Rockets for the pocket-sized

The Rocketeer is a mini ropes challenge course at Rocket Ropes.

A safe climbing course built for preschoolers to clamber on is a relief for parents, discovers Sarah Ell.

Some children will climb anything, from an early age. Sometimes as a mum you just have to take a deep breath and remind yourself that all this kinetic activity is actually helping their development -- not just driving you crazy.

Rather than saying "stop that" a million times to your preschooler, I've found it's better to just find something safe for them to climb. They'll enjoy it, and you'll get a rest -- sort of.

We'd known that Rocket Ropes, part of the Butterfly Creek complex out by the airport, has plenty for bigger kids to climb, on its high-ropes Croc (for over sixes) and Rocket courses (for over tens). But it recently opened a closer-to-the-ground but still challenging and exciting course for under sixes, the Rocketeer.

My 5-year-old son Florian is one of those climbers, while his 2-year-old sister Natalie (thankfully) is a bit more risk-averse and less physically confident, but they were both keen to give the Rocketeer course a try.

We arrived at our allotted time to get kitted up. Due to safety requirements and staff ratios, you must book a timeslot in advance to go on any of the Rocket Ropes courses, even the Rocketeer. Walk-ups were being turned away the day we were there, which was making for some pretty unhappy kids. Both kids were given a full over-shoulder, round-the-legs harness, attached to a rope with a carabiner clip on the end. Then it was time to explore.

The course is not large to adult eyes, but contains a range of activities similar to the high-ropes but a lot closer to the ground (mostly less than a metre). They are well-suited to preschoolers' level of physical skill with shaky bridges and beams to balance on, tunnels to crawl through, a castle-style playhouse to clamber over and through, wobbly mushrooms, a pirate ship to board and play on and brightly coloured climbing walls to negotiate.

I wasn't sure how I was going to supervise two climbers at once, but Florian didn't need any help: he soon worked out how to clip himself on and off the safety line which runs throughout the course and was navigating his way from obstacle to obstacle, pausing only for the odd bit of encouragement and affirmation. Natalie needed a bit more help, but was able to negotiate most of the activities with some hand-holding.

The climax -- and the highlight for all the kids I noticed -- is a flying fox, which of course had to be thoroughly tested. Not too long or too fast, it satisfied Florian's thrill requirements without being too scary for Natalie. Florian was particularly excited at being able to "zipline" like the bigger kids whizzing over our heads on the high-ropes course.

Florian went through the course four or five times in our allotted hour, gaining in confidence each time and trying new ways to navigate it. Eventually he had to be persuaded to finish by the promise of ice cream at Butterfly Creek's cafe next door.

I would have thought the kids would be knackered by this point, but the lure of the outdoor playground by the cafe was too strong, and they were off again, climbing, sliding and jumping. At least I had time to drink my coffee; I felt tired just watching them.

The Rocketeer is great for preschoolers, providing plenty of physical challenge and excitement while being safe and not too daunting. Smaller kids can have a great time without even realising they're "learning": building their skills, confidence and co-ordination.

Need to know

• Rocket Ropes: 12 Tom Pearce Drive, Auckland Airport, phone 0800 132 101.

• Entry to the Butterfly Creek cafe and playground is free, plus admission to the multitude of other attractions there is half-price for Rocket Ropes customers.

• Bookings essential. $12 per child for 1 hour, or $20 for two children.