I'm going to have to spend over £1.5k on this aren't I?

[elliejjtiny]

Our 10 year old climbing frame with a slide, 2 swings and monkey bars had finally got to the point where it is no longer safe and we have to get rid of it. I've been looking at suitable replacements for a while now and now that the dc are older anything that will be challenging enough for them and take their weight is extremely expensive. I'm looking at the growplay one that has all different bits on it but it's £1.5k, plus extra to add a bucket swing. Our one has been used every day by our younger 3, currently aged 13, 11 and 10. 16 year old has only recently stopped using it and still uses the trampoline most days. We don't have a park near enough for the younger 3 to go to on their own so we really need to have stuff in the garden. 13 year old has adhd so needs loads of exercise or he won't sleep. Is there some kind of climbing frame suitable for older children that's cheaper or do I need to note the bullet and fork out £1.5k for a new climbing frame? I miss the days when they were toddlers and were happy with a little slide that cost £10 second hand!

Could you find a second hand one anywhere?

They're stupidly expensive new but like trampolines, seem to plummet in value

I'd worry they were close to growing out of it at those ages.

But if you think they'll use it then although it's expensive it seems like money well spent/good value from a price per use point of view.

i wouldn’t bother they are growing up now….what you had was nice while it lasted….time to get your garden back

Secondhand?

Do you mean like this?

Definitely second hand! I kept a look out on FB marketplace and gumtree for a few weeks when I wanted to buy one until I saw one that I was happy with the condition etc. Think I paid around £200.

"Playcentre Buy Outdoor Play Equipment | Kids Outdoor Play..." https://www.costco.co.uk/Toys-Baby-Child/Outdoor-Play/c/cos_4.4?q=::type:Playcentre

Costco have a deal on until tomorrow

To put it into context, if each of your three younger DC use it every day until they're 16, it works out at about 30p per child per day.

I’ve been looking at these too, they look brilliant and totally justify it in cost per use. I think the company is new to the uk so doubt you would get one second hand. And no other business seems to do ones quite like it. I’ve looked obsessively.

Think they go up and down.....

I wouldn't buy it- your kids will not be going on playground equipment in the garden at 16 😂- most kids grow out of this by 10/11 ish when they go to high school. We had an unused trampoline in our garden from DS being 11- next door currently have the same issue 10 years later with their 11 yr old. Your DC will move on with their interests before long and it will sit there unused.

Is the current one really not salvageable? I wonder if it's worth having a carpenter or handyman look at it to see if they can repair/swap bits out and make it safe.

You can presumably afford it (otherwise you wouldn't be contemplating it) so yes get it.
I can't think of anything better to spend money on than children playing?
Childhood is so short and your lot sound like they actually want to be outside and active, not sat in front of a screen.
I come from a large family and us kids were always chucked outside to give my poor mum some peace.
We all had ADHD I think (I'm diagnosed) so mucking about outside and getting lots of activity was great for us. Healthy and helps build resilience.

I'd be thrilled to have kids like that!
(Mine is, but only 2 years old so time will tell if they turn into a screen junkie).

If I had a back garden I would totally buy one of these. I’m off to look at rightmove again.

Presumably you have a decent sized garden. I’d be tempted to buy a selection of things like trampoline, bikes, skateboard ramps, swing ball/racquet games, basketball hoop etc.
Still plenty of scope to get physical activity in without needing a climbing frame.

@Negroany 😀

This looks good fun actually, with boxing bag, basketball ring, climbing wall and football net.
It’s a third of the price too.

https://www.therange.co.uk/toys/outdoor-play-equipment/climbing-frames-swings-and-playsets/climbing-frames/soulet-odin-5-in-1-childrens-playground-set-with-boxing-bag

Whilst others might say that their DC grew out of it as they entered their teens, our DC would still use monkey bars and the weight training bits of it on a daily basis. Instead, we have a chin up bad and TRX inside which is significantly cheaper but more annoying and can only be done by one DC at once

apart from the fact that OP's 16 year old has still been using it, as do her 13 and 11 year olds. Your DC doesn't equal everyone's DC and she probably knows her own kids better than you.

Obviously teenagers won't play in the same way as 6 year olds but depending on the type some 'play' frames can essentially be used in the same way as gym kit - monkey bars to do pull ups, etc. I'm a grown adult and if I had a swing in my back garden I'd absolutely use it 😁- I have a double seated hanging egg chair as the closest alternative.

Get a trampoline, which is great exercise and something teenagers often still like, and get some real adult-style gym equipment.

Don't get a child's climbing frame in bright "child" paint colours.

Dunster house are very good quality. We had the mega fort abc it was solid as a rock.
I saw a second-hand one for sale recently for £250....

I bought from a website called Wickey. The stuff comes from Germany so takes a couple weeks to come but it’s legit and really really good quality. Was far cheaper than any UK based company I could find. They have loads of sets to choose from so you’d definitely find something for your kids age range

I would spend that at the ages your kids are. They are all likely to grow out of it very soon.

I feel like you need to get yourself a swing. A hanging egg chair just isn't the same 🤣 I took can't wait for my little one to get bigger so I took can go on a swing😁