Play stands?

[nkintzel]

Ok...so I really want some play stands for DS (2.5years) and DD (15 months). They are awfully pricey, so I was trying to convince my husband last night to build some. I was showing him all of these beautiful Waldorf-y play rooms and schools on the internet. He looked at them all, ooh'd and aahh'd appropriately and then said, "So, what are they for?"

I started explaining to him how they foster imagination and give the LO's a little "fort" kind of feeling in their room. He didn't seem to really buy it.

So, what is everyone's experience with these? Do kids really play with them and love them? Or are they just a beautiful piece of furntiture?

[goldenwillow]

Excited to see what others post... we just brought DS play slide indoors to play on and need more!!  SO darn expensive! 

[colsxjack]

We wanted a "learning tower". It can be used to get up higher and closer to watch and help in the kitchen and also used as a fort, etc.

They are also expensive. Ana white at Knock-off wood has designed a knock off that I am going to build.

Here is a link http://ana-white.com/2010/12/helping-tower.html

Her website also has plans for many pieces of furniture for adults and kids. Also toys, play kitchen, etc.

[LilaQ]

We got one for Christmas and it's great. My 15mo loves to hang with me in the kitchen while i cook. I had him sitting in his bumbo on the counter before and decided that was a recipe for disaster. Now I push him up to the counter and he helps with stirring or just watches and plays with the whisk, etc. I also filled up the sink the other day and let him splash around. He seriously loves that thing. It also works has an easel with has a dry erase/chalk board that is magnetic so we put all his fridge magnets on it too. Oh, and it came with a curtain so it can be used as a puppet theater when he's older. I can see us using this thing for years and it's really well built so it will last.

[nkintzel]

I've seen those Learning Towers. Those are cool too. But, I meant these:

http://www.qualitytoys.com/set-of-2-play-stands-and-arch.html

[ssh]

Some one gave us a play tent with a tunnel. It's 4' by 4' and abit taller and goes together like a regular tent.  Before I was just helping my DD build tents and forts with blankets and chairs. She's really happy with it and it's so easy to put up and then take down and store when she's tired of it. Here are some examples http://www.squidoo.com/kidsplaytents .

[colsxjack]

Those play stands are very cool too.

[brennan]

You might want to post over on Waldorf as they are Waldorf toys, and more people over there might have experience with them