Search Results for: blog swing sets and play sets

Getting a Swing Set or Play System on the Cheap

When we first moved in to our current home, we decided that we really needed a playset complete with swings, slide and climbing apparatus. Of course, it couldn’t be just any play system. After doing a lot of research, my husband declared that only a Rainbow Systems play set would do. It was actually the only one that we had really been exposed to, so we really have nothing else to compare it to. It could be that other systems are better, probably cheaper. We visited the showroom, stood firm against the upgrades and declared the system that we wanted. … Continue reading →

How Often Do You Swing with Your Kids?

My kid’s been swinging since she was five-weeks-old. Now, at the ripe old age of four, she finds it more enjoyable to push me on a swing, then jump on the one next to mine and race me to “the moon.” I never win that game. Be that as it may, swings, or perhaps more specifically, parents swinging with their children, has been a hot topic this week following the delivery of a new pimped out swing set to the White House. Apparently, President and Mrs. Obama decided to treat their daughters, 7-year-old, Sasha, and 10-year-old, Malia, to a deluxe-edition … Continue reading →

Landscape Design: Planing Your Zones

A beautifully landscaped outdoor space can look attractive, add value to your home and even make your neighbors jealous. But you also want to make sure that your landscaping is practical as well. If it doesn’t meet your needs as the homeowners, well then it just isn’t practical. Most people start out with their landscape design by looking at the types of plants, trees and features that they are personally drawn to, such as ornamental grass or a babbling fountain. But, the first place we all really need to start is with the zones of the landscaping. That is, we … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Backyard Swing

Forget those expensive play-sets that cost thousands of dollars. With a few simple instructions, you can build your own. My husband and I have been seriously thinking about saving up for one of those wooden play sets. You know the ones? They come with everything from towers and rock walls to traditional swings and slides. The kids have been spending more time outdoors since we moved to a house with a large backyard, so a play set made sense. Those sets are big investments to make, so our decision would not be made lightly. We do have a couple of … Continue reading →

Inclusive Fun for Kids With Special Needs

Parents who have kids with special needs quickly discover that the majority of playgrounds were not designed to accommodate all children. Here is a brief list of places to play, and have fun, that do include kids who have special needs. We need more of these! Sky High Sports is an indoor playground with plenty of trampolines to bounce on and some foam pits to jump into. The Sky High Sports in Naperville, Illinois, sets time aside for kids who have special needs. On the first Tuesday of every month, from 3:00 in the afternoon until 6:00 in the afternoon, … Continue reading →

How to Remove a Splinter

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Growing up, we had hardwood floors. I bet you can see where this is going: I ended up with a lot of splinters thanks to those floors! Many a tortured hour were spent under the bright lights in the kitchen while my dad dug splinters out of my feet and I squirmed and complained. Okay, maybe it wasn’t actually HOURS, but it sure felt that way! Something so small as a sliver of wood (or glass, or metal) can be a huge pain when it gets stuck under the skin. There are different things you can try to get a … Continue reading →

Coming to Terms with Myself

I am going to go back in time a bit today. It was the day that I realized that I could not do everything. It was 1997 and I wanted to get my son one of those really great wooden swing sets for his birthday. I scraped together money that I did not have and that I should not be spending. It was one of those things, if you know what I mean. I did not care. I just wanted him to have it. I had to pick what features I wanted on it and design the layout. It took … Continue reading →

Family Fitness: Build on What You Know

I couldn’t be more proud of my daughter this year as she’s dived into the world of books with such bursting enthusiasm. She’s literally devouring the books faster than we can get them. Each book is a portal to another time, another place, and whether it’s an adventure or history or compassion, she’s learning a little bit more from each book. So it disturbed me when my husband commented that her reading was great, but he didn’t want her to get fat just sitting around and reading books. Active Kids This is an attitude that a parent shouldn’t have about … Continue reading →

The Best Things to Buy Used: Toys 1

When you are shopping for something new, consider buying it used instead. Many items can be purchased “like new” for a fraction of the cost. Since I am a parent of three young children, I have a lot of experience with buying toys, both new and used. And for toys, used is the best bet 90 percent of the time. Kids quickly grow out of their toys or become disenchanted with them. Then parents get rid of the old toys and buy a bunch of new toys. Made of plastic, most toys are easy to clean and disinfect. Here are … Continue reading →

Best Buys for October

Getting ready for those trick or treaters? There is plenty of candy on sale right now, of course. You’ll be able to buy full size candy bars and be the best-loved house in the neighborhood. So, don’t forget to stock up for your own family. Just after Halloween, I once found full size candy bars at 10 for a dollar. They made great movie snacks! Remember, you can freeze most candy bars and chocolate for use throughout the year. They keep for months and months. Want to find out what else is a good deal in the month of October? … Continue reading →