Garden/Outdoor Toys

[bandlady]

Does anyone know of any good websites I can visit to get some inspiration for some new outdoor equipment. We have had a garden makeover and I have thrown out all my old toys. I am thinking that I would like an outside classroom type of theme educational but fun. I do not want large climbing frames (we live opposite an adventure playground) but would like some
equipment so the kids can still get some exercise when not able to get to park.

Thanks

Denise

[miffy]

If you do a search for outdoor play equipment early years lots come up - it depends what you want and how much you have to spend.

Or try places like nes arnold, tts, sbs as they do some outdoor things too.

Miffy xx

[miss mopple]

I wouldnt buy expensive equpiment personally. I am about to redo my garden and I'll be adding things like

logs for balancing and stepping stones
a weaving frame (use cheap netting from a garden centre)
guttering
planks
Large bits of wood cut down for construction
a chalkboard
mirrors
a big basket of natural materials, shells etc for picture making and play
fabric for den building

a big hit in my garden is one of those big gym balls. The kids love it and use it for rolling over, leapfrogging over etc :thumbsup:

[manjay]

I wouldnt buy expensive equpiment personally. I am about to redo my garden and I'll be adding things like

logs for balancing and stepping stones
a weaving frame (use cheap netting from a garden centre)
guttering
planks
Large bits of wood cut down for construction
a chalkboard
mirrors
a big basket of natural materials, shells etc for picture making and play
fabric for den building

a big hit in my garden is one of those big gym balls. The kids love it and use it for rolling over, leapfrogging over etc :thumbsup:

I agree:thumbsup: I also have a heap of Tesco delivery crates which are used for building and also with planks of wood across for balancing. I have a digging area and a child sink so the children have access to water to make mud pies.

[miss mopple]

My tesco man always takes the crates away :(

[manjay]

My tesco man always takes the crates away :(

Oh I know! I managed to get a couple that way by asking the delivery driver but then one of my families who live on a farm had a whole load given to them. They just gave me as many as I wanted. Milk crates are good too but they are really tough to get hold of aswell.

[bandlady]

Thanks for replies you have given me plenty of ideas.:) :)

I do not mind spending a little bit of money but do not want to spend unnecessarily when natural products will do.

I really would like my garden to still feel like a garden and as my own children are all grown up and we have had 25 years of climbing frames, swings, ride on toys etc i just feel something different is in order. The idea of crates, planks of wood, guttering etc for imaginative play is great.

As I have a free day because hubby and sons have gone to watch Celtic play Rangers I think a trip to the local garden centre to give me some inspiration would be a good idea.

Denise

[lma]

We just moved to a bigger property with a much bigger garder. We just went and got a bunch of car tyres for the children to plant flowers and vergetables in when it gets a little warmer. I'm also trying to find some huge tractor tyres and plant the upwise in the garden for the children to climb on or crawl through. We have some at the local childrens centre and the children seem to love them. I have bought so little chalk boards which my partner is going to attach to the fence for the children to chalk on.

Dont know if any of this appeals to you though?

[Polly2]

If you fancy a bit af reading/inspiration have a look at this book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Outdoor-Lear...8209868&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0415454778?ie=UTF8&tag=childminding-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0415454778">Outdoor Learning in the Early Years</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=childminding-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0415454778" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;)

I love the way Helen Bilton writes - there's heaps of ideas in there :thumbsup:

[mama2three]

Thanks for replies you have given me plenty of ideas.:) :)

I do not mind spending a little bit of money but do not want to spend unnecessarily when natural products will do.

I really would like my garden to still feel like a garden and as my own children are all grown up and we have had 25 years of climbing frames, swings, ride on toys etc i just feel something different is in order. The idea of crates, planks of wood, guttering etc for imaginative play is great.

As I have a free day because hubby and sons have gone to watch Celtic play Rangers I think a trip to the local garden centre to give me some inspiration would be a good idea.

Denise

Nothing to do with the garden but my dh is at the match as well! So I get extra forum time:)
Hope youre as happy with the result as we are!!

[kel1983]

My mum gave me a Large, and I mean Large cardboard box the lst week. I put it out on the decking on and the little one called it her house. It was looking a bit tatty by the end of the week, but luckily my mum bought me home a couple more so thi sweek if the weather is not nice we may have them in the lounge. I think they will make a great den.

We have some old guttering that the children like to put balls down and cars and sand tray which they insist on mixing with water. I cant wait for it to get warmer.

During the summer we will be spending most the day out there. I plan on getting bean bags and cushions for the decking area.

They can have water and paint brushes to paint on the wall with and we have a large board on our fence which is ready to be painted with black paint to be used as a black board.

[bandlady]

Nothing to do with the garden but my dh is at the match as well! So I get extra forum time:)
Hope youre as happy with the result as we are!!

Oh yes it is the result we wanted :) :) At least the trip has been worthwhile and the journey home will be a happy one providing they do not get stuck in too much traffic.

Denise

[mama2three]

Oh yes it is the result we wanted :) :) At least the trip has been worthwhile and the journey home will be a happy one providing they do not get stuck in too much traffic.

Denise

DH not home yet either. Amazes me how they can drive a 10 hr round trip to watch a game of football ! At least he'll be in a good mood when he comes in! x:clapping:

[bandlady]

If you fancy a bit af reading/inspiration have a look at this book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Outdoor-Lear...8209868&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0415454778?ie=UTF8&tag=childminding-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0415454778">Outdoor Learning in the Early Years</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=childminding-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0415454778" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;)

I love the way Helen Bilton writes - there's heaps of ideas in there :thumbsup:

Thanks for the link have had a brief look and will definitely be ordering:thumbsup:

[bandlady]

DH not home yet either. Amazes me how they can drive a 10 hr round trip to watch a game of football ! At least he'll be in a good mood when he comes in! x:clapping:

My lot drove up on Friday evening and have made a weekend of it, my husband is from Clydebank so he has combined the trip with catching up with family and no doubt a few beers!! I have spoken to one of my sons and he said it was the best match he has ever been too, good atmosphere and the best result ever:jump for joy: :jump for joy:

Denise

[Baildon bears]

Great ideas guys, I'm feeling inspired, in the summer the kids love it when I put out a washing line and they peg loads of fabrics on it I also hand pots and utensils on the main washing line to jingle in the wind, will be on the look out for some tyres.