We are thinking about getting a swingset/playscape for our kids. The only place we have found locally that sells them is Rainbow in Utica(apart from Toys R Us). My husband WILL NOT put it together himself, so the place has to install it (rules out the Toys r Us type). My question is, is it worth it? Do your kids actually play on them? They are really expensive (atleast $2000 and up) so I don't want to spend the money if they won't actually use it. Where did anyone else find to shop?
We have a rainbow system and my kids use it every day we have had it for 4 years now and still looks great! The people there are friendly and very helpful
The Doll Hospital and Toy Soldier Shop in Berkely has a large selection of wood playsets at many price points. We just purchased one from them this year. Their website is www.reallygreattoys.com. The staff there was very helpful and they have people that will install them for a fee.
We just purchased the Costco version. My kids are 4 and 1 and they both love it so much. I think it is worth it. My kids love to be outside, so I guess it depends on your kids. The costco version cost 1400 in store and 1200 online free shipping. YOu do have to install it yourself...but maybe you could pay someone 200 to install it and you would still save some money. Those Rainbow scapes are so expensive.
I had great success finding one on Craigslist.com I saved a ton of money. If you have access to a pick up truck, usually you can take them apart into two pieces. It was pretty simple to re-assemble. I hated to spend close to $2,000 on something that I wasn't sure my kids would play on. Needless to say, it has been a big hit and they play on it daily. So I saved and they are happy too! Good luck.
After spending over a year looking for a play system, my husband and I purchased a used Rainbow system through Craig's List last summer. We have 3 children, 14, 3 and 14 months. We LOVE it. We purchased new accessories for the 12 year old system and it looks like new. The kids all play on it. Even the neighborhood kids come over to play when our kids are not out there. When we have family and friends over to visit the play stucture is wonderful to keep a bunch of kids happy and occupied while we adults watch them and talk. The nice thing about the used system is that we saved about half the cost and still got all the quality. The system will outlast our children and provide years of fun for yet another family in the future. These are the best systems around and provide a large variety of activity. They can be used year round as well. People do not often think of playing on a swingset in the winter, but our kids will brav the cold and snow to play on it. It is absolutly worth the money, new or used.
Definately worth the investment!!! We purchased ours from Rainbow about 5 1/2 years ago when our son was 2 1/2. He has always loved playing on it - still does! So do all of his friends (older - like tween age and younger). So much imaginative play goes along with it, too! Can't ask for more than that! Hope you find what you are looking for and I hope this helped.
P.S. The people from Rainbow that we worked with, both at the store and the men who installed our playscape were fabulous and I highly recommend them.
Take care,
L.
Purchased one at Home Depot and they will come and put it together (for a fee of course).
I'm sure you will get use out of it. Costco sells them and I believe you can pay for installation. Lowe's will also install.
To me the installation is worth it. It can be really dangerous if they are installed wrong and our friends who did it themselves...it took about 3 days!
