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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Climbing frames/towers or similar in a smallish garden

30 replies

MollyAndMuck · 28/06/2024 13:08

My garden is split level, big patio and smaller patch of grass. I don't want a huge swing set and climbing frame thing as it would take up the whole of the grass and I still want a bit of room for football/paddling pool etc at times.

Anyone else with a smallish garden and wants to recommend something that has longevity? I'm looking at things like this: https://wickey.co.uk/climbing-tower-smart-action#tab-wrapper

I'm wondering if it would be better to have some sort of a tower for DCs to actually sit on top though?

What features are ideal to last through primary age? Anything that doesn't get used? I'm thinking that a climbing frame is more swift sufficient than fighting over a swing/demanding to get pushed.

If anyone has pictures of their set up in a small garden that would be brilliant.

Climbing tower Wickey Smart Action

The compact Smart Action climbing frame is especially popular among families with smaller gardens, offering your little ones versatile options for outdoor fun.

https://wickey.co.uk/climbing-tower-smart-action#tab-wrapper

OP posts:

Original poster

MollyAndMuck · 02/07/2024 23:07

Peonies007 · 02/07/2024 13:06

We had this exact one. Didn't last, lots if split wood and building it was a nightmare. Two people (one very competent DIY), took an rntire day. Holes not pre-drilled etc. Avoid

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Oh, disappointing but useful to know thanks!

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Original poster

MollyAndMuck · 02/07/2024 23:18

IkaBaar · 02/07/2024 13:11

We got a Grow play monkey bar compact set. We liked the tiny footprint. They aren’t cheap, but it gets lots of use and all their friends love it. They tend to do things like fling themselves off the trapeze or recreate Gladiators!

This looks amazing, I'm very tempted to save up.

OP posts:

AlligatorAl · 26/06/2025 23:42

LollyLilly · 29/06/2024 15:59

It comes with spiral metal stakes you should postcrete into the ground. It's time consuming to assemble because it's basically lots of individual slats of wood you have to drill screw holes into. It took us around 12 hours all told and reviews online said similar time so it's not just us! So not for the feint hearted but a beautiful piece of equipment that even my oldest will enjoy for a few more years.

We intend to attach a button swing or trapeze into the middle monkey bar section by adding a rotating carabina clip to the central wooden bar. So even if you don't have the clearance for a proper swing set you can still have a bit of a swinging experience.

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I'm very tempted by this, looks like a lot of value from the size.

Did you successfully put on a trapeze or button swing?

DD is keen for a swing but we don't have room for it AND a climbing frame (which i ultimately think they will get more use out of)

housethatbuiltme · 27/06/2025 08:31

I had 2 huge frames as a kid (between age 3 and 12), only ever used the swings and monkey bars.

The one with the climbing dome, trampoline, tent, firemans pole and slide litrally never got used by me or my friends.

The one with swings, monkey bars, swinging seesaw, flying trapeze bar and basketball hoop got used nearly daily but the trapeze didn't have enough room to swing without hitting the fence so we only ever really used the swings and monkey bars.

I learned to swing by myself really fast, the whole point was I could play alone.

housethatbuiltme · 27/06/2025 08:34

housethatbuiltme · 28/06/2024 13:43

I had one like this as a child in the 90s with the removable cover (with was a hassle) and a slide and never really used it, it was boring with nothing to 'do' (wasn't even comfy to sit in as the floor was sort of like a trampoline even though there was no room to 'bounce' but it sagged making it useless to 'play' inside of) really.

It was also a bloody death trap, It was very slippy, as you said it rusted easy (lots of blisters) and one of the few times I did use it I slipped into the metal bar knocking several teeth out.

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Looks like I already responded about the one we never used and forgot lol. Old post.

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