and more. Kids must be at least 41″ tall to climb.
Fitness Formula Club
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
Staffed and unstaffed climbing wall hours for members and non-members. Classes, camps, teams and birthday parties.
Life Time Fitness
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
900 E Higgins Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 517-7171
28141 Diehl Road
Warrenville, IL 60555
(630) 393-2600
Open climb, climb club, events, and birthday parties for members. Rockwall climbing is for kids ages 5+ with an adult, and ages 12+ without.
YMCA
Not all YMCA locations have a rock climbing wall, but these spots offer climbing for their members. Call the location for more information.
Sage YMCA
701 Manor Road
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(815) 459-4455
Buehler YMCA
1400 W. Northwest Hwy.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 359-2400
Foglia YMCA
1025 N. Old McHenry Rd.
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
(847) 438-5300
Our indoor activities page has even more great things to do with kids in Chicago’s suburbs!
