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Original poster

Toddler Assault Course - any ideas, tips, recommendations???

30 replies

looneytune · 14/05/2010 13:35

My ds2 (22 months) and one of my toddler mindees (21 months) don't stop climbing. They've both been doing it for months now but are getting more and more adventurous and well, they scare me at times!! LOL I know it's great to allow them to develop these physical skills but I'd love to find a safer way than the constant climbing on tables then onto the sofa, running across it, bouncing then diving!!!

We're out and about a lot which is great but I'd love to find an alternative to my furniture when it comes to being at home, as I can't make lunch or prepare activities without having to strap them into highchairs for their own safety!

I've seen something online but it's £995!!!! link here. Anyone know of a MUCH cheaper option? I'm sure I could use stuff we have here, I'm just too frazzled to think atm .

Right, I'm not working for the rest of the day so I'm off to make a cuppa and do some more searching on the net

Any help would be much appreciated

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Original poster
looneytune · 16/05/2010 17:20

Yep, absolute bargain!!

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SillyMillysMummy · 15/05/2010 20:12

loony i have a similar issue, I mind 4 boys under 3 who are all very active. I take them once a week to wacky warehouse toddlers session and it costs me £5.50 (for 3) that includes coffee juice and biscuits, so with the heating/lighting saving I figure thats a bargain

Original poster
looneytune · 15/05/2010 18:59

Nick, great!!! I have some old smaller cot mattresses I could use As for big boxes, Freegle (used to be Freecycle) can be handy but not sure where else?

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nannynick · 15/05/2010 15:44

Matress and douvet cover could be used as a soft area. Spare matress could be stored under a bed and also be used for sleepovers/guest bed.

Large cardboard boxes are great, just don't see them that often now as delivery companies often take all packaging away. Anyone found good source of v.cheap or free v.large cardboard boxes?

Original poster
looneytune · 15/05/2010 14:04

RosieGirl - you know what, I had one of those for birthing at home with ds2 and bloomin gave it away after a while. The kids enjoyed occasions playing with it but I didn't have anywhere to store it. But I will look into another as ds2 LOVES balls and really wants a BIG ball as he keeps seeing one in the store cupboard in the hall at the school the others go to!

karen2010 - we do have a little space hopper but they are too young to use it properly yet. Could just chuck it in with the rest of the stuff though, they can dive on it then can't they!

leavingonajetplane - thanks for that, we do have some of that stuff already so I'll try and get adventurous with it

lollipopmother - WOW, that's a great deal. At ours there is no option of doing packed lunch as only allowed to eat their food. It's MUCH more expensive plus as I said, we'd only get about an hour there due to other commitments. I think £10+ for 1 hour each week is a lot tbh. If dh wasn't out of work and we weren't so skint, I'd love to do this. I just can't justify it for that length of time. I do spent quite a lot going out and stuff but always make sure it's worth while/a good deal.

Thanks for all the ides lovely people, they've been very helpful

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lollipopmother · 14/05/2010 18:18

I take my three to the local soft play every Thursday without fail, I can only afford to do it because they do a membership scheme which is £10 per month. We go for 2.5hrs each time and there's always a craft activity there as well so although I pay for the memberships myself I feel we get good value for money. I keep costs down by taking packed lunches and trying my hardest not to buy any coffee there! I don't think I'd be so interested in going was it not for my DD (29m) enjoying it so much, I've taken her to various soft play centres since she was 5m and I couldn't just stop her going once I became a CM.

leavingonajetplane · 14/05/2010 17:18

We also needed soft play but it was beyond budget.

Trawl through cheapie shops just looking for inflatable bits. We found:

Inflatable rubber dinghy

Inflatable pool beds and pool toys

Air beds

Inflatable tunnels, ramps etc (a set in Argos)

And got a very cheap electrical pump (often included with airbeds)

Argos, charity shops, TK Max and toystores had the best pickings.

karen2010 · 14/05/2010 16:33

what about space hoppers
www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=space+hopper&tag=googhydr-21&index=toys&hvadid= 4

RosieGirl · 14/05/2010 15:39

What about some of those big exercise balls... love the post giving me some good ideas. big balls

atworknotworking · 14/05/2010 15:05

@ "dog agility but for Toddlers"

Original poster
looneytune · 14/05/2010 15:05

Carrotgirl - yes, I think I'll try the boxes as it's been a while. Just can see them diving on top of them like they do the pop up stuff!!

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Original poster
looneytune · 14/05/2010 15:04

Unfortunately I have 4 aged 3 and under each day so this isn't possible. Also, my local tumble tots is not on the days I have mindee. I just have this little one on Tuesday and Friday mornings. Tuesdays aren't too bad as we're at the children's centre and they have soft pieces to climb on etc. (but I still have to keep close on him and ds2, even though I also have 2 more aged 2 and under). I was thinking about doing local soft play on Friday mornings but last mindee isn't dropped off until 9.30am and because I have a pre-school run, I'd have to leave that place by 11.30 at the latest meaning we'd not get much more than an hour there and it will have cost between £10-£15 I think. Would definitely like to take ds2 to tumble tots at the weekend but he already does swimming and we have ds1 to think about as well so not sure we can commit to it.

