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!

Thoughts and prayers .

I picked up a near enough brand new wickey frame for £500 on Facebook marketplace. They retail at £2k.

People will start getting rid of them at the end of summer/beginning. Keep an eye out. That’s what I did.

🤣🤣🤣

I think it's definitely one of those you-get-what-you pay for situations, OP. A better quality one that has gym / parkour / ninja components will have a much longer lifespan

My oldest is 12 and still uses our outdoor stuff every day. We built it out of scaffolding poles so it's really versatile, we can clip any type of swing/sensory chair/hammock to it and it's got pull up bars and monkey bars. We're not really DIYers but it's going strong after 5 years. I think then bits cost about £300 all together.

My kids are closish in age to yours. 9, 11, 13 I did not replace the climbing frame. Do you have any trees to hang stuff on? We now have a hammock (sounds relaxing but can be swung vigorously), nest swing can be swung or twirled but also hood for relaxing, ninja line ( especially popular with the older two) and the trampoline.

I’d recommend a ninja line if you are pushed for space you can get all sorts of accessories ( swings / rope climbing net ) and they are attached with carabiner clips so easy to switch around. We put a baseline on the first half so you can balance but not on second half so challenging for bigger ones

My kids are closish in age to yours. 9, 11, 13 I did not replace the climbing frame. Do you have any trees to hang stuff on? We now have a hammock (sounds relaxing but can be swung vigorously), nest swing can be swung or twirled but also hood for relaxing, ninja line ( especially popular with the older two) and the trampoline.

I’d recommend a ninja line if you are pushed for space you can get all sorts of accessories ( swings / rope climbing net ) and they are attached with carabiner clips so easy to switch around. We put a baseline on the first half so you can balance but not on second half so challenging for bigger ones

I wouldn’t replace with new equipment with children of those ages, mine are similar and I will be getting rid of ours soon. Maybe consider other smaller equipment such as badminton? Or maybe a table tennis set which will take up less space.

Would they be better with some sports/ gym equipment if you have a garage or so are room to put it all in?
Exercise bike, running pad. Rowing machine, all available second hand.
outside:
Basketball hoop
Volleyball/badminton net.

OP, it seems harsh, you having to invest all your Christmas money over several years to afford a a good climbing frame. I wonder whether you could approach the grandparents or other older-generation adults and ask if they could make a contribution or help by lending you the money which you could pay back over 2-3 years? I'm not a GP but I'm an aunt and I'd help out. It's clear that your children make good use of this equipment and that one at least uses it as a form of therapy, so it qualifies as a necessity, not just a luxury.

Could the GPs put up £500 each leaving you to pay the balance? Could the new set be presented as combined Christmas and birthday gifts to all the children from all of them? So the children will get just a token gift from GPs for the next year or two?

FWIW, I'd go with the strong metal-framed one designed to take weight. I've seem how quickly the wooden ones can deteriorate.

To be fair it would be pretty harsh to ask GP’s for £500 for a climbing frame and a swing for teenagers.

Why on earth do you want to buy a climbing frame for kids aged 13, 11 & 10?!?!?

Surprised at all those saying the kids won't use the equipment at those ages. I have three teens 18, 16, 13 and while we no longer have a trampoline (passed on to a younger family this spring after at least 10 years of constant use) we have swings x 2, a badminton net that's up all summer, one of those Intex round pools that's about three feet deep, a slackline, a hanging punch bag and a couple of hammocks, all in frequent use by the teens and their friends, including the 18yos! No climbing frame but we have a climable tree that they get up in all the time. That makes our garden sound massive but it's just a largeish urban garden on a three-bed semi. I think if you want your teens to spend time away from their screens/playing outdoors with their siblings/parents, you have to give them some options.

Huh? Of course she shouldn’t ask the grandparents for money so she doesn’t need to spend her own.

Why do some people keep saying this, that they would automatically be on a screen unless you provide alternatives. My 18-year old wasn’t on a screen just because we didn’t have a swing in our garden. He was 18. Why would he be ’playing in the garden’. It wouldn’t be an option for him to be on a swing. It wouldn’t be an option for his friends either, this I am sure of. A pool, yes. They cycle or drive to places. They entertain themselves.

My neighbour has a son with autism, he spends a lot of time in the garden. They've recently replaced their swing set for one made for disabled people. It's great and will last him years. It's bigger and durable. I'd look at one for disabled people, otherwise he'll outgrow it soon. As children's play equipment only holds a certain weight.

Yes I was surprised the posted said you need to give adult children play things in the garden to get them off screens, but maybe there is a back story.

Why? OP has explained that they all use it and foresees that they'll continue to use it for a few years at least.

I would have thought most GPs would want to help out a grandchild whose issues require him to have regular exercise.

You simply cannot be serious.

firsly you’ve no idea of the financial set up of the grandparents.
youve no idea of the relationship.

and lastly, and most importantly it’s the op and the children’s father/s to provide.

im stunned you think if your kids need something you just put your hand out.

What a weird thing to say. There are so many reasons why not.

Op as your child has a medical condition have you checked if there's any organisation that can help with the cost of this? Eg this lot www.familyfund.org.uk/grants/what-can-i-use-the-grant-for/outdoor-play/ www.familyfund.org.uk/grants/what-can-i-use-the-grant-for/outdoor-play/]]]]

Also if you decide to have FOUR children, you must think as parents that you will be able to provide for everything they are going to need.

Op has said multiple times that the children still enjoy playing and that is why she is looking for equipment. Not sure why so many people
on this thread can’t seem to understand this

Given you have a child with ASN I'd look into grants and get whatever you think best for your family OP.

My kids are also very active and aged 4/12/16
Trampoline used daily

If I were you I would install some scaffolding poles and boards (easily buy second hand) . Make up a bit of a trail and add things like this to a horizontal pole