Abstract: An apparatus for climbing includes an elongate body having an outer surface with a rope-like texture, a length of at least six feet and a diameter not greater than four inches, a stiffness such that it cannot be looped around part of a child, and a mount on one end of the body for connecting the body to an elevated support. The elongate body can be mounted to an elevated support and thereby be suspended from the elevated support to allow a child to climb the apparatus without risking strangulation from looping of the elongate body around part of the child.