Garden Playground Equipment News

Childrens Outdoor Toys

2010-02-22T06:13:00.002Z

Garden Playground Equipment has a great range of climbing frames at a variety of price points and something to fit a garden of any size. But if you are looking for something other than a wooden climbing frame, such as garden games, playhouses, metal climbing frames etc. then we simply don't have those things. The good news is that there is a site that does have those things, as well as just about every sort of outdoor toy imaginable. If you want a great selection then take a look at Childrens Outdoor Toys which can be found at http://www.childrensoutdoortoys.net/

Update taking longer than expected

2008-04-13T15:44:00.003Z

Well, as usual I have grossly underestimated the amount of time it would take me to update Garden Playground Equipment. I do it every year and every year I underestimate!

I'm still not finished and have decided to update things in stages. I've already updated some pages.

Here are the basic kids fort here are the ones that are in the new format :

For the next size model up these pages have been converted :

The other fort models that I have done are :

The Wendy House / Kids Fort
The Multi-Platform Fort

The other models will get uploaded tomorrow.

Garden Playground Equipment and Ebay

2008-04-09T16:03:00.004Z

In previous years I have sold the same play structures that I sell on the Garden Playground Equipment web site on my Ebay store. However, I've decided to stop selling on Ebay and have closed the Ebay store. People buying on Ebay seem to have the belief that if something is for sale on Ebay then it HAS to be sold at a big discount. However, the margins on the products are pretty small, which means that there is little scope for selling at a discount. And the fact is, that selling on Ebay can be an expensive business! Ebay's fees have gradualy crept up and with listing fees, final valuation fees, and then the percentage that Paypal (part of Ebay) take it all adds up to a significant amount of money.

I don't know how best to make this next point without running the risk of potentially offending some people, but I'll have a go. Another reason for me dumping Ebay as a selling platform is down to the quality of the customers on Ebay and their perceived expectations. Customers that I get through Ebay are often problem customers, whereas customers I get through my web site are usually good customers. I suspect that this is maybe down to the same sort of mentality that people on Ebay have regarding prices, thinking that Ebay=cheaper. I often feel that the customers I got through Ebay were expecting problems and were actively looking to find something wrong.

The play structures I sell are excellent quality and problems are extremely rare, but that doesn't stop Ebay buyers from anticipating problems and emailing me far more than any non-Ebay customer would. So I ended up spending a large amount of time dealing with non-problems.

Dumping Ebay has definitely been a good move!

Major update happening today

2008-04-01T08:02:00.002Z

I've already started making changes to the site to reflect the 2008 product range and prices on the climbing frames, play structures, and accessories. This is going to be carried out over today and tomorrow.

In the past accessories have been listed on a seperate page, which meant flicking backwards and forwards between the main climbing frame page and the climbing frame accessory page in order to identify and purchase accessories with your climbing frame. This is going to change, with accessories relevant to the play structure listed on the same page.

Garden Playground Equipment 2008

2008-03-31T04:53:00.002Z

Wow ! I really had no idea that it had been so long since I last updated the Garden Playground Equipment blog.

The good news is that I'm going to be updating this a lot more often this year as there is a LOT happening over the next few weeks and some signficant changes to the Garden Playground Equipment website in terms of products and the look and feel of the site.

Garden Playground Equipment Site Update

2006-03-21T13:36:00.000Z

I am in the process of updating the site. This should be complete within the next couple of days, and the end of this week (24th March 2006) at the latest.

There will be a new/revised menu system which should help finding products a lot easier. There are also going to be new play structures as well as a bigger range of products. And yes, there will be some price increases, although these will be minor. So if you are working with a tight budget, or just want to save a few pound then it might be an idea to buy now, before the update goes live.

I have also launched a new site for anyone who is looking to purchase play equipment for commercial / public use, such as a pub garden, restaurant, school, etc. The new site sells a commercial play structure and swing set and can be found here --> Commercial Climbing Frames ( http://www.commercial-climbing-frames.com )

New Play Structure Coming Soon

2005-10-17T13:26:00.000Z

I have a new play structure model that I will be adding to the Garden Playground Equipment range. It is similar to the other models and is a mid-range, mid-priced, play structure. It differs from the other models in being a round tower instead of the square shape that the other fort towers adopt.

This should be going up on the site in the next few weeks.

