Category: EXIT

playhouse for christmas

A Playhouse for Christmas?

“Can I get A Playhouse for Christmas?” It can be a worry when you first see your kid’s Christmas list. What nobody wants is to have the experience of seeing Santa Clause pay hundreds for the latest trendy toy only to have their child look at it with bewilderment, throw it aside and play with its box! They might entertain themselves for the hour that the box lasts. But nobody wants to be bereft with buyer’s remorse. Thankfully we have a full range of affordable playhouses for kids that were built to last beyond the first few days of excitement. 

Why Get a Playhouse for Christmas?playhouse for christmas

Kids are what make Christmas special. Part of the fun is in reliving your childhood through their eyes. Seeing the excitement running up to the big day. The sheer glee when they tear open their presents. It all makes for a memorable experience. The hope is always that they form great memories, and when you get them something it’s not to distract them for five minutes. You want it to last. So when, as you’re looking over your child’s shoulder to their crayon-scribbled Christmas list to Santa, you see, “Can I have a Playhouse for Christmas?”, you might be forgiven for a moment of pause! The truth is that there are many pricey, somewhat garish playhouses out there. And none of them come cheap. Rather than being yet another piece of plastic in the garden they are actually beautiful to look at.

A Playhouse for Christmas — and Beyond

One strategy to avoid Santa’s remorse is to look for a playhouse that will last. One that provides joy outside of the fads. Something that encourages imagination, physical activity, and interaction with others. Something which, as long as it lasts, and as long as your child hasn’t outgrown it, will provide a source of unending play. Our playhouses come in a few main different shapes and themes such as the Aksent, the Loft, and the Crooky.

They’re made in Scandinavia using a quality Cedarwood. This wood is resistant to rain and wood rot and does not splinter. And despite being wooden, it only needs minimal care every two years. Most of us have something from our childhood, that special thing that we connected with. Be it a swing set, a dollhouse or a playhouse. Whatever it was, it somehow survived the thrashing of childhood. EXIT’s playhouses are the kind of toys that survive a beating more than long enough to leave lasting memories. 

If you’d like to view our playhouses or have any questions, give us a call on 021 4965132

playhouses for outdoors

Playhouses For Outdoors: How To Keep Them Maintained

At Douglas Forest and Garden, we provide some of the best playhouses for outdoors.  Produced by EXIT, a company with a reputation for building superb toys and equipment that can last in almost any weather conditions. Our customers sometimes ask about how long these playhouses last and how much they can be altered. 

Maintaining Your Playhouseplayhouses for outdoors

EXIT builds most of its playhouses using FSC® certified cedarwood (FSC 100%, SCS-COC-000652-WH). This wood doesn’t splinter and is naturally weather resistant. This means it’s highly resistant to wood rot, and you don’t need to treat the playhouse when you first get it.

The only exception to this is the EXIT Aksent range. These wooden playhouses are made from FSC certified Scandanavian pinewood (FSC 100%, SCS-COC-000652-WH). The pinewood is impregnated under high pressure to increase its lifespan. As with the Cedarwood, it doesn’t require any immediate treatment when you first get it. 

You can upkeep EXIT Playhouses for outdoors for years to come. Use a wood stain every second year to keep it preserved. And if at any time the wood develops mildew, it’s recommended you rub it off with a dry cloth and green soap. Green soap is usually an environmentally friendly, vegetable oil-based soap that is water-soluble. Once you do that, you’ll have it in good condition for years to come.

Modify Playhouses For Outdoors

Every person’s garden area is different. Sometimes a build won’t quite match your own situation. With EXIT’s playhouses, there is room to move things around as you see fit. If you want a playhouse with a slide, EXIT provides the option to move the slide to different positions. With most of their wooden options, you can attach the slide to different spots. In most cases, the stairs, as well as the slide, can be attached on either the left-hand or the right-hand side. In the Loft and Crooky with an extension or a veranda, the slide can also be mounted at the front side of the playhouse. 

We provide free shipping to anywhere in Ireland on all of our playhouses. If you have any questions, we might be able to help. You can reach us any weekday on 021 4965132.

childrens swings

Children’s Swings

At Douglas Forest and Garden, we aim to provide the best quality outdoor toys and children’s swings in Ireland. And to make things easy, we provide free shipping for most of our items. Whether you’re looking for sports toys or swing sets attached to a playhouse, we have it all. Here are three Children’s Swings that are also packed with other fun features to keep your kids active and fit while having loads of fun outdoors.

