Matthew and I have gone back and forth on whether or not we should get one of those wooden playsets. They can be very costly! We'd hate to spend all that money on one and our kids not play on it. So do any of you have one or something like it??? And do you think it was a good investment? Even if you don't have one you can still tell me your thoughts ;)
Our thoughts are.... our kids are young so they'd have plenty of years to play with it. We could just buy a metal one but they don't have the cool fort things with it and they RUST!
We're trying to make the most out of our HUGE yard. We're hoping to have plenty of things to do so that our kids don't get bored outside. So far we've decided on one of those blow up blue pools... family size --- Does anyone have any feedback on those???? And we want to build a sandbox. Jessica has a volleyball net and a basket ball goal. And we're putting up a privacy fence with our tax refund. I wouldn't mind having one of those little tykes picnic tables but I'm waiting to find one at a garage sale or thrift store.
4 comments:
My personal opinion is that kids eventually get bored with everything. Having to many options all at once could be overwhelming. Justus played with his sandbox for a long time & now he only goes occasionally but it will hold his attention for at least a half hour. The same thing with the pool. Not sure about a swing set; we wanted one too but it's not on the list for this year. The cheap metal ones last for 5 years or so before they even begin to rust and that may be long enough for your kids to enjoy it. I like the wood ones better too but I'm not yet convinced that they're worth the investment. Maybe you can let me know. I'm with you---being cooped up in the house all summer long doesn't sound so great!!! Oh yeah-- a privacy fence in definetly on my list!!!
I think if you are going to go for a swingset the wood ones are better for the money. We have a cheap metal one and the kids enjoyed it this last summer most of the time, but it has limited things to do. My dad actually built one when we were little but I know Matthew probably doesn't have time for that. I think they are a good idea but like you said very costly. Just don't go for the metal ones... they are just not worth it to me... my kids just got bored too easy.
My sister has one, that my parents put up for her when she was just 2 years old. They put mulch down instead of sand or grass and have planted several trees around the area- at the time there were NO trees in the back yard... no shade, and now its beautiful! The trees have grown and so has Jess but the Playground is still in great shape and they added a glider swing for them, as well as a balance beam. Jessalyn is now 9 and does not use it very much- she'd rather go swimming- in her pool like you want to get. I will get my mom to send me a picture of her swingset/playground and I will email it to you. Its awesome. She would be the lady to talk too- she invested in both of them. I'm sure you could email her and ask all the questions you want! She is honest and she's not one to just spend money- so for her to invest in something its a big deal- and usually a great choice.
We had a metal one growing up (back in the early 80's) and we played on it a lot! I don't remember being tired of it. But it was not like the kind the build today- it was really cool. LOL.
I have tikes play stuff for Chloe for now, someone gave it to me. They had a home day care that they closed and offered it to me! That was about 3 years ago! Long before Chloe- but I knew I could store it in my back yard and use it for some one someday! I have the cute picnic table and I look forward to Chloe using it.
A friend from church is giving Chloe a swing set for her 1st birthday. Its used- in fact its 11 years old, but apprently its 20 feet long and in great shape, so that is exciting. Free for me!
Oh the pool thing- Mom started small for saftey when jess was about 3 and moved up each year to the deeper pool. Now they have a nice size one that I can even enjoy. There are some tricks to them, but mom would be the one to ask! She knows how to keep it clean and keep it level and all that jazz.
My view on Sand boxes: GROSS. Kids, cats, wild animals will pee and poop in them. So yeah- its more like a litter box. Even with a fence, kitty's find their way to the sand. And its such mess when it gets inside and in the carpet.
Sorry for the stinkin novel!
When our kids were little we don't remember seeing the wooden kind and probably couldn't have afforded one anyway. We had several metal ones that all eventually rusted and squeaked and fell apart.
Sean & Rhiannon have a wooden one they got from Costco or Sams and the kids absolutely love it. It was a pain to assemble, however!
We totally agree with Staci on the sandbox issue. We had one with a plywood lid that locked when we were not using it and still cats found their way there - yuck.
Post a Comment