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Original poster

TP Climbing Frames ...

21 replies

Millie1 · 20/04/2004 22:04

Does anyone have the Explorer climbing frame and if so, what sort of use are your children getting out of it? Is a 2.5 year old boy likely to get lots of use out of it or grow bored within 24 hrs? In other words, would a plain old slide be just as good a buy?

Thanks!!

OP posts:
Mo2 · 20/04/2004 22:10

Pretty sure we have the EXplorer - or is it the challenger?
Think we bought it about the same time - when DS1 was 2.5?
If I'm honest it hasn't been used as much as I'd expected - gets most use when other kids come round to play and they have 'races' etc

However we are hoping that it will get progressively more use now that DS2 is almost 2 and showing signs of using it (it's still at toddler level)

great in summer, when we extend the slide down our sloping garden with a long piece of plastic sheeting, run the hose pipe down it and then soap up the kids and send them shrieking at high speed....

Kayleigh · 20/04/2004 22:26

We've got the one that has two heights, got it last summer. At the moment it is still at lowest height and both my boys (almost 6 and almost 3) love it. It gets loads of use in the summer, especially when they have friends over and I am really pleased we bought it. They have the plastic thing across the top so they can't fall through the struts and also have the tent bit which they love.

Well worth the money - and i can see it lasting as they will get a good few years use out of it - will probably put it up on higher legs summer 2005.

stripey · 20/04/2004 22:35

We have the one with the toddler ramp, den and then slide. They use it all of the time - both boys - I think girls prefer swings (at least the ones I know do). Ds1 3.5 ds2 1.5 I think we would extend to monkey bars and a faster slide but am afraid DS2 would fall off. Ds1 probably wouldn't have been safe at the higher level last year as he used to climb to the roof of the den and fell a few times (luckily on grass). I even get into the den with them myself - it is quite sturdy.

SueW · 20/04/2004 22:40

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

lydialemon · 20/04/2004 23:03

Well I spent saturday helping BF 'reconstruct' one of the big ones - about 7 ft high? Climbing bit with net and a slide and room for 2 swings. Her old one had died and she spotted this one going for £150 in the local paper (when she priced it up from new it would have cost £380).

Now the bloke she bought it from had got it for his (only) DD when she was 4, and she has hardly used it over the last 4 years - it looks new. In contrast BFs kids destroyed their last one by using it so much, which is why shes now got a TP one. Her kids (10, 5 and 2) and my kids (6 and 3) were all over it whilst we were trying to construct it! I don't think this kind of toy is much fun to play with on your own...

Have to agree waterslide thing is great, although kids have discovered you can get the same effect in the winter by using a skateboard on the slide instead. That has been banned on the new one!

Tetley · 21/04/2004 09:26

We've got the longer one (rather than the hexagonal one) - don't know if this is the Explorer. It's at toddler height at the moment, and has just got the toddler kit & handrails on it and a slide. We've had it for a year or so - got it when ds1 was 2. He love it, and his little brother who is 18 months old is desperatly trying to climb the ladder for his turn!

My nephews have had one of these frames since they were little and still play on it now (they're now 8 & 6)

Bagpuss30 · 21/04/2004 10:30

We are looking at these at the moment too. Ds's nursery has one and the kids there love it (ds included). We have a tp swing with a baby seat at the moment but I am torn between replacing it with a climbing frame/slide combo or buying a giant swing frame with a rockaboat ride and trapeze/rings and then buying a separate slide. Space is an issue for us though, and the children do like their swing. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Kayleigh · 21/04/2004 10:51

I went for a full climbing frame as my boys can play on it by themselves without too much supervision. With swings they need pushing, with see-saw thingy it needs two of them etc etc.
Also if 4 or 5 kids playing together have to take turns which usually results in arguments. PLUS was worried about the bigger one on the swing knocking into the little one as he was tearing around.

Those were my reasons anyway Hope that helps.

Codswallop · 21/04/2004 10:54

we have the one you can lower down to toddler height

ds1 ( 5.5) still loves it get the swizzler - verypopluar
the challenger ours is

Original poster
Millie1 · 22/04/2004 21:53

Thanks for all the feedback ... decisions, decisions ... money, money!!

OP posts:
Vika · 02/06/2004 17:07

Hi Millie1,

We have bought a TP Explorer Climbing Frame 3 months ago, and it's now up for sale, as the children (4 and 2,5) are not interested in it. We have a 16ft trampoline, and that is what used to death, on daily basis. Probably, slide is better.

Vika

cod · 02/06/2004 17:07

Message withdrawn

Hairyfairy · 15/07/2004 02:09

Thanks Tetley. Instructions arrived today and I'm all set. As regards having someone to help with construction, I've got my mother staying with me at the moment and she's managing to test my patience FAR more than any climbing frame could ever do! Think I'd rather grapple single-handed in the relative sanctity of the garden. Hey-ho....

Hairyfairy · 17/07/2004 06:10

Hello. Does anyone have a set of INSTRUCTIONS for putting the TP CHALLENGER climbing frame together. I've just bought one second hand on the net, but the guy who sold it had already dismantled it and LOST the paperwork! At the moment I just have a large pile of poles on my lawn! I'd be happy to cover the cost of postage and photocopying if anyone can help!

Twink · 17/07/2004 12:04

I have ! But I'm going on holiday tomorrow so if you want them you'll have to do the contact another talker thing pronto !!

Tetley · 17/07/2004 12:14

Hi yes, we've got the challenger one so will have the instructions. If you're not already sorted then contact me with your address & I'll post you a copy. Leave Twink to do here holiday packing in peace!

Tetley · 17/07/2004 12:14

That should be 'her' not 'here' - teach me to preview first!

Allegra · 17/07/2004 12:37

Can anyone who has the challenger tell me when they put it up to the higher level? My two are 3 and 4.5 and are happy with it at the lower level but DH is impatient to make it higher.I think its too soon and will just mean they need more supervision.

SueW · 18/07/2004 00:59

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

Hairyfairy · 18/07/2004 04:48

Thanks to everyone. Tetley is sending me a copy so hopefully we'll be 3-dimensional before the end of the week. I'll let you know!

Tetley · 18/07/2004 12:06

Hairyfairy - they're in the post today. A word of advice - put it up when you've got lots of time and are feeling very patient . I thought that I was quite good at putting things together but this tried my patience. Although, having someone to help you would be useful as it's quite big!

Good luck!

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