Buying Guides

Two toddlers climbing on an Avenlur Pikler triangle set with rocker and slide in a bright playroom

Choosing play equipment for a child is easier when you know what fits their age, your space and the way they like to move. These guides cover everything from a baby's first climber to a backyard swing set, with honest advice on sizing, safety and what to look for.

Quick answers

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A first climber for a baby or young toddler Pikler triangle guide
The best indoor climbing toy for your child's age Climbers and climbing walls guide
A full indoor or outdoor jungle gym Jungle gym guide
A climber that uses almost no floor space Swedish ladder guide
A backyard swing set Swing set guide
A toddler kitchen tower or learning tower Kitchen towers guide
Help deciding between a tower and a step stool Kitchen tower vs. step stool
An indoor swing or sensory swing Indoor swings guide
A first slide for a toddler Indoor slides guide
A rocker, Pikler arch or seesaw Seesaws and rockers guide
A playhouse or pretend play set Pretend play guide
A toddler table and chairs Table and chairs guide
A baby bouncer or rocker Baby bouncers guide
A water table or sand table Water tables guide
A wooden baby playpen Wooden playpens guide
A backyard playground for your yard size Backyard playground sets
A ride-on excavator or sandbox digger Excavator toys guide
Montessori furniture for your home Montessori furniture guide
An indoor gym that fits your room Indoor gym for kids
A climbing wall or pull-up bar Climbing walls guide
Educational toys for your child’s age Educational toys by age
An indoor playhouse, play tent or reading nook Indoor playhouses guide
A wooden playhouse for the backyard Wooden playhouses guide
A balance beam or stepping stones Balance beams guide
Monkey bars, indoors or out Monkey bars guide
Every type of outdoor play equipment Outdoor play equipment guide
Every type of indoor play equipment Indoor playground equipment guide
A baby swing or toddler swing set Baby and toddler swings
A backyard playset for a toddler Outdoor playsets for toddlers
A sensory swing for your climber Sensory swings guide
A Montessori climbing set for a toddler Montessori climbing gyms
A sensory table for water, sand or indoor play Sensory tables guide
A mud kitchen for the backyard Mud kitchens guide
A tent cover that fits your climber Climber tent covers

Climbers and indoor play

Child on gymnastic rings on the Avenlur Grove wall gymIndoor Playground EquipmentEvery type of indoor play equipment for home, by age and room.Read the guide →Avenlur monkey bar attachment on a Walnut Swedish ladderMonkey Bars for KidsIndoor vs. backyard monkey bars, when kids are ready and how to teach the skill.Read the guide →Child balancing on the Avenlur Majesty balance beamBalance Beams for KidsBalance beams, stepping stones and rockers compared, plus 6 obstacle course ideas.Read the guide →Child climbing the Avenlur Magnolia indoor gymIndoor Gym for KidsWhich indoor gym fits your room, what works at each age and options for kids 5 and up.Read the guide →Avenlur Walnut Swedish ladder wall gym with rock wallClimbing Walls for KidsRock walls, Swedish ladders and rope walls compared, safe installation and pull-up bars.Read the guide →Toddler climbing an Avenlur wooden Pikler triangleThe Ultimate Pikler Triangle Buying GuideWhat a Pikler triangle is, when babies are ready, how to choose a size and which accessories are worth adding. The place to start for first climbers from around 10 months.Read the guide →Child sitting on top of the Avenlur Hazel Pikler triangleMontessori Climbing GymsWhat makes a climbing set Montessori, which Pikler pieces fit each stage and how to build a set.Read the guide →Child climbing the Avenlur Magnolia wooden indoor climberKids Climbers and Climbing Walls GuideTypes of climbers, rock walls versus ladders and nets, the best indoor climbing toys for toddlers by age, and how much space you need.Read the guide →Avenlur Chestnut indoor jungle gym with slide and swings in a living roomJungle Gym Guide: Types, Ages and SafetyIndoor and outdoor jungle gyms explained, what age to start, how to size one for your room and the safety features that matter.Read the guide →Child climbing an Avenlur wall mounted Swedish ladder climberSwedish Ladder Wall Gym GuideHow Swedish ladders mount, which height fits your ceiling, and which attachments work with which frame.Read the guide →Toddler on an Avenlur wooden indoor slideIndoor Slides for Toddlers and KidsTypes of indoor slides, how to choose one by age and space, and how to set it up safely.Read the guide →Children playing on the Avenlur Willow rainbow seesawSeesaws, Rockers and Climbing ArchesWhat Pikler arches, rockers and seesaws are, what kids get from rocking and balancing, and how to choose one.Read the guide →Child in a sensory swing on an Avenlur climberSensory Swings for KidsCocoon, teardrop and hammock sensory swings, and exactly which one fits your Avenlur climber.Read the guide →Avenlur Large Chestnut climber with tent coverClimber Tent CoversA fit chart showing which tent cover fits each Avenlur climber, plus standalone kids tents.Read the guide →

