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Make a Super Fun Kids Climbing Ramp for Backyard Playsets

Build a FUN kids rock climbing ramp for your backyard playset or playhouse. With easy to follow DIY steps, pictures, and build video.

How to Make a Kids Climbing Ramp

Hi guys! Lately, I’ve been busy building my kids a huge playhouse with an upper tree house deck and lots of fun backyard play set elements.

Today, I’m going to show you how to make a kids climbing ramp or wall with an easy to use ladder on one side and climbing rocks on the other.

Image of a backyard DIY kids rock climbing ramp for playsets or a playhouse.
This DIY rock climbing ramp is perfect on our backyard playset.

You can build this as a climbing ramp with an easy to climb angle, like mine. Or skip the angles, to build a kids rock climbing wall for your backyard play set or playhouse.

I love the ladder side of this climbing ramp. It makes getting to the top of this playhouse super easy for grown ups, like me. 🙂

Now, here’s how to make a kids climbing ramp or wall for your backyard play set, fort, or playhouse.

how to build a fun DIY Rock Climbing Wall for a Kids Play Set, Bed, Loft, and more. Step by step tutorial and how to video to help you make your own.
Don’t forget to Save this DIY on Pinterest.

What You’ll Need

  • Frame Supports: Pressure-Treated 2×4’s or Exterior Cedar 2×4’s
  • Ramp or Wall Boards: Pressure-Treated 2×4’s, Exterior Cedar 2×4’s, Pressure Treated 3/4″ Plywood Strips (what I used), or similar strength, exterior-grade lumber
  • Climbing Rocks
  • Deck Paint or Stain
  • Chalk Paint to Add Color
  • Self-Tapping Deck Screws

DIY Kids Rock Climbing Wall

Watch this short video for a quick walk through of how to make this kids rock climbing ramp for your backyard playhouse or even indoor playroom. 🙂

How to Make a Kids Climbing Wall or Ramp for a Playhouse, Fort, or Playset

Backyard Playset Climbing Ramp Build Steps

Cut the First Angles for your Climbing Ramp Frame

To make a kids rock climbing ramp, you start by cutting your supporting frame 2×4’s. I avoid calculating angles for this climbing ramp with a few easy tricks.

You can see me explaining these steps in that how to video above, watching that video should make things easier to understand. 🙂

First, I set one 2×4 against the spot where I’ll be attaching it, to pick the slope I want my climbing ramp to have.

To make a kids climbing ramp, I set a 2×4 against the spot where I want it to find the slope I want it to have.

Once I have a slope I like, I hold a flat board or spirit level against the face of the board I’ll be attaching my climbing ramp to. And, I mark that straight line with a pencil.

This marks the EXACT ANGLE you picked without making any angle calculations. Yay!

And, it leaves extra length on the other end of the board to use a similar trick to find that angle.

Mark the angle with a pencil and a straight edge.

Now, on to the next step to make a kids backyard rock 0climbing ramp.

Cut that first angle you just marked, then put it back up against the spot where you’ll install it.

Mark and Cut the Next Angle

Measure how far the very top of that board sits above where you want it.

Use that measurement to find how much to cut off the bottom.

Use another straight edge on the ground to mark the angle for the other side of the board.

So, if it sticks 5″ above where you want it to stop, you MIGHT want to remove 5″ from the bottom.

You can do that by laying a couple boards stacked up on the ground and marking your angle.

If your boards are 5″ high, you can cut that line. If the boards are shorter, just add the difference and transfer that exact line up the board .

BUT, INSTEAD OF CUTTING the full 5″, you might want to just cut a few inches off and recess 2″ into the ground.

That’s the easiest way to make a kids climbing ramp level with the ground without worrying about whether or not one side needs to be longer than the other.

You can use that 2×4 as a template to cut your next 2 – 2×4 frame supports.

If you want a vertical kids climbing wall with this design instead, it’s easy. Skip the angles and just cut 3 – 2×4 boards to the correct height for your space.

