Creating a magical space in a small garden where children can play, explore, and let their imaginations soar to new heights is no small feat. Yet, with the right elements, even the most compact of outdoor areas can transform into a wonderland for little adventurers. Our journey was to find something versatile and captivating, a climbing frame that would seamlessly blend into our existing garden layout while offering endless fun for our son. The challenge was finding a play structure that wouldn’t dominate our limited space but rather enhance it—complementing our vision of an inviting, cohesive outdoor retreat.
Thankfully we discovered the Climbing Tower Wickey Smart Action, a climbing frame that promises not only to stand the test of time with its weather-resistant qualities but also to spark joy and ignite kid’s imaginations without overwhelming the delicate balance of your garden’s design.
In this blog, I’ll explore how integrating this climbing frame into your garden can create the perfect play area that feels both expansive and intimate. A place where childhood memories are waiting to be made.
AD: I was gifted the Climbing Frame in exchange for review
Why we chose the Wickey Climbing Frame
My son is very active and energetic, and I wanted part of our garden to be a space for him to enjoy. A lot of the play equipment we were researching seemed aimed towards younger kids and would have limited appeal for him as he is already eight. We didn’t want to go to the effort of putting it up, only for him to outgrow it in a year or two.
We only have a small garden, so we wanted something that had the wow factor but didn’t take up all of our small patch of lawn. I spent a long time researching, desperately trying to find something that would give him hours of active fun, wasn’t too bulky and would be something he would enjoy for years to come. Thankfully, Wickey came to the rescue. The Climbing Tower Wickey Smart Action ticked all the boxes. After measuring up, we realised that not only would it fit perfectly along our fence, but it was also challenging enough that my son would continue to play with it without getting bored.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Own Wickey Climbing Frame
So how easy is it to assemble the Wickey Climbing Frame?
The Climbing Frame comes unassembled, so you do need to build it. We managed this task between the two of us, setting aside a few hours for the assembly.
You don’t have to complete it all at once. Instead, work on it when you can and return to it as needed at a later time. My son loved seeing the different stages of the construction and actively participated throughout, adding to the excitement. This hands-on experience not only entertained him but also imparted new skills and illustrated the rewarding outcomes of his efforts. And don’t worry, if you’re not confident building it, you can always look to hire someone to build it for you.
Step 1: Delivery
The Climbing Frame arrived on a pallet, and the driver helped us put it in the garage until we were ready for the build – i.e. on a day when it wasn’t raining!
Step 2: Unpacking
Carefully unpack all the parts of your Wickey Climbing Tower and lay them out in an organised manner. Make sure to check that you have all the necessary pieces before beginning assembly.
Step 3: Preparing the Ground
Choose a level spot in your garden to assemble the climbing frame. Remove any debris or obstacles from the ground and mark out the area where the tower will be placed.
Step 4: Assembly of Frame
Follow the instructions to assemble the two side panels (one of which is the ladder) and the roof section (Monkey Bars) of the Wickey Climbing Frame. Using a drill, make pilot holes before using the supplied screws for assembly.
Step 5: Treat the wood of the climbing frame
As we assembled the panels, we treated the wood to give it years of protection. This isn’t necessary, as the wood is already pressure treated and of very high quality, meaning it is weather resistant. Still, we decided it was worth it as it gives the climbing frame an even better finish. You could wait to do this when the tower is assembled, but we treated the wood as we went.
Step 6: Attach The Roof To The Side Panels
The next step is to bolt and screw the roof, which are the monkey bars, to the side panels. You now have a standing structure.
Step 7: Place the Support Joists
Attach the supporting joists using the supplied brackets and attach the gymnastic bar.
Step 8: Hammer and connect the anchor angles
Use a hammer or mallet to place the angle anchors into the ground. This means you don’t have to secure with concrete making it so much easier to build. We used a pack of six ordered from Wickey. Once in place in the ground secure the legs of the tower with the triple bolt connection on each angle anchor. This helps to make it extra secure.
Step 9: Adding the Accessories
Once your base structure and side panels are assembled, it’s time to add some fun accessories to your Wickey Climbing Tower. The rope ladder with wooden rungs, Scramble net, Climbing rope, 10 Climbing hand holds and basketball ring are included with the Climbing Tower. Follow the instructions provided for each accessory and make sure they are securely attached.
Step 10: Adding the Tarp to the climbing frame
The final part is added the Tarp to the front. You need to cut this to size and then attach under the front bar, screwing in the bolts to secure. There’s a few different colour options for the tarp. We chose the pastel blue rather than the royal blue as this went well with our egg chair.
Step 11: Finishing Touches
With all of the main components in place, it’s time to add any finishing touches to your Wickey Climbing Tower. This could include decorations such as flags or banners, or adding safety features like rubber mats for fall protection around the base of the climbing frame to cushion any falls. Don’t forget to check and tighten all bolts and screws, ensuring everything is sturdy and safe for play.
Top 6 Benefits of Having a Wickey Climbing Frame in Your Garden
The Wickey Climbing Frame isn’t just a piece of playground equipment. It’s a launchpad for adventure that brings numerous benefits to children. Here’s why every garden should consider having one:
1. Physical Development
The various climbing tower features, including monkey bars, a climbing wall, and a gymnastic pole, offer kids an excellent way to strengthen their muscles, improve coordination, and enhance their overall physical fitness. My son spends hours swinging from the monkey bars, scaling the climbing wall, and having so much fun while unknowingly partaking in a full-body workout.
2. Mental Growth
Navigating through an adventure tower requires problem-solving skills and determination. Children learn to assess risks, make decisions, and develop confidence with each successful climb or swing. Watching my son overcome the challenges on his own has been incredibly rewarding.
3. Social Skills
The Wickey Climbing Tower is a magnet for my son’s friends. It fosters social interaction as children learn to share space, take turns on the basketball hoop (which I admit having had quite a few shots at myself!), and work together in creating imaginative games on the tower.
4. Endless Outdoor Adventure
With its weather-resistant construction, the climbing tower stands as an ever-ready option for outdoor activity, providing hours of outdoor fun. Whether it’s playing ‘pirates’ on the top of the monkey bars or ‘mountain explorers’ on the climbing wall, it keeps children engaged in active play away from screens.
5. Family Fun
It’s not just for kids! The sturdy design means I can join in, too. Shooting hoops at the basketball hoop with my son has become one of our favourite ways to spend quality time together while getting some exercise.
6. Aesthetic Appeal
Besides its functional benefits, this climbing tower also enhances the aesthetic of our garden. Its sleek, modern design blends seamlessly with the outdoor environment, adding a touch of elegance to our back garden. Moreover, despite its variety of features, it’s compact enough not to overpower the whole garden. This efficient use of space ensures that we still have plenty of room for other activities or simply enjoying the beauty of our outdoor surroundings.
Other Options
Wickey have a variety of Climbing Towers, Climbing Frames, Tower Playhouses, swing sets and sand pits. There’s really something for everyone and every size garden so whether your kids want climbing walls, a secret base, a castle tower, you name it, there’s something for all needs, requirements and imaginations. Wickey is also introducing new products all the time, as well as their existing Wickey Wooden Climbing Frames. So keep an eye on their website and Instagram for all the latest news.
Final Thoughts, Wickey Climbing Frame
In essence, the Wickey Climbing frame offers more than just playtime. It provides a versatile platform for physical development, mental challenges, social interaction, endless adventure, and family bonding opportunities. Seeing my son so engaged and hearing his laughter fill our garden is truly heart-warming – making every moment spent on assembling this fantastic piece of equipment utterly worth it!