The EXIT Aksent 2-Seat Children’s Swing Setchildrens swings

The EXIT Aksent provides great fun for kids aged 4+. These two-seat children’s swings are attached to a Scandinavian-style playhouse, which also includes a sandpit and slide. This allows your kids to have fun and develop their creativity while playing. The versatility will have your kids creating their own games (all without getting too cranky when they wait their turn on the swings).  Because of the Aksent’s design, it makes what would normally be a fairly mundane swing set into an at-home play centre — and its beautiful construction makes it something of a garden feature relative to the typical plastic construction and build of other outdoor children’s toys.  

Children’s Swings: The EXIT Aksent 1-seat swing

The Aksent also comes with a single swing rather than two. This takes up significantly less space and is great if you have fewer children or you just lack space. It is just as easy to assemble as others in the Aksent range. And in addition to the playhouse offering support, the frame of the swing set is anchored firmly to the ground with metal connecting pieces.

The EXIT Aksent swing nest

This version of the Aksent children’s swing and playhouse is great for the youngest kids. The nest swing is safe to use, providing better support for younger tykes (with adult supervision, of course). It still provides all the other features of the Aksent. The sandpit, located beneath the playhouse, is large enough to keep kids busy and occupied in and of itself. But coupled with the Aksent’s other features, this is a no-brainer for anyone looking to encourage their children to enjoy outdoor activities away from the screens. 

We hope this gives you some ideas for your outdoor space. If you have any questions about our swing sets (or free delivery), please don’t hesitate to call us on 021 4965 132

sports gear

Sports Gear

At Douglas Forest and Garden, we provide a lot of sports gear suitable for many situations, whether a community area or home. If you’re looking to pick something up, we also save you time by providing free shipping everywhere in Ireland. Just add whatever you need to your shopping cart and you’ll get it in a couple of days. Here are a few of our main items, including football and basketball gear.

Sports Gear: Basketball Backboard with ring

If it’s a basketball ring you’re looking for, we have a full selection by EXIT. This includes portable backboards with their own stand, or wall-mounted backboards for the house. We use EXIT basketball rings because they’re sturdy, durable and built to last. The portable version can use sandbags to provide support and stability. All versions have a net available and some versions have a flexible ring that springs when you perform a dunk.

Football Nets

If you’re looking for a football net, EXIT also has a full range. From the Flexx Popup for only €21 and  “Pico” portable, foldable sets for €104, right up to Scala 500cm x 200cm aluminium net. These football nets can accommodate various styles and ages. Whether it’s a quick kickaround in a field with friends or an organised children’s league, these nets are robust, built to last, and great craic.

Sports Gear: Football Rebounderssports gear

We also stock EXIT’s soccer rebounders, which can be excellent training tools for all ages. They allow you to change the angle so that, with the help of a coach or friend, you can get a nice angle to simulate corner throws and foot skills. To help with foot skills, there is also the EXIT Rapido Skills Trainer. This provides a boundary around you in which to practice switching, reacting, and passing, with springy panels that bounce the ball back to you quickly — even while alone.  These come in different sizes, with the XL having a larger area for older or more experienced players to improve football techniques and skills.

We hope this gives you an idea of some of our sports gear currently on offer (with free shipping). If you have any questions or would like to know what else we might have in stock, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 021 496 5132

playhouses with a slide

Playhouses with a Slide: 3 Great Options

At Douglas Forest and Garden we provide a full range of premium playhouses with a slide, as well as other outdoor toys. While the summer is coming to an end, now is actually one of the best times to consider one, since there can be great deals (and we offer free delivery anywhere in Ireland). We have a full range, especially if its a playhouse with slide you’re looking for. We list some highlights below, all of which are built using fine materials with as much of a focus on style as on function.

Playhouses With a Slide: the EXIT Aksent wooden play towerplayhouses with a slide

The EXIT Aksent range comes in four sets. This version is their simplest which has the playhouse with a slide, but no swing set. Other options include a double, single or nested swing set. EXIT build their playhouses so that they’re beautiful and long-lasting. They can also put up with our Irish weather. This is also the tallest platform at 1.2 metres, making it suitable for kids ages 3+ (with adult supervision, of course). 

