For kids there really is nothing better than having a climbing frame in the garden. They are a great way of providing your children with the same kind of play equipment that you find in public parks.
Modern climbing frames come in all shapes and sizes. You can buy everything from a set of simple monkey bars to a twin-towered climber spanning several meters. The choice is yours.
If you are planning to buy one for your child here are some things you may want to consider when making your final purchasing decision:
Safety; Safety is the most important consideration. It is very important to buy your child’s play equipment from a well-established and trustworthy firm that uses the best materials and manufacturing techniques. The last thing you want is for something to break on the climber and injure your child.
Budget; Climbing frames can cost anything from a couple of hundred to several thousand. Working out roughly how much you have to spend will narrow your options down to manageable proportions.
Remember to factor in the cost of delivery. Most frames are easy to assemble, but if you do not want to assemble it yourself factor in the cost of paying someone to put it together.
Space; The next consideration is space. You need to work out where you are going to put the frame and how much space you can give over to it.
Most manufacturers recommend that you leave an area of at least 1.8 meters free around the perimeter of the play frame. This is necessary for safety. If you think your kids would like a slide on their jungle gym remember to factor space in for this with sufficient clearance for them to come off the end of the slide.
Maintenance; Something else you need to consider is maintenance. Modern production and finishing techniques mean that most climbing frames do not need much maintenance, but it is definitely something you should ask about and consider before buying one.
Winter storage; Most frames can be left outside year round. However, some, in particular the metal ones, need to be stored inside during the winter. The frames that need this are easy to dismantle, but you will need space to store them if they cannot be left out in the winter.
What your child will enjoy the most; Lastly, but by no means last is what your child wants from their play equipment. You want them to use it as much as possible and the best way to encourage this is to buy them something that they will enjoy.
Themed frames are a great option, frames shaped like rockets, pirate ships and forts are all fantastic, but bear in mind that kids can grow out of these passions. Sometimes you are better off buying a larger standard design play frame rather than a themed one.
Consider buying a model that you can add extra components to later. Adding a swing, slide or climbing wall to an existing frame can give it a new lease of life and encourage your child to use it for another year or two.
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