Anonymous wrote:Is the cushioning really that big a deal? If you only have 9 feet walls, how much are they going to get hurt? My daughter climbs up the door frame all the time. I think she fell once but didn't really get hurt.

Yes. For example outside playground equipment should never be on grass--when there's a fall it ends up in more broken bones and concussions b/c it's not a forgiving surface. Yet people do it all the time.

Take the cue from places that specialize in falls, e.g., elder care and/or an OT room. You can buy mats that fold up and be put away that would give appropriate padding.

Also, since the OP's asking about a basement, often their just concrete slabs under carpeting, tile, or hardwood floors.

Climb Zone in Laurel - wonderful. The walls are all kid themed, not the regular climbing walls, with Alice in Wonderland and Mount Rushmore and a huge bookcase to scale. It is for kids, and the kids wear harnesses with auto belay, so climb up and then let go and drift gently down.

I love it, too, and always climb when I take my kid - a good workout!

The Climbing Zone near college ark is awesome.

Is the cushioning really that big a deal? If you only have 9 feet walls, how much are they going to get hurt? My daughter climbs up the door frame all the time. I think she fell once but didn't really get hurt.