Outdoor play is great for children, both physically and mentally. These days too many kids sit before televisions or computer games and never get enough fresh air and exercise. However, before rushing out to buy the biggest, shiniest, most expensive playground set you (oh, and your kids) have always wanted, there are a number of things to do.
In order to end up with the children's play equipment best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of children's play equipment are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in children's play equipment.
Research the market: Play Equipment essentials
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the children's play equipment market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Types: Chunky, plastic sets are reasonably priced and water tables and sand boxes are a good, basic way to entertain young children without blowing the budget. Moveable play equipment for the younger kids includes bouncy castles, water tables, tunnels, play tents, trampolines and individual swing sets.
Options: Outdoor swing sets can be as basic as an individual swing, or come complete with slide, ropes, bars and sand box, and even a cubby house or fort. Some come as a basic set and can have components added as your children grow.
Materials: The most common materials for children's playground equipment are plastic, timber and steel. Watch out for sharp edges and corners on steel made equipment and be aware that timber can require some maintenance to keep it safe and structurally sound, especially if it is not treated properly.
Cost: Play equipment is available for every budget, and price generally increases with construction quality and the range of play options available. If you have just won the lottery, or really want to splurge, a custom-made timber set can be yours for the asking. These range in price from very expensive to outrageously expensive.
Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in children's play equipment. For example, will you use the children's play equipment only for weekend play?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| Have my children used play equipment before? |
| | If you have watched your children use play equipment, work out what you did or didn't like about the children's play equipment. You may be looking for something exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you didn't like. |
| What are the ages of my children? |
| | You wouldn't buy a climbing fort and tower for a two-year-old, for example. Maybe you require a modular set that you can add to as your child (and budget) grows. |
| Do I want something that will last for a number of years or am I happy to upgrade in a year or two? |
| | Children grow rapidly and so you will probably need to upgrade regularly. |
| What size equipment do I want and what size equipment can I actually fit in my back yard? |
| | The size of your backyard is an important factor when choosing play equipment. There needs to be enough space around the equipment so that it is safe to play on, and also, if your budget can stretch to it, safety elements such as woodchips, rubberized mats and trampoline pads are a good idea. |
| Do I want a centerpiece for the back yard or something I can hide behind the hydrangeas? |
| | When children are growing their play equipment generally dominates the back yard area, but if you have a small space, equipment that can be moved around easily might be a good idea. |
| What about materials - plastic, timber, or metal? |
| | Childrens play equipment is available in a range of materials - plastic, metal and timber, so no matter the climate you live in you will be able to find something practical and suitable. |
| Do I have the skills and tools to assemble the equipment myself or will I have to pay extra for someone to do this for me. |
| | Since most children's play equipment requires at least some assembly, if you don't have the skills to put it together yourself, then you will either need to arrange a friend to do it, or pay a professional. |
| Does the equipment come with a sufficient warranty? |
| | As with most things, warranties on play equipment vary. You will need to check that the warranties on the equipment you purchase are up to the mark. |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of children's play equipment and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
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