apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

We have this see-saw from Magic Cabin:http://www.magiccabin.com/magiccabin/product.do?section_id=0&bc=1004&pgc=1869&cmvalue=MCD|0|Normal%20Search%20Result|P1&

And this slide from Target:http://www.target.com/Qwikfold-Big-Slide/dp/B000M25PD8/sr=1-5/qid=1208354345/ref=sr_1_5/601-4430496-1984932?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Aslide&page=1

Community Playthings, a day care supplier, also has a modern/scandinavian esthetic:http://www.communityplaythings.com/

Wow, just yesterday I was thinking of posting this same comment. I would also love some suggestions for outdoor equipment that is fun but not hideous.

http://www.scandinaviandesigncenter.com/Products/usd0/Accessories/Children Accessories&Page=2

try these - a bit expensive - but all good design is. and I doubt is painted in led.

I have personally used a plasma car and I mean me, not me watching a kid, and they are pretty much the coolest thing ever. They are easy to use, well made, fun and bonus, the parents can play too!

Hi. Both my kids, ages 3 and 12, LOVE their plasma cars! They ride them around my house on rainy days...we have laminate flooring. Good luck!

Plasma cars are not for 18-month-olds...

For a sleek ride-on check out okiedog's fropper or cheeky chick. I bought a Prince Lionheart Wheely Bug (Bee Large) for my son, and not only is it cute as a bug, it's on casters (easy to maneuver and turn). I reviewed ours on Amazon.com and added a pic.

Radio Flyer makes a steerable trike. So does Kettler. You basically push and steer as the tot doesn't know how to pedal or turn at this stage, and once he learns, you take the push bar off and release the steering over.

As far as swingset-type and playhouse equipment goes, if you're willing to spend thousands of dollars on a custom set, you can find nice wood ones by searching on Google. One of the popular companies comes out with the set in a truck and will assemble it for you (included in the price).

I'm sticking with Step2 outdoor stuff. I've had good experiences with the climbers and more.

Step2 has some plastic climbers/slides/playhouses in their "natural" line that don't make me want to rip my eyeballs out.

I bought the Radio Flyer Retro Rocket ride-on, which is plastic but it's super-cute and really sturdy. It's for age one and up. My guy is 18 months, and he is just starting to ride on his, but he's been enjoying pushing it around and smacking the buttons and putting toys in the storage area under the seat for months. It has lights and sound effects, but they're not too annoying, and there is an off switch.

I'm considering getting this 'climbable sculpture' for my backyard...
http://www.playlsi.com/Products/Mobius/

We just bought a Kettler trike. My son, who is 15 months, loves to ride in it. He prefers to be on the trike instead of in the stroller now. As for swing sets or climbing structures, our neighbors have one in their backyard and their children (ages 5 and 3) never play on it. So I am rethinking the need to buy one, think we shall stick to the parks, unless others here have had a different experience. Do your children actually play on these items for a couple of years?

"As for swing sets or climbing structures, our neighbors have one in their backyard and their children (ages 5 and 3) never play on it."

Maybe they don't like that one. Maybe they get their climbing needs fulfilled in some other way.

Remember when you were a kid? Did you use swingsets or jungle gyms?
How boring life would have been without some kind of playground.

What are you going to do when the weather isn't good and you can't go to parks?

That climbable sculpture looks really interesting and fun, idesign123.

Here are a few high quality swing sets that are still pretty attractive (all of them are on the classic side) - http://www.3luxe.com/category/Outdoor_Fun/Swing_Sets

Or how about sticking to wooden structures and toys for your yard? That might keep things from getting too cutesy, at least.