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View Full Version : Suggestions for outdoor play equipment for almost 3 year old



egoldber
04-17-2004, 02:34 PM
Yesterday at playgroup, DD had an absolute BLAST on this toy:

http://www.step2.com/index.cfm?stp2ssid=B128ADED-BFD9-491C-8CD5456CD5709658&action=details&product_id=1104&category_id=1000&subcategory_id=1010

So I'm thinking she would really enjoy more outdoor toys to play on/with.

Now the community I live in has a small playground with a tall slide and kid swings, both of which she likes a lot. So I'm looking for other things, but I'm not sure what.

Maybe a playhouse?
Maybe a sandbox?
I'd like a climbing toy, but it doesn't really need to have a swing or slide.

Any suggestions? I'm not sure what I'm looking for, so any help would be nice.

Thanks!

pamela mom of 3
04-17-2004, 11:02 PM
Well my 3yo loves the sandbox we don't have a park near us so we have the swingsets and climbers also.

Water tables are great fun also if they enjoy water play ;)

Trikes, cozy coupe car, my son is really into trucks lol...a playhouse is fun too and also a basketball net, baseball you know toddler sport setups.

Probably my son's favorite outdoor toys are the sandbox, swings, slide and trike...plus we have some battery operated ride in cars those are great fun :D

Why not take her to TRU and see what appeals to her? it's hard 'cause it varys kwim? Even with my own kids each had their "items" that were of strong appeal. Good luck!


~Pamela Mom Of 3

http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/blobflower.gif

raynjen
04-18-2004, 09:28 AM
We bought this for Noelle with her Christmas money (since we live overseas it is easier for everyone to send money so she had a LOT to spend)

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2233424&cat=5230&type=5&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A5230

I've got to say that this is, hands down, the best money we have ever spent. She is always begging us to bounce. The only thing that has kept us from using it in the past couple weeks has been the sudden onslaught of mosquitos here. We just bought a bug-zapper and some spray so this weekend we were back in business.

Basically this is a bouncer for toddlers/preschoolers/young elementary. I would say the top age would be about 8 or so depending on the weight/interest of the child (the actual weight limit is 200 lbs, but when I got in it I couldn't bounce). My daughter and our 3 1/2 yr old neighbor get in it together and have a blast! I'm not sure how much of a set-up issue it would be in a normal backyard - we have ours 'permanently' set out in our parking garage under our house (see photo below) and it takes me about a minute to plug it in and get it fully inflated. You can use it outdoors or in - we got it specifically for typhoon season when we can be stuck in the house for days at a time.

It is a different sort of activity from what she gets anywhere else (not a slide, swing, etc.) so it stays pretty 'new' for her. She usually will bounce in it non-stop for 15 minutes at a go. We also have a Whirly-Bouncer, chalk, basketball, etc. set up in the area so often she will rotate between the various toys.

I like it because, since it is basically a huge inflatable playpen, I can kick my feet up on it and read while she flings herself at the walls, bounces, and spins (all the things she normally does in the house to the detriment of furniture and body :))

Jen in Okinawa
Mom to Noelle (2 1/2)

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/4606.jpg

22tango
04-18-2004, 09:44 PM
I'm debating buying one of these: http://store.1st-quality-school-supplies.com/eduring.html

http://store4.yimg.com/I/a1toystore_1779_35549766.jpg
I had one when I was little and it was great FUN!!

Melanie
04-19-2004, 05:51 PM
What an inventive toy!

Melanie
04-19-2004, 05:52 PM
Ds LOVED that roller coaster at Toys R Us. I thought it seemed kinda limiting, so we didn't get it. It was his first toy-store tantrum.

I love the Naturally Playful playhouse, at least in the store. =)

lisams
04-19-2004, 06:08 PM
DD is younger (1 1/2) but she loves the sandbox and kiddie pool.

We also planted some flowers in pots around her playhouse, and she likes to water them with her watering jug.

Balls

Child sized wagon - DD loves collecting leaves and rocks and putting them in her wagon!

Sprinkler

I know these are "small" things, but DD has enjoyed them much more than her climber/slide. She does occasionally play on her climber, but I think she's just a little too young for it right now.

I think a sandbox is one of the best outside toys ever!! She plays cars in it, mixes water and sand, likes shoveling and digging - it's just so open ended, nothing to get bored with!!

Lisa

August Mom
04-19-2004, 06:43 PM
You are kidding me! I had no idea this was still made. This was my all-time favorite toy as a kid. I used it in all different ways and absolutely loved it. I especially loved being pushed head over heels in the circle. BTW, you can also use it as a teeter-totter, which is not pictured. You flip over the configuration being used as a slide in the above picture. Now we are going to have to have one. :)

egoldber
04-20-2004, 10:29 AM
Thanks all!

And Lisa, I really enjoyed the suggestions about the smaller toys. She doesn't have a wagon and I bet she would really enjoy one. Which one does does you have?

We have a sand and water table, but its the ill-fated Little Tikes one that is full of water and is a bear to move or clean. I'll have DH see if its salvageable when he gets back from his business trip this weekend. If not, I'll chalk it up to a $35 lesson and see about a sandbox.