Best age for a swing set?

[lecach]

My Mom wants to get DS one of those wooden swing sets with the swings, slide, etc. He's 2 years, 5 months old. She's thinking maybe Christmas. What is the best age for these? He seems to like the one that my inlaws neighbors have. But I figured I would ask the DIS experts. What do you all think is the best age?

 

[pantherlj]

We got one of the wooden swing/slide/fort sets for DD for her 3rd birthday.

That was a good age - she was able to enjoy it. At 4 though, she was old enough to go out back by herself and play (fenced in yard) while we cooked dinner or something.

Now, the girls 4 1/2 and almost 8 still play with it just about every day - even in winter! The best money we ever spent on a toy for them.

 

[murcor]

I think the swing at christmas is a great idea. Different ages different stages. Once, he gets the hang of it you will be surprised how much he will be able to do on his own and enjoy it so much.

Have Fun
Angela

 

[design_mom]

My DD turns three next week. We have a wooden swing set (also have 6yo son). She really enjoys playing on it. She can go up the ladder by herself, down the slide by herself and sit on the big-girl swing. She can't pump herself yet though, so be prepared to push the swing for a loooonnnngggg time! I don't think she ever gets tired of swinging.

I think Christmas would be a fine time for the swingset. Might as well get it while they're young so you get the most years of use out of it. For what it's worth, DS6 also still enjoys the swingset. He likes to swing and pretend that the "fort" at the top is his secret hide-out... or his spaceship... or whatever. It's great for imaginative play, too.

 

[tanyaandallie]

We just got a Rainbow wooden swing set for our kids (just turned 2 and almost 4). They love it and play on it every day. I was worried the little one might be too little but he has done great!

 

[Sleeping~Beauty]

We had the infant playset for my children and now they are ages 4 and 2.5, and are getting the beautiful Rainbow playgrounds.

I think you should go for it because three will be a great age to do it, also. And it's a gift! Can't beat that. Your child will get many years out of it.

 

[Us3]

I bet he's ready for it any time now! Even my 1 yo likes the baby swing and slide (with help!). I think that would be a wonderful Christmas present!

 

[wishtdream]

We bought ours when dd was not 1yr old she will be 5 in sept. It was the best money we ever spent. she enjoyed it then and still does now.

 

[MamaOfTwoPrincesses]

We got one just before my 2nd dd was born. So DD1 was 3.5. We used it a bit that summer and the next, but this year, we've already used it a ton. DDs are now 5.25 and 21 months. Hope this helps.

 

[emma'smom]

My dd's are 4 and 2 and they both love it! We bought it when dd4 was 2....and we hesitated to get the monkey bar option, but did get the rock wall. Both of my girls use it and love it. We did make a point of assuring that it had a ladder option for the tower (not just the rock wall) so dd2 could use it. Now I wish we had purchased the monkey bar version, because now that dd4 is older..she would really enjoy it.

However.....they both have a great time!

 

[MamaOfTwoPrincesses]

I'm Emma's Mom too!

 

[monorailsilver]

My almost 14 month old loves the swing set too. But she really only loves the swing & if I let her slide she is in hog heaven.

We got the swing set when my oldest (who will be 6 next week) turned 1. Now she & my 3 1/2 yo ds play on it all the time.

It's not a huge one but just a Walmart one.

My only concern is you say it will be a Christmas gift. Will your son want to go out & play on it then? I am sure you get some chilly temps there in NC in the winter (although I'd probably walk around with out a coat on if I came for a visit).

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

DS and DD were around 2 or 3 when we bought one. DN, who we have custody of, is 18months and he loves the swingset.

 

[brymolmom]

My take on this is that they are SOOO expensive - that the sooner the better. Start getting your money's worth so that they will use it for more years.

We got ours when ds was 3 and dd was 1.5...it was a lot more work for us getting it that early - since they needed a lot of help and constant pushing anytime we would use it. But at 3 and 5 now - they can do most themselves and it is great!

 

[mantaz]

My DH is in the process of putting one up for DD. She will be 3 the end of next month and this is her Bday present. We know she will love it. We have a swing hanging from a tree limb right now but she can't wait to have the full thing!!

 

[TheDizMom]

I think by Christmas your DS would be the perfect age ! If your mom wants to get him one let her! It will save you a fortune since they are not cheap! My DS was still playing on ours when he was 9 too. It was totally worth it and as someone else said they come up with all kinds of creative things to do in the "fort". The best part is that it gets them outside in the fresh air running around and getting themselves worn out . It makes for great naps and easy bed times, not to mention it keeps them from wanting to sit infront of the TV .