Can’t get outdoor toys because of DHs dream garden 🙄

Families buy a house with garden for the kids so use it.

So he wants a large ornament to just look at that the kids want to actually play in and spend time in and make memories in?

what an entitled selfish arsehole he is!

The trampoline was the most used thing in our garden by my DC and all the neighbours.
It was seldom used as a trampoline, more other more inventive games. It was big with netted sides and great for ball games. I remember them playing on it all year round, we fixed a light nearby for winter use.
Top tip - we bought a huge camouflage net and draped it over the top. The whole thing became a den.I used to do a party last day of term with big team games in the garden and the camo net also came in for obstacle races.

All grown up now.

I think children should get priority over the garden space for now (unless you’re about to say DH grows all your vegetables for the year in it).
Also get a small shed/storage box so the kids can keep their outdoor toys nice and they’ll last longer.

https://www.tptoys.com/collections/outdoor-toys/products/tp-explorer-metal-climbing-frame-set-with-monkey-bridge-ripple-slide-black-edition-copy We have this (and the separate UFO den thing too), my kids are quite tall so I thought a playhouse wouldn’t have much longevity whereas this can be played with in a few ways.

Next on the agenda is swings but I want one that’s adult weight rated so it can stay in the garden forever.

Get things you’re sure they’ll actually use, that’s my main tip. Over the years we’ve bought all sorts of stuff they haven’t touched. When they were very small I bought an expensive tuff tray and stand for example because they loved them at nursery but they never touched it! They’re not into football so the goals have never been used either. We also did have a playhouse once but it was constantly filled with bugs and DC subsequently didn’t want to use it.

We currently have a slide with a den kit draped over the top part of it which they love. The trampoline is also a hit and gets used constantly. I get the paddling pool out on some hot days. Have a patio set so I sit out and work in the summer while they play.

Screw your DH btw, your kids are the only ones currently using the garden so of course they should have some fun things to do!

Good call on the trampoline. It was the best thing we ever bought for our kids. Every kid in the neighbourhood played on it too. The laughter and joy was endless.

Just buy a trampoline!

My DH didn't want one as they take up too much space but I decided it would just fit in one corner of our garden without blocking the path so bought a 10ft trampoline for our 3 kids ( then aged between 1 and 6). Over 9 years later we still have it and even DS1 (now 15) still uses it.

My DH had to admit that it is so well used. Even in the rain!!

And no, my DH hasn't done what he planned to in the garden anyway.

Get your kids some garden toys .... and get a nice table/chairs/parasol so you can also sit out there and enjoy it. We use our garden like an extra big room in this weather.

My DIL bought the play ground little tykes off market place. There were tunnels, bridges, slides etc. it wasn't cheap but boy did the kids love it. A few years later she sold it for the same price she'd paid for it.

Just pick up some second hand toys from marketplace, gumtree etc people are always wanting rid of this type of thing for next to nothing once the kids have outgrown it. No need to spend lots and eat into the garden fund, but it also makes no sense to not let the kids use the garden whilst they're keen. I imagine you could get rid of the toys easily enough online once you're finished with them, worst case scenario it's a quick man with a van job.

I think there are more people than you'd realise who have children because 'it's what you do' but don't actually want to share their time or space in reality ☹️ I've got a friend whose husband won't even let the children have any of 'his' food from the fridge (basic things like yoghurts etc!).

We've lived in this house for 30 years, a year after we moved in we got a (massive) Little Tykes playground. DH waited 10 years for that to be finished with so he could have the garden how he wanted it. Then dgd arrived (she lives with us) and the toys came again, she's 11 now and he's just dug and levelled a patch so she can have a big pool.

As he says, the garden will still be there when she's grown up.

We have a big trampoline and a swing set. DH didn’t want either because it makes mowing around them a bit of a pain. You know what makes up for that? The years of enjoyment, entertainment and physical activity that the kids have had out of them.

Best investment we made was setting up our garden for the dcs, especially over summer. We have a giant trampoline, had a playhouse that lasted about 10 years, slide that would double as a water slide durning summer when we put it into the paddling pool. Various toys would become “outdoor toys” like an old kitchen or play dressing table, they’d go outside to eventually die when new stuff was bought for indoors. We also had an outside patio box that stored things like skipping ropes, balls and other outdoor toys.

These days as the DCs are older 9-14yo we have a new trampoline that is still used, they all love doing gymnastics on it or just hanging out chatting with friends on it. The play house has been replaced with a mini greenhouse that my 9yo grows things in with DH and a few things like hula hoops etc but it’s now mainly a hang out area with lots of big cushions and bean bags, fairy lights for them and their friends.

Are they allowed a paddling pool?

This.

Your husband should remember that his main role at this point of his life is to be a FATHER to his children!

I've lived in my house for nearly 40 years and I would say don't delay doing the garden unless you plan to move.
Our DC were born ten years after we moved in. Lots of changes were made for their benefit. Pond covered over, sand pit, flower bed grassed over to maximise space for football. A wooden playhouse and a trampoline. They are all grown up now and the garden has reverted to being for adults.

Not equipping the garden for children is like not changing the house for children. No stair gates, cots, toys boxes, no kiddy wallpaper etc.

Just buy them the playhouse and slides climbing frame etc yourself.
they’re only young for a short few years!
PS is your husband always a selfish dick ?

Who are these selfish cunting men who try to be boss of the garden.

You might think this is not ltb territory and find it really hilarious for some bizarre reason op, but I would absolutely not want a partner who was so horrendously selfish. That is just downright mean to deny the kids play equipment they would love for no reason. It’s a kind of terrible parenting which I don’t begin to understand.