Garden Playground Equipment is now using a new play structure supplier

2005-06-24T21:29:00.000Z

Garden Playground Equipment has changed supplier for our play structures. I will post more about this change tomorrow. This change has absolutely no impact on any orders which are currently with us and these will be fulfilled as planned.

The change brings a number of benefits to me, but more importantly to you, the customer. I will go through this in detail tomorrow, but I felt I needed to post something to explain the reason for the change in the site for anyone who has been looking at it recently.

Garden Playground Equipment Ebay Shop

2005-04-03T22:11:00.000Z

Garden Playground Equipment has a shop on Ebay. There is a much wider selection of playground equipment available in the Ebay shop than there is on this web site, so what I am going to do is to create a new section on the Garden Playground Equipment site navigation. This will give direct access to the items in the Ebay store and therefore give access to the large selection of playground equipment that otherwise would not be found on this site.

This should go live some time tomorrow.

Garden Playground Equipment Ebay Shop

2005-03-22T20:59:00.000Z

I've removed all the 2004 products from the Garden Playground Equipment Ebay shop. At the moment things are pretty bare in there. It's taking longer than I hoped for to populate the Ebay store. At the moment the products that are going in the Ebay shop are the same products that are in this site, plus some of the products from Climbing Frames Etc.

Until the Garden Playground Equipment Ebay shop is fully re-stocked there won't be any special offers to be had. It should take about another day or two to get things fully loaded in the Ebay shop. Only the special offer items in the Ebay shop will be any cheaper than the items in the main Garden Playground Equipment shop as, hard as it may be to believe, it works out more expensive to sell things through Ebay than it does from a web site (such as this).

Climbing Frame and Swing Set - 2005 update

2005-03-21T18:37:00.000Z

I just realised that I'd posted the update on the climbing frame, swing set, and lookout tower before I'd posted this update on the standard climbing frame, which is like putting the cart before the horse. Anyway, the page for the Climbing Frame Deluxe is now in place.

This is an update of the 2004 climbing frame model and the changes that have been made for 2005 include giving it wider support at the base so that it is even more robust than previously. Ground anchors are still highly recommended, but with a base this wide it is pretty unlikely that it would be possible for this to topple over, even without ground anchors. Still, better safe than sorry !

There are other improvements to the climbing frame for 2005. There are extra struts around the top corners to provide extra strength and rigidity. Most significantly though is the ability ofthe climbing frame to be integrated with the other playground equipment models, rather than being a standalone item as it previously was.

It is now possible to take one of the kids forts, the climbing frame and a bridge link and combine them to produce something like this :

With something like that combination, your kids have got just about everything they could wish for !

Climbing Frame, Swing Set, and lookout tower - NEW

2005-03-21T15:46:00.000Z

There is a new climbing frame model for 2005. It is the standard climbing frame, but with the addition of a lookout tower. The lookout tower sits on top of your climbing frame and provides and ideal hiding place and vantage point for your kids. One of the benefits of the lookout tower is that it enhances your play structure without taking up any more of your garden.

Why not take a look at the Climbing Frame Deluxe ?

Kids Fort (compact) with swing set and climbing frame - 2005 update

2005-03-17T10:03:00.000Z

This is possibly the most popular model that we do. If you are looking for an all-in-one solution when it comes to playground equipment for you garden, then this comes pretty close.

The Garden Playground Equipment shop has now been updated with the 2005 model. This was previously labelled up in the navigation bar as our 'Best Value Fort System'. It will now now be changed to 'Compact Fort System'. Why ? Well all the kids fort we sell are great value, not just this one ! Secondly, this fort is a different height from the standard size. It's is more compact and to avoid any confusion the name has been changed to reflect this.

What has changed from the 2004 model to the 2005 model ? One thing has been removed, and that is the trapeze that stuck out from the side of the fort. This is a shame as it's not possible to connect a trapeze to this play structure anywhere else. However, losing the trapeze means that the compact kids fort system is now able to expand in almost the same way as the standard sized kids forts. It is possible to buy extra forts and to add them on to your existing play system using bridge links, add more climbing frames / monkey bars, and expand in a whole load of ways. So, I'm sorry to see the trapeze go, but it's removal opens up a world of opportunities for expanding your playground equipment.

