Best Dome Climbers (Reviews)
Best High End
Zupapa 2020 Geometric Dome Climber
Best Mid Range
Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber
Best Inexpensive
TOBBI Outdoor Dome Climber
Last Updated: 10th Mar, 2023
Here's our review of 5 of the best dome climbers plus an in-depth buyer's guide for your reference.
Want to get the kids out in the yard this spring? You want them to get out into the fresh air, get some exercise, and play with their friends. However, the kids want to stay inside and stay glued to screens all day. You can't blame them, but you do want them to get out more often. How do you get them to do this?
The best thing to do is give them a piece of play equipment that's versatile, fun, and able to be used in many different ways. A dome climber gives you all of these things and more. They're a staple of playgrounds and for a good reason. Kids love the challenge of climbing them, and when they reach the top, they feel like the ruler of the land (or backyard).
When you buy one of these for your yard, your kids can get that same feeling in the comfort of their own home. Want to get one for your yard? Try one of these five top picks for backyard fun all spring and summer long.
Our 5 Top Best Dome Climbers
- Zupapa 2020 Upgraded Outdoor Geometric Dome Climber- Premium Pick (Comes with canopy)
- Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber Play Center - Editor's Pick [Best for Most]
- TOBBI Outdoor Dome Climber - Best Value
- TOYMONSTER LIMITED Eezy Peezy Monkey Bars with Top - Lightweight & Portable
- Easy Outdoor Space Dome Climber - Attractive Design
1. Zupapa 2020 Upgraded Outdoor Geometric Dome Climber
Specs
- Dimension: 10' diameter, 5' height
- Type: Freestanding
- Suitable for: kids under 10
- Can fit: Up to 6 kids at a time
- Max weight holding capacity: 750 lbs
- Material: Hot dip galvanized steels with HDPE climbing grips
- Net weight: 95 lbs
- Warranty: 3-year
This is an excellent dome climber model to start with, as it gives your kids so much. The climber itself comes in bright blue and yellow shades, making it cheery and fun to play with any time. It's made up of thick steel pipes that can hold up to 750 lbs at once, ensuring lots of children can come and play at once. You'll make your backyard the place to be this summer with this dome climber.
What sets this model apart though, is the canopy that comes with it. It fits under the dome, creating a private space that children can play in for hours. There are five doors that they can enter through, and the canopy allows for a gap between the frame and the ground, so there's plenty of ventilation. Send your kids outside to play, and you'll find them playing all kinds of imaginative games under their canopy.
An added bonus of the canopy is that it's waterproof too, and offers protection from the sun. Come rain or shine, the kids can happily play in or around their dome however they'd like.
Top Features:
- Sturdy construction that can take up to 750 lbs
- A canopy that can be added for extra play value
- Bright and cheery colors the kids will love
- A 3 year warranty so you know you're in good hands with this dome climber
Conclusion: We're impressed with this model, as it offers so much play value. Kids are sure to love it either on its own or as part of a bigger playset. If budget isn't a constraint and you're looking for the best climbing dome in the market, the Zupapa 2020 won't disappoint.
2. Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber Play Center
Specs
- Dimension: Multiple (54'', 60'' and 66'' height), 10' diameter
- Age range: 3-10
- Can fit: 5 to 6 kids
- Max weight holding capacity: N/A
- Material: Powder-Coated Steel with HDPE climbing grips
- Net weight: 95 lbs
- Warranty: 1-year
This dome is a favorite with many people who have purchased it. It's offering real value for money in everything that it can offer to your kids. Firstly, it comes in several different color sets. These include earth tones, primary colors, and mantis green and bronze. You're sure to find a color that suits you, your kids and your yard best.
This set also has the option to come with a canopy, offering more play value to your kids. They can use the dome as a fort, when they're not climbing on it and playing. It's so much fun for kids to have so many options when it comes to playing styles.
Customers who bought this model have commented that as a playset, it's incredibly stable. They have set up the dome and left it on level ground, without anchoring it to the ground in any way. Even like this, it never lifts up or moves during play. Some have said they've even had strong winds that couldn't move the dome. That's a relief for parents who are looking for something safe that their kids can play on.
Top Features:
- Option to include a canopy with the dome
- No need to anchor to the ground
- Lots of color options
Conclusion: We really feel this is the best dome climber overall. There's lots of options for customization, and it's sturdy and dependable. Once you've installed it, it's going to stay in place.
