What’s the Best Training Bike for Kids?

12th September 202010th September 2020

What’s the best training bike for kids? When your child is at that age where they’re outgrowing a tricycle and are ready for the next challenge, it’s important to select a bike that can adapt with their skill level. The Xootz Balance Bike fills the gap between a toddler’s tricycle and a fully functioning bicycle. The Xootz Balance Bike takes away the pedals and gives your child everything else so they can learn the most important skill: Balance. Best Training Bike for Kids?

A child is able to learn to balance by the age of two, but they’re typically unable to balance and pedal until about the age of four. By removing the pedals, your child is not overloaded with too much to learn at once. This allows younger kids to learn the necessary balance and coordination that they’ll need to be able to steer and control where they’re going before they can cycle a fully functioning bicycle. The Balance Bike is affordable at €34.99, assembly is straight-forward, and the seat is adjustable for kids of all sizes and can adapt with your child. The tyres are made from EVA rather than being pneumatic, so there are no worries about punctures and the sturdy frame is built to handle plenty of knocks.

Best Training Bike for Kids: Why not use stabilisers?

Stabilisers have been around for years. But they are not the best teaching tool for kids. Stabilisers hold the bike upright so when a child learns to steer, they’re actually learning how to steer a four-wheeled bike. Kids learn to use their body weight to stay upright which they must then unlearn when you remove the stabilisers. This makes the learning process much more difficult and prolongs the learning period necessarily. Unlike scooters, bicycles require a lot more coordination to learn.

How do you know when your child is ready to upgrade to a bigger kid’s bike?

They’ll have to learn the coordination to balance and pedal at the same time. Usually, this is between the ages of 3 1/2 and 4 1/2. Let them try a friend’s bike. Can they stay balanced long enough for their feet to stay on the pedals? If not, leave them to continue scooting on their balance bike until they learn the necessary balance.

If you have any questions about the balance bike, call us today on 021 4965 132

Paddling Pools With a Twist

30th May 202025th May 2020

Paddling pools provide days of fun for kids during the summer period. And while we might have easy to entertain in our youth, kids nowadays have so much on offer that they can sometimes need an extra bit of excitement to draw them away from their screens. Luckily, outdoor toys have progressed along with everything else. We have many great garden pools to suit different needs, so why not check out our full range? Here are three great options for toddlers to 10-year olds:

A Paddling Pool Play Centre for Toddlers

The Sunnyland Splash paddling pool is perfect for toddlers. It’s friendly and safe, has lots of fun colours and a little inflatable slide on the side. In the centre of the paddling pool is a smiley sunshine face which has a fountain for a nose (this connects easily to the garden hose). Lots of fun to be had here.

Paddling Pools on Fanta: The H20GO! Splash Tower

H20GO! are a brand that makes the kind of outdoor toys we could only dream of when we were small. The Splash Tower is like an inflatable Aquadome for out your back garden. You get a regular little paddling pool and make it into the splash pool for a giant inflatable water slide, and attach a climbing wall. Your garden hose connects to the top of the “tower” (about two metres in height). This toy is perfect for kids aged 5-10 (with adult supervision, of course). It’s effortless to set up — you may look at the photo and imagine yourself blue in the face trying to pump it. But thankfully, all of H20G0!‘s products include an air blower that will have the whole thing inflated in less than two minutes and keeps it that way automatically for the duration of your kids’ playtime.

Parental Advisory: Your Kids May Refuse To Come In For Their Dinner

The H20GO! Hurricane Blast is the kind of outdoor toy that might just transform our Nintendo Switch addicted youths into potential future Olympians! This extra-large pool has a bigger play pool and a climbing wall for kids to reach the tower. As for the slide, it’s more extended slide and has a big bend on it ends in a splash pool. The hurricane blast allows more space for more kids at once, so it’s great for larger groups and will provide countless hours of entertainment.

Many of our paddling pools come with free delivery. For any questions contact us on 021 4965 132

Outdoor Play Ideas For The Family

17th May 202013th May 2020

If you’re looking for outdoor play ideas for the family, we have plenty to offer this summer. Many of our items include free shipping anywhere in Ireland. Here are just a few from our selection.

