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Original poster

Would a wendy house on stilts with slide entertain a 7 and 5yr old?

21 replies

jenthehen · 04/05/2009 09:50

We have a small garden and i'm looking for ways to keep my children busy outdoors. We have had a Clairbois plastic slide/climbing wall toy but they are too big for it now and am looking for something to replace it.
We already have a low 5ft trampoline and have a tiny veg patch for the children to plant in. We are lucky in that we have a small stream at the bottom of the garden but it is in a 3ft drop so not ideal. The concern I have is that I'd spend £350 on a toy that takes up a quarter of the garden and they then loose interest in it. I'll try and link to it. what do your older kids play with?

OP posts:
Original poster
jenthehen · 04/05/2009 10:38

anyone?

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3littlefrogs · 04/05/2009 10:39

A tent would be just as good IME.

Original poster
jenthehen · 04/05/2009 10:48

We do have a small play tent but I tend to think the play is limited as they are temporary. Do children play inside the playhouses on colder/wet days?

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Original poster
jenthehen · 04/05/2009 10:59

this is what I was thinking about getting www.waltons.co.uk/playhouses-and-outdoor-toys/playhouses/waltons-tower-playhouse-with-slide-7x5, what do you think?

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Original poster
jenthehen · 04/05/2009 11:09

Does anyone have one of these and if so how old are your children and how much use does it get?

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MayorNaze · 04/05/2009 11:11

we have just bought our dds (7 and 3) a wooden playhouse (joint birthday present) - they are so so happy with it! see if you can buy secondhand/freecycle if you don't want to spend lots

Original poster
jenthehen · 04/05/2009 11:14

I have a ds7 and dd5 and thought the slide element would provide a "base" for my ds. What type of play do your dds use the plahouse for MayorNaze? (like your name by the way)

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Original poster
jenthehen · 04/05/2009 11:18

I do keep an eye on ebay but haven't found anything close enough yet.

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hippipotamiHasLost20Pounds · 04/05/2009 11:19

My two have a similar (but more basic as in the playhouse is more of a platform with a tent style roof) set up to the one linked to. We got it when ds was 4 (dd was only a baby then)
The are now 9 and 6 and I can honestly say they have not played on it for the past 18 months at least.
Even when they have friends round it does not get used much.
I think it offers limited play value for that age, unless you have girly girls who enjoy playing 'house' for hours.
My two also have a double swing set and a trampoline, both of which have been used almost daily for the past 3 years.

Original poster
jenthehen · 04/05/2009 11:36

I suppose i could buy a slide on its own and a wendy house. Most reasoably sized (to fit in our garden) climbing frames seem to suggest upto 8 yrs.

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MollieO · 04/05/2009 12:09

I looked at this and then decided to get this one although from a local supplier that was a lot cheaper. Ds is 4 and the advice we received was that the two story playhouses last into teenage years. Although the dimensions are only slightly larger than the one you are looking at it feels much bigger.

We are awaiting delivery and ds is very excited. He has asked if we can wallpaper the inside and connect it to the electrics!

MollieO · 04/05/2009 12:13

We also have this which seemed to be one of the smaller climbing frame sets - 3.2m x 3.2m

Original poster
jenthehen · 04/05/2009 12:34

I wish I'd got this type of equipment initially then I would have got more use out of it i think.

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Original poster
jenthehen · 04/05/2009 12:35

I'll have a look to see if i could get one of the tp ones locally on ebay.

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HaventSleptForAYear · 04/05/2009 12:41

Have you looked at the jungle gym climbing frames? (google them there are loads of suppliers in the uk).

You can add on a monkey module which doubles as a swing set.

I have ordered one (the lodge I think) but I'm not in the UK.

My boys are 4.5 and 2.5.

They have played on the TP climbing frame at a friends' but although it is great for their age, I think they grow out of it at about 8 (it only rests on the ground, so isn't that stable for heavy children swinging off it).

KnickKnack · 04/05/2009 12:49

My friend had one very similar to the one you linked to (has downstairs room to, instead of that space underneath).
Her kids are 5 and 7 and they play with it all the time.
If my kids had one, it would be a spaceship one day, and a hospital the next. I can imagine it would be worth the money if you can afford it.

mrsmaidamess · 04/05/2009 12:57

Get a pop up tent. Build a den. Do not waste your £350.

Original poster
jenthehen · 04/05/2009 13:05

knickknack does your friend have a ds who plays in it? I'm sure my dd would enjoy it but I want something they would both spend hours playing with.
the little clairbois one was worth every penny, they were still using it yesterday as part of an obsttacle course.

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KnickKnack · 04/05/2009 13:05

MrsMaid...we use the cheapy tent option here I like the fact that it can be moved about so you don't end up with a patch of dead grass. Also because it gets put away quite a lot, its always got the novelty factor when it comes out again.

KnickKnack · 04/05/2009 13:08

jen, her DS is 5 and her DD is 7. As far as I know they both pay in it. I think she plays "in" it more, and he clambors about/climbs/is in and out etc
They also have a pole sticking out somewhere from the balcony bit (cant remember how, but the dad is very handy)...with a rope and old tyre attached for swinging. I think it has a firemans pole somewhere as well.

KnickKnack · 04/05/2009 13:09

play not pay
obviously there isn't an entrance fee

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