Tried and Tested: Rock Climbing for Kids at Clip ‘n Climb

If you’ve ever tried rock climbing (and even if you haven’t), chances are you’ll LOVE Clip ‘n Climb. For starters, there are no age restrictions — perfect for little monkeys!

If you’re looking for the best indoor playgrounds for kids in Singapore, then this just might be it. Clip ‘n Climb is not the standard soft play – it’s designed for both adults and kids alike with 19 colourful climbing challenges of varying difficulty. What that means mums and dads, is you get to join in the fun! Climbing is good for kids on so many levels — from physical, to therapeutic and confidence-building so we scooted off to HomeTeamNS out in Tampines to check it out. Here is the low-down.

What’s so great about it?

There are 19 walls to climb – each decked out in different colours and themes with different levels of difficulty so its challenging for everyone. There’s the Morse Code with flashing lights, the Dry Ice wall where you need ice picks, the double-sided Face-to-Face wall and the Spaghetti Junction with dangling ropes for extra difficulty. It’s a full sensory experience and keeps the fun stakes high. We love that it’s an activity that parents can join in with kids – we envisage this a great daddy+kiddo bonding outing, too and it’s a big plus that there is no age minimum (just weight; kids must be 10kg or above).

The staff are pretty clued up – a huge bonus when you are climbing for the first time. If you’re lucky Gurpreet will be on your section – he does the safety briefing, shows you the ropes (literally), how to put on the harness and use the carabiners and he can even do this:

That’s him scaling the green beanstalk Triffid – the most difficult wall of the lot.

We went when it was nice and quiet so my 5-year-old had Gurpreet giving him tips, climbing alongside him for encouragement and helping him out where the wall was too tricky. There’s no way my kid would have attempted this without Gurpreet.

If you make it to the top of the wall like I did (hey I’m just saying!) then you get to buzz the buzzer before you abseil down, which is a genuine thrill-seeking experience.

If you get stuck up at the top of the wall and are too scared to free-fall back down (hey, no judgment, its scary up there!), staff can rescue you – they’ll first try encourage you down by yourself but if all else fails they are trained to do the abseil rescue maneuver. No I have no personal experience of this really. Really!

All in all a fantastic fun, worth-the-money activity for some kid bonding. Two thumbs up.

Who’s it for?

• Kids over 10kg to adults. Kids who are 4 or below will need an adult to ‘accompany them’, and that adult will have to pay full price even if they’re not climbing (so might as well give it a try, mama!). Older kids can go on their own as unfortunately non-paying adults can’t enter the climbing area – but really why would you want to miss out? Note that views of the climbers from the waiting area are obstructed.
• There’s no minimum age but we imagine kids would get the most out of it if they are at least 4 years old, yet its challenging enough for older kids and mamas, too.

How much?

90 minute slots vary in cost depending if you are a Member ($18), Passion/SAFRA ($22) or a guest ($25). The 10 slot saver pass gives you a good discount and can be shared with immediate family.

When to go

Weekdays as soon as it opens is best, as it gets busy on weekends and holidays.

Opening Hours: Clip and Climb opens Monday – Thursday 12.00pm (except 1st Monday of the month at 2.00pm); Fridays, Saturday and public holidays from 10.00am. Closing times between 9-11pm.

Sassy Mama Tips

• Mamas: learn from my mistake – don’t wear short shorts – think tight harnesses, ropes, heights… not a good look.
• Instead wear comfortable stretchy exercise knee length pants, and trainers for everyone.
• There is parking on site but GPS to get here can be sketchy – look for signs saying Our Tampines Hub – it’s opposite the Telepark (near the old Tampines Stadium), along Avenue 5.
• Get yourself a Passion Card for preferential rates.
• There’s a foodcourt on the ground floor, but bring your own water.
• Music is loud (and songs not always child appropriate – hopefully they will sort this ASAP).
• There’s also a Laser Quest on site.
• They do party packages!
• Nearest MRT: Tampines MRT Station
• Nearest Bus: 3, 8, 23, 34, 292, 293

Clip ‘n Climb, 51 Tampines Ave 4, #03-03, Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 529684, Tel: (+65) 6705 9410, www.facebook.com/pg/clipnclimbhometeamns