Outdoor play

Avenlur Craftsman modern wooden swing setOutdoor Play Equipment for KidsEvery type of backyard play equipment, by age and yard.Read the guide →Avenlur Mimosa wooden outdoor playhouse with slideWooden Playhouses for KidsGround-level playhouses, raised playhouses with slides and playhouse swing sets compared.Read the guide →Kids climbing the Avenlur Sycamore Large backyard swing setBackyard Playground SetsWhich playset fits your yard, how much space you need, and surfacing and safety.Read the guide →Children playing at the Avenlur large wooden water tableWater Tables for KidsWater tables, sand tables and water walls compared, water play by age, and how to keep it clean and safe.Read the guide →Avenlur Woodland wooden mud kitchen in a backyardMud Kitchens for KidsMud kitchens compared, where to put one, what to stock it with and DIY vs. ready-made.Read the guide →Avenlur outdoor ride-on excavator digger toyRide-On Excavator ToysHow sandbox diggers work, what age they suit and how to set up a sandbox.Read the guide →Avenlur Aloe toddler outdoor playhouse with slideOutdoor Playsets for ToddlersLow play towers, foldable climbers, toddler swing sets and water tables, plus safety surfacing and space tips.Read the guide →Avenlur Sycamore wooden backyard swing set with climbing wall and slideSwing Set Buying GuideHow much yard space a swing set really needs, toddler versus school-age sets, anchoring, clearances and seasonal care.Read the guide →Avenlur wooden outdoor playset in a backyardIndoor vs. Indoor/Outdoor PlaysetsThe difference between our pine indoor sets and treated cedar indoor/outdoor sets, and how to care for a playset that lives outside.Read the guide →

Babies and toddlers

Baby playing with the activity panel in the Avenlur wooden playpenWooden Baby PlaypensWood vs. plastic vs. mesh, which size fits your home, and how to set up a playpen safely.Read the guide →Baby relaxing in a wooden baby bouncerBaby Bouncers and RockersBouncer vs. rocker vs. swing, what works at each age, and how to use a bouncer safely.Read the guide →Little one in the Avenlur Spruce indoor baby swingBaby and Toddler SwingsWhen babies are ready for a swing, indoor swings with stands, toddler swing sets and baby seats for your set.Read the guide →Toddler at the counter in an Avenlur Laurel kitchen towerToddler Kitchen Towers and Step StoolsWhat a learning tower is, when toddlers are ready, tower vs. step stool, and the safety features to look for.Read the guide →Toddler standing at the kitchen counter in an Avenlur wooden kitchen towerKitchen Tower vs. Step StoolWhich is safer for toddlers, what age to start, and how to choose between convertible and foldable kitchen towers.Read the guide →Baby in the Avenlur Spruce wooden indoor swing with standIndoor Swings for Kids: Sensory, Hammock and Baby SwingsThe three types of indoor swing, their benefits, and which Avenlur swing fits which climber.Read the guide →Toddler playing on an Avenlur wooden climbing gym indoors15 Indoor Activities to Keep Toddlers Active This WinterEasy movement ideas for cold days, plus how climbers and slides make daily active play simple.Read the guide →

Play, learning and furniture

Avenlur Nambar Montessori reading nookIndoor Playhouses for KidsWooden playhouses, play tents and reading nooks, and which fits your space and age.Read the guide →Avenlur Montessori wooden number height blocksEducational Toys by AgeWhat makes a toy educational and the skills to focus on from 1 to 6.Read the guide →Toddler at the Avenlur Hanover weaning table and chairMontessori Furniture for ToddlersWhat makes furniture Montessori, the pieces to start with and how to set up each room.Read the guide →Avenlur Flair wooden playhouse with built-in deskPretend Play for KidsWhy pretend play matters, how it changes from 1 to 7, and the playhouses, market stands and mud kitchens that invite it.Read the guide →Avenlur large wooden water table set up for sensory playSensory Tables for KidsWater, sand and activity tables compared by size and age, indoors or out.Read the guide →Avenlur Cordia wooden kids activity table and chairMontessori Table and ChairsWhat makes a table Montessori, why kids benefit from their own table, and how to choose the right height by age.Read the guide →Avenlur wooden mountain rainbow stackerBenefits of Wooden ToysWhy parents and Montessori classrooms choose wooden toys, plus an honest wood vs. plastic comparison.Read the guide →

Frequently asked questions

What is the best first climber for a baby?

A low Pikler triangle, from around 10 to 12 months once a baby can pull to stand. Our Pikler triangle guide covers sizes and setups.

How do I choose play equipment for a small space?

Look for foldable or wall mounted designs. A Swedish ladder needs as little as three feet of floor depth, and foldable climbers store flat between uses.

Can indoor playsets be used outside?

Our indoor sets are pine and designed to stay inside. For backyard play, choose an indoor/outdoor set made from treated cedar.

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