Swings, slide, climbing wall, fort/playhouse

Monkey bars and gliders (see saw swing thing) are more dangerous IMO.

My kids are 5 & 6.5. Agree the swings and fort get the most play. The slide is less interesting - except in summer when we put dish soap on it, with the sprinkler, and either put the baby pool at the bottom or foam mats at the end. Best slip n slide ever.

Friends with similarly aged kids have a slack line with different things attached - that gets a lot of play, as well.

Get this $18 one, not the $800 one
https://m.kohls.com/product/prd-1409301/grow-n-up-heracles-seesaw.jsp

Anonymous wrote:My twins used this heavily from 2-6. They balanced each other out so well and could float midair while one spinned it in circles. All their friends liked to play with it on play dates and if they argued over it extra kids would sit on the bars in the middle and often they’d all tumble off and it was still fun. Now they barely glance at it at 7 but their friends still want them to play on it.

It would help if I told you what it was!
https://www.amazon.com/Grown-Up-8035-01-Heracles-Seesaw/dp/B004UA552E

My twins used this heavily from 2-6. They balanced each other out so well and could float midair while one spinned it in circles. All their friends liked to play with it on play dates and if they argued over it extra kids would sit on the bars in the middle and often they’d all tumble off and it was still fun. Now they barely glance at it at 7 but their friends still want them to play on it.

OP here again -

This seems like something that might work, but they don't ship to the US... https://www.climbingframes.com.au/meadowside-2-climbing-frame

There's this one what is OK but no monkey bars: https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/kidkraft-wooden-swing-set-bbd1049.html

I've read online that the swings are hard to use for bigger kids because the height of the swing set or swing chain is restricting, but maybe I am not looking at the right ($$$$) models...

OP here - monkey bars, that's interesting. We actually do have a sort of L shaped lot so that might work. I will start googling and see what I can find. To the PP with the 13 year old who would hang with friends and eat lunch - any chance you have a link to something similar? Thanks

Anonymous wrote:Skip the see saw, go for monkey bars and a fireman pole and/or climbing wall. Will last a lot longer. Also recommend a tire swing under the house/fort up top.

Didn't get rid our ours until youngest was 13. She and friends would hang out and eat lunch in the fort.

Yes this -- 6 & 4yo would still like these things. 4yo would still be into the swing but not 6yo.

I’m not really qualified to speak here bc I only have a 4 yo, but swings are my least favorite thing bc I have to be out there pushing (I know that is a short term + 1 kid thing) and also there’s a safety thing- I just saw the youngest of three get mowed down by the older two on a see-saw swing thing on a play set- I don’t want to have to referee for safety. I like the idea of an easy and an advanced (like a rock wall) climbing structure, a slide, monkey bars, pole, fort, and tire swing.

Skip the see saw, go for monkey bars and a fireman pole and/or climbing wall. Will last a lot longer. Also recommend a tire swing under the house/fort up top.

Didn't get rid our ours until youngest was 13. She and friends would hang out and eat lunch in the fort.

We have space in our yard for a medium sized play structure of some kind. Like three swings, or two swings + slide, or two swings + other see-saw swing contraption, etc. We have 2 year old twins who currently love the swings and slides are probably second place. I'm trying to pick a play structure that will continue to be used as they age. What do your older toddlers/younger kids prefer? I figure I can't go wrong with two swings, but trying to decide what else.