Climbing for kids in Oslo

6 options are listed under climbing in Oslo, across 4 districts, for children and young people aged 5 to 18. Below is the full list with age and district for each option.

Districts with an offering: Gamle Oslo, Østensjø, Grünerløkka, Søndre Nordstrand.

Climbing happens in halls year-round, and belaying and routines are taught before anything else. Progress is easy to see: the wall is either climbed or it is not.

The distinction that matters most in practice is between bouldering and rope climbing. Bouldering happens low over thick mats, without ropes and without a belay partner, while rope climbing goes high and requires someone belaying from below. Most children start with bouldering, simply because it asks less of everyone.

Worth knowing about climbing

The bouldering hall is the shortest way in: no harness, no belay partner, just shoes and mats. For a child who wants to try climbing without committing to a course, that is where to start, and shoes can be hired on site.

If your child is to rope climb without an adult who can belay, they need a belay certificate or the club's own training. It is worth checking what the club requires before signing up, especially if the plan is for your child to climb independently later.

Every option on a map and list

Want every discipline in one list? See the full overview of organised activities

6 leisure activities

Klatreverket Bryn

Climbing

Bryn, Gamle Oslo

A climbing and bouldering centre at Bryn with dedicated activities for children. The recommended age is from around 8-10. There is no absolute lower limit, but the walls and routes are set for children from roughly fifth grade and up. Bouldering needs neither rope nor a belay partner.

ages 8-18

Brak Buldring

Climbing

Ensjø, Gamle Oslo

A bouldering centre in Østerdalsgata at Ensjø with weekly groups for children. Groups are capped at ten participants, climbing shoes are lent out if you need them, and parents can come inside and climb or wait in the cafe.

ages 5-9

Kolsås Klatreklubb

ClimbingLeisure card

Vulkan Klatresenter, Grünerløkka

A climbing club with training groups for children and youth at Vulkan climbing centre by the Akerselva river. The 'Dino' children's group is for ages 9-12, and for older kids there are dedicated groups up to 18, with systematic climbing training and belay courses. The club also runs its own summer camp for members of the training groups.

ages 9-18

Oslo Klatreklubb

ClimbingLeisure card

Oslo Klatresenter, Skullerud, Østensjø

The city's own climbing club, with training and competition groups for children from seven and up. The groups overlap somewhat by capacity and experience rather than being strictly age-divided. The club trains at several of the city's climbing centres, among them Oslo Klatresenter in Skullerud, Vulkan and Klatreverket, but is something other than the centres: here you are a member of a club community with regular training and the option to compete, not just a course participant. Check which centre a given group trains at.

ages 7-18

Bjørndal IF Klatring

ClimbingLeisure card

Klatrehallen i Bjørnholthallen, Søndre Nordstrand

A climbing school for children and young people aged 7 to 18 at the club's own climbing wall at the far end of Bjørnholthallen. The club says there may be some waiting in classes with many beginners. It also holds open days where children can try climbing free, and a summer camp for the older ones.

ages 7-18

Oslo Klatresenter

ClimbingLeisure card

Skullerud, Østensjø

A large three-storey climbing centre by Skullerud metro, with both bouldering and rope climbing and areas made for children. The regular climbing groups run from five to eighteen: those under ten boulder and climb on autobelay, while those from ten also learn to belay each other on rope.

ages 5-18