Climbing Frames

Climbing frames are no longer just the simple metal frames found in the playing fields of our youth. These days jungle gyms, swing sets, monkey bars and crawling tunnels can provide hour upon hour of recreation and fun for kids in your back yard or garden. These days they all fit under the heading of climbing frames, and can include forts, platforms, slides, swings, glider seats, rope ladders and more to encourage children to be fit and active. They can be built of wood, metal, plastic or a combination of the three, and are designed with safety and durability in mind. If you're considering purchasing a back yard climbing frame, here are some things to keep in mind while shopping.

There are a number of safety and space considerations such as

• Be sure that there is ample clearance around all sides of the climbing frame to prevent injuries from falls or collisions. Measure the space you have available and add at least 5 feet all around to be sure that there's plenty of room for safe playing.
• Consider the surface beneath the climbing frame. Falls will happen, and a hard or rocky surface beneath the frame can be dangerous. There are a number of playground materials that you can use for cushioning beneath the more active parts of the frame, but usually soft grass will be sufficient.
• All screws and bolts should be recessed or capped to prevent injuries and scratches.
• All corners and edges should be rounded to prevent cuts and gashes in case of falls or collisions.
• A good guarantee for replacement parts is an indicator of the company's faith in their products. The length of the guarantee will vary for wooden, plastic or metal climbing frames, so check around.
• What age are the children who'll be using it? A climbing frame that's appropriate for a toddler may support the weight of an 8 year old, but will bore him quickly. Likewise, a climbing frame meant for an older child will be dangerous for a toddler. Your best option is a climbing frame that's designed to grow with your child through modifications and additions.

Some Popular Additions/Add-ons to Climbing Frames for your Garden/Yard

Climbing frames are highly customizable. By adding different components, you can make your climbing system as complex or as simple as your children will enjoy. Some of the most popular components to climbing frames are:

Platforms

In the eyes of a creative child, a platform, whether raised or at ground level, becomes the deck of a pirate ship, the bridge of a spaceship or a fort high in the trees in the Amazon jungle. A plain, unadorned platform is the single most creative addition you can make to any climbing frame system.

Slides

Slides are another popular addition to a climbing frame. Children will spend hours doing nothing but climbing the ladder to slide back down again.

Horizontal ladders

Horizontal ladders are great for upper body control and muscle building. Kids love swinging and hand-walking across them.