How to Build Confidence on the Wall

How to Build Confidence on the Wall

By Shauna | January 2026

Confidence on the climbing wall is not about never feeling scared or always reaching the top. For kids, and for the parents cheering them on, it is about learning to trust effort, being okay with mistakes, and figuring things out as they go. Confidence is built over time, one climb at a time.

One of the most important things we can do is celebrate effort rather than grades or levels. In climbing, numbers can be useful, but they should never define success.

For kids, trying hard matters. Showing up matters. Giving a climb another attempt matters. You do not have to finish a route for it to be a win. Every move you try is practice for the next one.

For parents, focus on what you see rather than the result. Notice concentration, persistence, and bravery. Simple comments like “I saw how hard you worked on that section” or “You kept trying even when it felt tricky” go a long way. When kids feel valued for their effort, confidence has space to grow.

Falling is another big part of building confidence, and it deserves to be normalized. Falling can feel scary, especially at the beginning, but it is also one of the best ways kids learn.

For kids, falling does not mean you failed. It means you tried. Every climber falls, including the experienced ones. Falling is part of the process.

For parents, staying calm and positive after a fall makes a huge difference. Your reaction helps shape how your child understands the experience. Instead of rushing in with concern, try asking what they noticed or what they might try differently next time. Treat safe falls as brave moments rather than mistakes.

Climbing is also a puzzle, and confidence grows when kids are given the space to solve it themselves. There is rarely only one way up a wall.

For kids, this means experimenting. If something does not work, try moving your feet, switching hands, or pausing to think. Exploration is part of learning.

For parents, it can be tempting to call out instructions, but stepping back is often more helpful. Asking open questions like “What do you think you could try next?” or “Which hold feels strongest?” encourages kids to trust their own ideas. Even messy attempts are valuable.

The confidence built on the wall does not stay there. These lessons carry into school, friendships, and everyday challenges. Kids learn that effort matters more than results, that mistakes are part of learning, and that problem solving helps them move forward.

After climbing sessions, take time to talk together. Ask what felt hard, what felt fun, and what they want to try next time.

Confidence is not something kids either have or do not have. It is something they build, slowly and steadily. When we celebrate effort, normalize falling, and encourage problem solving, the climbing wall becomes more than a place to play. It becomes a place where kids learn to believe in themselves and say, “I can try.”