Q: I have a one-year-old and am planning a play area for her to use during the winter when the weather is too bad to venture out. I'm considering buying either...
...plastic play equipment like the Step 2 Kangaroo Climber, or a soft vinyl climbing block set, like this one from the Children's Factory.
Obviously, the soft play blocks are far more expensive. But are they better? Do you recommend one over the other?
Sent by Chloe
Editor: Which would you recommend to Chloe? Please share your opinion or other ideas for an indoor play area in the comments below...thanks!
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Comments (10)
when my daughter was around two, i got an eezy peezy climber and put it in our living room. looked around and found one for just over a hundred dollars. it was the best money i ever spent. they can be indoor or outdoor, and i just put pillows down inside in case she fell.
I would personally do an indoor swing, a play tent (simple to make on your own, don't bother buying one), and a tunnel.
I second honeyhaze's opinion. A http://tinyurl.com/swingalong>Swingalong Castle
(bought at a resale shop) got me through two winters with my one- and then two-year-old twins.
Whoops. Little typo with the href. Sorry.
costco sells a tent/tunnel combo for under $30 that my toddler loves. 3 tunnels, 2 tents (one looks like a house). Big hit with playmates also. They scrunch up into a storage sack that fits easily in a closet, a deep drawer or under a bed. I think I've seen a wee teeter-totter and maybe even a slide (?) at IKEA. I know for sure they have indoor swings that look like lots of fun. I'm just too chicken to install one, what with my daredevil child.
I had one of those Children's Factory climbers: Playtime Island -- it was one of the best investments we ever made. Yes, it was pricey, but we sold it afterward. We also had one of those Step2 slide thingies, which I lined up against the climber and configured differently every week or so. Having a lot of indoor play stuff was great, and it certainly was more cost-effective than paying for Gymboree or Little Gym once or twice a week.
We bought the Kangaroo Climber for our son to use indoors during the winter and he loved it. He's 3 now and still uses it. It's easy to take apart but it's a little bulky.
The Kangaroo climber is a good bet, but we're fans of this Little Tikes climber at grandma and grandpa's house: http://www.littletikes.com/toys/hide-slide-climber.aspx
I built a slide to get us thru winter. Used a recycled board (I think it was an old table leaf) and leftover vinyl tile. At first we just used it propped up against the couch, but last weekend I built a structure for it using an old boat or pool ladder I purchased at a salvage store. The whole thing cost about $25 and a Sunday afternoon. It is a hit. There is space underneath for a generous play "house" and a platform large enough for a couple of one-year-olds. I can also disassemble it when we need to calm things down by taking off the slide and the stairs. Here it is: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WIF5E1IhuxFEpPU8ct-CGw?feat=directlink
i think either would be fun, anything your kid can climb and play on works, just go with whatever is in your budget
we got the step 2 naturally playful woodland climber from craigslist for only $75 in great shape (normally goes for $250!), our 2 year old loves it, its still outside but we plan on bringing it in soon.
we also got the little tikes jump n slide bounce house, its meant to go outdoors but we have it in our basement family room. it inflates/deflates in a minute. my 2 year old son is a very energetic little guy and in the freezing wi winters we wont be getting out a whole lot (i'm a sahm) so i think it was a great investment to keep him active.