Playhouses

Playhouses never go out of style because children love to play pretend. EXIT’s range of Playhouses creates a perfect place for your kids to enjoy the outdoors, immerse themselves in their imagination and all the while the range provides a beautiful piece for the garden. Most children’s playhouses which come in gaudy plastics and colours. The EXIT range, however, comes in a Nordic style, with real wood and pastel colours, making it an attractive addition to any garden space.

Outdoor Play Ideas For Sports Fanatics

Whether it’s basketball or football, we have a full range of sports toys to keep the family entertained throughout the summer. Including a range of outdoor goals and nets in all sizes, and some adjustable to accommodate different age groups, there’s something for everyone. Including rebounder kits so that you can learn to improve your passing and shooting skills on your own.

Trampolines

What goes up must come down, and up again, and down again, and up again…! Trampolines are an endless source of entertainment, whether you’re an adult or a child, we have a range of trampolines so suit the whole family. Including a range of inground and flat ground setups so that you can keep your garden seamless while still providing a space for fun.

Hoverboards

Hoverboards are all the rage for kids of all ages (including adult kids). They’re portable, fun and can allow anyone to practise their balancing skills (just make sure you wear a helmet…and padding!). We appreciate Oxboard’s range for their durability and excellent battery performance, so these are well worth considering. Oxboard also provide some of the best e-scooters around.

Outdoor Play Ideas For Grown-ups: Hot Tubs

For the older outdoor play, hot tubs can’t be beaten. They’re a perfect centrepiece for a family day at home. Enjoy the sunshine and a few homemade cocktails. Bask in the warm 40c water, and let the waterjets massage your muscles. We offer some of the best hot tubs around, and what’s more, these are easily disassembled so that you only have them in your garden when you want to use them.

To find out more or to order, contact us today on 021 4965 132

A Kids Bouncy Castle With a Twist

29th February 202027th February 2020

A Kids bouncy castle never goes out of fashion. At Douglas Forest and Garden, we provide a whole range of kid’s outdoor play equipment. As we head towards spring, some great toys are available on early sale. In days of old, we had to have our parents haul us to a holiday park or abroad to enjoy a waterpark, but today you can recreate some of the fun of a water park in the garden. H20GO produce advanced outdoor toys that combine the fun of an inflatable bouncy castle with a paddling pool. Here are their three offerings currently on sale:

H20GO! TURBO SPLASH Combining a Kids Bouncy Castle with a Water Park

Reduced from €499 to €425 for a €70 saving, the Turbo Splash is H20GO!’s entry-level water park bouncy castle. All three models are easy to inflate in two minutes, the Turbo Splash has a curved slide with a climbing wall that gives you access, plus a large paddling pool area. It’s also fitted with a water gun. These three models are suitable for kids aged between 5-10 years old. After you’ve inflated the castle, you just need to fix it to the ground using the supplied stakes and it’s ready for action. The H20Go! is made from a durable PVC-coated polyester — it’s built to last for years.

The H20GO! HURRICANE BLAST

The Hurrican Blast is reduced from €650 to €559 for over €90 savings. With a larger paddling pool area and a curbed slide with shower tunnel, this model can accommodate more kids for even more fun. The tunnel’s built-in shower system sprays you as you slide down.

H20GO! TSUNAMI WAVES Kids Bouncy Castle

The most expensive in the range of kids bouncy castles, reduced from €699 to €599 for a saving of €100, the Tsunami Waves has two slides, a water blaster gun, and a bucket that dumps water to keep the slide wet and slippery. It also comes with a basketball hoop and basketball and a spray tunnel!

Honourable Mention For Older Kids and Adults: EXIT Swimming Pools

We also have EXIT Swimming Pools in stock this year. Kids aged 6+ and adults will love this. The EXIT Wood Pool 300cm x 70cm is the entry-level model costing €175.00. This comes with a filter pump to keep the water aerated and clean, with natural design to fit in with your garden space and a sturdy frame, it can look great in any garden.

You can view our full range of outdoor pools, and if you have any questions you can reach us on 021 4965 132.

Kids Go Karts for Sale

6th October 20194th October 2019

We currently have some kids Go Karts for sale. As winter descends upon us, some activities become less appealing even for kids. Some equipment gets put away in storage, some, unfortunately, some goes in the bin. But others continue to provide value, year in and year out. BERG’s range of Go Karts are hardy and durable, and as far as outdoor activities go, Go Karting remains fun even during the winter months. While we have a whole range of Go Karts for sale, today we want to focus on two areas that are very popular.