How to build a kids rock climbing wall or ramp for a fort or play set.
I love, love, love how this playset rock climbing ramp turned out.

Add the Climbing Ramp or Wall Boards

Now that you have 3 – 2×4 frame supports cut, the next step to make a kids climbing ramp, or climbing wall, is to cut your climbing boards.

Decide how wide your rock climbing ramp will be. Use those measurements to cut your boards.

Every other board will go all the way across 3 supports, the boards between those will only stretch across 2 supports.

I recommend using pressure treated 2×4’s for the boards, for the easiest build and strongest build.

As you can probably see, I used 3/4″ pressure treated lumber because I had a lot left over from another part of this DIY Kids Playhouse build.

I had to reinforce the ladder side of this kids climbing ramp with another 3/4″ board to make it strong enough to support adults. 2×4’s would have been strong enough on their own.

How to build an outdoor climbing wall for a kids play set.

To make a kids climbing ramp or rock climbing wall last longer, I also recommend painting or staining the supports before assembly.

That way you seal all sides of the lumber from sun and rain damage.

Use Self-Tapping Exterior Screws

Use self-tapping exterior deck screws to attach the boards to the supports. I’d use 3″ or longer screws on 2×4 boards. Or, 2 1/2″ or longer on 3/4″ thick boards.

To make a kids climbing ramp or wall strong enough for years of use, attach each board to each support with 2 screws. Stay about 1 1/2″ away from the edges and ends of boards to avoid splitting the board.

The boards that go all the way across the climbing ramp should have 6 screws total. The shorter boards should have 4.

I spaced my boards about 1/2″ apart for a pretty look and to allow for easy rain drainage and drying.

Don’t attach the top board until you attach the assembled rock climbing ramp to the play set, deck, fort, or whatever it is you’re attaching it too. 🙂

A closer look at the 2×4’s and screw placement to attach the kids climbing ramp.

How to Attach the Kids Rock Climbing Wall

Use 3″ to 4″ deck screws to attach 2- 2×4’s to the area you’ll attach the ramp to. Those 2×4’s should fit the spaces between the 3 supports.

It’s easier to get a stronger connection with this trick.

Those 2×4’s are screwed securely to the deck. Then 2 screws on each side can secure the frame supports to those 2×4’s. The middle support was also screwed into the deck I attached my ramp to.

Easy to follow steps and video to make a kids climbing ramp, or rock climbing wall, for that backyard playhouse, fort, or play set. Fun design, right?! DIY Kids Rock Climbing Wall or Ramp.
Holding up the rainbow chalk paint colors I mixed to make sure they all looked good together.

Add Some Color to your Play Set Ramp

I filled the screw holes on the ramp boards with exterior caulk. Just because I think it looks better. But, it’s not necessary. Let that dry according to the directions before painting

This is the first time I have used chalk paint outside. But, I have heard from a lot of reliable sources, that it holds up very well outside.

You can find cheap chalk paints at WalMart, Hobby Lobby, and on Amazon. DecoArt Outdoor Living Chalk Paint comes in a lot of fun colors.

OR, you can buy those little samples at Home Depot or Lowes of Latex Paint colors you love and use those to make your own DIY Chalk Paint Recipe with plaster of Paris.

I found some Amy Howard chalk paint on sale at Ace, but had to mix some of my own colors to make them really match.

You can also use my chalk paint recipe to mix your own chalk paint from normal Latex Wall Paint.

Easy to follow steps and video to make a kids climbing ramp, or rock climbing wall, for that backyard playhouse, fort, or play set. Fun design, right?! DIY Kids Rock Climbing Wall or Ramp.
Next step to make a kids climbing ramp, adding the climbing rocks.

After adding some fun color, it’s time to add the climbing rocks. Use galvanized or stainless steel bolts, nuts, and washers on the climbing rocks.

