Today our children are spending more and more time indoors sat in front of the television or a computer game which is not a healthy habit to start developing at such an early age. As parents we must look to encourage a more active lifestyle and this must start from a young age.

A climbing frame in your back garden offers a safe and secure environment for your children to be active and stimulated at home and allows them to use their pent up energy .  Playing outdoors on a climbing frame will improve your child’s fitness, strength and confidence. It has been proven that active children are healthier and happier in the long run.

When you begin looking for the right play set or climbing frame for your garden you will soon see there is a huge range to choose from. Some structures have been designed solely for climbing whilst others are far more elaborate and feature forts, turrets, swings and slides. Obviously the bigger and more detailed the climbing frame the more expensive the price.

Space
Before you decide which features you are looking to have on your children’s new outdoor toy, measure the space you are planning to erect the climbing frame otherwise you may fall in love with a structure that simply won’t fit into your garden. You don’t want the delivery truck to arrive only to have to send it away again because of such a silly mistake!

Budget
Once you have a size in mind the next thing to do is to decide on your budget. Remember by spending that little bit more on a quality item will ensure that your climbing frame lasts an entire childhood. When researching the price of various play sets take into consideration that many have one price for the frame and then will charge additional fees for add-ons, whilst others will simply be one flat price. This can sometimes make comparing various play sets time consuming, however a little extra time spent in the planning stages always pays off in the long run. If you are working within a tight budget don’t fret, even the simplest of frames will still provide your children with a base to begin their outdoor adventures, let their own imaginations take over.

Age Range
Up to 5 years old
For toddlers and smaller children plastic play sets are available. These are lower to the ground and are far safer. Plastic climbing frames are available in bright colours and have smaller slides and climbing ladders. These play sets are portable so can be moved around the garden allowing you to constantly keep an eye on your children whilst they play outdoors. These are great if you have a small garden as they do not take up too much room.

5+ years old
Wooden and metal play sets are better suited for older children, they can include baby swings and other accessories for smaller children but they will require more parental participation and supervision.

Metal climbing frames and play sets are usually made from thick gauge galvanized steel that is strong and rust resistant. They are cheaper than wooden structures but unfortunately less durable and will eventually weather.

Wooden climbing frames may be the most expensive of the three options but you can guarantee it will look better, last longer and see your children through to their early teens. If you can choose a wooden frame that has been pressure treated this will improve longevity and make the structure waterproof.

Jacks Top tip – For a growing young family investing in a play set which can include add on’s and accessories will pay off in the long run. It means that as your children grow you can add and replace various accessories allowing your frame to grow with your children and benefit your pocket!

Good Luck

Gardener Jack!

Your children have been nagging you for a climbing frame for the past couple of months, you have gradually been putting a little by each month in order to treat the little darlings and now the time has finally arrived for you to start researching what type of climbing frame you want in your garden.

Depending on the size and style of your garden there are a huge range of climbing frames currently available. Some are modern and contemporary, others more traditional in look and feel. For instance, a traditional climbing frame is usually wooden, simplistic and can be a lovely feature to look at in your garden. A modern frame can also be pleasing on the eye and made from either wood or metal. The modern frame can include a range of swings, slides, ropes, beams, climbing walls, trampolines, bridges, tunnels and ladders.

Please remember that the more gadgets and features your frame has the higher the price is likely to be. A child’s greatest tool is his or her imagination; they will not require a huge fortress to entertain themselves; even the simplest of climbing frames can bring hours of joy to any child.

Wooden climbing frames

Wooden frames will need to be treated as wood naturally expands and contracts throughout the year, this will affect the colour of your frame. The natural colour of wood will blend into your garden rather than stand out. I advise to look out for a pre-treated (ideally pressure treated) climbing frame which will usually give you 15 years of service life. Some manufacturers guarantee their products. Also, look out for the FSC logo. This means the wood has been sourced from a sustainable forest that is properly managed.

Metal climbing frames

This is generally the cheaper option and has less maintenance issues. However please check which type of metal is used as steel, the cheaper but heavier option, tends to rust after 4-5 years where as an aluminium frame which costs a little more lasts a great deal longer.

Choosing the correct sized climbing frame is another important consideration. When planning your purchase, measure the space in your garden where you plan to put the frame. Make sure any frame you are looking to buy will fit comfortably into that area. Allow room around the frame for your children to run freely. Also take into consideration your child’s age, size, current capabilities and requirements for the next few years.

Note from Jack– in the UK the specified height restriction for a climbing frame is 13ft. If you do however wish to erect a larger structure you can do so but you will need to contact your local council to seek planning permission.