One further change of note is that the base at the vertical ladder end of the climbing frame has been widened to provide even more safety and stability. Of course this model, like our others, fully complies with the latest European regulation EN71-8.

Why not take a look at the new 2005 model of the Compact Kids Fort System ?

Kids Fort & ladder (GPE102) - 2005 update

2005-03-16T16:33:00.000Z

The Kids Fort & Ladder (GPE102) has just been updated in the Garden Playground Equipment shop. There are some minor changes to this model for 2005, and the good news is that it now comes as standard with a set of 4 ground anchors.

There are two sizes of fort that we sell. This is the standard sized fort, with a platform that is 5ft off the ground. If you are looking for an expandable an versatile play structure in your garden then this is an ideal starting point.

Like other playground equipment that we sell this model can only be sold with something to provide 'a use' for the opening off the platform where the slide connects. If you are not purchasing this playground equipment model with a slide then we are obliged to sell it with a 'full side kit'. This is simply a wooden section which is designed to prevent children from falling from the open section.

If you are looking to build your own custom configuration then please telephone so that I can advise and possibly sell this at a lower cost. As long as the opening has 'a use' then we can sell it. This could be a bridge link, or one of our other accessories.

Kids fort with swing set (GPE101) - update for 2005

2005-03-16T13:44:00.000Z

This popular model has been updated for 2005 and is now available from the Garden Playground Equipment shop. This retains all the great features that the 2004 model had (kids fort, swing set, and knotted climbing rope), but has been enhanced to make it even stronger than before. Changes to the EU regulations mean that any opening off a platform must have a use, so where we previously would have sold this with or without a slide, we must now sell it with a slide, or with something else to provide 'a use' to the area where the slide would connect to to the fort.

If you don't want to purchase this model with a slide then we must sell it with a 'full side kit'. This is simply something to fill the opening so that there is no danger of children falling out and getting hurt.

We will be happy to sell this model without the 'full side kit' or the slide at a price of £410 if you wish to purchase it with something else to provide 'a use' to the opening. This could be a bridge link, monkey bars, or spiral slide for example. Please telephone if you would like to choose a configuration that we do not have listed and I'd be happy to let you know the best price that we could do it for.

Here is the link for more information about the Kids Fort, Swing Set, Slide & climbing rope.

Delivery of Playground Equipment

2005-03-16T13:26:00.000Z

As part of the site update to include the new 2005 playground equipment models a change has been made to the delivery charges. Unfortunately, this has meant that there has had to be an increase in the delivery charge. Please be aware that delivery is a loss maker for us, and while the price of the delivery has gone up, it is STILL less than we are being charged by the manufacturer to get your play structure to you.

Playground Equipment - new models tomorrow

2005-03-14T21:48:00.000Z

Starting tomorrow I will be changing around the range of playground equipment that we offer. The new climbing frames, kids forts, swing sets etc. are very similar to what we currently have. Some models will be dropped, but the main change is that the models will comply to the new EN71-8 regulations. As I mentioned in my previous post this mostly affects the play structures with open sides that are unused. These products must now be sold with something to give a use to the open side. This could be a slide, bridge, or if none of these are purchased then the 'full side kit' must be sold with the product.

More about EN71-8 and Playground Equipment

2005-03-12T19:12:00.000Z

I mentioned a bit about the new EU regulations that affect playground equipment and other outdoor toys. What I never mentioned was the direct effect that it has on the products within Garden Playground Equipment.

Under the new regulations any opening coming off a platform must 'have a use'. In other words the opening must be for a slide, bridge, etc. Currently we sell forts and climbing frames either with or without a slide. Under the new regulations we would not be able to sell these products as we currently do. They must be sold with a slide, or something to provide 'a use' for the opening. Therefore, a new product will be introduced which is the Full Side Kit, which fills the open side.

So, to meet our legal obligations we need to ensure that any open sided products (forts, climbing frames) are purchased with something to fill the gap. If you are not purchasing a slide or bridge etc. to fill the gap then the Full Side Kit which will need to be purchased. This will sell for £30.

Not all products are affected by this ruling but those that are will be clearly indicated.

Playground Equipment on Ebay

2005-03-10T21:37:00.000Z

I mentioned in the very first post in this news section that I would be putting some of the playground equipment on Ebay every now and then. What I realised was that I had failed to say what my Ebay details were.

