Giving outdoor toys as a gift? Here’s how to choose the right one

As the festive season approaches, wish lists start doing the rounds. Choosing an outdoor gift means choosing something that will have a permanent place in the garden. You will see a playhouse, swing or climbing dome every day when you look outside, so it is worth taking your time. Four questions will take you a long way.

 

Good to know: with an account on exittoys.ie, you can save your favourites to your wish list. That way, you can keep everything together while you compare.

1. How does your child like to play?

Start with your child, not the product. A playhouse is a good match for a child who loves role play. The EXIT Hika wooden playhouse has a role-play wheel with 8 themes. Turn it and the playhouse becomes an ice cream shop, castle, veterinary practice or police station. It is suitable from age 2 and has an open design, making it easy for children to move in and out.

 

Does your child love climbing and clambering? The EXIT metal climbing dome ø300cm is suitable from age 3. Add a few blankets and your child can turn it into a play tent.

 

Does your child love football? Take a look at a football goal or rebounder. With the EXIT Kickback football rebounder 124x90cm, your child can practise shooting, passing, controlling the ball, goalkeeping and heading, even without a teammate.

2. What is it made from?

Outdoor toys stay outside all year round, so take a close look at the materials and finish.

• The Hika is made from FSC®-certified cypress wood. Cypress wood is naturally resistant to weather conditions such as rain and wind. The wood used for EXIT playhouses is also treated with a natural, water-based stain that helps protect it against wood rot and mould.
• The football goals, Kickback rebounders and climbing dome have a galvanised and powder-coated steel frame. This gives the steel an extra protective layer for outdoor use.
• The new Maestro and Coppa football goals and the Kickback multi-sport rebounder L are completely PVC-free.

 

How much maintenance does it need?

You can look after a well-made product yourself. It is therefore worth checking what you need to do to keep it looking its best.

• Wood: EXIT Toys recommends applying a fresh coat of stain to a wooden playhouse every two years, using a water-based stain or paint made from natural ingredients. If you see dark, damp patches on the wood, wipe them away with a dry cloth. Find more tips in our guide to maintaining an EXIT wooden playhouse.
• Metal: wipe the frame from time to time and check the coating for damage.
• Covering: trampoline covers are available in different sizes. They protect the jumping mat when the trampoline is not being used for a while.
• Wind and storms: remove the safety net from a trampoline during a storm and secure a standing trampoline with an anchor set. Anchor play equipment and football goals as described in the manual, for example with the ground anchors and anchor tubes supplied with the Maestro and Coppa. Read more in our guide to protecting an EXIT trampoline from strong winds.
• Parts: spare parts for play equipment can be ordered through the parts service for at least five years after purchase. If something breaks, you can replace that one part.

3. Can it grow with your child?

A good gift grows with the person using it. Look beyond your child’s age today and think about the years ahead. Here are a few examples:

• A swing that grows with your child: the EXIT Silvi wooden swing that grows with you starts in a low position for the youngest children, from 12 months. Later, you can convert it into a higher junior swing suitable up to age 12. Two seats are included.
• Equipment for the whole family: the EXIT GetSet monkeybar MB200 is a play and fitness frame to which you can add accessories such as a climbing net, gym rings or trapeze. Children can hang, climb and swing while you do your own workout. Not sure which model suits you? The GetSet selector helps you choose in three steps.
• A trampoline for younger and older jumpers: EXIT Toys uses three levels of jumping comfort: bronze, silver and gold. Trampolines with bronze jumping comfort and shorter springs help younger and slightly older children take off with confidence. Experienced jumpers get more from the longer silver and gold springs. Read more in our guide to choosing the right trampoline for your child or children.
• Adjust it as your child grows: the EXIT Ivy gym bar can be set to four heights. Kickback rebounders can be adjusted to more than 10 positions, so you decide how the ball comes back.

Growing with your child also means staying useful for a long time. The net, elastics and fixing parts for the Kickback are available separately. According to the product information, the Hika is fully repairable and recyclable.

4. Does it suit your garden?

Play equipment will have a permanent place, so look at your garden as a whole. Picture it in zones: a place to play, a place to sit and a place to move freely.

Space and position

• Clear space around it: the product dimensions do not tell the whole story. A slide needs a landing area, a swing needs space in front of and behind the seat, and a climbing frame needs space all around.
• View from the house: with younger children, it is helpful to be able to see the play area from indoors.
• Sun and shade: shade during the hottest part of the day helps keep seats and slides comfortable.
• Limited space: look for models that attach to a wall, such as the EXIT Silvi wooden swing wall mount and the EXIT GetSet monkeybar MB110 wall mount. You can also choose something that folds away when it is not being used. The EXIT Pico steel football goal 90x60cm (set of 2) – black folds in one simple movement.

 

Material and appearance

Also look at what is already in your garden, including your garden furniture, fence and any other play equipment. A new product that works with these elements makes the garden feel like one complete space.

• Wood has a warm, natural appearance that blends beautifully with greenery. EXIT Toys uses PEFC-certified Douglas fir and FSC®-certified cypress wood.
• Metal creates a clean, slim frame that suits a modern garden. The narrower tubes make the frame take up less visual space.

Looking for play equipment that feels as considered as the rest of your garden? Explore the EXIT Linea play equipment made from PEFC-certified Douglas fir. Its clean design combines warm wood tones with strong lines. The Linea Massiv 140 has solid 14 x 14 cm beams and traditional timber joints, with fewer visible metal connectors. The X-frame picnic tables match it in both material and appearance.

 

For more help choosing, read our guide to finding the right play equipment for your garden and your child’s age.

 

Choose a surface that meets the required fall height and installation instructions for your product. Always check the manual.

 

Choosing in November

Choosing in November gives you time to compare before the festive season. It is also when some of these products are available for less in the Black Friday Deals. Take your time, save your favourite to your wish list and choose what suits your child and your garden.