Is a toddler climbing frame worth having ?

[bebeboeuf]

2 year old toddler is starting to enjoy the garden more but being first time parent I’m pretty clueless on what the best things are to entertain him

I’m wondering if the outlet of a climbing frame with small slide is worth it or if people have found they don’t actually end up getting much use?

[sleepismysuperpower1]

we have one with a swing/slide attached together. we got it second hand off ebay, and it got lots of use x

[trilbydoll]

We've just got a metal TP one that can be about 3 foot tall then you can add legs on the bottom and make it normal height when they're bigger. Might be worth considering?

[sleepismysuperpower1]

we also have a little trampoline and my twins (3 but we got it when they were 2) love it x

[ElectricOrgan]

Depends on how much space you have. We prioritised a small trampoline, bbq, seating and veg/flower beds. I figure it's what soft play is for

[bebeboeuf]

Soft play
Anything to avoid that

Trampoline sounds like a great idea!

[peanutbutterismydownfall]

We had a little tikes slide cube thing from when DD was 18mths. 8 yrs later and it's still used to do forward rolls down into the paddling pool. So yes, it has had a lot of use.

[MrTumbleTumble]

We have a triclimb for indoors that we take outside. It was expensive but money well spent with the amount of use it's had.

It also has an attachable slide that gets a fair bit of use.

[Knitclubchatter]

those outdoor items can usually be found second hand on your local buy an sell site (sometimes even free). they are fine but i certainly wouldn't splurge on a huge set up.

[silverliningsa]

We've just got one second hand off Facebook market place for our 18 month old twins. They love it and so far it gets loads of use! Would definitely recommend getting one. Ours has a little slide and swing attached too.

[boomboom1234]

I'm contemplating a sandpit after seeing how much my 2.5 yr old has loved the beach recently! Trampoline would be great if you get one with the cage around it lol

[TheBabyAteMyBrain]

We have a large Little tikes slide which is mainly used as a car ramp and view point. What my 2 year old really loves is chalking, painting with water, water in buckets and bowls with different pouring cups and jugs, bubble water with a sponge, and washing his cars. Basically he just loves water. He's currently got 3 tubs out in the garden and he'll happily Potter about for hours playing.

[SnugglySnerd]

Yes good idea. Sand pit and water tray also very popular with my toddlers. Plus brooms!

[bebeboeuf]

Broom is a good shout!
He loves water too.

Has anyone’s toddlers loved a small wheelbarrow?

[kmammamalto]

My 2.5 yo loves a small wheelbarrow! I'm waiting on one I've ordered him! A big plastic digger and dumper trucks, little ride on toy and tuff tray that can be water or sand or what ever! Oh and big chalks to draw on everything!
I am also toying with idea of slide and little frame but he's a tall boy and I worry he will grow out of it very quickly !

[TheBabyAteMyBrain]

We got a cleaning set for ds which had a broom, mop and dust pan and brush. He mops the paved area, brushed the slide and sweeps the grass. Happy as Larry. He also has mega blocks on his foam tiles and several ride on/push along toys, including a mower which he loves as he can mimic daddy mowing the lawn.

I'm hoping to also get him a painting easle soon, but paper weighted or taped down and toddler friendly paint is a good way to spend an afternoon.

Oh! We also have a builders tray I use for messy play. Shaving foam with hidden cars, spaghetti hoops, jelly, cornflower, and ice painting are favourites so far.

Last oh! promise, if you can get some guttering or tubing it's great for rolling down cars, balls and water.

[EatsFartsAndLeaves]

Little Tykes stuff is indestructible, we have a plastic sandpit with a lid (essential to avoid cat poo in it) and I sometimes take the sand out and fill it with water, or he just plays with it empty. He's 4, has loved it from 18 months and I can see it being well used for at least another couple of years. One of the best things I've ever bought!

[ShortyShortLegs]

My eldest got a Little Tikes climbing frame with slide when she was 2....she loved it for playing, picnics on, rolling balls down the slide, hiding under etc. Siblings both loved it too. As they got older it was used for sliding into the paddling pool, jumping off, etc.
DD is now 19 and we still have the climbing frame, it's a bit sun faded but still as sturdy as the day I bought it....only the dog uses it now though as a sunbathing platform

[SnugglySnerd]

We got a little gardening set with wheelbarrow, watering can, spade and rake. The dcs love them!
Also bubble machine!

[Seeline]

We had the TP one mentioned up thread. It was brilliant - lasted for years. We had an attached slide and walkway, with a tent over the top of the frame for a while. Once they were bigger, the tent came off. The main frame was used as a base for den building later on. 15 years one, the main section is still in the garden and in good shape.

[bebeboeuf]

Can anyone link to the tp one I’m not too sure I’ve found it

[SajeW23]

Yes we have a little one they can climb on and has a slide. Our kids have spent hundreds of hours over the years playing on it. They love it.

[Seeline]

basic TP climbing frame
climbing frame with jungle run
We had a slide attachment too, but can't find that at the moment

[Seeline]

one with the slide

[justasking111]

Little tikes stuff brilliant we have bought second hand fb local page and e bay

[ChittyChittyBoomBoom]

We had a little tikes climbing frame and slide when dd1 was a toddler. We found that she quickly outgrew it. We replaced it with something very similar to the tp jungle run frame linked to above and it’s been used for years! Our twins started to use it from 18 months and for a while we took off the bottom rung so they couldn’t climb up onto the monkey bars which worked well until they could navigate it safely.