Toys and Games - Reviews and News

First thing you definitely need in maintenance of swimming pools is a swimming pool heater to protect your pipes from freezing. These swimming pool heaters can be fitted to any new or old pools.

It is difficult choosing which pool heater is required, so you will have to make certain that the swimming pool heater you buy is powerful enough to heat the volume of water in your pool.

Gas, electric and oil based heaters are the more traditional forms but many people these days are opting for heat pump systems. Heat pump

is a device that moves heat from one place to another place. So, how does it work? Normally these heat pumps use pipes, which are buried under the garden to receive heat from the ground. This process is used for radiators to warm water or underfloor heating systems.

Now that you have some idea on what sort of swimming pool heater can be used for your swimming pools, I recommend you do the same type of reading and research on choosing swimming pool covers, swimming pool chemicals and swimming pool filters.

My children are spoiled when it comes to playthings. They have a playstation, Wii fit and Xbox 360 along with bicycles, a garden trampoline and their most recent outdoor toy which is a really nice wooden playset.

As the weather has begun to improve they’ve begun to migrate from the computer games to the real outdoor games so over dinner last night I conducted an informal poll to find out which was the most popular plaything with my three under sevens (two girls and one boy).

The results were quite surprising with the wooden playset (which is equipped with a swing slide) coming out on top, followed by the trampoline then the Wii fit. I daresay these results were largely influenced by the fact that they had just spent a noisy hour having fun on their new swing and slide.

So if you are trying to decide between a computer game or a good piece of outdoor play equipment - I recommend you choose the latter. Your children will love it.

Trampolines have become the must have fun and fitness accessories owned by many UK households. But as trampoline ownership has soared so has the number of trampoline related injuries.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) figures tell us that, in 2002, 11,500 people went to hospital after suffering a trampoline accident. This figure was a 50% increase on the previous year. Approximately 75% of injuries occurred when there were 2 or more people on the trampoline and the least heavy person is five times more likely to be injured. A particularly worrying statistic for parents is that children under the age of six are particularly vulnerable to injury.

Injuries vary, from minor grazes, bruises, strains and whip lash, to broken bones and more serious injuries resulting in paralysis and even death.

The chartered institute of physiotherapy have published some common-sense safety guidelines that anyone owning a trampoline should be familiar with.

To avoid injuries they recommend:

• Stretching before and after trampolining
• Don’t push your body too far when trampolining to avoid muscle strain
• Control your bouncing and don’t go too high
• Never attempt somersaults or flips as awkward landings can have serious consequences.

Their twelve point safety advice for trampolines is:

1. If possible set the trampoline in a hole, with the mat at ground level, to reduce the distance the user could fall.
2. Keep trampoline clear of fences, trees and any other yard or play equipment. Erect netting around the sides of the trampoline to stop users falling off.
3. Ensure trampoline has a securely fastened frame pad to cover the entire spring system, hooks and frame
4. Place cushioning material (such as wood chips, sand or soft lawn) under and around the trampoline
5. Check the wear and tear on the trampoline mat and springs before use
6. Use the trampoline only when the mat is completely dry
7. Children should always be supervised by an adult. It is not advised that children under age six use large trampolines
8. Only one person should use the trampoline at a time
9. Users should always jump in the middle of the mat
10. Never exit the trampoline by bouncing off - climb on and off carefully
11. Users should remove all jewellery, buckles or anything that might catch and should not wear hard shoes; socks should be non-slip
12. Never sit or crawl under the trampoline

Another key point that should not be overlooked is the quality of the trampoline itself. The current trampolining popularity means that the market has been flooded with cheap trampolines that may not be as safe as those which have been fully tested and verified. Take a look at the detailed description of this 14ft trampoline: Alley Oop Power Double Bounce. You can see from the comparison table the details of the features that make this reputable trampoline the favoured option.

Who can remember how exciting it was to play with a Wendy House or a Play House when you were young?

Dim and very distant memories for me, but I do recall how exciting it was to have doors and window that were child size and clearly not intended for grown-ups. We weren’t lucky enough to have a wooden play house. Ours was more like a tent that had been printed to look vaguely like a house. But our imaginations would take over and we’d happily play with our little Wendy house for hours.

