There are two types of plastic climbing frames. Some plastic climbing frames are designed for younger children, toddlers through age 5 or 6 and are available through local stores. The other class of climbing frames are commercial grade, and meant for use in church, daycare and other commercial playgrounds. The safety and use considerations are about the same for both of them. Bright colors and multiple play opportunities will keep children amused for hours. Plastic climbing frames can include stairs, ladders, bars, bridges, tunnels, molded wave slides and platforms. Many have 'Swiss cheese' holes for younger children to peek and climb through for endless games of peek-a-boo.
One of the original outdoor plastic climbing frames consisted of several large plastic panels that could be assembled into a cube or a tunnel. Each panel had a different activity or play opportunity on it. Plastic climbing frames have come a long way since those first toys. Today's plastic climbing frames are extendable with modules to grow with your child from toddler through preschool and beyond.
Here are some considerations you should take into account when buying a plastic climbing frame for your back yard:
Cost: Plastic climbing frames are considerably less expensive than wooden ones for backyard versions, though the more complex ones may be more costly than a metal climbing frame. The commercial systems are costly, but the durability and low maintenance make them worth the cost.
Material: High quality molded polystyrene is the most common material in making plastic climbing frames. Seams should be flat or smooth, and the plastic thick enough to be rigid.
Age appropriateness: Choose activities and plans that are appropriate for the age of your child. Appropriate for nearly all levels: crawling tunnels, cubbies to hide in, plastic stairs and bridges, low slides, and platforms with guard rails.
Add-on modules: Several systems of plastic climbing frames and playground toys are designed with modularity in mind. A very basic set might include a two-level play structure with ladder on one side and slide on the other, an enclosed platform with activity walls, and an enclosed play space beneath the platform with more activity walls. Commercial grade plastic climbing frames are sturdy enough to support adult weights. Additions that are particularly popular include tubular slides, spiral slides, 'rock' climbing walls, horizontal ladders and swinging loops and swings.
If you choose a plastic climbing frame for your backyard, you'll have plenty of options to expand it as your children grow, and will be able to look forward to years of them enjoying it!