The EXIT Crooky 350 wooden playhouse

The EXIT Crooky comes with a really fun cartoony vibe which kids love. This particular model has an elevated platform (.6m) on which the playhouse and slide rests. The slide is at this level so it’s best suited for younger children aged 3+.  There are also accessories available, such as a set of stools for picnics, a chalkboard set for playing school, and a kid for decorating the house.

The EXIT Loft 550 wooden playhouse

The EXIT Loft 550 Playhouse is loads of fun for kids and built with Cedarwood, making it beautiful to behold. Rather than becoming another unsightly lump of plastic taking over the garden, it becomes something of a feature.  The platform on the Loft is higher than the Crooky. With a height of .9m, it’s suitable for kids aged 3+. The Loft 550 also has a sandpit and is propped on a platform. 

If you’d like to view other outdoor toys check out our full range. If you have any specific questions about playhouses with a slide or any other model type, then please don’t hesitate to give us a call here on 021 4965 132

swimming pools for sale

Swimming Pools for Sale

At Douglas Forest and Garden, we supply some of the best-quality outdoor tools and toys for all ages. If you’re looking to buy a swimming pool in Ireland, we’re big fans of EXIT. We provide their full range of outdoor pools and currently have some of these swimming pools for sale. You can view their whole selection or if you want to read some of our top picks, read on!

EXIT Swimming Pools For Saleswimming pools for sale

EXIT Provides a range of great above ground swimming pools for sale, with sizes that are suitable for small to larger groups and families. The EXIT Wood Pool, with dimensions of 360x76cm, makes it suitable for adults and children alike (with supervision, of course). These have a solid construction, using a black steel frame. It uses a flexible but robust line that has a nice ‘wood’ pattern to it. And it comes with a filter pump and liner repair kit just in case. Currently on sale for just €175, it’s a bargain. 

The EXIT Wood Construction

Because it has a round design, it’s fairly sturdy and can last for years. The filter pump keeps the water filtered, fresh and clean. Though you may also want to use chlorine tablets (which we have available) if you plan to leave the pool out for extended periods. While the outside of the pool has the wood effect, the inside has a blue colour to give it that fresh “swimming pool” feel. 

You can also purchase accessories for the EXIT wood. As mentioned before, a chlorine dispenser is available and recommended. There are also test strips so you can manage the water effectively and ensure it’s comfortable for everyone at all times. And also a pool maintenance kit, since the filter can’t clean everything. Lastly, the EXIT Wood has a pool dome which allows you to keep the heat in and the wind off your back while you enjoy some time outside. 

We hope this gives you an idea of some of our offerings. Be sure to check out the rest of our swimming pools (you may also be interested in our hot tubs) and if you have any questions feel free to call us on 021 4965 132

EXIT portable basketball board

Portable Basketball Backboards by EXIT

Portable basketball backboards provide the best playing experience compared with wall-mounted nets. Let’s look at the features of these two EXIT basketball nets. EXIT makes very high-quality products which we are proud to supply here at Douglas Forest and Garden. Their outdoor toys and swimming pools are also very well built with a solid frame, so we’re comfortable standing behind their build quality.

EXIT Portable Basketball Backboards are Height Adjustable

Both are height adjustable and come in different sizes for different age groups and settings.  The EXIT Comet is adjustable to six different heights, (230cm, 245cm, 260cm, 275cm,  290cm, and 305 cm). This is very simple to do, with a lever on the extension arm, the net will smoothly glide up and down to your desired height. It takes seconds and is a one-person job.EXIT portable basketball board

The base of the frame on either basketball backboard had two wheels and a counterweight. You can easily move the EXIT basketball backboard by tilting the frame slightly so that it’s supported on the wheels only. EXIT supply five sandbags for counterweights. You fill them with sand and this does a good job of keeping the frame in place when you’re playing a game.

The EXIT “Hoopy Junior” Basketball Backboard

This model is designed for younger kids. It can follow them as they grow into their teens. It has an adjustable height, catering to smaller people (165cm – 175 – 190 – 205 – 220 cm).

The EXIT Galaxy Portable Basketball Backboard

The EXIT Galaxy model has a ‘dunkable’ basketball net. Meaning that it’s solid, durable and flexible and can take a beating. It also gives a satisfying ‘spring’ when you score. These nets are suitable for all ages from juniors to seniors, though of course, the dunking feature is not going to be attainable for young kids so if you are purchasing one of these for younger children then you probably don’t need this feature.

We hope this answers some of your questions. If you’d like to find out more about our outdoor toys and equipment, please contact us today on 021-4965132.