Q: I have a 14-month-old who wants to do nothing but climb, sometimes to his own peril, and a three year old who is just the opposite and needs to be encouraged to climb more and be more physical. We live in an apartment a few stories off the ground and not in very close vicinity to playgrounds with climbing equipment (not to mention our rainy Seattle climate). I would love to get my boys some kind of indoor toy (or other?) that might serve both purposes without being overly expensive - think around or under $100, not big plastic and ugly, and that could be put away when we need to use our full living space for company…
Sent by Danielle
cont...So far the best looking thing I've seen is the Ikea slide, but it doesn't look like it would store very well. I have also thought about some large blocks, but the ones that are truly made for climbing that might be seen in a Gymboree are ridiculously expensive. Help me think outside the box so I can get moving on Christmas shopping!
Editor: A lot of parents look for ways to keep their kids physically active at home especially during the winter months. Readers, what ideas do you have for Danielle? Do you have the Ikea slide and can give her feedback?
One thought that wouldn't take up too much space is a climbing net. Your youngest would need to be supervised, but they're not expensive and don't take up too much room. However, I'm not sure if and how they can be installed inside. Shown here is the Swing-N-Slide Climbing Cargo Net, $50.
• Got a question? Email yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first)
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Marisa and Peter's Playfully Eclectic Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sheex Bedding
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
We have the ikea slide and both our 3 year old and 15 month old love it. The could climb and slide all day. I highly recommend it. The footprint isn't that big but there really is no good way to store it. You could take the slide off of the base for storage but that wouldn't be very convenient as everyday storage.
Oh this is so timely for me too. I have the exact same scenario at home with the same aged children! Except I have girls. I too have been looking for something suitable for indoor use that can be easily stored away when not in use.
There are a lot of fun looking things at the link below, but most is pretty pricey... though I can see potential for stowing away the soft block pieces or reconfiguring them to use as side tables/ottomans in the kids rooms when not used for the intended purpose.
http://www.woodentoddlertoys.com/soplacce.html
cant wait to see what other suggestions people have
We have the soft foam climbers at our house and they are a hit with all the babies/toddlers. I ended up finding some on craigslist, which was great because they are expensive. I have two wedges, so they fit nicely together to store in the closet when we want to put them away.
I've fallen in love with these Bobles tumbling toys. http://www.amazon.com/Bobles-Tumbling-Elephant-Turquise/dp/B001M4SKC8
They come in various animal shapes/sizes/prices and can be mixed and matched for a wide range of ages. I put a couple on my daughter's 1st birthday wish list.
We also live in a small apartment. Several months ago and I bought a $30 folding (ugly, plastic) slide for my now 18-month old. She spends tons of time on it! Since it folds up when not in use (or to rotate out of sight to reinvigorate her excitement about it) I'm willing to tolerate the ugliness of it:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Plastic-Toy-Folding-Slide/dp/B00286KT1Y
Looking forward to see what suggestions others have!
A friend of mine got a bunch of packing boxes (12x12x3) and put them together into a set of stairs. I've got the boxes, just need to put them together. They would be easy to move and store. Think priority mail boxes.
@hoosgracie - do you put anything IN the boxes to keep them from collapsing in the middle or does the tape hold them together pretty well? I'm guessing it would work for a 1-yr-old, but maybe not a 3-yr-old?
It's a genius idea (and cheap!) if it actually works...
-Danielle
We live in a very small space and also in a rainy climate so we always had a play climber in the kitchen. It took up space for sure but was used everyday for climbing and sliding and even watching and helping me cook. My girls would make forts with it, make beds on it, everything! I also bought ball bouncers with handles for them and a spinning toy they could sit or stand on. All these things took up space but my girls loved being active in our home and I think it made them more balanced throughout the day. Worth it I'd say for taking up a little space.
We've had a mini trampoline since my daughter was 3, and it still gets used, every single day. She's 7 now, with a 3 year old brother. It fits under their twin bunk beds (mostly).
We also have this slide and I highly recommend it. My 18 month old uses it many ways (slide, car ramp, hidey hole). We bought a plastic step2 slide first and its in storage because it was so ugly and not as sturdy as the Ikea slide. I have pictures if you are interested how it looks in my play room.
what about this?
http://www.indoor-playsets.com/
We made this last Fall for about $30 dollars using pieces from our local repurposing shop. It was a hit with my then 15 month old and his occasional older and younger visitors. The slide simply lifts off, as does the ladder to tiddy-up and reclaim that space in our small house.
http://picasaweb.google.com/wren.crain/MonthlyPhotoCollages#5389844094404033714
http://picasaweb.google.com/wren.crain/MonthlyPhotoCollages#5389844094404033714
I'll second the trampoline -- we just got a good one, and my 6 and 2 year old girls love it, as does everyone who comes to visit. We got a grown up version -- no bar, that just looks like a concussion waiting to happen -- and we monitor closely, but so far so good.
I also really like the Rody inflatable horses http://www.rodytoy.com/. They're biggish, but cute -- I don't mind having it around -- so much so that I got Gyffy when we had our second! We live in a tiny place, but the color blast is just cheerful. They're durable enough to go outside when the weather permits too.
yup, the mini trampoline gets lots of use.