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Original poster

Outdoor play equipment

13 replies

LIZS · 31/03/2009 19:51

Would like to get dc's something for the garden - aged just 11 and 7. Have seen this on internet. Anyone got one or seen it in RL and can advise the overall height and how much clearance there is to access the slide. Really want a combination of tall climbing wall (many are very short) and slide. TP ones seem overly elaborate for our needs and £££. tai

OP posts:
Original poster
LIZS · 01/04/2009 09:29

anyone ?

OP posts:
mamadiva · 01/04/2009 09:40

Sorry have'nt seen that one but how about one of the metal ones, there is a set in Argos 'Kid Active' and you add the bits you want and don't want DS's nursery has the whole thing and it is a fair size not massive but big IYSWIM.

I think in total it all cost less than £400 sorry not much use.

Original poster
LIZS · 01/04/2009 09:42

Thanks but I worry with those that it will be too basic for ds - he's over 1.4m tall already but quite light. dd wants a slide , he needs something to clamber over ! Getting that combination right is proving hard.

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KatyMac · 01/04/2009 09:45

It's only 2.3m tall

That is about 7 ft 6

mamadiva · 01/04/2009 09:59

Yes um...

will have a quick look.

Original poster
LIZS · 01/04/2009 10:04

That's the tallest I've found for climbing up though - some towers are taller but you only climb up to half way. Nearest alternative is this but you need to buy the double height tower to fix it to.

OP posts:
KatyMac · 01/04/2009 10:21

Have you got a bit of wall you could fix it to?

Original poster
LIZS · 01/04/2009 10:26

similar but no slide

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Original poster
LIZS · 01/04/2009 10:26

No it would have to be a freestanding unit

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KatyMac · 01/04/2009 22:06

not what you want but I thought it looked good

nannynick · 01/04/2009 22:22

This is worth a look but you will need a lot more budget... at a guess I would say it's around 4k - could be more!

I used to work in this industry, so looking at the set you linked, the side would not in my view be suitable for the ages of children you have - the slide is moulded plastic without additional supports.

The main issue is that your children are older and thus the structure must be extremely solid to be able to support their weight. Also you need to consider their height, any climbing wall will need to be high to be of any challenge to them.

I would actually suggest that you look into commercial climbing walls - not for the garden, but as a place to go. A session at a climbing centre every few months may suit them much better than equipment in their own garden.

Original poster
LIZS · 02/04/2009 08:59

Friends have one of those - lush but £££ ! Can I clarify what you mean by the slide only being moulded plastic, aren't they on most play systems , how can you tell the difference ? Our dc are light so weight wouldn't be an issue but want a few years out of it.

ds does climb properly from time to time but as he doesn't play ball sports or ride a bike (dyspraxic) looking for something to entertain him in the garden. Ideally we need to visit somewhere to try them out I think.

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nannynick · 02/04/2009 18:35

The grade of plastic is different, plus the slides are often strengthened with wood or metal side bars. The thickness of the plastic can be an indicator. Look under the slide as there you can see how it has been made.
Go and look at as many playsets as possible, try them out. Keep in mind what the situation is in 3 years time, how heavy and tall your children will be then.

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