Outdoor Play-Dangerous?

[littlemommy]

Right now all I have for outdoor play are some ride on cars, bikes and balls. I have three 2 year olds, an 18 month old, and am starting an 8 month old soon. I thought about getting a swing set, but it almost seems dangerous since the toddlers I have may be too small for it. I could just see them walking in front of someone swinging and getting kicked over.

What do you have for outdoor play? I feel like the two year olds get bored. I was offered one of those big wooden playhouse things, but it stands 8 feet in the air, and has a slide and a swing set. I suggested to my husband that we could just build it on the ground, but he still thought it seemed dangerous.

[KEG123]

We have a little plastic slide/climber. A sand/water table. Dbf SAYS he's going to build our big covered sandbox today. We'll see. We've also got chalk, bubbles, balls. So far they don't really get bored. We're also going to get a little wading pool soon.

[littlemommy]

Ah yes, I have a small wading pool, it just hasn't been warm enough to get it out! That will be nice on the hot summer days.

Bubbles are a good idea. I'll add that to my list! Thanks!

[heyhun77]

I have an entire set of classroom materials outside for the kids (cars, people, animals, blocks, ect), a large sandbox with toys, a kitchen set by the sandbox, a playhouse, a couple of the little tykes rockers, a built-in slide hill and a fallen forest climbing area (stumps and logs dug down into the groud to balance/climb on). I also have a water table that we use throughout the day. The daycare kids also have 3 raised bed garden boxes that they tend to throughout the summer. I bring art supplies of some variety out each day on top of the supplies that are on the shelf and available at all times (crayons/markers/pencils/paper/tape/ect) and then there are chalk and bubbles available most of the time as well.

I shy away from swings because the younger kids aren't watching and end up getting hit and I shy away from big climbers because of the fall-zone requirements. I purposely installed the stumps/logs all below 18 inches so I wasn't required to have anything under them for a fall zone. I put woodchips in the areas immediately around them for my own sanity rather than keeping grass growing but also as a cushion for falls but they weren't required.

[SunflowerMama]

I have an entire set of classroom materials outside for the kids (cars, people, animals, blocks, ect), a large sandbox with toys, a kitchen set by the sandbox, a playhouse, a couple of the little tykes rockers, a built-in slide hill and a fallen forest climbing area (stumps and logs dug down into the groud to balance/climb on). I also have a water table that we use throughout the day. The daycare kids also have 3 raised bed garden boxes that they tend to throughout the summer. I bring art supplies of some variety out each day on top of the supplies that are on the shelf and available at all times (crayons/markers/pencils/paper/tape/ect) and then there are chalk and bubbles available most of the time as well.

I shy away from swings because the younger kids aren't watching and end up getting hit and I shy away from big climbers because of the fall-zone requirements. I purposely installed the stumps/logs all below 18 inches so I wasn't required to have anything under them for a fall zone. I put woodchips in the areas immediately around them for my own sanity rather than keeping grass growing but also as a cushion for falls but they weren't required.

Do you have any pictures of your outdoor area? Sounds great!

[SunflowerMama]

I have a climbing structure that I just had built last week and the kids LOVE it. They climb up and over it and then drape it with sheets and pretend it's a house, school, etc. We also have a raised garden bed for the kids to take care of.

I also have a teepee and stumps throughout the yard that they can sit, climb and cook on or jump off of. And then a few trikes and a sand table.

I also take things outside like heyhun...little people, cars, blocks, books, etc. and the easel and art supplies.

Here's a few pictures...

[WDW]

LOVE it! Where did you get your teepee?

In my state, we have to pay significant extra money on our d/c insurance to even have a wading pool. It stinks!!

[SunflowerMama]

LOVE it! Where did you get your teepee?

In my state, we have to pay significant extra money on our d/c insurance to even have a wading pool. It stinks!!

DH and I just made it . Some bamboo poles, a drop cloth and some rope .

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/backyard-tepee-666855/

[AnythingsPossible]

I love your climber you built! I can see that being turned into a variety of things! If I had that in my yard, I would have to have it surrounded by a reisilient surface though. If it is over 2 ft high, we have to have junk under and around it. I hate my states licensing rules sometimes!

[SunflowerMama]

I love your climber you built! I can see that being turned into a variety of things! If I had that in my yard, I would have to have it surrounded by a reisilient surface though. If it is over 2 ft high, we have to have junk under and around it. I hate my states licensing rules sometimes!

I'm licensed too and just have to have a drop-zone of 6ft all around the structure. Thankfully it doesn't say anything about the surface under it.

[momofsix]

I picked up a little tikes 8-in-1 climber last year off of CL, the kiddos love it! It's best for those under 5 I would say though.

[KEG123]

I love that little wooden climber. Directions on how to make that?!?!

[SunflowerMama]

I love that little wooden climber. Directions on how to make that?!?!

I just found a picture of a similar structure and found someone on craigslist that could recreate it on a smaller scale. He just used all 4x4s of cedar.

[cheerfuldom]

we have the 8-in-1 and that is perfect! We also have a shorter swingset, a playhouse, a wagon, various balls, the Little Tikes rollercoaster (2 actually). I like the teepee idea.....may have to put the hubby to work this weekend!

[lucky]

Do you have any pictures of your outdoor area? Sounds great!

I would love to see some pics too!