If you have a backyard play set, what features got used the longest?
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Anonymous
| And how long did you use them? |
Anonymous
| Swings, trampoline, hammock. |
Anonymous
|
I've got an 18 y.o and a 16 y.o. and I feel like I can really answer this question! How they use it changes as they grow up.
Two items: a swing (that can handle an adult body) and a trampoline with no side walls. My 18 y.o. swings every day. Even in the rain. Earbuds in and happy, day or night. My 16 y.o. swapped out the other swing for a punching bag (so just hung a punching bag from where the swing hooked on). The trampoline: big enough for four teens to sit cross-legged on and gossip into the night. The dog gets out of the sun under it. One kid does homework on it. Every now and then I lie on it and look up at the sky and the trees. It's the best sitauation because you can pull it so you are in dappled shade, and then watch the wind on the trees and the puffy clouds. You don't get wet from the grass or get bugs walking on you. |
Anonymous
| Most popular with my 3 girls- swing-set that had a set of monkey bars and a trampoline….which I just sold, dd, 19, had a major meltdown over it but we are moving and I’m done with it! |
Anonymous
|
Thanks for the trampoline suggestion.
Right now, we're just figuring out how to design the play set, but maybe there will be a trampoline in the future. This is for a 7 year old and a newborn. So, I figure it will get years of use eventually by the little one, but I'd like it to be designed so that the 7 year old can enjoy it for as long as possible. |
Anonymous
|
The swings and trapeze bar.
The slides are probably second but at this point (age 10 and up) they only use it as a water slide with the garden hose or wildly inappropriately—like riding a skateboard down it. The rock wall and small picnic bench were outgrown first. We’ve done a few different types of swings and currently have a traditional one and one that’s like a surfboard. When they were younger, they loved the one that sat two that you sort of pump. |
Anonymous
| Kids are 8 and 5 and they swing constantly. The rings get used some. The slide almost never. The do use the tree house area above the slide for many different things. The picnic bench attached was pointless as they outgrew it quickly and basically just use it climb on. |
Anonymous
|
Swings for sure. Also agree with trampoline.
When my kids (10 and 12) play outside, they use swings, the trampoline, and scooters/skateboards/bikes etc in the driveway and cul de sac. Also throw a ball around, that sort of thing. They stopped using the backyard set (mostly) a few years ago. |
Anonymous
| Slide, rings, tire swing |
Anonymous
| Swings. Mine are 8 and 10 and they may use the slide as a place to sit but never as an actual slide. They still use the swings and some of their friends still do who are 11-12. |
Anonymous
| Swings, trapeze bar, and monkey bars. |
Anonymous
| Swings, trampoline |
Anonymous
|
OP here,
We'll definitely get swings! What about things like lofts. I'm wondering if she'd like something up high where she can get away from a toddler sibling. I'm also wondering if there's a way to toddler proof access to it for when the baby gets mobile, so she's got a place all of her own. |
Anonymous
| Monkey bars will make it last longer, also the covered house up top (hang out for lunch with friends long after they are done with the rest). |
Anonymous
OP here that's what I meant by "loft". I'm wondering if I can somehow make it off limits to the toddler that the baby will hopefully turn into. |