My Ebay id is : virtcom
My Ebay shop is : Garden Playground Equipment

I'm currently in the process of removing obsolete items from the Ebay store and bringing it up to date. More on this later.

New and Old Playground Equipment Models

2005-02-28T21:40:00.000Z

As I mentioned in a previous post, there is a new range of playground equipment available from the manufacturer of these products. I've spoken to them today and there will be quite a period of overlap in terms of availability. All the current models will still be available for purchase at the same time as the new products. This situation will continue for a few weeks.

I've given some consideration as to how best to handle this situation. You see, the problem that I have is that the current products are very good. I could just dump all of them and replace them with the new products, but that means that I'm missing out on the opportunity to offer you the current playground equipment. The reason that I want to keep offering the current playground equipment for as long as possible is that there are some things in the range that have been dropped from the new 2005 playground equipment range.

If I add the 2005 playground equipment models in with the 2004 playground equipment then the menu that I use to list the products will end up about a mile long. The thing is long enough already !

I think I've reached a sensible compromise. What I'm going to do is to create a brand new section which will have just the 2005 playground equipment models listed in it. This will be accessible from a single entry on the main menu. When the 2004 playground equipment models finally get phased out then I will move the 2005 playground over to the main part of the site. Hopefully this will enable me to offer the old and new playground equipment models and move over to just the 2005 models when the 2004 ones finally go.

Changes to Garden Playground Equipment

2005-02-16T21:07:00.000Z

Over the next two weeks I will be making some changes to Garden Playground Equipment. There are changes that have been made to most of the climbing frames, kids forts, swing sets etc. Most of the changes are very minor and are designed to take the EN71-8 European Standard into account. I'll be posting more about the playground equipment updates as and when they happen.

If you're buying playground equipment, do you know about EN71-8 ?

2005-02-10T21:47:00.000Z

As you are probably only too well aware, the EU are constantly changing the laws that affect even the smallest things in our life, and that includes playground equipment. The latest regulation is EN71-8, which affect swing sets, climbing frames and all sorts of other playground equipment.

So, if you are looking to buy any garden playground equipment then make sure it complies with the European Standards EN71-1, EN71-3 and also the new EN71-8. There will be a lot of people selling playground equipment for residential use which doesn't comply with the new regulations. The regulations seem to consist mainly of measures to ensure the safety of your children. Make sure you don't get caught out buying non-compliant playground equipment for your children ! (I'm pleased to say that all the products that we are listing for 2005 DO comply with the new regulations.)

If there is one 'silly' in the regulations (and EU regulations wouldn't be complete without one) then it has to be the fact that traditional rocking horses seem to have got caught up in all this. The rules were apparently meant to cover the sort of rocking horses that are on springs in commercial or park playgrounds. The regulations apparently now state that the rocking horses can't be over 600mm high, which instantly makes the vast majority of traditional rocking horses illegal. The idea behind the 600mm rule is that it is designed to reduce the amount of broken collar bones when kids fall off. I'm not sure what the statistics for this sort of injury actually are, but I can't believe it's that high.

Like I said, a lot of common sense, safety conscious rules, which are there for the safety of your kids. It's just a shame that they has to introduce a 'stupid' element (as usual).

Playground Equipment - price changes

2005-02-09T23:02:00.000Z

As part of the re-vamp of the Garden Playground Equipment site I will be completely revising the current pricing structure and delivery charges. I'll be posting more about this over the next few days. Don't worry, the net result will not make things any more expensive !

Changes to the compact Kids Fort

2005-02-09T11:03:00.000Z

I've literally just got notice of some changes from the manufacturer to the range of playground equipment that they make. There are some pretty exciting changes to the range, and some excellent news for people who bought the more compact kids fort last year. One of the advantages of buying the larger childs fort was that it offered a whole range of options to expand it. Well now the more compact kids fort has been joined by a standalone fort which is the same size as the compact fort.

It was possible to connect the two different sizes of kids forts together with the existing range, but you ended up with a bridge that sloped, as the kids forts were at different heights. Now you don't have to worry about that problem.

Garden Playground Equipment - site maintenance

2005-02-07T22:20:00.000Z

I'm going to be doing some maintenance work on Garden Playground Equipment over the next week or so. So if anyone sees pages changing from one minute to the next it is probably just me uploading changes to the current playground equipment, changing photos, adding new products, or just generally sprucing things up.