Every Child Deserves a Climbing Gym Built to Last — That's Why We Made Our Own

Before we designed our own, Evgeny and I spent weeks testing wooden climbing gyms in our living room — assembling them, watching our son use them, checking how they held up after a month of daily play.

We learned a lot. And eventually, we built something based on everything we wished we'd known at the start.
This guide is what we learned — as parents first, and eventually as the people behind AVDAR.

Why Wooden? The Case for Natural Materials

Plastic climbing sets are cheaper and often brighter-colored. So why choose wood? There are several reasons that matter in the long term.

First, durability. Solid hardwood like beechwood or birch doesn't crack, warp, or degrade the way plastic does under repeated stress and UV exposure. A well-made wooden climbing gym should last through multiple children.

Second, material safety. Whatever the material, look for products that conform to CPSIA (US) and EN71 (Europe), which cover material and chemical safety, including coatings.

Third, many families who follow Montessori ideas prefer natural materials and open-ended structures that children can use in their own way.

5 Things to Look for When Buying

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  Safety standards for where you live

  In the US, look for ASTM F963 and CPSIA. In Europe, look for EN71. The AVDAR Rainbow Climber conforms to all three, and its ASTM and EN71 test reports can be downloaded from the product page.
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  Solid wood where it carries weight

  Beech and birch are dense and hold fasteners well. Check what the frame itself is made of, not only the slide or panels. The Rainbow frame is solid beechwood, and multilayer poplar is also on its materials list.
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  Modular configurations

  A set that only works one way becomes limited quickly. Look for products that can be rearranged as your child grows — this is the main factor in long-term value.
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  Age range and weight capacity

  Confirm the set is rated for your child's current age and that the max weight capacity gives you enough headroom. Check the frame and the swing separately: the Rainbow frame is rated to 200 kg and its swing to 50 kg.
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  Dimensions that fit your home

  Measure before you buy. The AVDAR Rainbow Climber fits in a standard living room at 120 × 110 × 110 cm — but larger sets exist that require dedicated playroom space.

Which Set Is Right by Age

One of the most common questions we get is: "Is this right for my 18-month-old?" Our product pages give these ranges:

Whatever the age, an adult stays in the room with younger children, and a mat goes underneath.

How to Compare Brands Yourself

We would rather not grade other brands here. When you compare, ask each one the same four questions: which safety standards does it conform to, and can you see the test report; what is the frame made of; what are the load limits for the frame and the swing; and how much floor does it take once it is built.

Frequently Asked Questions