Check out my range of climbing frames in store.

Good Luck

Gardener Jack

Playhouses may have moved on since our childhood but they still remain one of the most popular features our garden can offer our little ones! Hours and hours can pass as they live out their fantasy games or simply run riot outdoors in our gardens. Today playhouses no longer need to be the simple wendy house structures of our youth, it’s common to see pirate ships or medieval wooden towers over your neighbour’s fence.

Now thanks to prefabricated kits, every parent can easily follow instructions and create an amazing outdoor play area for their child.

Before you begin to consider which style of playhouse to buy please take a moment to consider the following:

Playhouse Location

Where in your garden do you want the playhouse to go? It must be in a spot which is visible from your home and where it gets plenty of sunshine. Also, as children love to run around their playhouse make sure the surrounding area is safe with no tight corners or dangerous areas such as ponds nearby. Once you have picked the spot you will then be able to think about what size playhouse you can get.

The ground
After the location has been chosen, you must prepare the ground. Please ensure the area is perfectly level and if budget permits I would recommend laying a concrete foundation (If cost is an issue, laying concrete blocks with sand is a cheaper alternative).

Wood Preservative
Treat the wood of the playhouse. By treating the wood you will help to protect the wood and delay rotting and flaking of the structural parts. Most playhouses now come already pressure treated and some manufacturers offer a 15yr guarantee against rot. Make sure you look into this .. it could save you a fortune in wood treatment each year, plus the back-breaking task of application!

That’s the boring considerations over with – now the fun bit! Choosing and buying the playhouse becomes much easier once you know what you are looking for. There is currently a huge range of different playhouses on the market that come in all shapes and sizes. Most come flat packed ready to be built at home. Most will come with the option of adding a variety of attachments including swings, ladders, tunnels, monkey bars, slides, picnic tables or even a rock wall!!

Having a play house in your garden is great for kids of all ages and as your brood grow up so can the attachments. The toddler swing can be replaced by a more grown-up swing and there are lots of additions that can ‘evolve’ through the years alongside your kids.

When you have decided the size and style of playhouse and what attachments, if any, you want, as a parent it is vital that you choose a playhouse that has been produced correctly and each item is of an exceptional standard to ensure your children’s safety. Look out for reputable companies with guarantees on safety for your children. Make sure it comes with a set of full instructions so you can be confident when erecting the house.

Good luck finding your perfect outdoor playhouse!!

Gardener Jack

Each year as a parent I have been faced with the same dilemma for my child’s birthday party……

Do I actually willingly allow a large group of my child’s school friends to run riot in our home or do I outsource the party and become seriously out of pocket as a consequence?

This year I was lucky enough to discover a wide variety of outdoor games which not only keep children endlessly entertained during a party but for months after as well. Most of these games are fantastically durable and became a lifesaver over the summer holiday period.
 
The novel idea of enlarging popular indoor games into larger versions seems to capture everyone’s imagination regardless of age. The games do not need to be restricted to only your child’s use, they can be used as a great form of adult entertainment on a summers evening.

There is a wide range of outdoor games on the market which vary greatly in price, this allows there to be something to suit every parent s pocket.

Starting with some of the most expensive;
 
Giant Chess
The age old game in giant format! This is a fantastic family game which is more suited to older children and adults. This is one of the most expensive outdoor games I have found, however there are different sizes available and if you are happy to compromise slightly on size you will benefit pricewise.

Draughts
This product is very similar to giant chess and is suitable for all that can play or have a yearning to learn. If you have small children it may be a better choice than chess as the rules are less complicated. This product again can vary in size and also price to suit all budgets.

Connect Four  (or words similar to this affect )
This product will suit all ages and is suitable for two players at a time. This may not necessarily be best suited for a children’s party unless a tournament is arranged as the number of players participating at one time is restricted.  The game is made either of wood or plastic (depending on supplier) and stands roughly at 1.2 metres tall x 1.2 metres wide. This game requires skill and strategy to become the first player to connect four plastic playing counters into a row to win!

Giant Tumbling Towers
Multi player game which causes tension to heighten as the tower does. Who will be the first to make the tower tumble? This product is currently available in beautifully crafted wooden blocks and is suitable for all ages. Please note that a step ladder may be required to add blocks at some stage during this game. Small children also need to be supervised for when the tower does tumble!
 
Giant Dominoes
Fun for all ages either to play with or to create patterns or to play numerous games with.

Giant Pick Up Sticks
Suitable for only those with the steadiest of hands. This multiplayer game is suitable for all ages and comes in either wooden or plastic format.

Anyway, enough from me .. enjoy your garden games

Gardener Jack