Home | Rock Climbing Courses | For Parents: Taking the Kids Out
Introduce your kids to the magic of climbing
Safely, professionally, and with zero pressure. This family-focused course is designed to help parents learn how to take their children climbing outdoors in a way that’s fun, safe, and empowering for everyone involved. Whether you’re an experienced climber or completely new to the sport, our guides will show you how to create a positive, low-stress climbing environment tailored to your young adventurers.
With the sunny weather and beginner-friendly cliffs that define the Santa Barbara area, this is an ideal setting for families to learn together and create unforgettable memories in nature.
What You’ll Learn
Climbing with kids is very different from climbing with adults — and it should be. This course focuses on technical safety and keeping things fun. But you’ll also learn how to effectively incorporate, climbing into the regular routines of your kids, such that climbing becomes an integral part of your time together.
You’ll learn how to set up safe climbs, manage kids’ energy and fears, and create a supportive outdoor experience that grows their love of the sport. You’ll also learn how to introduce your kids to what it means to climb in this contemporary era. We don't water down our programs; right out of the gate things are fun but authentic.
Course Details
Location: Beginner-friendly climbing areas in Santa Barbara
Duration: 2–4+ Days, 3–5 hours each
Cost: Groups of 2+: $250/guest per day , Solo Guests: $360
Group Size: Flexible — designed for families
Included: All climbing gear (kid and adult sizes available)
What to Bring: Closed-toe shoes, snacks, water, layers, stoke, and your little adventurers
Who This Course Is For
Perfect for:
- Parents who want to start climbing with their kids outside
- Experienced climbers unsure about kid-specific needs
- New climbers looking for a unique, active family experience
- Youth leaders, homeschool parents, and mentors building outdoor programming
No experience is required. We welcome families brand new to climbing.
Topics include:
- Setting up top-rope climbs and belay stations for kids
- How to choose safe, kid-appropriate routes
- Managing belays, movement, and attention spans
- Age-specific safety practices and gear use
- Coaching techniques: encouragement, fear management, and fun
- Boundary setting and when to stop a climb
- Creating a positive, trust-based climbing environment
You’ll get hands-on practice and guidance while your kids climb in a real outdoor setting — with support for the whole family.
Is This Course Right for You?
If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to do this with my kids, but I don’t know where to start” — this course is for you.
Whether your children are fearless monkeys or cautious observers, we help you meet them where they are and create a day that supports their growth and enjoyment.
Why This Course Matters
The outdoor world can be one of the most rewarding places to bond with your kids — but it also requires planning, patience, and a different skill set than climbing with adults.
This course gives you the tools to safely introduce your children to outdoor climbing — and to know when to step back, when to lead, and how to make the day a win for everyone.
It’s also a great way to introduce kids to Santa Barbara’s beautiful landscapes, helping them connect to nature through movement, problem-solving, and play.
Come Climbing with Santa Barbara’s most experienced and professionally certified climbing guide service.
Our lead instructors are AMGA-trained or certified and deeply familiar with the local sandstone crags. We’ve taught hundreds of climbers how to transition into safe, confident leaders — and we love doing it.
We also pride ourselves on tailoring each outing to your personal goals and comfort level, whether you’re a first-time leader or looking to fine-tune your technique.
Why Learn With Us
At Santa Barbara Rock Climbing, our guides have extensive experience climbing with families, kids, and youth programs. We understand the dynamics of a successful family day — and how to balance fun with safety, structure with freedom.
We teach in a patient, judgment-free, fully supportive way — and help parents build the confidence and skills to lead their kids into future adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need climbing experience to take this course?
A: Not at all! We work with complete beginners and experienced climbers alike.
Q: What age range is best?
A: We’ve worked with kids as young as 3 and teens well into high school. We tailor the day to your family’s needs.
Q: Will we climb real rock?
A: Yes. You’ll climb on real Santa Barbara sandstone, in safe areas selected specifically for kids and families.
Q: Can we bring multiple kids?
A: Absolutely — we design each session around your group’s size and age range.
Make climbing a family adventure
Book your Taking the Kids Out course today and learn how to share the joy of outdoor climbing with your children - safely, confidently, and with lifelong memories built in.