Keep fit on a swingset!
October 29th, 2010
Keeping fit – a priority for most of us – can soon get boring, not to mention difficult to fit into a busy schedule. So how about this for an inventive way to squeeze exercise into your day, working out on the kid’s swingset!
Maybe you have a swingset in your garden already, if so you’ll already be aware of the fun they bring to children. It doesn’t have to be a very sunny day, if a kid sees swings and a slide, there is something inside of them that makes them want to get outside immediately and zoom down the slide or swing as high as they can. And instead of just watching them whizzing around the garden on their favourite toy – maybe you could also have a go at some of the exercises and really make the most of the family swingset! Go on, we dare you…!
Click here to see the video clip on Youtube of how to keep fit on a swingset.
Tags: climbing frame, swings, swingset
Young kids just love the outdoors.
May 20th, 2010
Young kids just love the outdoors.
Children love to climb over and around things as much as they can. It is all part of growing up and learning to explore. Unfortunately this kind of activity can raise concerns for parents as they watch their kids go climbing over all sorts of obstacles that really aren’t built to have children climbing on them!
You don’t want to stop your kids climbing curiosity, you just want them to have a safe way to climb around and explore without putting themselves at any unnecessary risk. So why not get them a climbing frame?
Installing a climbing frame in the back garden gives you the perfect opportunity to keep an eye on your kids playtime with complete ease. The beauty of these multi-feature playsets is that the combination of different play features appeal to kids of all different ages, so there is something for everyone, all in one single piece of play equipment.
A good example of a frame with lots of features is the Selwood Highlander or Selwood Rocky Mountain.
Most climbing frames include the classic features such as slides and swings. What size you will go for depends heavily on the size of your garden. If you are lucky enough to have a big garden with plenty of space you will be able to consider one of the bigger playsets fully equipped with all of the best climbing features.
The beauty of the Selwood Products playsets is that there is a raised playdeck which is covered with either a tarp or a wooden roof. This creates a wonderful lookout spot for kids from the playdeck.
In the bigger playsets you get a 3m slides included, such as with the Highlander and the Rocky Mountain.
A huge advantage of climbing frames is that kids will play on them year after year and all year round. They provide an excellent place for energetic kids to get their daily fix of running around and being active. You should include Selwood Products Climbing Frames in your search for great play equipment for your children.
Tags: climbing frame, play equipment, playset
Trampolines and outdoor toys revamp the back garden
April 13th, 2010
Trampolines and outdoor toys revamp the back garden
Trampolines & Safety
Trampolines were first designed in the 1930’s by Larry Griswold and George Nissen. Thanks to this wonderful invention, people can now jump up and down on a trampoline in their own back garden and enjoy the feeling of weightless if only for a brief moment. Trampolines bring instant happiness to kids and adults alike, as it almost feels like you are flying up into the air as you bounce around on it.
Trampolines have come a long way over the years. Take the trampoline pad for example. This has been specially designed for grip in all weather conditions, so as to eliminate the risk of slipping. The Cortez and Jumpking Trampolines available at Climbing Frames Group have a very good reputation for exceptional high quality jump pads.
Safety around the trampoline
It is important to think about where a trampoline is placed in the garden. People may fall off, and to avoid them from falling into fences or trees or anything else you might find in the garden, it is a good idea to leave an area of around 2 meters all around the trampoline. Safety nets make it practically impossible to fall off a trampoline, so you may want to consider fitting one on your trampoline for maximum safety. These safety nets are usually found on the Jumpking trampolines. Avoid placing the trampoline on concrete if at all possible, grass or asphalt makes for a much softer crash landing should someone fall.
Avoiding falls
You know the mantra already, practise makes perfect, and this applies equally so if you want to avoid falls off the trampoline. With practise, your body becomes more and more used to the impact, you get to grips with the balance and you will notice your overall skill level increase.
Skill and coordination are essential so that you can remain upright on the trampoline. With practice you will notice you are able to jump higher and higher.
Safety will always be your number one priority where your child’s playtime is concerned. The safety advice for trampolines we have mentioned here also applies to other outdoor toys such as wooden climbing frames and swingsets.
All in all, trampolines and climbing frames create a wonderful and fun atmosphere in any garden, and are guaranteed to enhance playtime. For parents there is the extra benefit of knowing their children are enjoying their playtime in the garden rather than playing near hazards like dangerous roads.
