Climbing frames in the garden

[HeyWayne]

Anyone got any recommendations?

As Bean's first birthday present from us (and several family members) we'd like to get him a climbing frame/activity thingy for the garden.

I've donated half of my lawn for the purpose, and agreed that I will assemble install it.

So far we've seen a couple that we like the look of, but I'd be interested to see if anyone else has an experience of them, and what pitfalls/benefits to look out for.

We're currently looking at:

Swing Slide Playsets ~ Wooden Playsets ~ Wooden Play Centres P1-44

and in particular the Sunchaser, and the Columbia sets.

I appreciate that he's maybe a little young at the moment, but we're buying this as an investment for the long term.

[Bigmallly]

A great idea & thought Wayne but @ 1year old, I would be tempted to go for a ball or sand pit. Assuming you have climing frames at a nearby park, I would let him gain his confidence there before splashing out on something that may spend more time undercover than being used. Sorry for being a wet fish mate.

[ginger ninger]

Have a look at these Wayne, I think he's a very lucky, not so little boy

Climbing
Log Cabins, Climbing Frames, Garden Offices, Sheds, Summer Houses - DHLogCabins.co.uk
Climbing Frames and Outdoor Play Equipment by Monkee Puzzle Ltd

Hope there of use to you. xx

[di]

Great idea.I didn't properly read all the info about them,but you can get the baby/harnessed swing seats to fit most of those,so he'd be able to get use out of those straight away.And even if he struggles with the ladder to get to the slide,of course you can just pop him on it.
Ours have got an ELC metal framed climbing frame.hey love it.I think Ash was just under two when we bought it.I was a little worried that he'd do himself an injury but was shocked that he did as the guide book said he would,which was to slowly do what he felt comfortable with.
I admit to a year where I couldn't sit and relax in the garden without a cry for help from one or the other because they'd got themselves stuck,but,touch wood,no accidents.

If you've got the money now to get a really nice one I'd go for it.They're built to last,so even if Bean only gets to use half of it for the first year,at least you'll know in future years he'll get more out of it.
One thing I noticed they didn't have was monkey bars...obviously he won't be ready for them for another year or so,but that's D&A's favourite bit of theirs.

[Incy]

I think it's a great idea. We had a metal one with monkey bars . climbing net and slide for our son when he was small and he absolutely loved it. When we moved abroad we gave it to our friends who have 4 kids and they are still loving it 5 years on. It's 8 or 9 years old now and still looks as good as new.
Although the wooden ones look great, I would be concerned over the long run about the wood gradually deteriorating with the weather, or getting slippery. You may find that it requires quite a bit more maintenance than a metal one would.
I'm sure Bean will enjoy whatever you decide to get him though!

[jackyspratty]

No experience of climbing frames I'm afraid, but we did something similar regarding friends and family chipping in and buying a joint present. Our boys are now 4 and 7, and 2 years ago all friends and family donated so we could get them a joint birthday present (luckily their birthdays are close together)
We got them a wooden playhouse, a raised one. Its been a graet investment, the boys call it the den/clubhouse. My 7 year old even goes in it before school in the summer months so he can draw in peace out of the way of his brother! Unfortunately its not really big enough for me to escape to, but I have the allotment for that!

Others liked it too, as sometimes people struggle with what to buy and you can easily end up witha house full of stuff

[jackie j]

Buy one, or make one that will last and can be added to as he grows, some of the ones you buy are not very sturdy, will it be big enough for his mates ( as he grows ) to go on at the same time ? Try before you buy as much as you can, some have been known to tip over.

[HeyWayne]

To be honest - confidence is one thing he has in abundance. On his first encounter with the staircase he climbed to the top in one go. I was following close behind.

He's had a couple of tumbles already, but keeps doing the same thing regardless.

We've already got a baby swing like you suggest a&d, and he loves it (well, he did last time he was in it last summer).

I'm not likely to leave him out there alone - so will be encouraging him and playing with him. I think he thinks he's indestructable when he's with me.

[di]

When ours were littler(not they're they're particularly big still)I was told that it's rarely the 'dangerous'stuff they hurt themselves on.Obviously,like you say,you wouldn't leave them to climb seceral feet high unattended,but they do seem to have an inbuilt sense of knowing when to be careful.(or at least some of them do!)
Daisy has broken both arms...once falling off a normal low bed,the other time she thought she'd try balancing on a football...both things you'd think would require minimal supervision
As yet neither of them have had any mishaps from more adventurous play.
Enjoy choosing....just be prepared that it'll be your garden all his mates want to come play in!

[FionaH]

Go for it mate. My two had great fun on the frame/slide combo thing we had. Only accidents that required A&E were when they were not using it to climb on, but to see if they could jump right over the spirea bush from the top of the frame! Beans a bit of a way off that yet and he will break himself in time whatever you do anyway

[Hans Mum]

another vote for the ELC one too, although my DD is now in her teens, it lasted years, was modular so you could add bits on as they grew, including a den and you can make it higher as they get older, was also good in that grandparents, etc., could buy extras for it

[Peter]

Ah-ha, now you will have a Climbing Bean, does he speak French yet?


I'll get me coat.

[bubblewrap]

Look at these Wayne A tad pricey though!
Search Toys - Early Learning Centre

[weekendwellies]

He is a lucky bean!

The best would be one you could add to or remove from as he grows older.
A baby swing may be great for the immediate future , but he will outgrow it as soon as your back is turned.

Had a quick look through the ones you linked and they all look fab.

Can I come round and play on it too when you have it set up?

Agree with comments about kids hurting themselves in the most unexpected manners. He will have many bumps and bruises as he grows up, no matter how careful you are. Just watch out that what you buy meets British Safety Standards - but I know you will do that anyway - and then let him discover what he can and cant do himself.

[stella]

We made ours from wood /trees from the Forestry commission. It is really sturdy and strong and now the Grandchildren use it.