Climbing arch – a multifunctional piece of furniture

February 20, 2025

Signe

Toys and furniture that support children's development are on every conscious parent's wish list. One such versatile and developmental tool is the climbing arch, designed specifically to support toddlers' motor and cognitive development. This simple yet ingenious structure allows children to explore their physical abilities, strengthen muscles, and develop coordination and balance. In addition, the climbing arch provides plenty of fun and can become a part of the child's everyday play world.

What is a climbing arch and how to use it?

A climbing arch is a curved wooden frame designed for children from around 1 year old to school age. Its main purpose is to provide the child with an opportunity to practice climbing, balance, and develop physical agility in a safe environment. The climbing arch can be used in multiple ways:

As a climbing tool – the child can climb over the arch and develop their agility. Additionally, a slide can be added.
As a playhouse – by turning the arch upside down, it can be transformed into a playful playhouse.
As a swing – the ArdenJoy model is designed so that it can be flipped over and used as a swing.
As a table – for the child, or even as a coffee table!
As a goal – you can score goals with a ball, or even use it to store toys or animals.

The climbing arch is inspired by Montessori and Pikler methods, offering the child the freedom and encouragement to explore their physical abilities according to their developmental stage.

Where did the idea for the ArdenJoy climbing arch come from?

The name ArdenJoy was inspired by our child – Arden. “Joy” was added the moment we saw how happy he was when he first climbed on his climbing arch. The idea began with our desire to provide a safe space for our child to climb and move at home. Initially, we ordered a climbing arch available on the market, but we were disappointed – the material was not of good quality, there were cracks, the screws were too small, and the overall finish was lacking.

Seetõttu otsustas Andre, meie tootedisainer ja valmistaja, luua oma lapsele midagi paremat. Ta mitte ainult ei valmistanud kvaliteetsema ronimiskaare, vaid lisas ka kaldtee, mille ühel küljel oli ronimisvõimalus ja teisel liumägi. Meie laps armastas seda! Nähes, kui suur vahe on kvaliteedis ja millist rõõmu see lapsele pakkus, otsustasime, et tahame seda pakkuda ka teistele peredele.

Why is the climbing arch important for a child's development?

Motor development – climbing helps strengthen the child’s muscles, improve coordination, and develop balance.
Growth of independence and confidence – the child can practice their skills and build self-confidence by learning new movements independently.
Development of problem-solving skills – children have to figure out how to use the climbing arch, where to place their feet and hands, and how to move safely.
Fostering creativity – since the climbing arch has more than one fixed use, children can incorporate it in various ways into their games.
Channeling energy – active movement helps children release excess energy and supports a healthy sleep routine.

Why add a slide to the climbing arch?

We bought the climbing arch for our child when he turned 2. Since he was naturally more cautious, he initially used it rarely. However, everything changed when we added a slide to the climbing arch – from that moment on, he began using it actively, and the game became part of his daily routine.

The slide makes the play experience even more engaging and supports the child’s development in multiple ways.

Even more physical activity – kids love sliding!
Encourages exploration and experimentation – climbing, balancing, and sliding teach the child how to control their body.
Versatile uses – the slide can be used in both directions. On one side, it’s a slide, and on the other, it’s a climbing wall or ladder.

How to choose the right climbing arch and slide?

Material – choose models made from natural and untreated wood that are safe and durable. ArdenJoy products are made from strong, high-quality, and sustainably sourced birch, pine, and spruce plywood.
Safety – ensure that the product has a secure structure and reliable fastenings. For ArdenJoy products, we have conducted safety tests and used only child-friendly materials.
Weight capacity – check the weight limit the climbing arch is designed for to ensure it is durable and usable for several years. The ArdenJoy weight capacity is up to 60kg.