AIBU?
To not get any sort of large garden toy
lecce · 31/05/2013 21:16
Sorry this is so dull but it is on my mind as neighbours have just installed a huge slide/swing/cabin-combo as well as the trampoline they already had. This has been noted by the dc.
These things all cost a bomb and I am unsure whether we would ever get our money's worth. We have two decent parks with a variety of play equipment within easy walking distance, as well as loads of countryside we can walk to from the house. We get out and about all the time to various places with adventure playgrounds etc so they have plenty of access to playground equipment of various kinds.
And yet...I look out of my bedroom window and most of the gardens have a trampoline, a swing, a slide - often more than one item. Some houses must be childless, so the vast majority of families have these things, right? Are they worth it?
We could afford to get something but money isn't limitless and I would feel mightily pissed off if it sat there ruining the lawn and not being played with.
AIBU?
LindyHemming · 31/05/2013 21:18
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
Toughasoldboots · 31/05/2013 21:24
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
WorkingtoohardMama · 31/05/2013 21:25
We've got quite a lot, 2 slides, a trampoline and a little tikes house.
The house is mainly used for storing the smaller stuff (scooters etc) but the slides and trampoline have been fantastic value for money, the dc use them at every opportunity (even in the snow!)
I do sometimes gaze enviously at my neighbours lovely toy free gardens, but the things we've got have been worth every penny.
Liara · 31/05/2013 21:26
Our trampoline is possibly the best investment we have ever made in terms of keeping us sane the dc entertained.
Swings are nice but don't get anything like as much use, other things are used more.
Haven't built the treehouse yet, but it's next on our list.
We do have a very large garden though.
ShatnersBassoon · 31/05/2013 21:26
Your choice.
We have a climbing frame, a swing, a rope swing, a see-saw and we've just built a tree house. They mean I don't have to make outdoor play an event and I can get on with stuff at home and let the kids run riot without me having to give up an hour or so taking them somewhere. It's worth it for the convenience. I like being at home more than I like being at the park.
Maryz · 31/05/2013 21:32
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
Maryz · 31/05/2013 21:33
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
TigOldBitties · 31/05/2013 21:36
YABU, its fun.
The trampoline is one of the best things we've ever bought. We've had 2 and I have never regretted it.
We've had other things, slides, sandpits, swings, I wasn't that impressed by any of them, but I'd say the trampoline was the best thing.
Trampolines are also excellent campsites and sun loungers.
Having a decent sized paddling pool is wonderful when the weathers good but you don't get the full use in this country.
AnneEyhtMeyer · 31/05/2013 21:38
We have a trampoline, a slide, a swing and a sandpit. Plus other little stuff we keep in the garage and bring out on sunny days.
DD loves it, I love being able to let her play out with no effort from me, and the equipment is used all year round - she was even using the slide in the snow.
Anything that keeps her occupied and uses up her energy is worth it in my book.
I thought grass was for playing on.Smudging · 31/05/2013 21:40
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
hardbeingme · 31/05/2013 21:44
have just officially handed garden to dcs or you'd think so anyway...
the trampoline i like least, just cos with the safety net it takes up so much room, got that in the tesco exchange thingy so didn't technically take any cash, and the kids love it
my best buy would be the littke tikes wave climbing frame £60 off ebay but i think for amount of use we've had from it its been more than worth it. will sell it on in a couple of years and probably get back what we paid regularly doubles up as rapunzels tower and i believe naughty pirates live under it too :)
we had a plastic playhouse but once ds1 and 2 discovered they could dismantle it it got rehomed
also have a large little tikes slide which mil got even though i didn't want it loads of ride on toys and seesaw things
it doesn't look great but they love it and spend hours out there, plus it won't be for long aside from the trampoline as they'll be too big for it all.
whiteandyellowiris · 31/05/2013 21:45
its nice to have things at home though
we have a lovely playhouse, a swing,slide and skyride combo thing
and a big trampoline
the trampoline is the best buy
and dd loves it and visitors love it
we also have bikes,scoters, sandpit, space hoppers.
been out there half the day today
Taffeta · 31/05/2013 21:45
We have a climbing frame thingy with swing, slide and things for them to dangle off. It's wooden s looks quite nice, but it's also quite well hidden so isn't an eyesore. We've had it 6 years and its had a lot of use.
We've also moved it, which was easy ish to do.
lecce · 31/05/2013 21:47
Thank you for replies.
Just want to add that our dc do have garden toys, just nothing big, apart from a delightful purple hippo from Toys R Us that doubles as a sand-pit and paddling pool and has, tbf, been played with a lot.
Am leaning towards a trampoline as I do have a secret desire for one and I can imagine my two playing under it in dens etc, as well as on it.
I think my reluctance to buy this sort of thing stems from my childhood - this sort of stuff was like drinking Coke at home - something other people did but not what 'our sort' did 
.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.