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Parenting

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Original poster

Not the biggest problem ever posted on mumsnet!

29 replies

boo64 · 20/06/2007 21:44

Am wondering whether to get Ds a swing and slide for the garden BUT just curious for those of you who have them - does it take the draw of the playground away? Do they still want to goto the playground?

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RubberDuck · 20/06/2007 21:45

Ooo... no idea, but wanted to say I'd be interested too Also like to know how much practical space they take up - ie. how much space you need in front and behind to keep things safe and still have an actual garden left

SMSmadeUCMBelieveWhiteRberries · 20/06/2007 21:46

Swing was the worst thing we have brought for hte garden. It takes up soooo much space (allowing for swing) and is fixed in position.

The slide is not as bad as it can be moved out of the way - but I do cringe and some of the positions they assume on it.

mytwopenceworth · 20/06/2007 21:47

Mine had a set and they played on it non-stop for about 2 months then never went near the bloody thing.

Took it to bits when we moved, then it lay in the new back garden for months and we finally took it to the dump.

Swings and slides and all that jazz are, I suspect, all the more fun because you don't have them at home.

I mean, swinging is only fun for so long!

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fireflyfairy2 · 20/06/2007 21:50

Ours got a set last Xmas, 2 swings, a slide, a tent & a climbing frame attached to it.

They love it. Play on it every day.

It doesn't take away from the park though, as they love the park too

No idea about how much room it takes up though, we have it in the side garden, we live on a farm & there's room for most things. I can't imagine it being suitable for a smallish garden though

RubberDuck · 20/06/2007 21:51

Hmm... good point. My two boys love their friend's swing and ALWAYS aim for it, but I guess it is the novelty factor.

Have avoided getting one up to now because ds2 was so young... now he's 3 was thinking I might get one in the sales at the end of this summer season ready for the next, iyswim.

Might not bother now.

RubberDuck · 20/06/2007 21:53

Ah, xpost, firefly

Ooo... is that one of those TP ones? I do love those, but yes, I think they'd be too big for ours. I'd like a 2 swing set I think - one being one of those duel/rocker swing things.

Problem is I'd then have to supervise more regularly in the back garden...

BedofRosesitAint · 20/06/2007 21:54

Love the title of this thread Boo64

Original poster

boo64 · 20/06/2007 23:13

I think a lot of my threads that I've started need this kind of title - especially the one about my cakes not rising!!

OP posts:

uberalice · 20/06/2007 23:20

Slide = good. Swing = waste of money. The swings in the park are better. IME anyway.

fireflyfairy2 · 20/06/2007 23:30

Yes, it was a TP one

I love it as I can add bits onto it

Piffle · 20/06/2007 23:34

yes they do still want to go!
but she loves her frame at home too for when we cannot get out

Original poster

boo64 · 21/06/2007 09:16

Ok please vote on the usefulness of:
swing
slide
climbing frame

No need to consider space as our garden is big enough (although there is lots of bird poop so that is a practical consideration for the slide I guess - I'd be having to clean it lots!)

(ds is only 2 so the latter might be a bit scary at first but he'll presumably get into it in a few months)

OP posts:

fireflyfairy2 · 21/06/2007 09:43

I'd go for the climbing frame.

My ds is 2.6 & he scrambles up it like a limpet!

it's not for the weak hearted though So if you're one of those parents who needs to be stood behind your ds when he's going up steps, then i'd pass & go for the swing

newgirl · 21/06/2007 12:16

id say all are great for your friends children as they will love it, and for when kids come to play - not sure mine bother with them on their own

tortoiseSHELL · 21/06/2007 12:19

We have got this in our garden, and it is honestly the best thing we ever got. It wasn't particularly expensive from the place we got it, but it has provided SO much play. The children use the top as a den when friends come over - they 'hang out' on the top and talk, and climb and swing on the rope etc. Wouldn't be without it. We got it 2 years ago and it has been in constant use ever since.

cat64 · 21/06/2007 12:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

cat64 · 21/06/2007 12:31

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Wisteria · 21/06/2007 12:32

Slide and climbing frame fantastic and great for development; try and get a climbing frame that grows with your child though, mine still go up at now and again at 11&13!
Swing - waste of time; rubbish

Anchovy · 21/06/2007 12:36

We have a metal TP climbing frame and its been worth every penny. DCs (5 and 3) adore it, go on it every day and it is a magnet for them and all their mates - there were 7 of them on it the other day. You definitely need to get the platform'y bits (but they are relatively cheap).

Speccy · 21/06/2007 12:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pixie54 · 21/06/2007 14:05

We have the Sherwood deck, slide, swing and duo-ride from TP - and it is used almost every day. Just bought the aquaslide mat for it and a rope ladder. It is fab! And, they still love the park too.
Re bird poop - we got anti pigeon strips put along the top of ours.

kys · 21/06/2007 15:47

We've got a swing, slide, trampoline and pool in the garden and to be honest the swing hasnt been touched for about a yr. The trampoline was the best buy ever. I have noticed that when we go to the park all my ds wants to do is run around with his ball and not actually play on anything. But i dont think thats because we've got them at home, hes just football mad.

sophy · 21/06/2007 16:54

Best garden toy we ever got is a rope which hangs down from the branch of a tree for swinging on like Tarzan. Gets played with far more than the "proper" swing or the trampoline.

fennel · 21/06/2007 16:59

We have a TP climbing frame, including slide and swing. All of it's been played with lots (dds are 7, 5, 3). Different bits have been more popular at different times - last summer was all about the monkey bars, this year it's all pretending it's a pirate ship and tying each other to the bars with ropes. Or making ropes into high wires and balancing across them. dd3 (3) goes on the swing incessantly.

I'd go for a climbing frame over a swing or slide as you can use it in the most different ways.

Joanie · 21/06/2007 23:09

replies just go to show different strokes for diff folks. We have one of those TP everything things with added bars and trapeeze. They do play on them all (this comes and goes) the swing more than the slide tbh and the house is a good den. We inherited a large trampoline in the garden which is actually best of all - all ages and sexes enjoy a good bounce!!

These are all v useful when their friends come around.

I would perhaps suggested swing (even I like a relaxing swing now and again) and tramoline - both are ageless.

They still love to go to the park!

They are 4 & 5 btw, don't know how appealling it may be when they are older?

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