To want to buy something new for the garden for kids.

[KMBM107]

So my kids age 8 and 4 will
Obviously be off next week for 2 weeks for the Easter holidays. I’m feeling down about the fact that even though rule of 6 will mean that we can see some ppl, the holidays are just going to be boring for the kids. Our holiday has been cancelled and apart from more walks what else can we actually do?
I suggested to husband that we should get the kids something for the garden - maybe a swing set/trampoline - something that’s fun and will keep them entertained. He is refusing to entertain the idea. Says he just wants the grass area to be clear of any toys or equipment. Should I push this further or accept that he doesn’t want anything like that in the garden? Our garden is an average size - we have a 4 bed on a relative new estate so it’s not massive but would be able to have something

He sounds like a miserable sod. Gardens are for playing. Can you get a few things that can be packed away? Football goals, swing ball, a couple of supersoakers and a new paddling pool? I'd just order the swing/climbing frame personally...

I'm also a total killjoy who doesn't want my lawn ruining with kids stuff, so understand where your husband is coming from, although it's a shame!

What about a small shed house? They could use it as a little den and it wouldn't look as much of an eyesore as a trampoline.

Can't think where I saw them, but I looked a while back at a natural-looking play frame made out of wood and decided that it wouldn't completely ruin the look of the garden. Might be a good compromise?

What a miserable git. Just buy some toys. Football nets!

I’d get some outdoor toys at at least.

You can get some lovely swing/slide sets, not huge, but big enough for kids to have fun.

Otherwise I’d probably get wooden shed (not huge) and set that up as a den (and once kids back at school you could store their outdoor toys in there).

It’s difficult keeping kids entertained with not much going on.

How miserable. Yes plastic tat is an eyesore but they are little for such a short amount of time. It's not just his garden, it belongs to the whole family so I would just buy the kids some bits. Let me guess, it's you doing the bulk of the childcare over Easter and he doesn't have to worry about providing entertainment for them?

How often is he in charge of the kids? Keep sending him to the park with the children every time they want to go on play equipment. His choice, his solution. Wash your hands of it.

Depends if it's their garden too or just for sitting in/ looking at for him.
I think dh games console is an eyesore but it's his house too - I'm sure my makeup area (windowsill) isn't something he would have if I didn't live here, but I do.
Grass will grow again and the dc will grow up, it's for a few years.

What a misery guts! We have a tiny garden, it’s very much on display from the house and Dh and I are both houseproud types - but we still have a climbing frame for the kids.

They love it and use it all the time (also means they make less mess in the house so win win!)

Ours is a compact one a bit like this link so tucks neatly to one side. We have a small tree and a raised planter in front of it so it’s partly hidden.

We used to have a trampoline and it was much more unsightly so I would say pick something wooden and it will blend in much better especially once it’s weathered a bit.

Having a garden and kids and saying no play equipment is just mean IMO.

Dp used to have a similar attitude to your husband. But has changed his mind now as toys do keep them entertained. How about going to somewhere like Asda or b&m or something and buying non large and cheap things such as balls, hula hoops, chalk (I bet your dh would hate that actually), football net etc etc. But a garden storage box to put it all in. Just an idea anyway 😘

Thanks everyone - they do have a wooden playhouse but it’s just got lots of other garden stuff in at the moment and toys that are too small now, especially for the youngest. I’ll just probably have a sort out next week and get some cheaper bits for there myself. I think this disappointment comes from the fact I would like something bigger like a trampoline/swing/climbing frame but he will just not budge on that. Interestingly I did get chalk last year which he initially wasn’t happy with, but as soon as it kept the kids quiet he seemed a lot more happy about it!

DP was like this just wanted to look at the lawn despite the fact we have a big garden. I ended up getting a big wooden swing and slide set and paying a very lovely handyman to assemble it. We have had it for 4 years and my two girls (9 and 6) use it most days even though we probably go to the park every other day as well. It's worth every penny. In fact was worth double during lockdown when all the playgrounds were shut. I assembled by myself a 14ft trampoline during lockdown 1 I had actually had it for nearly a year but couldn't face the disapproval. He still asks when I think they might grow out of the stuff I just ingore it. They are happy and I get to drink a cup of tea in peace. We can have the lawn when they have left home.

Just buy the trampoline/play frame and let your DCs enjoy the garden, who cares if your DH grumbles about it.

What about a bouncy castle instead of a trampoline? That way it won’t be a permanent fixture of the garden, and he can have his nice empty lawn back whenever her likes.

Update: hubby is currently on the way to pick up a 10ft trampoline also picking out some garden games. I think he realised he was being a miserable git!

This really made me smile! Your girls will be made up.

Not sure if it would be any good but saw a great product today in the Guardian. www.stokttanks.com Can be used as ball pit, sandpit, and paddling pool when hot. They also can be covered and used to play on , or be sunk in!!! Thought they were a really great idea! Mind you, my kids go though a paddling pool or two each summer! So I’m im need of something a bit tough like this . Trampoline also one for the list but just sooo big and they get rusty so easily!

Trampoline and football nets.
Your DH is a parent if he doesn't want toys in the garden why have DC? Ridiculous.

Oh sorry missed your update.