A good family climbing day often comes down to the bag, not the route. Kids who are fed, warm, dry and entertained climb more and complain less. Parents who forgot the snacks spend the day managing a meltdown.

This checklist covers what to bring beyond the climbing gear. For harnesses, helmets and ropes, see our guide to family climbing gear.

The Access Fund’s advice is simple: bring more food, water and layers than you think you need. Start there.

Water

Bring more than you would for adults alone. Children dehydrate faster, and climbing in the sun makes it worse. Find out before you go whether there is water at the parking area. Most crags have none.

• A bottle for each person.
• Extra water in the car.
• A filter or treatment, only if you know there is a safe source nearby.

Food

Snacks are the fuel of a family crag day. Pack more than seems reasonable, in small portions that are easy to hand out.

• Easy snacks: crackers, fruit, nuts if no allergies in the group, cheese, sandwiches.
• One treat saved for a hard moment.
• A proper lunch if you plan to stay past midday.
• A bag for all the wrappers and food waste.

Layers and sun

Crags can be hot in the sun and cold in the shade a few minutes later. Kids feel both faster than adults.

• Warm layer and a light windproof or rain jacket for everyone.
• Sun hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Spare socks and a spare set of clothes for young children.
• A warm hat in cooler seasons.

Safety and first aid

• A first aid kit with blister care, tape, antiseptic, tweezers for splinters and ticks, and any personal medication.
• Helmets for the kids, worn all day at the base, not only when climbing.
• A charged phone and the address or GPS location of the crag.
• A headlamp, in case the day runs late.

Toilets and waste

Most crags have no toilets. Plan before you go.

• Check the local rules. Some areas ask visitors to pack out human waste in bags.
• Where catholes are allowed, Leave No Trace guidance is to dig at least 200 feet (about 60 meters) from water, camps and trails.
• Waste bags, toilet paper and a sealable bag to carry it out.
• For children in diapers, plan to pack everything out.
• Hand sanitizer.

Comfort at the base

Parents spend most of the day on the ground. A comfortable base makes the day easier for everyone.

• A blanket or tarp to define a clean, safe area for kids and gear.
• A small sit pad for the belayer.
• A child carrier for babies and toddlers, if the approach needs one.
• Bug spray in season.

Keep the family’s area compact. Access Fund also reminds parents to watch for noise and “toy sprawl” at shared crags.

Things to keep kids busy

Children will not climb all day. Bring a few quiet things for the time between climbs.

• A small bag of toys or a picture book.
• A notebook and crayons.
• A magnifying glass or bug jar for exploring.
• A simple job: route spotter, snack manager or rope-bag helper.

The climbing kit (short version)

• Harness and climbing helmet for each climber.
• Shoes, or sticky water shoes for very young kids.
• Rope, belay devices, locking carabiners and anchor kit.
• Guidebook or downloaded route information.

A quick checklist

Before you leave: check the weather, check access and closures, tell someone your plan.

In the bags: water, food, layers, sun protection, first aid, helmets, waste kit, blanket, kid activities, climbing kit, headlamp, phone.

When you leave the crag: all trash, all waste, all gear, and every toy.

Our own never-forget list: a headlamp, waste bags so we can carry everything out, and the tarp.

Choosing the right crag matters too

The best packing list will not fix a crag that does not suit young kids. Read what makes a climbing crag kid-friendly and how to choose your first outdoor climbing area with kids, then use our kid-friendly climbing guides to find a spot that fits your family.