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CarrotGirl · 14/05/2010 15:01

Big empty cardboard boxes to crawl through? You could get creative and hang bits from the ceiling (of the box)

lollipopmother · 14/05/2010 14:56

Do you have lots of other mindees as well or could you get them to a local Tumble Tots session as that's exactly what Tumble Tots is, it's like dog agility but for Todlers!

Original poster
looneytune · 14/05/2010 14:54

Jenny - thanks for the info, I won't bother with that one then. And the other is too big and too expensive but looks fab Yes, the toddler trampoline I've got is the sort with the bar across. They do like it but I reckon they'd climb onto the table/sofa THEN jump on it

Navy - LOL, will rope dh in and we'll test ds2 over the weekend with something like that. I have various kiddie sized chairs but yes, it's the leg in the eye I'd worry about as together they ARE crazy (remembering I'd have 4 in total of course! ) Oh, this is going to be fun!!

FrakkedUpTheElection - sounds like you're a big kid yourself!!

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navyeyelasH · 14/05/2010 14:45

Can you get some old cushions and tie them together with bungee ropes and string? So climb onto cushions, dive off them landing on top of bean bag. Maybe also use a child height chair so long as they aren't totally crazy and likely to end up with a chair leg in the eye?

What about one of those ikea stool things to climb p and over too?

FrakkedUpTheElection · 14/05/2010 14:43

I love my beanbag. I'm sitting on it right now. And it's fun to jump on and roll on and generally be a kid about...

JennyPenny23 · 14/05/2010 14:32

Looney - I have looked into bouncey castles a lot recently so might be able to help.

We bought one similar to what you linked to, but found it wasn't very "bouncey" as it doesn't have a continuous pump. But maybe a good option for you as you are wanting it inside (We have a big garden so wanted something bigger, so sold it on.)

We now borrow FILS which is more like this:
direct.tesco.com/product/images/?R=205-8129&tn=/9/SS10205-8129TPS607254.jpg which is sooo much better if space isn't an option, as its like a proper bouncey castle.

Have you got a trampoline? Maybe one of those small ones with the handles might be OK for inside?

Original poster
looneytune · 14/05/2010 13:58

I like this!! may even be able to fit indoors???

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JennyPenny23 · 14/05/2010 13:56

Sorry cross posted there

Original poster
looneytune · 14/05/2010 13:56

FrakkedUpTheElection - yes, beanbags, oh I'm sure I've got a big one in the loft!! And spare pillows!! Right, this is more like it. I'd LOVE to get the soft play bits but it's just way too expensive for me and would cost about the same as I get for this little mindee in TWO MONTHS (only comes 2 mornings a week) so couldn't justify right now. As for soft play areas - I do play with it all too LOL

JennyPenny - that's great, have all those and done them all separately but hadn't put them together like that. Would have to be an outdoor activity though as I wouldn't have enough room to put all in the house in one room (our paddling pool is BIG LOL). I have thought about a bouncy castle but I reckon it would take up most of my garden? Unless they do smaller ones than my cm friend has? We are going to be getting a big trampoline (dh finally agreed although we don't have a great big garden) but I think these are for older children. We have a toddler trampoline and they do use it before I think it's the climbing high up they really like!!

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Original poster
looneytune · 14/05/2010 13:51

Boys - LOL about the house rules. I have tried and they aren't listening (I find boys take a lot longer, in general, to start co-operating! ). But at the same time as still trying to deal with this behaviour (as my house rules include respecting furniture, no standing on it etc. etc), I do know this is a developmental stage so feel I should be providing an alternative. I swear when they do the 'diving' it's like they're jumping off a bridge doing a bungy jump or something

Today it was just them 2 but normally I'd had 4 of them (aged 3 and under, although the other 2 are EASY in comparison and don't worry me at all)

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JennyPenny23 · 14/05/2010 13:50

How about things like:
Pop up tunnel, hoops, a paddling pool with balls (maybe to land in when jumping off something?)

I can't think of something to climb onto though?

Have you thought of buying a cheap bouncy castle? They are great for burning off excess toddler energy and not too pricey, and seem to sell on well.

FrakkedUpTheElection · 14/05/2010 13:49

oh just seen your response about space.

What about beanbags?

FrakkedUpTheElection · 14/05/2010 13:48

I interpreted that as a course where you're assaulted by toddlers. Anyway...

I reckon you can make one from beanbags to jump on, pop up tunnels, tents, carboard boxes etc for them to crawl through etc

Those soft play things look fab. Do they make them for adults? I always feel jealous when we go to soft play areas cos I really, really want to play too.