Climbing frames in the garden

[Pinkjenny]

Good idea or big white elephant? I am loathe to buy ds and dd more plastic crap for Christmas and was thinking of getting them a climbing frame as a joint gift. They are 4yo and 21mo.

The one I have seen has a slide and swings, and a little picnic bench. I'm not sure how much of a good idea it is though.

Those of you that have them, do your dc play with them regularly enough to make them worth it? They both love being outside.

[ShatnersBassoon]

Best value toy we've ever bought. Have a look for a secondhand one if you're not sure about splurging.

[Pinkjenny]

Good idea. The one I've seen is 400. Does that seem reasonable? Happy to go with second hand though. Ds is two in Dec so plan to roll three gifts into one while he is too young to know

[Pinkjenny]

Bump

[Pinkjenny]

Bumping again

[SoundTheOctoalert]

I have got one of the TP metal climbing frames with a slide and twizzler on it, plus a den. also have a freestanding swing. Got it for DS1 when he was 3, is played with all the time (he's 5.5 now) and my 16 month old loves it too now. Think it was about £400, got it with a discount code. Friends have the wooden ones, I think they are reasonably limited, my DS1 just likes to try to climb up to the bars at the top as he's not bothered by the swings on them.

This: www.elc.co.uk/TP-Explorer-Climbing-Frame-Set/131248,default,pd.html

or this (this is the one I've got but I never paid that much!!): direct.tesco.com/q/R.210-1750.aspx?utm_source=GoogleShopping&utm_medium=GSF_NormalFeed&utm_campaign=GSF_TescoDirect&utm_content=210-1750

[ChippyMinton]

I bought a TP one when they youngest DC was 2. 5 years on and it's still very popular. I deliberately bought a big one so it would last, small adults can use the swing , and it has a tower that is used as a den.

[calaminecovered]

We bought one 2 years ago, along with the trampoline it's the best thing we have bought - with the added bonus being it gets them outside loads!

[Pinkjenny]

I like that ELC one. Good points, ta.

[paddypoopants]

We bought our ds a wooden one one this spring- he has just turned 3. After talking to friends with kids we bought a bigger one that would last until he was older rather than him grow out of it. It was from costco. It has a slide a climbing wall and swings and a little wendy house bit- so something for all ages. He has never been off it. It was a nightmare to put together however.

[Pinkjenny]

Yes, that sounds brilliant. Dh wouldn't be able to put it together though, he is a bit hammer happy.

[sazm]

we also have the tp challenger its fab,we have a 7yo,5yo and a 2yo and they all play on it and love it,we bought if locally for £50,so well worth keeping an eye our in your local supermarkets/ebay etc for a second hand one too :)

[munstersmum]

We got a Kettler one with swing, rope swing, monkey bars... It's been great value. Kids create own dens around it with sheets etc. play basketball shooting through bars. Frame acts as second footie goal. Suitable for up to age12. Paid less than £300 new from a sports shop via Amazon.

[startail]

We have a TP climbing frame, the metal sort that you can start low and get higher that saw a lot of use until DDs were 9/10 ish. Adult sized DD1 now wont fit down the slide.
TP swing still gets used, sky rider is really popular as is the twiddle bar. DD2 often climbs bits of the swing that aren't meant for climbing

[startail]

Twizzel bar

[Pinkjenny]

Seems like a winner then.

[Pinkjenny]

Final bump for any evening opinions.

[androbbob]

If you get the ELC one then make sure you join their birthday club and you get a 20% off discount voucher about a month before their birthday - makes a good saving

[Pinkjenny]

Oh good idea!