More Photos of This Build

And, that’s it. That’s how to make a kids climbing ramp or wall that they’ll love for years and years. 🙂

Easy to follow steps and video to make a kids climbing ramp, or rock climbing wall, for that backyard playhouse, fort, or play set. Fun design, right?! DIY Kids Rock Climbing Wall or Ramp.
That’s it for how to make a kids climbing ramp, now I have a lot more work to do on this big playhouse. Stick around for more fun DIY projects. You can find the DIY Steps to Build a Small Step Ladder here.
Easy to follow steps and video to make a kids climbing ramp, or rock climbing wall, for that backyard playhouse, fort, or play set. Fun design, right?! DIY Kids Rock Climbing Wall or Ramp.
Don’t forget to save this DIY on Pinterest.

How to Make a Kids Climbing Ramp Wall

Easy to follow steps and video to make a kids climbing ramp, or rock climbing wall, for that backyard playhouse, fort, or play set. Fun design, right?! DIY Kids Rock Climbing Wall or Ramp.

Easy to follow steps and video to make a kids climbing ramp, or rock climbing wall, for that backyard playhouse, fort, or play set.

Materials

Instructions

Cut the Angles for your Climbing Ramp Frame

  1. To make a kids climbing ramp, you start by cutting your supporting frame 2×4’s. I avoid calculating angles for this climbing ramp with a few easy tricks. You can see me explaining these steps in that how to video above, watching that video should make things easier to understand.
  2. First, I set one 2×4 against the spot where I’ll be attaching it, to pick the slope I want my climbing ramp to have.
  3. Once I have a slope I like, I hold a flat board or spirit level against the face of the board I’ll be attaching my climbing ramp to. And, I mark that straight line with a pencil. This marks the EXACT ANGLE you picked without making any angle calculations. Yay! And, it leaves extra length on the other end of the board to use a similar trick to find that angle.
  4. Now, on to the next step to make a kids climbing ramp. Cut that first angle you just marked, then put it back up against the spot where you’ll install it. Measure how far the very top of that board sits above where you want it. Use that measurement to find how much to cut off the bottom.
  5. So, if it sticks 5″ above where you want it to stop, you MIGHT want to remove 5″ from the bottom. You can do that by laying a couple boards stacked up on the ground and marking your angle. If your boards are 5″ high, you can cut that line. If the boards are shorter, just add the difference and transfer that exact line up the board .
  6. BUT, INSTEAD OF CUTTING the full 5″, you might want to just cut a few inches off and recess 2″ into the ground. That’s the easiest way to make a kids climbing ramp level with the ground without worrying about whether or not one side needs to be longer than the other. You can use that 2×4 as a template to cut your next 2 – 2×4 frame supports.
  7. If you want a vertical kids climbing wall with this design instead, it’s easy. Skip the angles and just cut 3 – 2×4 boards to the correct height for your space.

Add the Climbing Ramp or Wall Boards

  1. Now that you have 3 – 2×4 frame supports cut, the next step to make a kids climbing ramp, or climbing wall, is to cut your climbing boards. Decide how wide your rock climbing ramp will be. Use those measurements to cut your boards. Every other board will go all the way across 3 supports, the boards between those will only stretch across 2 supports.
  2. I recommend using pressure treated 2×4’s for the boards, for the easiest build and strongest build. I used 3/4″ pressure treated lumber because I had a lot left over from another part of this DIY Kids Playhouse build. I had to reinforce the ladder side of this kids climbing ramp with another 3/4″ board to make it strong enough to support adults. 2×4’s would have been strong enough on their own.
  3. To make a kids climbing ramp or rock climbing wall last longer, I also recommend painting or staining the supports before assembly. That way you seal all sides of the lumber from sun and rain damage. Use self-tapping exterior deck screws to attach the boards to the supports. I’d use 3″ or longer screws on 2×4 boards. Or, 2 1/2″ or longer on 3/4″ thick boards.
  4. To make a kids climbing ramp or wall strong enough for years of use, attach each board to each support with 2 screws. Stay about 1 1/2″ away from the edges and ends of boards to avoid splitting the board. The boards that go all the way across the climbing ramp should have 6 screws total. The shorter boards should have 4.
  5. I spaced my boards about 1/2″ apart for a pretty look and to allow for easy rain drainage and drying. Don’t attach the top board until you attach the assembled rock climbing ramp to the play set, deck, fort, or whatever it is you’re attaching it too.

