Climbing frames- Do you concrete-in the ground anchors?

[ixxy]

I'm currently looking for a climbing frame for DC, but am not keen on pouring concrete onto my garden. Spoke to customer service of a climbing frame company today and they've said that although the manufacturers recommend this, a lot of people don't concrete in the ground anchors. Is this true? Do you concrete-in your climbing frame? Is this necessary?

We have a large wooden climbing frame. The tower part I dug holes and burried but did not concrete. The rest of it (A frame swing arm) is resting on the ground. It is fairly strurdy but if it had lifted at all I would of concreted.

Metal frame tends to be lighter and easier to lift, so possibly would.

My neighbours swing set would lift if the dc were all on and swinging very high.

So it rather depends on the size/shape, what it's made of, if it lifts of the ground if dc swing or pile on one side, and also how many dc and of what ages will be using it.

Thanks,gillybean! The climbing frames we have in mind (I've narrowed down to 2 at the mo) are both wooden but rather small.

www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=1685170
or www.gardengames.co.uk/acatalog/TP_Pow_Wow.html

Converting is recommended on the former, but I like the fact that it's got a swing. The second one doesn't need concreting but does not have a swing.

DC are 3yrs old and 2-months old, so the frame is really going to be used by Dd1 and her friends for the first few years.

I have the old elc one. its a six sided shape and it just sits nicely on the grass. I initially wanted to get it concreted in, but the style makes it quite stable.
Got it for his fifth birthday. He is now 14. had more babies since nieces nephews, etc. the only thing we've done is this year screwed some of the screws in a bit tighter. toher than that, had no issues with it, despite it being free to the elements for nine years now.

The one's I've used at friend's houses have not been concreted. One started to lift slightly once when there were tons of kids piled on (!) but my friend just stood there and held it in place (!) which was fine as it turned out. It wouldn't normally be an issue with just her 2 on it so I dont blame her for not wanting to.

My lot have a treehouse (we call it a treehouse but its actually a playhouse on stilts with a tree's branches sort of draping gently across the roof so they call it a treehouse) and we had that properly done with concrete for it to rest on, shedloads of bark etc for a soft landing and the garden design team erected it for us (oh and I was very satisfied with their erection hahaha sorrry) but I would say it does feel good knowing it's "properly" done when your kids are playing on it - but chances are you needn't worry.