Wooden climbing frames and swings

[honeybunny]

Havent posted in a long while, but can anyone help me with this dilemma? We are considering spending oodles of money on a wooden climbing frame/swing combo from "Childlife" and wondered if its really worth it. Just how long do kiddies go on playing with this kind of thing?

My 1 year old would happily spend all day on a swing and my 2.5yo would climb/clamber over anything going, preferably to a platform/lookout thing! We have a wendy house (already here when we arrived) so not keen on a "tree top house" kind of thing. Has anyone bought through this company and has it been worth it? Did it go up easily (self assembly things are always worrying... they never go together as easily as the manufacturers make out!) Interested to know what anyone thinks.

Not seen the childlife one but have you looked at Costco. We bought ours from there about 2 years ago & it was much cheaper. As regards putting them up, the costco one came as lots of wooden planks with predrilled holes &v. detailed instructions. Not quick to put up (think 3 evenings - about 6 hours total) and dh & i are both quite practical that way, but wasn't esp. difficult.
DDs are now 7 & 5 (nearly 8 & 6) and still play on it all the time. The swings are great, even I can swing up to the trees, as the weight of the playhouse keep it very stable. The best bit for my kids though is definately the 'tree house' bit at the top which they play in.
HTH

Any web addresses, berries? Just put it in the google search window and came up with kosher food but not much else! Thought as much about the "treehouse" bit, was just trying to be more economical about it, but really wanted to include that as well. Think you've talked me back into it again!

Yes, I'd be interested in the "cheap" version too, berries.

Any web addresses, berries? Just put it in the google search window and came up with kosher food but not much else! Thought as much about the "treehouse" bit, was just trying to be more economical about it, but really wanted to include that as well. Think you've talked me back into it again!

Had you seen these ones by Jungle Gym ? They just come as a kit of hardware and you buy the timber seperately, so they should work out a bit less as they don't have to transport so much stuff around. It should also mean you could add extra bits on later if you wanted to. In the UK you can get them from here

Costco is a discount warehouse. The don't do internet sales, and you have to be a member to buy from there (cost about £20). We joined specifically to buy the climbing frame, but now use it for a lot of other things - much cheaper if you can buy in bulk (48 toilet rolls!). The climbing frame we bought was by Plum products, and was exactly the same as one we nearly bought, but £350 cheaper - worth the £20. If you look at their website, it will show you if they have one near you. Try & go with a friend who has a card, but if you can't & want to join, you will need 2 forms of id (with address) and need to work for a company listed on the stock exchange, or be a member of the 'professions' (teacher, doctor etc) although I think they try & find ways to ensure you can join.
Oh and cash or cheques/switch only - no visa.
HTH

Nes Arnold and Galt are suppliers of wooden climbing frames and all sorts of play equipment. They supply to pre schools and nurseries. As a childcarer and mother, they come highly recommended. Boys are very "physical" beings and my 5 year old loves climbing, jumping etc. The selling point on the companies above is there whole philosophy on safety. They are also easy to assemble, as we sometimes have to assemble for each session