Hacker News Reader

Comment by delackner | Hacker News Reader

This is a long shot, but have you tried taking him to an indoor bouldering gym? It is a very mentally demanding physical activity, that does not require any outside interaction with others but at the same time encourages it while also developing an appreciation for physicality.

My friend's son started going when he was 3, so no there is no time too early.

View on HN

Why stick to bouldering? Although I'm a huge bouldering fan, the intellectual and physical concepts of solving bouldering problems translate just as well onto roped climbing (whether it be sport climbing, traditional or top roping). Moreoever, you get to introduce your kid (and potentially yourself) to learning about knots, how to build anchors and the physics behind falling (all of which are awesome theoretical concepts to experience and play with in real life).

I once researched for it but we don't have such a gym in my city. There are a couple of them in Istanbul (1 hr), I'll take a look. I didn't know that bouldering is a mentally demanding sport but now understand the routes and colored handles' purpose when I think of them, my son would love such challenges. Thanks.

You might also consider getting slacklind. You can set a line up between two trees, and learning to balance is extremely mentally taxing. I live in central Istanbul and have found a group of people regularly slacklining in Macka Park, so there must be supplies available.

I second this, it really is a fantastic physical puzzle game.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com