Last year I put up a new play area for them which their grandparents got them. I can't understate how much they've used this. there wasn't a day in the summer where they didn't spend at least a few hours on there and every snack they had was eaten on the swing or den.
They've also got their Wendy house and they seem to have colonised one of my under patio storage cupboards! They call this their "lab" and they spend hours making potions and mixtures in there. I'm find with this and have no plans to evict them anytime soon!
It has got me thinking about what I could make to add to these areas. I don't want to make anything that stops their imaginative play, I've had suggestions of mid kitchens and the like, but they seem to make them by them selves!
So I thought about how the playground bit is fenced off. If I replace the fence I could build something really cool. I've decided to create a "bouldering wall".
 |
| I've just purchased these so no going back now! |
For those that don't know, bouldering is a type of rock climbing where instead of climbing up your traverse sideways. A homemade wall uses a series of hand and footholds to make it as easy or as hard as you like, they can be spaced together or further apart, big holds and small ones and the whole wall itself can lean over to make it harder.
The area I'm thinking of using is about 7m long so would be about 6 sheets of ply if I go this big. That should be plenty to keep it really interesting for them and I can make it harder as they get older. A friend asked if I was going to make it the full 8ft high as a sheet goes as might be a bit big for my youngest, a three year old. I think play with a bit of risk is far more fun so will probably make it that high in places!
I'm hoping this won't be too hard of a project to put together. Just need some ideas on how to put it up and what I'll use to make it. I also need to decide on a plan where I can put it together really quickly so the kids won't see it before they're supposed to. I'm even tempted to put a little roof over the top to save the ply and the holds getting ruined by the weather.
What do you think? Good idea for a Christmas present?
How would you go about constructing it and protecting it? I'm open to ideas at this stage!
Wonderful idea they will love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope they do!
DeleteIf you go that high, it will need some sort of thick cushioned mat for them to land on. A roof would be nice for most of the year climbing.
ReplyDeleteThere will be bark under them, only a few holds will go that high I think.
DeleteWe have a GD who did competitive bouldering when she was 14-17 years of age. Her dad built her a climbing wall in their back yard. We were adamant that he should contact his insurance company about coverage, especially if a friend came over and got hurt. Turns out that the insurance company wouldn't give them coverage and said they would cancel their home insurance at the end of the month!! Fortunately, DS has a friend that was a reporter working for a tv station and he got involved and got the story on the news. Amazing what that can do. The big chiefs at the insurance company contacted DS and, to make a long story short, he did get coverage but there were a lot of stipulations that went along with it. I know I'm in a different country but just a heads up for you. Oh, GD no longer competes, she teaches kids bouldering instead!
ReplyDeleteI dont think it would affect insurance here, but thanks for the heads up. IRS always a worry when friends children come round. One lad has already broke his arm here, but that was on the stairs! I think accidents do happen, my worry is always if I make everything too safe they wont learn to access risk themselves and the first time they get a job or go somewhere on their own they will assume everything is perfectly safe and the chances are it wont be.
DeleteI was thinking why not build a big play house? Somewhere to keep those large toys and somewhere to play even if it's bad weather outside.
ReplyDeleteI'd like some more undercover areas but the cost is quite prohibitive. Thdi should be a fun area and not cost huge amounts.
DeleteWe made a small play area for the kids under a maple tree this spring with swings, a wind chime wall, hopscotch and a slide. We actually looked at something similar to the bouldering set you purchased. Our idea was just to make a small climbing wall for the oldest and we may do it this spring. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
ReplyDeleteThe fact mine have a few area means that they dont seem to get bored. In fact they play make believe and "go on holiday " to the wendy house and go to work in the lab etc! I'm looking forward to how they'll use this. Should be really fun to see what they come up with as to the games that use it.
DeleteI remember as a child that we found more pleasure in our own-made play places ('cabin' against a fallen tree, tree climbing (lots of big apple trees); and a fort made out of a fallen down shed). Back in those days, our imaginations got great workouts.
ReplyDeleteSo much imagination is used by these three they never fail to amaze me. They're always making something or pretending to go somewhere. It's beautiful to watch them play or listen to what they've come up with.
DeleteI think it is great that you can make your family gifts. My dad made me a sledge with steel runners it was so fast it ultimately broke the less rigid wooden seat whilst in use. He also made a pair of stilts which was a good toy but he used very heavy wood. Given a choice do you think insurance companies would prefer not to have children on the household policy at all?
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of making some stilts, I might have to make some in the future! The insurance isn't really too important in the UK as we have the NHS and they would be treated no matter what. I guess friends kids would be a liability but the parents I'm friends with would understand the risks.
Delete