A child’s imagination is wonderfully capable of transporting them from this world to another fantastic place populated by fantasy characters, demons and dragons. A few well chosen props can be enormously stimulating to this form of play which is important in aiding a child’s language and social development. A playhouse, no matter how simple, can provide this valuable stimulation.

Along with the rest of the family, my little boy Marcus, who is 8 years old, loves to watch Ray Mears. He has a fantastic interest in the outdoors, plants, animals and birds and loves our annual camping trips where he can play at being a great explorer and toast marshmallows on the camp fire.

As the school summer holidays approached he began to ask myself and his mother when we’d be going camping and his mother told him that he could camp in the back garden if he wanted to. We began to talk about erecting his little tent on our back lawn and then he remarked that Ray Mears always sleeps in a hammock without a tent.

At this, I suggested that he might do the same. But instead of sleeping in a hammock he could sleep on our garden trampoline. He was all for it.

So we lashed up a flysheet over the trampoline, dug out his little sleeping bag and invited one of his friends over for a sleep out. To make it more like a Ray Mears adventure we cooked some sausages and burgers over a brazier and allowed him and his friend to burn some toast on sticks before tucking them up for the night on the trampoline.

The following morning they were up bright and early, bouncing on the trampoline, full of energy after their little taste of independence. So a trampoline is not only a great way to get some exercise, it can also provide a useful sleeping platform for the odd night in the garden.

They’re everywhere these days. I’m referring to those ubiquitous round garden trampolines that every home with a little outdoor space appears to have. If you own a trampoline you will already know how popular they are with the children. Maybe your youngsters will progress to become the next Olympic trampolining champions.

Trampolining originates from the 1930s when George Nissen noted that trapeze artists would sometimes use their safety nets to perform bouncing tricks. The word ‘trampoline’ is actually derived from the Spanish word for diving board, ‘trampolin’. This is because George used his first, home built trampoline to develop his diving skills.

Trampolining became an Olympic sport in 2000 and many countries now incorporate trampolining into their school’s physical education programmes. Trampolining is a great exercise. It improves cardiovascular fitness, helps develop balance and can even help the immune system by increasing the movement efficiency of lymph.

Providing your children with a garden trampoline is clearly a great way to help them to keep in shape and to develop their balance and bouncing skills. Maybe it will also serve to bounce them onwards to world champion status.

Bouncy castles have been in the news recently after Sam Harris, now 13, of Spalding, Lincolnshire, suffered brain damage as a result of a skull fracture caused by a kick to the head sustained at a party. Does this mean that bouncy castles are unsafe?

The judge in this case found that the level of supervision of the children playing on the bouncy castle was inadequate. The parents responsible for hiring the inflatable were found to have been negligent and damages (likely to exceed £1m) were awarded to the injured boy.

Bouncy castles are not unsafe unless they are improperly installed, poorly supervised or faulty. Some of the known hazards that exist with bouncy castles include:

• Inadequate tethering resulting in the bouncy castle blowing away in windy conditions
• Leaks or faulty blowers causing a loss of pressure and deflation
• Children falling from the inflatable
• Trip hazards (mainly caused by the tethering lines)
• Overcrowding
• Small young children being jostled by older, bigger children

Bouncy castles are now common at children’s parties, particularly in the summer months, and many families are buying their own inflatable outdoor toys to encourage their little ones to get outside and engage in more active play, rather than watch too much T.V. Youngsters find them irresistible so what can a responsible parent or carer do to ensure their child’s safety? Here are some basic bouncy castle safety tips:

• Make certain that the bouncy castle is securely anchored to the ground and that the ground is level
• Make certain that there is either soft ground or impact absorbing mats next to the openings in the inflatable
• There should always be at least one person dedicated to supervising the children on the bouncy castle
• Ensure that the children are not overcrowded on the bouncy castle
• Never let older, bigger children play on the inflatable alongside little ones
• Always make certain that the children remove their shoes and any sharp items of clothing and jewellery including belts and watches
• The supervisor should ensure that the bouncy castle is not abused. Children should not be allowed to climb the walls, push and shove one another or perform acrobatics
• Drinks, sweets, ice cream and food shouldn’t be consumed on the inflatable

Bouncy Castles, and other forms of inflatable outdoor toys, are great fun and a fantastic way to encourage children to engage in active physical play.

