Adding a Climbing Wall to an A-frame Swing Set

Part one is making the basic A-frame swing set: https://cagrimmett.com/2022/08/06/building-a-swing-set-with-a-frame-brackets/

This is part two.

Part three is adding a slide platform: https://cagrimmett.com/2025/05/03/adding-a-slide-platform-to-an-a-frame-swing-set/

Last year I added a climbing wall to one of the sides and my son loves it. A friend asked for the details, which made me realize I should have posted the details here a year ago.

Charlie loves it and do his friends. It was a good addition to the swing set.

Wood

To cover one side, I needed 8 of the 1x6x8ft pressure treated boards, the kind used for decking. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Severe-Weather-Common-1-in-x-6-in-x-8-ft-Actual-0-75-in-x-5-5-in-x-8-ft-2-Treated-Lumber/4564826

Here is the sheet I used to figure that out: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JE79RWOiklblWVIWV1-GkEgOdemtBh1xLphUyZDpNto/edit?usp=sharing

I ended up placing and marking them to cut instead of the sheet, but the math was useful in figuring out the number to buy.

If you use 8ft 4x4s for the sides and the A-frame brackets in the previous post, your math should be the same.

Hand holds, handles, and a bell:

Hand holds: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KUOY8O?th=1

I actually bought and used a different kind with different colors first, then needed more and got these green ones, and I like the green ones a lot better. The bolts on these are shorter and don’t stick out the back.

You’ll need 4-7 packs depending on the age of your child. 4-5 for the bigger kids, an additional 1-2 for younger ones with a smaller reach. Right now I have 30 hand holds on mine, which is good for Charlie (2.5 years old, 1.5 when I put this up.)

Side handles: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MFHB5X6

I put these on the sides, with the thought that if a kid gets too close to the edge they can easily grab on to this instead of falling, and Charlie uses these a lot. I’m glad I put them on.

Bell: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0811BN1P1

I put this bell at the top and Charlie absolutely loves ringing it. Also lets me know he is climbing if I wasn’t paying attention, and I walk back over there.

The Process

Place the boards one by one against the side, mark them, and cut them to length. Make sure to cut as close to the edge as you can… you want to use the offcuts later on higher up.

Screw each one on before marking the next one. I used 3in deck screws.

Decide where you want the hand holds and drill holes for the bolts. I used one of the hand holds as a guide.

Go around the back and hammer in the T nuts to the holes.

Go back around to the front and screw on the hand holds. I used an impact driver.

Add the handles on the sides. I put them 1/3 and 2/3 of the way up.

Add the bell on top.

Use a belt sander, small disc sander, or router to round over the sharp edges on the cut edges.

I put a pull up bar on the back side for me. You can’t see it from the front, so it doesn’t look ugly from the house. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09PRD5GRS