Anyone do any research on these? JT is getting one for his first birthday and now I have to figure out which one in our price range is best. I don't even know where to start. I'm not sure if wood or vinyl...which brands are reliable...etc. It's a gift from my mom so I hope I can stay within budget.
Re: Outdoor playsets
I suggest one of the vinyl Step 2 playsets. My neighbors have a large wooden swing set and I wouldn't feel comfortable at all leaving the kids to play on it alone until they're at least 4. But when he did play on it this spring and summer he didn't want me to help at all. I had to stand there and hope he didn't fall.
My other neighbors gave him a Step 2 slide and climbing wall that seems far safer for his age. I felt perfectly fine sitting on the patio with Em watching him play on it. What he really LOVES is his sandbox though! ToysRus had huge sales on outdoor play stuff last spring (30-50% off). I've also found a lot of those things on sale on Craigslist for a steal.
This is what our neighbor gave us.
This is what we bought on sale last year.