Rock wall climbing provides hours of fun! It also increases flexibility, strength, fine and gross motor skills as well as boosting children's self-esteem and confidence. Here's what you need to know to build your own. The most important thing is to know the difference between two completely different types of holds: BOLT-ON and SCREW-ON. They may look the same, but don’t be fooled!
Bolt-ON Holds
- Only fit the pre-drilled holes on our rock wall panels.
- Gives you the freedom to change climbing routes.
- Our rock wall panels make for an easy and fast installation.
Screw-ON Holds
- Can be screwed directly into wood (do not fit on our rock wall panels).
- Gives the freedom to cut wood panels to wall size.
- Gives the freedom to add wall art, or paint.
Constructing a Wall of Wood
For the bolt-on holds you'll need to mount wooden panels on top of your existing wall with a wooden frame in between. Do not mount the panels directly on your wall. The space between the wall and the panel is needed for the hardware of the holds. Our rock wall panels (which some customers refer to as peg boards) come with a mounting frame. See below how Molly installed her rock wall panels.
Tips for DIY Panels
- Panels for SCREW-ON holds are not sold in our store. You'll need to construct your own wooden panels.
- You can go to your local home improvement store to buy hard wood panel(s) needed for your wall space. Most stores will cut panels to size.
- You'll also need to buy studs to build the frame on which to mount the panels.
- Buy one of our wall art decals or paint the hard wood panel before screwing on the holds.
- When using paint please check with your local improvement store which paint will last longest with kids climbing on it!
- Make sure you know where you want each hold before screwing them on, as the screws will leave holes behind if you want to move them.
CHUNKY MONKEY
ROCK WALL HOLDS
BOLT-ON or SCREW-ON
SMOOTH MOVE
ROCK WALL HOLDS
SCREW-ON
WAVE ROCK
ROCK WALL HOLDS
CAN DO BOTH
“I love the assorted Chunky Monkey colored holds! The colors are bright and work with the white rock wall panels that I also purchased! They are really beautiful… nice and chunky and easy for younger kids to hold and grasp..” - Kate
Installation Rock Wall Holds
FOR SCREW-ON: MARK LOCATION FIRST
USE SCREW DRIVER: TO SCREW INTO THE WALL
FOR BOLT-ON: USE WRENCH TO ATTACH
Are Rock Walls Safe? Yes! And Fun!
Your walls will determine what type of screws are needed to safely attach hard wood panels to your wall. We recommend consulting with a licensed General Contractor to evaluate your space and walls for safety for all installations, and purchase of wooden panels and hardware. We also recommend a soft landing under your rock wall. Check out our mats here.
Installation Tips: Rockwall Panels
- Make sure the frame is leveled then find and mark the studs.
- Drill one inch hole to countersink the bolt so the bolt doesn't stick out past the frame.
- Use your muscle to drill the bolts in the studs*
- Attach the peg board to the frame by bolting the four corners.
- Screw in the holds.
- Took 2-3 hours to install
- Enjoy!
Structural fasteners to attach the frame to your wall are not included.
TIP: If you are planning to mount the monkey bars next to a wall with rock wall holds we recommend to place them 18 inches off the wall. If the monkey bars are mounted next to an empty wall we recommend 12 inches off the wall.
TIP: Read more about Lauren's room here.
Creating the Ultimate Climbing Experience
- To increase the climbing experience we recommend installing a row of Monkey Bars on the ceiling across the full length of the wall . This way kids can go from climbing wall to monkey bars and vice versa.
- Give them more options by adding a row of monkey bars on the wall from the ground to the ceiling at one or both ends of the climbing wall.
- To top it off hang a climbing rope (with knots) next to the last monkey bar on the ceiling. This way they can get to the monkey bars via the rope!
- Instead of a climbing rope you can also add one of our ladders. Or do both! The ceiling curl hooks are ideal to swap our ladders and swings if you want to change things up.
