Garden playthings for tweens and teens

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We are, with any luck, moving house shortly and will finally have a garden big enough for the DC (10 & 12) to play in.

Apart from the ubiquitous trampoline, what stuff do you have in your garden that your older children actually use and enjoy?

I'm particularly looking for things that will encourage them to be a bit more active but not take up too much space.

Maybe showing my age now, but as kids my pals and I loved Swingball!

Ooh I googled and it's still a thing! Hooray!

Swingball - of course! Why didn't I think of that?

Personally I wouldn't bother with the trampoline - they take up a lot of space for the amount of use they ever seem to get.

Swing ball, and a badminton/tennis net - i think ours came from ASDA, it was simple to put up and down, metal supports with guy strings.

Rounders set - again probably ASDA - with plastic ball so no broken windows. That does require quite a large space.

Those Velcro bat and balls.

Apart from the stuff itself, a large waterproof storage box can be a good idea if you don't have shed/garage space.

A “crazy catch” is good, doesn’t take up much room and can be used alone or with others.

Our trampoline saw a huge amount of use!
Yes to swing ball.
Ours had various cheap sets for badminton, cricket etc.
Goal net for football
Bowls
Post or ring fixed to a wall for netball/basketball

Excellent suggestions - thank you.

With some of the ball games, did you have an issue with stuff going over into the neighbours' gardens?

Pétanque is quite good (and the set doesn't take much room).

Not what you asked, but some kids actually like gardening - either in general or if they have their own plot/tubs.

With some of the ball games, did you have an issue with stuff going over into the neighbours' gardens?

Only tennis balls, I think.

Our previous neighbours had a pair of football mad lads, and we regularly had balls come over from them. They were impeccably polite when they asked for their return (if I'd not already lobbed it back), and my service was rewarded by a large tin of chocolates or nice biscuits each Christmas. I heartily commend this approach!

Sounds like a good deal, Errol!

Both my dd still use the trampoline, basket ball hoop, scooter stunt ramps and a large round swing just for chilling on

Trampoline still gets used by 15 year olds
Swing ball
Basketball hoop
If they like plants their own flower bed to look after
Swing even a tyre one off a large tree
Treehouse / platform if you can - they may not play but teens like having somewhere to hang out - not mine but one of DDs friends sits on her shed roof for piece and quiet!
Croquet / bowls / horse shoe type games
Are you adventurous enough to allow bow and arrows and a hay bale for a target? (Would look for club lessons first)
Can't think what the official name is but in a long garden a "death slide"
Water slides / sprinklers for summer
Mini ramps / grind rails and stunt scooters
Couldn't convince DH with this one but you can get the climbing wall things you can screw onto any vertical surface

Kubb garden game. Needs a patch about 4m x 4m or bigger. Is throwing bits of wood at other bits of wood. Suitable for your age children to grandparents. Can be played as singles or in teams.

My 15 yo hasn't been in the garden for years!

Football net
Nerf guns
Archery set
That's about it really for my 10 and 11 years old kids, they used the garden more when they were younger but not much now.

Supersoakers,of course. Keep the biggest one for yourself.

Table tennis
DD loves her netball post

Mine love swing all but make sure you get one that is hammered into the ground not one of the rubbish Ines that you fill the base up with water, they just fall over when hit with any force.

Lots to start with here - thanks all!

@Coffeeandcrumpet great tip - thank you

I've been thinking about getting one of these for my narrow garden - seems similar to the railings that my lot are always playing on! Pretty flexible too, for dens and hanging targets on as well as general fitness and gymnastics. Am I deluded?

Hudora Kid's Fabian Double Horizontal Bar www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CL7SL7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_UJwSDbHYF3SDG?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Fold up all weather table tennis table. Best thing I ever bought. Great laugh with visitors and we pop out regularly to play. A few of our neighbours have them and we're going to have a championship next summer.