For a selection of high quality outdoor toys, take a look at what is available through the Climbing Frames Group.
Tags: climbing frame, swingset, trampoline, Trampolines
Buying and building children’s climbing frames
March 31st, 2010
Buying and building children’s climbing frames
Safety first!
Climbing frames have to be tested very rigorously in order to make it onto the market. The benefit of buying through the Climbing Frames Group is that because the playsets are sold in North America as well as Europe the products have a double certification – they meet and exceed American and European safety standards.
Where should I build the playset?
Playsets that have swings and a slide need to be built on a flat, level surface, free from overhanging tree branches and away from ponds and driveways. As a rough guide, aim to leave a safety area of about 1.8 metres around the playset, particularly around the swings and the slide.
What is the build process like?
Follow the step by step instructions and you can’t really go wrong. The instruction manual is fully illustrated at every stage for you. You don’t need to stain the wood – this was already done in the factory for you. Also, the holes have been pre-drilled which is very helpful, so do not have to drill straight into the wood with no guidelines.
The instructions are fully detailed with images to show each and every step in the process. As long as you follow the stages carefully and you take your time, you will find the build to be stress-free.
Wooden playset from the Climbing Frames Group
Have I got to use concrete to bury the legs into the ground?
Absolutely not. The beauty of these playsets is that they can be built directly on top of the ground. So you do not need to dig a deep hole in the ground for each leg, nor do you need to use any cement. The structural strength comes from the engineering and careful design of each playset. However, for extra stability ground anchors are provided with each kit.
Other useful advice for parents?
- Measure out how much garden space you have for a playset before you buy one. With a set area in mind, you can narrow down your selection and focus your energy on those playsets that you can fit in your garden.
- Look at the type of wood used. Remember that pine is prone to splinters and cracks very easily, whereas cedar is soft to touch, splinters much less and is naturally rot resistant.
- Get ready to push your kids on the swings a lot!!
Tags: climbing frame, playset, playsets, slide, swings
Best selling climbing frame for smaller gardens – the Belfort playset
February 24th, 2010
Best selling climbing frame for smaller gardens – the Belfort playset
This week’s best selling climbing frame for smaller gardens is the Belfort playset swingset.
The neat, compact layout means that even if you only have a small garden you may still be able to get a wooden playset with swings and a slide! The Belfort playset barely takes up much more space than a standard set of swings, but it has a slide, a trapeze bar for practising all of those gymnastic moves, a rockwall/ladder AND a picnic table. Multi-functional doesn’t even begin to describe this beautifully designed piece of outdoor play equipment.
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The Belfort has a compact layout to fit into smaller gardens
The picnic table is great for lunches outside, teddy bear picnics, drawing and doodles – it really offers so many play options to kids of all different ages.
The roof is made of anti-UV treated plastic so it will protect from the sun’s rays, keep kids dry in the fort and it won’t discolour either.
So if you’re short of space, but you are keen to get a swingset for the children to play on that will look good, last well over the years and provide plenty of fun for children of different ages, the Belfort playset is a fantastic option.
Tip: Remember to leave some clearance space at the end of the slide and around the swings. A good guide is too leave about 6 feet or 1.80 metres space around the edge.
Tags: climbing frame, playset, swingset
Wooden playsets boost the value of your home
February 18th, 2010
Wooden playsets boost the value of your home
When you build a playset in your garden you are instantly enhancing your outdoor living space and effectively creating an extra play area that can be enjoyed by the whole family. For people who are trying to sell their home, making each area as attractive as possible is a top priority. And what better way to enhance the garden than with a wooden playset that has swings, slide and a fort for children to play in.
Equally house buyers like and remember a house with a climbing frame already built in the garden and can start to imagine their children playing on it if they were to move there.
Everyone knows that making home improvements automatically add value to your property and the beauty of adding a playset to the garden is that it appeals to children of all ages instantly. There is no denying that swings and slides have a universal appeal with both boys and girls.
Wooden playsets revamp the garden and keep the kids happy!
So revamp your garden and give it a new lease of life by building a swingset for your children. It is cheaper than getting a new kitchen or bathroom but still makes a large impact.
