My daughter has nothing to play with outside!!

webbie

In my experience kids get bored of everything if they are on their own.

It may be best to use your imagination and introduce a "new" activity each day - painting with water on the patio - a washing up bowl of water outside to wash dolly & her clothes - chalk pictures/hopscotch - "sports day" with rewards - treasure hunt - hide sweets around the garden - planting seeds & watering - painting with hands/feet outside - or even move the inside toys outside - it's amazing how much more interesting kids find them when they are outside!

Most of these cost next to nothing too.

amandada

oops! I forgot about our trampoline! We have a 14foot one, and like others have said, is used every day (and not just by the kids )

apples1

That was my other thought - to get a load of new separate out door toys like swingball etc. The painting with water on patio is already common place here as is chalking outside etc. Not done the dolls clothes washing altho she is not really into dolls that much - would prob fill an hour or so tho!

I agree the trampoline would be great but it would totally take over the garden - it's not like swings etc where you can get wooden ones that blend in a bit is it? Our house is L shaped so its a courtyard garden and all the rooms look onto it so just think it would look like alien invasion with a giant trampoline covering half the lawn and all the grass would die underneath.

Thanks so much for all the replies - keep them coming they are really helping shape our thinking. Will click the thanks for you all when I get a sec!

Bun

I have the swingball/football set from ASDA - cost £8.97, and we have all got a lot of enjoyment out of it. As well as playing conventionally with it, my 3 yr old ds runs round it away from the tennis ball! He spends hours washing his ride on toys with bubbly water and a sponge, and enjoys a box of sand with a lid, although I have to say he's broken a fair few toys with the sand getting into their workings. The house he loves at nursery etc, but really isn't that interested at home (apart from dressing as a builder and immediately making himself a cup of tea, that was quite funny). We were considering a trampoline but didn't for the same reasons until he's older, and think he will get a lot of use out of the sort of frame you are looking at later.
A lot of these things he will probably only play with if someone is round though, so it depends on how often you have visitors.

Christmasshopper

apples1 wrote: »

That was my other thought - to get a load of new separate out door toys like swingball etc. The painting with water on patio is already common place here as is chalking outside etc. Not done the dolls clothes washing altho she is not really into dolls that much - would prob fill an hour or so tho!

I agree the trampoline would be great but it would totally take over the garden - it's not like swings etc where you can get wooden ones that blend in a bit is it? Our house is L shaped so its a courtyard garden and all the rooms look onto it so just think it would look like alien invasion with a giant trampoline covering half the lawn and all the grass would die underneath.

Thanks so much for all the replies - keep them coming they are really helping shape our thinking. Will click the thanks for you all when I get a sec!

Our garden is tiny too. My husband had a moan when I suggested covering it with a trampoline. However, 3 years on we agree there is no better view than our daughter enjoying herself.:j :j :j

Smashing

I'd be more inclined towards the trampoline - swings/slides etc. are ten-a-penny in parks. Plus you'd be able to join in with her on the trampoline. Grass can be re-turfed. As for for rooms looking into it - what better than watching kids enjoying themselves?

kodokan

What does your daughter play on at the playground? Mine couldn't care less about slides, for example, but is completely swing mad.

Also, DS (7) and DD (3) have no real interest in playing in playhouses. But actually BUILDING a playhouse, out of laundry airers, towels, garden chairs, Daddy's woodworking clamps, etc etc, is considered the best fun ever. Even if they don't really do much with it once it's built.

This may be a boy thing, but DS spent most of the Easter school holiday digging a hole. Bizarre... He was so excited when he hit a seam of clay a couple of feet down, and could make 'pots'.

Try this book for some ideas, which is all about making Family Gardens, and has some original and inspirational ideas on designing a garden to suit all ages:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Family-Gardens-Create-Magical-Outdoor/dp/0715309242

I get this out of the library every year, and read it, and drool at the pictures (LOVE the treehouse/ zip wire thing that just blends into the garden's planting, there's a pic of this if you do the 'Look Inside' thing)

kodokan

MrCrip

I had to rethink the play equipment in the garden. We had a Malvern playhouse installed a couple of years ago, but the children hardly played with it (that was after months of being pestered).

We looked at a more adventurous climbing frame as we felt there would be more to do with this. The decision was vindicated as they are always outside (in many weather types). Their friends also love playing on the system and it has been a very good for the children socially.

That said, it was not a light investment. We went for a wooden climbing frame (activity centre) for the reason being there were lots of extras that could be bolted on.

One thing I will say is there are some excellent ex-demo units available throughout the year and if you shop about you can usually find a good reduction.

We ultimately purchased our play centre from ClimbingFramesUK, this company had a sales location close to our home. We were able to take the children with us and let them see and try the equipment before we bought.

apples1

Thanks again for the contributions. I am really grateful. I am not so keen on the activity centre idea now. Webbie's comment about kids get bored with anything of they are on their own out it in prespective a bit! I think my best solution will to be inviting her friends over one at a time every other day or so. I still want to get some outdoor play stuff tho & am considering all the options now - even a trampoline!! I'll let you know, thanks again and any more posts still appreciated.

Spendless

kodokan wrote: »

Also, DS (7) and DD (3) have no real interest in playing in playhouses. But actually BUILDING a playhouse, out of laundry airers, towels, garden chairs, Daddy's woodworking clamps, etc etc, is considered the best fun ever. Even if they don't really do much with it once it's built.

This may be a boy thing, but DS spent most of the Easter school holiday digging a hole. Bizarre... He was so excited when he hit a seam of clay a couple of feet down, and could make 'pots'.kodokan

This has also been my experience with DS (7) and DD (4). DD does play a little bit in the playhouse/summer house with the toys, but DS has built a 'fort' instead at the side with everything he can lay his hands on, including the slide as a quick escape from being attacked.:rotfl:
Unfortunately we have had to concrete his digging hole in, much to his disgust as he had found a dinasaur bone in it :rolleyes: and a straight layer of bricks which were according to DS once a roman road.:D

Mine have also grown bored of the slides/climbing frame. Paddling pool is a novelty on the first few days they have it out, but you do need somewhere to store for rest of year.