Dollar for dollar, the Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber Play Center offers the best bang for your bucks. A no brainer for anyone looking for a quality unit.
3. TOBBI Outdoor Dome Climber
Specs
- Dimension: 80 " x 80" x 45"(L×W×H)
- Age range: 3 - 10
- Can fit: 4 to 5 kids
- Max weight holding capacity: 439 lbs
- Material: Galvanized pipe
- Net weight: 47 lbs
- Warranty: N/A
Looking for something that's easier on the pocket? This is the climbing dome that's sure to fit the bill. This dome offers all the benefits of others on this list at a much more budget friendly price.
The dome is able to accommodate children aged 3 – 10, so all the kids can play together in the yard. It can take a weight capacity of 439 lbs, so it'll take a lot of children clambering all over it. TOBI advertises that children will learn comprehension, confidence, strength and ability using this set, and we can believe it.
Set up is a breeze, with it only taking 2 adults 20 mins to get it up and ready. You'll find it simple to connect all the pieces together, and the kids will be able to go out and play on it almost as soon as it arrives on your doorstep.
The frame itself is made out of UV resistant galvanized metal, so you shouldn't see any fading in the sun, rust, or other problems with the climbing dome. You know your kids are safe every time they go out to play on it.
Top Features:
- Quick and easy assembly
- Bright colors your children will love
- A budget friendly price with no removal of features
Conclusion: For the buyer's on a budget, the TOBBI Outdoor Dome Climber makes a strong case for itself. It's affordably priced, yet very durable and sturdy.
4. Toymonster Limited Eezy Peezy Monkey Bars
Specs
- Dimension: 67"L x 70"W x 46"H
- Age range: 3 - 8
- Can fit: 2 to 3 kids
- Max weight holding capacity: 150 lbs
- Material: Plastic
- Net weight: 27.8 lbs
- Warranty: N/A
You've seen the above options that all advertise themselves as sturdy and difficult to move, but is that what you want? Maybe you want a climbing dome that's actually easy to move around and play with. This model is a dome that gives you just that. Instead of steel, the bars are made of plastic. That makes the dome itself a lot more lightweight and easy to move around as needed. Many parents like the fact that they can move it around, taking it indoors during the winter when it's too cold to play outside. They can also easily move it when mowing the lawn, so they can get the lawn cut evenly without any hassle.
Another neat feature is the square top to the dome. This gives children a great place to sit and enjoy being at the top of the dome. It lends itself to imaginative play too, as they can be king of the castle.
This dome is designed to work with other Eezy Peezy toys too, so if you have any other sets by the same company you can set them up together for even more fun. Some parents even like to rearrange the pipes in order to give their kids a new experience.
Top Features:
- Super lightweight and portable, so it can be moved when needed
- Works with other playsets from the same brand
- A square top is a unique play feature kids love
Conclusion: If you're looking for something that's easy to move around, this is the model that's best for you. You'll be able to move it indoors when it's too cold to play out, so your kids have access to it all year round.
5. Easy Outdoor Space Dome Climber
Specs
- Dimension: 91 x 46 x 91 inches (weight x height x depth)
- Age range: 3 - 9
- Can fit: 3 to 4 kids
- Max weight holding capacity: 1000 lbs
- Material: UV-resistant steel
- Net weight: 74 lbs
- Warranty: 2-year
This climbing dome is a fan favorite with parents, and it's so easy to see why. There are so many features that make it perfect to sit out in your yard for your children, day after day. Firstly there is the attractive design of the dome itself. It uses blue and yellow bars to create a fun atmosphere for your kids, and the assembly is neat and tidy. It'll fit in easily with any play area you have in your home.
The dome itself can hold up to 1000 lbs, so you'll easily be able to let multiple children climb all over it. Even though it's so sturdy, you can still easily move it around. Whether you're mowing the lawn or just rearranging your yard, it won't be a problem. The UV resistant steel design will ensure that your kids are safe and sound as they play on it.
It's easy to put together too, with two adults working together. No more working with confusing instructions, you'll easily see where everything goes together. Before you know it, you'll be ready to let your kids climb all over it.
