Khizar Seo
From toddlers to teens, finding ways to get kids out in the garden and keep them physically active can be difficult in the age of digital screens and smart devices.
However, if you’re searching for an outdoor play equipment solution that can keep children entertained for many years, a children’s play frame could be just the thing.
Sometimes called climbing frames, other times known as play centres, or a mix of both, play frames offer multiple elements within one structure to provide an engaging experience for children of different ages.
But with so many designs available, which type of children’s play frame should you buy?
To help you pick the right play frame for your family, here’s a rundown of the most popular children’s play frames out there and what they can offer.
Children’s play centres
While play centres can come in a variety of sizes, domestic play centres for use in family gardens tend to be smaller structures designed for younger children.
These can be dome climbing frames with no other features, cube climbing frames that incorporate slides, monkey bars, or swings, or multi-level structures that connect different components with ladders, nets, and decks to climb on.
While some of the smallest styles are specifically designed for toddlers from 12 months old, most children’s play centres are typically suitable for kids aged 3 years old and up, with a maximum load of 50kg.
More sprawling models for larger gardens and older children can be extended with different swings and slides, plus other features like firefighter poles.
Playhouse climbing frames
Wendy houses are so passé… why have a traditional playhouse when your kids could enjoy a more creative den, like a wooden teepee, jungle hut, or raised playhouse?
If you want to take playtimes to another level – literally! – then a climbing frame with a playhouse is the ideal solution for children from 18 months old.
Essentially a traditional wooden playhouse that’s raised a couple of feet off the ground, with a ladder to climb up and sometimes a slide to come down, playhouse climbing frames turn a shed-style den into a simple play centre.
Featuring a full roof, a window, and a door, a playhouse climbing frame encourages both traditional role-playing and more imaginative play. Which can be enhanced with accessories like phones, telescopes, steering wheels, and more!
Play tower climbing frames
What child doesn’t want a treehouse or a two-tier playhouse, where they can play both downstairs and upstairs, with a slide to get down safely?
An outdoor playground tower is the perfect modern substitute for a classic treehouse in gardens without trees, enclosing a raised platform with a peaked roof and railings to provide a den that kids can climb up to and slide down from.
Shorter play frame towers for children aged 3 to 10 years old tend to be around 4ft off the ground, while slightly taller ones have platforms at least 5ft from the ground, which can also hold more weight and are suitable for kids up to 12–14 years old.
The platform is normally high enough that the space underneath it can be used as a second play area, which can even be turned into a sandpit or ball pit.
Wooden pirate ship climbing frames
If wooden stilts don’t seem sturdy enough for your liking, there are plenty of other play frame styles to choose from that sit firmly on the ground.
One of the most popular options for a play frame den is a wooden pirate ship playhouse. Shaped like a boat, this will typically feature different levels with the ship’s wheel, a pirate flag pole, and hidden areas below deck.
There are small and simple versions for little ones as young as 3 years old to climb all over, and much larger multi-level galleons with portholes, hanging bars, and extras like slides for children up to 10 years old to explore.
For families with multiple children, pirate ship play frames are a great way for each child to have a different area to play in while enjoying imaginary adventures together.
Castle climbing frames
Is a compact playhouse tower or a grounded wooden ship not big enough for boisterous siblings or your kids’ imagination? How about a castle climbing frame?
With a large play castle, children can dream bigger – overseeing their garden kingdom from the top of their wooden turret, gatehouse, or fort.
Typically coming with square parapets and arched window holes, plus ladders inside and out for access to the upper floors, some castle-shaped play frames even have slides attached for a quick escape when under siege.
These sizeable play frames are usually suitable for kids to play on from the age of 3 years, with the enclosed platforms being around 5ft high.
Rock climbing frames
If ladders and monkey bars aren’t exciting enough for your overactive youngsters, they may be more interested in play frames with climbing walls.
Rock climbing might sound dangerous, but when it’s part of a structure that’s been specially designed for your child’s age range and installed correctly, it can be both safe and thrilling for children from 3 years old upwards.
Some play frames don’t just come with ladders, but also several other ways to access raised platforms from 4ft to 7ft high. These include standard wooden climbing walls with colourful ‘rocks’ to grip onto and a range of cargo climbing nets.
Taller structures are obviously more suited to older and taller children, with rock walls typically only recommended for children at least 6 years old.
Climbing frames for older kids
If you’re lucky enough to have a spacious garden, then you may be able to invest in a premium climbing frame play centre that has enough features to entertain kids at various sizes, ages, and stages of growing up.
Most larger play frame sets have components that can be removed and upgraded as kids grow, such as swing seats and slides.
Of course, not all tweens will want to hang out in a wooden playhouse, and not all homes have the space for one. The best alternative is a slim and modern climbing frame for teenagers that can help them work out and stay active.
Suitable for kids right through adolescence to adults, too, some modern metal play frames offer boxing bags, resistance bands, pull-up bars, and more.
Design your own climbing frame
The best part about choosing a play frame for your family is that you’re free to customise models that come with a standard base and a variety of climbing frame add-ons.
Brands like BERG, Creative Playthings, Plum, and TP – all of which are available to order from trusted suppliers of children’s play frames like Wicken Toys – have several modular options that you can put together to suit your preferences.
This means that no matter the age of your children, you can create a play frame that’s safe for their size and age range while catering to their abilities and interests.
If you’re finding it hard to choose, you can always visit the Wicken Toys display site in Milton Keynes to see their play frames in person! When it’s time to order, you can even add their professional installation service for the most efficient set-up.
When you go to Wicken Toys for outdoor play equipment, you’re sure to find the best play frame for your kids that they can enjoy throughout their childhood!
