Climbing frames come in many shapes and sizes and are available from a huge number of retailers. It can be confusing and perplexing what make or model to buy, whether it be a cheap climbing frame or a premium playset suck as the likes of Backyard Adventures, Rainbow, Woodplay or Play Nation swingsets.
If you opt for choosing a cheap climbing frame then you’ll be aware the dimensions of the set, including the deck height and size, and the wood proportions will be considerably smaller than those on a premium swing set.
If you’re looking for something to suit a 3-4 year old for a couple of years then you’ll probably be happy or satisfied with any set, however, if you want you money to go a little further then you really need to look into the specification of the set you’re purchasing.
Unless you’re on a really tight budget or specifically looking for a cheap climbing frame, we strongly advise avoiding small uprights and tiny play decks in favour of large dimension legs (or uprights), and looking for a selection of accessories.
An easy way to compare sets is to try counting each feature and seeing which playset has more. This list should not only include obvious accessories such as swings, slide, monkey bars, rockwall, playhouse, etc, but also more inconspicuous features such as a fully wooden roof, large play deck, thick uprights.
Always remember; the more wood in a set, the heavier it will be and the more expensive it will be. If you’re looking for something strong and stable then be sure to bear this in mind. As with many things in life, you pay for what you get!
Remember…