A ladder and attachment mechanism apparatus and methods are described herein. The apparatus preferably are of a modular design, and are especially useful for playground or similar equipment. Among other things, the apparatus and methods provide improved fabrication, construction, assembly, and ease of use in a variety of applications, and reduce manufacturing, inventory, shipping, assembly, and related costs. In one embodiment, the playground ladder includes a plurality of horizontal support members, a first lateral support member and a second lateral support member each having substantially the same size and shape and spaced apart from each other. Each lateral support member includes a plurality of corresponding sockets spaced along the length of opposite sides of each lateral support member thereby allowing the lateral support members to be interchangeable. Each socket is preferably configured to receive one end of one of the plurality of horizontal support members such that the plurality of horizontal support members are positioned therebetween to form the ladder. The upper end of the ladder can include handhold and/or attachment elements, and those handhold and/or attachment elements can also be used with conventional or other ladders, simulated rock walls, or other things.