Many people believe that, today, we are overly protective of our children, too scared to let them take even moderate risks. Over-protection can lead to children becoming overly dependent on their parents and this can impinge upon their physical and emotional development. A bouncy castle, or maybe a climbing frame, can provide a safe environment in which children can explore and develop their physical confidence.

Are you looking for an adventure playset for your children? If you are then you should pay a visit to Climbing Frames UK as their current special offer prices will save you pounds.

Here are a few examples:
The Selwood Trailblazer Playset has a RRP of £599. If you search using Google products you can find one of these excellent garden playsets for £485 but, right now, you can get the same top quality playset made from Cedar wood, sources from sustainable forests, for only £319.

The Selwood Cedar Ridge Playset has a similar bargain price tag at Climbing Frames UK. The RRP for this popular playset is £899. The best price found using Google product search was £699 but you can buy this great adventure playset for only £549 from Climbing Frames UK.

The Selwood Conqueror Playset offers further significant savings at Climbing Frames UK. The RRP for this top class climbing frame, swing set and playhouse combination is £1299. The best price found using Google product search was £995 but Climbing Frames UK have this one on offer at only £949.

A residential playset in your garden is something that your children will love. It encourages active outdoor play, helps them to develop all sorts of skills and will not cost you the earth.

Having a mini trampoline in your garden is a great way for your children, and yourself, to get some exercise and maybe bounce away a few excess pounds.

Remember that bouncing on a trampoline for as little as 5 to 10 minutes can be equivalent to running a mile. And its a lot more fun.

Unfortunately most trampoline suppliers don’t give you the opportunity to ‘try before you buy’. But those lovely people over at Climbing Frames UK have kindly setup a few of their most popular models for you to check out before you purchase.

They are currently displaying two models at their busy Brentwood branch and another over at their Weighbridge branch so why not pop along and check them out. You can talk over your specific requirements with a salesperson who will advise you on the best choice to make.

Trampolines are both great fun and an excellent way to get some exercise. Did you know that spending as little as five to ten minutes working out on a trampoline is equivalent to running a mile.

Trampolines can take a while to master but they will improve coordination and provide an excellent lower body workout. Trampolining is an aerobic exercise, increasing the heart rate, consuming more oxygen while toning muscles in the legs, thighs, hips and stomach. Trampoline exercise is an excellent way to work off those excess, bouncing pounds.

You can’t fail to have noticed the explosion in use of garden trampolines but what do you need to consider before purchasing?

Space for a Trampoline

Trampolines vary in size. The size determines the maximum weight that the trampoline can accept. Most trampoline manufacturers recommend that their trampolines are used by only one person at a time. So if your garden trampoline is to be used by adults you will need to consider at least a 12 foot or 14 foot diameter trampoline. However, if you trampoline is to be used exclusively by one or two small children a 10ft trampoline may be adequate. There is a weight limit on all trampolines so be sure to check this before making your selection.

Your available space may dictate the size limit of your garden trampoline. Ideally you should ensure that there is about 3 to 4 feet of clear space all around the trampoline. They should ideally be kept away from fences, hedges and overhead cables and they need to be on a level surface.

Trampoline Technology

Some trampolines use metal springs, some use elastic bands and some use more complex combinations of these. Metal springs tend to provide the greatest bounce and some allow the spring tension to be adjusted. Elastic band based trampolines tend to be cheaper.

The jumping platform or bed is generally made from polymesh or may be a 2-string bed. Polymesh is most commonly found on the popular circular garden trampolines. This material is not springy in itself but the tight mesh is smooth and non-abrasive. The 2-string beds are more commonly found on rectangular trampolines.

Trampoline Safety Enclosures

Enclosures are good for small children and those who are not experienced trampoliners. Enclosures are generally recommended for children under the age of six and it should be ensured that they are adequately high (at least 6 feet) to prevent anyone from bouncing over the top. Another thing to consider with enclosures is the support poles. There should be eight poles and these should be thickly padded to prevent injury.

If you are considering a garden trampoline it is worthwhile taking a few moments to consider:

• Who is the trampoline for
• How long will you want it to last for
• How much space do you have for it and
• How much do you want to spend.

Armed with this information pay a visit to a few trampoline suppliers and assess what they have to offer. It is worth remembering that the cheapest garden trampoline is not likely to be the best!