I need outdoor toy recommendations!

[klc92201]

My DD is turning one soon and we were thinking outdoor toys as she has none and got tons of toys for Christmas. She loves to swing but i don't want to buy a big swing set yet. We are going to buy a rainbow set when she is old enought, maybe around 3? Any suggestions?

I was thinking the little tykes Swing Along Castle and/or a powerwheels. Of corse the ones for her age. I can't image that she would like a trycycle yet as she can't pedal.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005BPPA.16._SCLZZZZZZZ_SS260_.jpg

[MarisaSF]

We have a few that we've gotten a lot of use out of since the 1st birthday:

water table (can also get a sand/water table): http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000641DPQ/qid=1138248891/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-8173097-2408829

push cars: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005850H/qid=1138248853/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/002-8173097-2408829?v=glance&s=toys

sandbox: we have a turtle shaped one that we filled with balls (no sand)

Lots and lots of balls of all shapes and sizes.

we have playgrounds nearby, so I don't have a great need or desire for a slide or swing, but I'm sure my DD would love it!

We have a trike now at 1.5, but I think we could have waited till the 2nd birthday to get one of those.

[AmyZ]

Step 2 makes a nice water table. My DD enjoys hers a lot!
I think she will grow out of the swing along castle pretty fast - maybe something a bit bigger would last you longer.

Amy Z

"Ma!" to Eliana May 2/5/04
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

[klc92201]

Thanks on those suggestions. I didn't think about a water table, do they attratch bugs and mesquitos. Do you leave it filled all the time?

What do you think of this? http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000IZJ2/qid=1138288592/br=1-17/ref=br_lf_t_17//002-7394818-6390410?v=glance&s=toys&n=556986

Or the little red coupe...

We have a park near by but it is a 5 minute walk or short bike ride so I guess a swing isn't that important. I am still thinking about a slide those. Any suggestions on which one is the best.

Heather

[MarisaSF]

>Thanks on those suggestions. I didn't think about a water
>table, do they attratch bugs and mesquitos. Do you leave it
>filled all the time?

We empty after each use so as not to create a West Nile virus breeding ground. ;)

ETA: some probably come with covers, but not sure how airtight they are.

[AmyZ]

Agreed - we also empty water table -- we have the same one.

Cozy coupe is a great idea. We have this one. I like that it has a push bar and a foot rest that can pop in and out.

http://www.littletikes.com/Toys/Toys-Detail.aspx?Product_ID=2340&Description=Cozy+Push+%26+Ride%e2%84%a2+Car

Amy Z

"Ma!" to Eliana May 2/5/04
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

[klc92201]

I am assuming that the cozy car has a door on one side but from the picture it doesn't show.

Do you think that a swing set, like rainbow would be a waste just for the swing and maybe the slide? We were thinking 2.5 or 3 but DH thinks it is a waste to buy another slide and then turn around and get a swing set later. Anythoughts?

Heather

[AmyZ]

Oh Yes! It has a door -- because that is one of the most enticing aspects of the car... getting in and out!!

I think if you are going to get a rainbow at some point, and can afford it, you may as well get it now. You will get a lot of use out of the swing and as your child gets more coordinated - you will get a lot of use out of the slide. You can get a ramp type walk thing for the younger kids. If nothing else, your neighbors will love you! We have a smaller climber inside the house (Step 2 Naturally playful) and my DD enjoys it. Our yard is not big enough for a rainbow.
If buying a rainbow is too overwhelming now, you could always get something smaller and then sell it, or just have it around for younger kids. I guess it all depends on your budget.

Amy Z

"Ma!" to Eliana May 2/5/04
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

[mudder17]

I agree with Amy. We didn't get a Rainbow set, but we did get the Little Tykes Playcenter Playground when Kaya was just over a year and although she couldn't use more than just the swing (we got a toddler swing for her and her friend's toddler swing is on it instead of the two regular swings) at first, she slowly was able to use more and more of it. Right now, at almost two, she can use the slide mostly on her own and she can climb up the rope ladder with assistance. She can also use the glider as well as the toddler swings. By the time warm weather comes around again, I expect she'll be able to get up the rope ladder on her own, which she will LOVE! In any case, I'm really glad we didn't opt for something smaller when she was 1, because she would have outgrown it much more quickly.


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png
Kaya's a cousin! 10/1/05, 5lb13oz

[jenj611]

When my son was 18 months old we visited his cousins who had just gotten a rainbow play set. He loved it! It had a ramp, slide, ladder, and baby bucket swings. My DH thought he was too young for one but, after seeing him on it he was convinced.

We ended up getting one a couple months later. I think you can skip the small play set and go straight to the rainbow.

[klc92201]

I talked to my DH and he said to get her things like a sand box or other smaller outdoor toys and then maybe this summer when the commission checks come in we will just buy a rainbow. I haven't found any swing set companies that will give a guarantee for as long as rainbow does.

Heather

[Jennymarie]

We were contemplating the same decision awhile ago.

We opted to wait on the Rainbow or Cedarworks set for a few more years (we have one child who is 19 mos old now). When we went to the Rainbow showroom in the fall, we realized that there are *so* many options and neat configurations, and that the taller structures would probably be fun for much longer than the smaller structures. We have the space, so we really want a big set, but our son can't go up a 12-14 ft structure alone, and I really don't want to be climbing up one of these things with him myself when I'm heavily pregnant. At this stage, I'd prefer something I don't have to be afraid of. By the way, prices on Rainbow sets are lowest in Oct/Nov, and they clearance floor models at that time. Floor models are a great deal, especially if its an indoor showroom because theres no weathering.

We started looking around at plastic swingset/slides, but the prices are pretty nuts, especially since most kids will probably lose interest in something like this by age 4, and you can only use it in warm weather months. We happened to score a really good deal on a Step 2 set from Kmart (it was posted on the deal board of babybargains a couple of months ago). We got this swingset slide combination which is quite large (its about 7 ft tall). We paid $50, if you can believe it):

http://www.step2.com/index.cfm?stp2ssid=121B97D4-1143-E489-2D8F025A3D2D9EDC&action=details&category_id=1000&subcategory_id=1002&product_id=1335

Had we not found this, we probably would have tried to find a used one on craigslist or ebay, since they're just too expensive new, I think, to be worth the amount of use they get.

Anyway, I think that slide/swing you posted is probably too small. The swing doesn't look like it has any more range than an infant swing. I would get something larger, or skip it entirely. You can browse the Little Likes and Step 2 websites for all the options. When our son was one last summer he loved the sand water table, garden tools, and being pushed around in his car. Rocks, sticks and leaves also provided hours of enjoyment :o) We didn't have a playhouse, but I hear those are great too.

Good luck!

[klc92201]

Where did you get that deal at? Where do you live? Did they have more.

Heather

[redhookmom]

Our outside toys:

These are rectangular plastic tubs that I stack in the garage.

Bubble tub:
filled with wands, suacers, automatic machine, strawberry baskets, flyswatters...

Sand tub:
we have a sandbox in the backyard
shovels, buckets, trucks, loaders...

Water tub:
we use a turtle sandbox for water play
boats, watering cans...

inside bucket:
chalk, kite, ribbons, bug net... (things that are fragile)

remote control bucket:
mostly my older son's stuff but I would like to get something simpler for my younger daughter.

I have 2 pull behind shopping carts. One is filled with balls the other with odds and ends like trucks, jump ropes, hoops, cones...

We also have a low balance beam, a ramp to prop up and race trucks down, a stoller and a lawn mower.

And there is the bounce house my dh brought home from Sam's Club last year. :o