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!

I'm in the outdoor gym camp - you could get one with climbing sides and over head monkey bars and then take bits like the swing off your existing frame and add to the gym one. Then as the DC get older the swing can come off and you can add other stuff like a punchbag. Get a couple of TRX as well as they can be clipped on and off quickly as and when the older ones want to do that. THese look nice https://www.garden-gym.com/shop-2

Do 11 plus age children really use a park for anything other than sitting on? If you sat and watched what they really did would it be hours of climbing and playing or just swinging because it's there?
What about a basket ball hoop or football net. Hammock or one of those round swings?

I never said I wasn't willing to pay for it, I was just asking if anyone knew of anything better or cheaper before forking out all my savings on something. I think most people would do this. My dad used to tell me I was being incredibly reckless if I bought a kettle or a toaster without checking the which report and making a spreadsheet of all the different ones. When I am watching the 13, 11 and 10 year olds at the park, they play, either with each other, on their own or with friends. Their favourite thing is to have several of them in the big swing that looks like a flying saucer and pretend to be pirates. I don't watch my 16 year old at the park with his friends but from his Instagram account it looks like they are playing too. The zip line seems to be their favourite.

op is the father(s) not involved. Is this your total savings, I’m afraid if this is all yout money I’d not spend it on a climbing frame.

How much? I wouldn't spend all my savings on a climbing frame.

Ignore the naysayers @elliejjtiny. I think it will be well worth the money!

Even if it’s all you had as savings and you’d 4 kids. You’d blow it all in a climbing frame?

Dh is Dad to all the dc. The savings belong to both of us, although the money is given to us individually. Dh's birthday and Christmas money goes on the national trust membership and a couple of days out in the summer holidays. Mine gets saved in case something big needs to be bought for the dc, like a climbing frame.

In the OPs circumstances where it is vital to a decent sleep - yes

What does your dh think?

I take it you didn't even consider that the children in question might have additional needs?

@elliejjtiny I'd look into grants to help with the cost

He was in denial that the current climbing frame was on its last legs for ages so I was expecting to have to try and convince him that we needed something suitable for adults. But he just asked if I'd found anything. I said yes and showed him a picture. He said that it looked good and we should order it. I was impressed.

Having read all of it, I think you should too. You know your kids and your needs best.

But you never gave us a link!

Growplay has 10% off on their website with code SUMMER10

But this indicates money is very tight if you need to ask for money for Xmas and birthday presents and save it up. Have you both no other savings?

as said, if I’d only a small amount of savings and 4 kids no way I’d blow it all or most of it on a climbing frame.

I have a 10 year old who is NT but very very energetic and he would definitely get a lot of use out of something like this or the outdoor gym stuff. If he doesn't get enough exercise he is a nightmare to have around at home but he is not old enough to take himself off to the gym/for a swim/for a run etc. He soon will age out of the school holiday club but still will be too young to go very far on his own (esp as we live somewhere where most places are a drive) which is going to make occupying him out of term time really tricky. I could definitely see it being worth it on a cost per use basis although I do also have a younger one. In fact having read this thread I may go and investigate options... Especially an outdoor punch bag, I think that could be good.

Did you buy it, OP? What's it like?

I’m not the OP but we have this Grow Play climbing frame and the kids love it. It’s very sturdy and perfect for my two who love monkey bars.

Spend the money OP. Anything that encourages the kids outside to play is a good thing and it needs to be a good one to suppprt teens. Mine was more and I’ve not regretted it.

It's amazing. Definitely worth the money and even I use the swing when nobody is looking!

Oh excellent! Mine are much younger so looks like it could be excellent for longevity.

There is a big dip in the lawn where no grass grows under the swing which is always a good sign of a well loved swing/climbing frame. My dc use it loads.

Totally agree with this.

Was it the Growplay you went for in the end? I’m just about to purchase! Are you still happy with it? I’m a mum to avid climbers and players too :-)

@Makemakee I got the Grow Play compact and it’s really great. Got the ninja net which I was in two minds about but they spend a lot of time up there. It was relatively easy for me to put together and is so so sturdy. My kids are out on it every day before and after school.