Nowadays, when it comes to intellectual and physical development, it can be difficult to find ways to encourage your kids to try new things. With electronic tablets, mobile phones, and televisions providing hours of entertainment, technology has surely progressed by leaps and bounds. However, there is much to be said about going old-school- that is, providing options for your kids to learn and play outside of electronics, just like you did when you were younger. Climbing frames have numerous benefits, some of which are listed below.
Benefits
1. Developing coordination and motor skills
Babies have a natural instinct to move and climb as they grow, and it is a significant part of their development and growth. As parents, each milestone is groundbreaking, and the most important task is to help encourage this kind of development through the years. With kids climbing equipment, children are given a chance to hone their spatial and directional awareness as they play, whilst also giving them the space to improve their balance and agility, which will not only help them in their physical development at the moment, but also in the future as they undertake more physically demanding tasks and games.
2. Developing problem solving, memory skills, and confidence
It might not seem like it, but kids climbing frames do not just help improve physical skills. A child’s cognitive development also benefits from providing young ones a space to play and socialise with climbing frames. This is because the techniques and methods that are used in climbing and playing with these frames helps the child to develop their problem solving skills, as well as their memory skills. The repetition of both the physical and intellectual decisions made to successfully navigate and climb really solidifies this type of development, and boosts confidence and motivation, too. This is because having a tangible goal that they can reach and overcome provide children with a safe environment to push themselves and grow.
3. Fun that gets kids moving
Kids are automatically attracted to the pull of climbing frames and swing sets when taken to the playground. There is something about this structure that screams “Fun!” to kids, and for good reason – the excitement that can be felt after scaling a climbing frame, the exhilaration of being pushed into the air as you swing – these are sensations that just can’t be felt with a tablet in your hand.
4. Stimulates the imagination
On a playground, children develop their creativity, too. What adults see as a simple structure of wood and metal bars can actually be a paradise for kids! From fairy tale castles, to pirate boats, the limits of the imagination are endless, and ensures hours of play for the young ones. And what’s more, research shows that children who play outdoors have higher performance at school, including, but not limited to, mathematics, writing, listening, and critical thinking. This shows that stimulating a kid’s imagination has benefits that extend to more than just their innate creativity.
5. Great for health
Playing outdoors is great for kids’ health, and adding kids climbing equipment to your list of options is a great idea. Playgrounds and climbing frames encourage children to be active, thereby improving muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance. Kids that are not given the time and option to exercise and play are more likely to be uncoordinated, unbalanced, and underperform not just in physical tasks, but also in school. Exercise is important not only for physical development, but also for cognitive development as well, and as kids grow, this is the best time to work on these skills.
Features
- Swing features
Kids love to swing! The sensation of being on a swing is exhilarating for children, especially since they can learn to swing quite easily. With the wind in their face and the sensation of movement, it is no surprise that having a swing set amps up a kid’s excitement. Which is why it is a great idea to invest in a climbing frame that has a swing feature, and especially one that is height adjustable, meaning that your kids can grow with their swing set through the years.
- Slide features
Kids’ slides are a playground staple, and come in a variety of lengths. The exhilarating motion of flying down a playground slide should not only be limited to the younger kids, however, so it is important to look into longer options so that as your child grows, they do not outgrow their play set too quickly. Not only that, but it also ensures that kids of all ages and abilities are able to enjoy the excitement of going down a slide.
- Play features
Having backyard climbing equipment not only provides kids with the option to play and engage in physical activities, thereby boosting their strength, endurance and coordination, but also provides kids with a safe space to socialise with their peers. It’s a great opportunity to schedule play dates for your kids and help encourage childhood connections that can only get stronger as the kids grow into adulthood. And aside from that, not only are they developing social skills, but they will also be developing fine motor skills that will benefit them in other ways, such as handwriting, needlework, playing musical instruments, to name a few.
Lastly, ensure that the backyard climbing equipment that you are looking at is designed not only to be beneficial to your child’s development in the moment, but throughout the years, offering continual opportunities for growth, both physically and mentally. After all, kids climbing frames help children to develop their nuclear power, health, and fitness, which is crucial for their later development. Key points to remember are adjustability, durability, and the available space that you have for this play system. Also consider if the backyard climbing equipment available requires professional assembly or can be DIY-ed. Not only would this cut costs, but also provide you with the priceless experience of putting together a playground for your children that will provide countless beautiful memories and years of enjoyment and use.