For the best solution choose a playset that you can buy in a kit form, but where everything is included. There is no need to design something yourself and then go through the hassle of trying to find the right sized wood and bolts etc. The leading swingset manufacturers have a selection of pre-designed playsets in all different sizes and they all come with easy to follow, illustrated instructions.
Wooden swingsets are durable and attractive, unlike their metal counterparts which can look a bit like scaffolding. The best thing to do is measure your garden and see what space you have to play with then do some research to find out what is available. Good quality square cut cedar playsets are available to buy online through the Climbing Frames Group.
Tags: climbing frame, playset, wooden playset
Climbing Frames are beating the recession!
February 17th, 2010
Climbing Frames are beating the recession!
Despite the constant doom and gloom surrounding the global economic situation, it would seem that climbing frame sales have escaped the curse of the recession.
Sales for climbing frames, that is wooden garden play structures with swings and slides, are doing better than ever as parents look for quality toys that will stand the test of time.
The Pathfinder Climbing Frame Swingset
Parents are looking for quality items that do not go in and out of fashion so good quality wooden play equipment for the garden is a sound investment.
Climbing frames are an appealing purchase because they can be enjoyed by kids of all ages, boys and girls, and by several children or just one child at a time.
When you set up a climbing frame at home, it is like having your own little park on your doorstep, so there is no need to trek to the park to play on the swings or the slide!
What’s especially great is that while the children are outdoors enjoying their new toy, they are getting heaps of exercise clambering up rock walls, learning how to do acrobatic moves on monkey bars and whizzing down the slide.
Playsets are fantastic throughout the spring/summer period as they keep several children busy at once during those big family gatherings, barbecues and summer parties. It is great to let all the children run around the garden but suddenly they get so much more enjoyment when they can play on the climbing frame together as well.
Tags: climbing frame, playset, swingset
The best playsets with a wooden roof
February 10th, 2010
The best playsets with a wooden roof
If you want to buy a wooden playset that has a wooden roof these are the ones to consider:
The Atlantis Climbing Frame Playset
The Sierra Climbing Frame Playset
The Highlander Climbing Frame Playset
The Skyfort Climbing Frame Playset
The Rocky Mountain Climbing Frame Playset
A wooden roof is a real indicator of a top quality product, that is both functional and looks attractive in the garden as well.
The wooden playsets featured here are available to buy online through the Climbing Frames Group. Everything is in the box, so you get all of the wood pre-cut, pre-drilled and pre-stained completely ready to build in your back garden. You get the swings and the slides too – literally everything you see in the picture. You don’t even need concrete as they have been designed to go directly on top of the ground and then are secured into place with fixing stakes.
Tags: climbing frame, playset, wooden playset
Climbing Frames Ireland
January 28th, 2010
Climbing Frames Ireland now have climbing frames, swing sets and outdoor toys online on sale ready for the 2010 garden play equipment season!
If you’re looking for outdoor play equipment for you children then Climbing Frames Ireland is the place to go, with a huge selection so you can pick your perfect climbing frame, swing set or playhouse.
To view the full range of garden play equipment please visit Climbing Frames Ireland.
.jpg "Climbing Frames Ireland - Your local supplier for Climbing Frames, swingsets & outdoor toys")
Climbing Frames Ireland - Supplying Climbing Frames, Swing Sets & Outdoor Toys
Tags: climbing frame, Climbing Frames, garden play equipment, outdoor toys, swing set, swingsets
Popular playset in January – the Rocky Mountain Climbing Frame
January 28th, 2010
The Rocky Mountain Climbing Frame
The playset designers are clearly onto a winner with the Rocky Mountain Climbing Frame, new for Spring/Summer 2010. Pre-order sales for this climbing frame are soaring and showing no sign of slowing down. You can pre-order the Rocky Mountain Playset with a deposit of just 10%.
Anyone who wants to kit out their garden with an attractive wooden playset should take a look at the Rocky Mountain. With tons of exciting play features and a really spacious raised treehouse area, it’s not surprising it’s been one of the most popular selling climbing frames in the January Pre-Order Sale.
Pre-order the Rocky Mountain on the Climbing Frames Retail websites, ready for Spring time delivery.
An impressive new offering for 2010 - the Rocky Mountain Climbing Frame
See the Rocky Mountain playset being built on YouTube.
Tags: climbing frame, playset
