When I originally shared this with my Katy Bowman cohorts, they were all super excited. I know that we are a unique breed as we love houses without furniture and it isn't uncommon to see something hanging from the ceiling or walls for kids and adults to climb. But I think all parents can appreciate a room like this where kids can be kids. It has been so liberating to give away all the furniture. I am still struggling with some of our adult furniture, but we have definitely downsized. Each piece is a negotiation with the husband and comes with a selection of rolled eyes from my family. I struggle too. We just bought all this crap! But in the long run, we will get rid of it, and we won't have to replace it. Kids, go ahead and jump on the sofa!
So the list of things I ordered on Amazon (prime) to create this room is:
Cargo net: $55: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PWADYQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Real rock grips $52: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AX9DOOM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Blue mat for the ground $90 (we needed 2 per room): (as we have hardwood): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BR1DTK4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Handles $11/set: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8LVH08/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Metal monkey bars $22 (we needed two sets): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028AED1M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They were not cheap... this also doesn't include the wood or the rope that be bought at home depot. And luckily labor was covered with a big "thank you grandpa!"
However, we gave our daughter this for her birthday gift and what is still exciting is she has wanted her birthday party in her room twice so far (this is the second year). Plus the hours of enjoyment! I also think this will last for years - or hope anyway.
Feedback on the room, well we love it. But there are some tips I can pass along. The mats are not as durable as I would have liked, but they work. I would have a hard time paying more but if you really want high quality, you might have to. Don't vacuum them. Trust me on this.
We used rope to hang stuff so that we can easily move it around, but our structure is pretty set. If you made it more mobile it portable it might be fun to have even more options.
The monkey bars we got are fine, but if I could go back and make them wider, because they would be more user friendly for adults. Also wood dowels and different sizes for grips would be nice. They are slippery, so that is why we have some bands hanging down. Mom can't do them w/out the bands... My kids can though.
The rope has been used more for a swing then a climbing rope. Also Tarzan swinging with pushing off the walls. That is one reason we put the plywood up. So that they can slam into it and push off of the wall, but not put their feet through it.
One of the bigger issues that we have had to "deal" with is that we don't have a dresser or book shelf. We didn't want the kids to fall on anything hard with corners etc. So all the clothes and books are in the closets. This is not attractive. They are disasters. I don't really mind, it is a great trade off for me. My kids don't really mind either. But finding clothes and getting them organized is a feat. One day we might re do the closets, but it has not been a priority.
Happy to share any other info if we missed it here!
So the list of things I ordered on Amazon (prime) to create this room is:
Cargo net: $55: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PWADYQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Real rock grips $52: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AX9DOOM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Blue mat for the ground $90 (we needed 2 per room): (as we have hardwood): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BR1DTK4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Handles $11/set: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8LVH08/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Metal monkey bars $22 (we needed two sets): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028AED1M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They were not cheap... this also doesn't include the wood or the rope that be bought at home depot. And luckily labor was covered with a big "thank you grandpa!"
However, we gave our daughter this for her birthday gift and what is still exciting is she has wanted her birthday party in her room twice so far (this is the second year). Plus the hours of enjoyment! I also think this will last for years - or hope anyway.
Feedback on the room, well we love it. But there are some tips I can pass along. The mats are not as durable as I would have liked, but they work. I would have a hard time paying more but if you really want high quality, you might have to. Don't vacuum them. Trust me on this.
We used rope to hang stuff so that we can easily move it around, but our structure is pretty set. If you made it more mobile it portable it might be fun to have even more options.
The monkey bars we got are fine, but if I could go back and make them wider, because they would be more user friendly for adults. Also wood dowels and different sizes for grips would be nice. They are slippery, so that is why we have some bands hanging down. Mom can't do them w/out the bands... My kids can though.
The rope has been used more for a swing then a climbing rope. Also Tarzan swinging with pushing off the walls. That is one reason we put the plywood up. So that they can slam into it and push off of the wall, but not put their feet through it.
One of the bigger issues that we have had to "deal" with is that we don't have a dresser or book shelf. We didn't want the kids to fall on anything hard with corners etc. So all the clothes and books are in the closets. This is not attractive. They are disasters. I don't really mind, it is a great trade off for me. My kids don't really mind either. But finding clothes and getting them organized is a feat. One day we might re do the closets, but it has not been a priority.
Happy to share any other info if we missed it here!
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