How to Attach the Kids Rock Climbing Wall

  1. Use 3″ to 4″ deck screws to attach 2- 2×4’s to the area you’ll attach the ramp to. Those 2×4’s should fit the spaces between the 3 supports. It’s easier to get a stronger connection with this trick. Those 2×4’s are screwed securely to the deck. Then 2 screws on each side can secure the frame supports to those 2×4’s. The middle support was also screwed into the deck I attached my ramp to.

Notes

You can build this as a climbing ramp with an easy to climb angle, like mine. Or skip the angles, to build a kids rock climbing wall for your backyard play set or playhouse. I love the ladder side of this climbing ramp. It makes getting to the top of this playhouse super easy for grown ups, like me.

Watch this short video for a quick walk through of how to make a kids climbing ramp for your backyard playhouse or even indoor playroom.

Thanks for checking out how to make a kids climbing ramp or wall. If you’re looking for more build projects for your DIY Playhouse or Playset, check out all of the DIY videos from my Kids Playhouse Build here.

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Check out this DIY Small Step Ladder from 2×4’s.

Here's my quick and easy DIY steps for How to Build a Small Step Ladder from 2x4's for your playhouse, loft, bunk bed, or anywhere.

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Looking for another fun way to keep your kid's busy?! You can build this DIY Nerf Gun Target from Wood or 1/2" Foam Board. It's a great homemade kids game for indoors and outdoors.

Or, this fun DIY Wooden Kids Play Kitchen will keep those kiddos busy and playing.

Yay! This Kids Play Kitchen DIY Woodworking Plan is an easy woodworking build with lots of fun additions that little kids will love! I have the tutorial, printable plans, and a video to help you get this built. #AbbottsAtHome #KidsKitchen #PlayKitchen #KidsKitchen #KidsFurniture #woodworking

Or, this easy DIY Kids Play Tent from PVC Pipes.

Plans to Build this easy PVC Pipe Tent with drop cloth cover. PVC pipe play house tent build for kids. #PVCTent #PVC #KidsTent

Do you have more work to do outside this year? Check out How to Set Wooden Fence Posts in Concrete too.

How to set wooden fence posts in concrete - written steps & a quick video to help you DIY your own Three Rail or any other wooden fence style.

That’s it for how to make a kids climbing ramp or wall. Let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.

Karins Kottge

Tuesday 9th of June 2020

What a fun climbing wall! I love the bright colors too. Great tutorial! I would love it if you would come and link up to my Centerpiece Wednesday Linky party. 🙂 https://karinskottage.com/2020/06/centerpiece-wednesday-linky-party-is-back.html Karin

Stephanie

Monday 15th of June 2020

Thanks so much, Karin! I'll check it out. :)

Michelle | Thistle Key Lane

Monday 1st of June 2020

Love this project Stephanie! It makes me want to be a kid again. I'm excited to share your post this week on Tuesday Turn About Link Party.

Stephanie

Wednesday 3rd of June 2020

Yay! Thanks so much, Michelle. Have a great week. :)

Sarah @ The DIY Mommy

Friday 29th of May 2020

This is so awesome! Love how colourful you made it, great touch!

Stephanie

Saturday 30th of May 2020

Thanks so much, Sarah. We really love it!

Suchot

Wednesday 27th of May 2020

I love this, it's so cute!!! My 4 year old would totally love this!

Stephanie

Friday 29th of May 2020

Thanks so much, Suchot!

Anita Holland

Monday 25th of May 2020

Wow, this is really awesome I bet your kids love it. pinned

Stephanie

Tuesday 26th of May 2020

Thanks so much, Anita. They are happily climbing it every day. Now, I just need to finish the rest of the playhouse. :)

Comments are closed.
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