Top Features:
- Heavy duty dome with a 1000 lbs weight limit
- Attractive design that will fit in anywhere
- Easy to move whenever you need to
Conclusion: This dome offers a lot of flexibility with where you place it, as it is so easy to move around. With its great design, it will look good wherever you put it.
Climbing Dome Buyer's Guide
You've decided to buy a climbing dome for your kids, but which one is right for you? Many look similar, but they're actually more different than you realize. Here's how to pick out a dome that's best for both you and your kids, offering good play quality as well as longevity.
Key Considerations
<Climbing Dome Size>
Firstly, consider how big your dome should be. This is decided by a couple of factors. Firstly, how much room do you have in your backyard? You don't want it to overwhelm the yard, but you don't want it to be too small either. Measure out the space you'd put a dome in, leaving some space around the perimeter for children to run around in. Keep that measurement in mind when you're shopping around.
Also, consider the size as relating to your kids. If they're younger, will they be able to climb it properly? If they are younger, a larger dome will last longer as they get older, but they may not have fun with it until they grow taller and can reach all the rungs.
<Anchoring Your Dome>
As you've seen, most domes don't need to be anchored to the ground. A dome is a sturdy shape, and as there's no flat planes on them, if you don't use a canopy, then the wind shouldn't be able to catch and move it. In some cases though, you will want to think about using anchors to hold the dome in place. Some manufacturers will actually recommend them, and in some cases provide them.
Having anchors means you can't move the dome as easily, but it keeps children safe as it won't move as they play. Also, having those anchors means it's harder for anyone to steal if they decide they want it. Making it more difficult means it takes longer to remove, and many thieves won't want to leave themselves out in the open long enough to pull it off.
Anchoring your dome is just one aspect of putting the frame together as a whole. How easy will it be to put it together? This is where you want to check out buyer's reviews, as they'll be honest about how long it takes. Pay attention to what they have to say, and check if there's anything you'll need to put it together or anchor it that won't come in the package.
<Materials>
The material your dome is made out of is important, too. The material affects the lifespan of the dome, as well as how you use it. The most common domes are steel, which offers a lot of advantages. It's heavier, meaning is more sturdy, and more weather resistant. This is especially true when they're treated to be UV resistant. A good climbing dome should resist rust, holes and fading when it's made from steel.
Another option is the plastic climbing dome. As a frame, it's not as sturdy and you'll find it can't hold as much weight. On the plus side, they're much easier to move around. Depending on the model and the space you have indoors, you can even bring them indoors when the weather is cold and wet, so your kids can always use it.
<Weight Limits>
Next, consider the weight limits of the climbing domes that you have your eye on. Weight limits vary quite a lot depending on what you need from your frame, so ensure you're looking at them carefully before you decide to buy.
Will the climbing frame you're looking at being able to take the weight of all your kids at once on it? It needs to be able to cope with the strain, otherwise it could become dangerous to them. Think as well if they'll often have friends over to play. If they do, it will need to be able to take a heavier load.
The material of the frame will factor into this decision. You'll see that steel framed climbing domes will be able to take much heavier weights than plastic ones. If you have multiple children, or older children, you may want a steel dome in order to keep them safe.
<Canopies For Your Dome>
As you've seen, there are several models that come with canopies to attach to them. There are several reasons why they're such a good idea. Being waterproof, they're able to shield kids from the rain when they're playing outside, so there's no reason for them to run in just because it's raining. The cover also gives shade when the sun's out, so they can stay out of the heat when it's at its hottest.
One of the best things about a canopy is that it will allow kids to truly use their imaginations. They can create a fort inside their dome, and make it whatever they want it to be. Spaceship? Pirate ship? Play house? Whatever they want, they can do it.
If you want a canopy, remember that it will take extra time to attach to the frame. As well as this, it will cost extra to have a canopy with your frame. Some parents choose to use parachutes or even just sheets to drape over the dome to get the same effect, but you won't get the waterproof effect that you would otherwise.
Let's Wrap Things Up:
As you can see, there's all kinds of reasons why you would want to get a climbing dome for your kids. It's great to get them outside and playing when the weather is good. Even if it's not, you can get a canopy and they can play underneath it.
You'll need to consider several things before you buy a climbing dome. Is it the right size? Does it stand up to the weight put on it? What is it made of? Do you have room for it? Using this guide, you'll be able to pick the right frame for your little ones, so they can play all summer long.
Looking to game up your backyard? Check out these awesome yard games:
