[IrelandsMama]

I'm looking for ideas for things I could buy or make for my son. He is 14 months old but very cordinated phyisically. He loves to climb up things and played on the big outdoor play ground equipment last fall all by himself. I did follow him up just to make sure he didn't fall off the edge once he got up there. Anyways I searched the internet and found plastic toddler jungle gym things with slides. Those would be cool since they are indoor and fun to climb on but they are plastic (yuck.)<br><br>
Could I make him something that wouldn't be too difficult or expensive? My husband and I were even thinking of attaching a climbing wall to his wall and put mats on his floor. I thought I read somethings about how people in other countries to that. If anyone knows of plans for a gym please post them.<br><br>
thanks for any help<br><br>
Savannah mom to one bored toddler

 

[cat2116]

Hi, I have some ideas:<br>
-You can buy wooden rope ladders and swings that you can attach to the ceiling with hooks, you might have to look around a bit but I know I've seen them around.<br>
-Have you thought of a trampoline?<br><br>
I cant of anything else right now, will post again if I do...xxx

 

[frogger]

rock wall <a href="http://www.threeballclimbing.com/climbingwallplans.htm" target="_blank">http://www.threeballclimbing.com/climbingwallplans.htm</a><br>
not plans but a slide <a href="http://www.childcaredepot.com/item556579.ctlg" target="_blank">http://www.childcaredepot.com/item556579.ctlg</a><br>
we've also used a blow up camping bed as a slide, having the top of it resting on a couch or another bed and then sliding down it.

 

[beemama]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/privateeyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="private eyes">

 

[margob73]

I have a really great book probably from the early 80s or so called Rings, Swings and Climbing Things with a ton of awesome ideas from indoor swings to climbers made from 2x4 and dowels that fold up for easy storage. I also think Ikea has a rope ladder, but those are pretty tricky. I'll do a search and see if I can find that book online.

 

[margob73]

Here's this book on ebay-<br><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Rings-Swings-and-Climbing-Things-by-Rita-Hoppert-book_W0QQitemZ110001162007QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/Rings-Swings-and...QQcmdZViewItem</a><br>
I've made a bunch of things from this for my kids and for gifts.

 

[Meg_s]

I should take a pic, my husband built a thingy with a 2feet by four feet footprint, using what looks from here like 2 or 3inch by 2 or 3 inch posts in the four corners, there is a platform about 4 feet up, with a railing around it and a little roof. On one of the narrow sides there is a ladder and other helper handholds for him to climb up onto it, and underneath there is a self made rope net/ladder, a rope to hang on and a bar. I'd love to get some rings or something at some point but right now he enjoys playing underneath in the space as well with a little rocking horse. This is the best thing ever!! Ds is on and in and under it ALLLLLLL the time and I think it's great for him to be using his muscles so much.

 

[Erinok]

I got my son the little tikes castle climber for his first birthday, and I love it. it's so sturdy, small enough to fit inside, and never tips... no matter what he tries to do on it. Yes, I know it's plastic... but I wouldn't trut myself to make something sturdy and safe enough. not to mention, when he bumps into it, falls etc. he doesnt get hurt.

 

[zh97]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Meg_s</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10342939"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I should take a pic, my husband built a thingy with a 2feet by four feet footprint, using what looks from here like 2 or 3inch by 2 or 3 inch posts in the four corners, there is a platform about 4 feet up, with a railing around it and a little roof. On one of the narrow sides there is a ladder and other helper handholds for him to climb up onto it, and underneath there is a self made rope net/ladder, a rope to hang on and a bar. I'd love to get some rings or something at some point but right now he enjoys playing underneath in the space as well with a little rocking horse. This is the best thing ever!! Ds is on and in and under it ALLLLLLL the time and I think it's great for him to be using his muscles so much.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
<br>
Please post a picture. I, too, have been looking for indoor things for my little 16 month old who loves to climb. Everything I have seen has been either plastic or $2000- seriously!

 

[tulips117]

I would love to see a picture too; what lucky children to have such a talented daddy!!!

 

[zh97]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>margob73</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10342580"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I have a really great book probably from the early 80s or so called Rings, Swings and Climbing Things with a ton of awesome ideas from indoor swings to climbers made from 2x4 and dowels that fold up for easy storage. I also think Ikea has a rope ladder, but those are pretty tricky. I'll do a search and see if I can find that book online.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
I just received a copy of this book after reading about it here and it is fabulous!! I can't wait to put one together. I will be surprised, however if the cost of materials is the same as in the book. My recent journeys to lumberyards have proved rather expensive but oh well...<br><br>
Thanks for the great suggestion margob73!!

 

[dianna11]

THat's exactly what we did for DD when she was small, but intent on climbing. DH made a climbing wall for her using a huge sheet of peg board and framed it for stability. He then added drawer handles to step on and grab in various positions all over the board - it was a huge hit!<br><br>
I think I have a picture of her on it...<br><br>
Here is is: <a href="http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/dianna11/climber.jpg?t=1202072492" target="_blank">Wall climber</a><br><br>
We ended up adding loads more handles to it, and it was a huge hit until she got big enough to easily climb to the top - then it was onto other challenges like ladders (is there a fainting smiley?)

 

[bluebird68]

Thanks for the book suggestion-- I just ordered it off Amazon for $1.50! Can't wait to see it and use it. Another suggestion is super easy and super awesome, taken from A Children's Year (book). It is called the plank, and is basically one 2 inch by 8 foot piece of pine, sanded down very smoothly and oiled with linseed oil, and has brackets of wood on either end, as well as in the middle (2 brackets there), which act as a lip for the plank so that you can lean it up on a high back chair or place it over a log to make a teeter-totter, etc. I can't post a pic, but it's super easy 9just a bit time-consuming. Oh, and super cheap-- I think the plank cost under $8. It is my son't fav toy, for sure. We use it as a slide, a balancing bridge, a pirate ship, incline for cars, etc. It has gotten us by on many a rainy day when energy needs to be expressed! Just reminds me that some of the best toys are the simplest. Hooray! Just wanted to share...

 

[Aubergine68]

I have 3 very active children and another 1-3 active home daycare children most days, and the single most-climbed object in our house is the king sized bean bag chair and footstool we got through the following site a couple of years ago:<br><br><a href="http://www.bagthebed.com/" target="_blank">http://www.bagthebed.com/</a><br><br>
It is very large, and if we fluff the chair up, it is a virtual mountain to an agile toddler. We have it set up on foam mats in our rec room and it is used constantly to climb on, to jump onto, or as a snuggle spot when active play wears thin. Also great for big-kid sleepovers as it unzips to a bed.<br><br>
I wish we'd gotten the sofa, but that would take up our whole playroom!

 

[IrelandsMama]

I just wanted to say thanks for everyone who responded to my post. We are working on some stuff for him that involves a climbing wall, a ladder with possible a perch, maybe a slide, and more. I started painting his room a lovely green today so we will see how it turns out!<br><br>
Sav