eternalsummer Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Title just about covers it. We are in a snowy area. They will go outside a lot but I think they might stay inside a lot this winter too, as we have a very nice finished basement (we just moved, we rent) with great light and carpet and etc. But what to put down there? What do they actually *use* and not just make a mess with and throw at each other (or at least, not injure each other while throwing)? I will not be down there with all of them all of the time. Things I have had in the past that have been not as great as hoped: tent rocking horse softplay blocks (those big vinyl covered ones) big wooden dollhouse, ala Waldorf Things they seem to like: cardboard boxes jumping on mattresses scribbling on walls Scribbling on walls is obviously out. I am considering buying them a mattress or two just for jumping. I guess I could throw all of our bigger cardboard boxes down there but I was hoping for something sturdier and longer-lasting. The littlest ones are mostly boys, if that makes a difference. They are not quiet, reserved boys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalsummer Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share Posted October 18, 2017 When they are outside, which they prefer by a factor of about a million, they largely play pirates or explorers or army guys or minecraft guys (I dunno how it all works), and have elaborate games with trees and sticks and rocks and pine needles and etc. I want to encourage this sort of play downstairs but I don't want to fill the basement with rocks and pine needles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 (edited) When we lived in South Dakota and I had three preschool boys, I had a Little Tykes outdoor playset set up in the basement with an old mattress at the bottom of the slide. They would climb and jump all day long down there. Believe it or not, this is what we had set up, and it reached clear to the ceiling: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Little-Tikes-Playground/54000278 Edited October 18, 2017 by Kinsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 (edited) One of those small trampolines if the ceiling is high enough, or a few old mattresses on the floor (crib mattresses can be leaned against the wall to run into) or those big interlocking foam mats (protect both the carpet and padding for falls), big Nerf balls and bats, sturdy used tables and chairs and throw rugs, etc. they can arrange into tents/forts etc and climb over. No crayons or markers etc if you can't trust them not to mark up the walls. Renting instead of owning limits you a tad. If there are any ceiling pipes visible cover them somehow lest they be looked on as play equipment ;-) googling gets a lot of ideas - obviously a renter can't install a climbing wall, but there are kits apparently for free standing contraptions that might work https://www.pinterest.com/pin/198580664800000125/?lp=true http://foter.com/explore/kids-gym-equipment Edited October 18, 2017 by JFSinIL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Forgot to mention... we also had a ball pit and a mini trampoline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 I had: a small set of mats, rolls, and wedges you'd find in gymnastics gym. dd and older ds set them up in all kinds of ways. If I was doing it again I'd get more of these things than I initially got. I later used them to do OT exercises with my younger ds and then passed them to family with a younger child who also had disabilities. a jogger trampoline. dd used this and replacements all the way through high school. Although my basement is nicely finished, during that stage we furnished for the kids to be able to be active. Mostly what was done there was a nice oversized leather sectional and a tv. So the kids could bounce all over and mostly not break stuff or get hurt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TABmom Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 There is a medium sized trampoline- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OA38RX0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508331865&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=my+first+trampoline&dpPl=1&dpID=41CBr285fJL&ref=plSrch That we have gotten a ton of use out of! We live in a cold climate too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 (edited) Gonge Hilltops and Riverstones Cozy Sack "beanbag" Indoor trampoline A balance beam Melissa and Doug building bricks A big whiteboard? :) Edited October 18, 2017 by MercyA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xahm Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 If they can be trusted to throw some things inside without thinking that means they can throw everything, how about magnetic or Velcro darts and those Velcro balls with Velcro paddles to catch on. Our just foam balls they can toss around. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medawyn Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Agility ladder, cones, rings, a tunnel, and sticks for hurdles. Lots of build your own obstacle courses happening. If you can install one while renting, a climbing rope suspended from the ceiling. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 If they can be trusted to throw some things inside without thinking that means they can throw everything, how about magnetic or Velcro darts and those Velcro balls with Velcro paddles to catch on. Our just foam balls they can toss around. We also had this. And a balance board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalsummer Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share Posted October 18, 2017 these are all great ideas :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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