admin 
Are you considering a climbing frame for your school playground, or perhaps for your own garden? There’s a lot to consider – the pros of this kind of equipment are huge – but you’ll need to buy the right type of frame for your needs so that the children in your care get the maximum benefits from your choice. Let’s take a closer look:
Why Choose A Climbing Frame For Your Outdoor Space?
A climbing frame is a piece of equipment that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, whether it is placed in a public, educational or domestic outdoor area. The benefits are far-reaching and include:
- Encouraging cardio-exercise to boost heart health and to help control weight
- Helping to build muscles and strength
- Improving hand-to-eye coordination
- Enhancing the opportunity for imaginative play
- Encouraging role play
- Boosts social interactions and encourages learning to share
- Helps children start to understand risk management
- Children spend time in nature, supporting their mental and physical health
- Outside area has more structure and aesthetic appeal
- Children may be less likely to get bored or act badly during break times
- Children can build confidence and learn new skills using climbing frames
Last but not least, for kids climbing frames are so much fun! Whether you have one in your back garden, nursery or school, any kids who have access to a climbing frame will love to move and play using this kind of equipment.
How To Choose The Right Climbing Frame
Here are some tips to help you get the very best climbing frame for your school, public playground or domestic outdoor space:
Choose The Right Company
By choosing the right company for your climbing frame you get to be assured of so many things, including:
- Great quality of build
- Safety standards (of the product and installation) are met
- A good warranty
- Access to testimonials
- A fair and competitive price
- Fantastic customer service
- A smooth delivery and installation service
With something as important as a climbing frame, which is a fair financial investment and something children use, you need to trust the company you’re working with. You’ll be able to do routine checks of the equipment, but it needs to be phenomenal in quality and installation as a starting point.
Try making enquiries and speaking to the team behind some of the climbing frames you see and like – it’s important not to simply go for the best price or the first product that fits the criteria.
Consider Installation Details
Some climbing frames will require installation and some won’t.
It’s all about stability and safety, so there’s no getting around this part. Instead, if you are restricted with your budget, you know there are restrictions on changing the playground surface, or you have restrictions on space, ask a trusted playground equipment company what your options are before you start looking for a frame properly.
By doing this you won’t waste time designing an outdoor space with equipment in mind that is simply not possible for your project at this time.
It may also help to speed the process of funding too if you require a quote before putting an application through. You’ll be able to present a quote for the surface preparation, installation and climbing frame so that the application process won’t need to be delayed or put through twice.
Who Will Be Using It?
When it comes to how useful the climbing frame is, you’ll need to think about the target users of the apparatus.
Primary school children will likely need lower frames like a Scramble Net Log Climber, miniature climbing frame or lower but more extensive frame which incorporates slides and similar features, but it is specifically designed for younger children to use. Children a little bit older can use much more extensive frames which have higher climbing areas like a Space Net or Rota Net.
It is always best to speak to the suppliers about the target age range of the equipment so that you can be sure that what you choose is suitable for the children who will be using it.
What Kind Of Features Would You Like?
Some climbing frames have a climbing focus only, like a metal climbing frame or scramble climbers. Certain frames will include colourful gripping handles and swing ropes to enable different types of climbing to take place.
More elaborate climbing frames may have bridges, climbing nets, slides, swing tyres and more. Your climbing frame can be as simple or as elaborate as you would like – there is something to suit every outdoor play area.
Don’t Forget About Clearance
It’s important to consider not only the space that you have to place the climbing frame, but the space around it too. You need a certain amount of clearance around the frame for safety. There should also be no buildings, fences or other structures near enough to the frame to cause a safety issue.
If you take measurements of your outdoor space for reference, a reputable climbing frame company will be able to take a look at those and talk you through the details. When you browse products you will also find that most have minimum space for the item listed and that minimum space required usually includes the clearance area around the product that is needed, but it’s always best to check.
Which Climbing Frame Will You Choose For Your Outdoor Space?
Choosing a climbing frame is a huge decision, and an exciting one, which is why it is so easy to make a snap decision and make an impulse purchase. However, with a little research, preparation and some practical considerations, you can ensure that the product lasts a long time, the frame is safe, and that the kids who use the frame get the absolute maximum benefit from it day after day, season to season.