Themed Kids Go Karts for Sale

Go Karts are easily one of the top-rated outdoor sports toys for active children. If your child is interested in playing pretend, there are themed Go Karts which, when combined with accessories, can add weeks of additional value to the Go Kart. For example, the Farm Range includes a John Deere ‘Tractor’ Go Kart for ages 5+. It has three gears and is modelled to resemble everyone’s favourite farming equipment, including a faux ‘exhaust’. Some of the accessories available include a working lift bucket, a pallet fork and a rollbar with a flashing light. The lift bucket and pallet fork work using a winch and pulley system which is great fun.

The Specials range also have different themes and configurations which can be a lot of fun. These include the BERG ‘Chopper’ Go Kart, built to resemble the motorbike. This also comes with a two-seater “sidecar” configuration.

Self-Propelled Kids Go Karts for Sale

While this post focuses solely on Go Karts for Kids, it’s worth mentioning that these models are also suitable for adults, since you’ll almost be tempted to have a go yourself. Go Karting as a professional sport for adults can handle incredible speeds, with the fastest models accelerating from 0-60mph in 1.5 seconds. BERG found this to be a little excessive for kids, so they have capped their speed at 16kmph! The E-BFR range of electric go-karts still move at relatively significant speeds. While they’re for kids aged 6+, we recommend supervision at all times. It’s worth noting that the E-BFR range is considerably more expensive, ranging from €1,799, so it’s not going going to be suitable for everyone.

Have any further questions or thoughts? Feel free to contact us today on 021 496 5132

The Best Kids Toys in 2019

29th September 201926th September 2019

The best kids toys in 2019 are those that get kids away from screens and outdoors. Kids need to be active, with fresh air and active play. Child obesity is becoming an epidemic worldwide, with obesity rates doubling between 1982 and 2008. There is a worrying correlation with the rise of computer games and the ease and accessibility of “convenience foods”. With that in mind, here are some kids toys in 2019 that’ll give them the best chance of a healthy, happy childhood.

The Best Kids Toys in 2019: Go-Karts

In recent years there’s been a massive influx of electrically assisted transportation. Devices such as E-scooters have taken over the scene. Unfortunately, kids want the electrically assisted models. This means that a great chance to promote healthy activity for your kids could be taken away. To help combat this, Berg has a whole range of Go-Karts available, whether you have a younger child or in the older age brackets up to 12 years of age. And we also stock Berg’s fully electric and hybrid models. We recommend a hybrid model as a good compromise if your child is adamant on the electrically assisted version.

Berg Trampolines

Trampolining is an ageless outdoor activity that’s just good enough to be an Olympic Sport. Kids absolutely love trampolines, and once there’s suitable caution and parently oversight, they can be an excellent way to encourage healthy activity in your kids. In addition to promoting flexibility and strength, children tend to exercise their creativity, developing their own imaginative games. Whether you’re looking for a trampoline in Dublin or anywhere else in Ireland, we provide free delivery to your door.

Basketball

While typically team sports tend to repel the quiet, introverted kids, many still get enjoyment out of basketball. Your kids can hone their skills dunking, jumping and throwing as a solo activity; Flexing their joints in the fresh air as nature intended. Of course, just one basketball ring is enough for a group to get a game going, making it extremely flexible, and one of the reasons why decades later, basketball is still up there as one of the best kids toys in 2019.

Most of our If you’d like more ideas for your kids, or you have any thoughts or questions, please feel free to contact us on 021 4965 132

Outdoor Equipment

28th September 201925th September 2019

Whether you’re looking for play equipment so your kids can enjoy the outdoors or you’re a landscaper looking for the best quality equipment to get the job done, we provide plenty of outdoor equipment for everyone. Unlike on the continent, where there is a large enough population to have massive chains dedicated to outdoor pursuits. In Ireland, we must do our best to provide the best equipment available for the outdoors. We do this by providing a more versatile range. Here are a few of our most popular items, many with free delivery anywhere in Ireland.

Playhouses

Playhouses have become a growing trend. Before the options were either DIY or buy something made from cheap moulded plastic, today we have incredible kits made from superior materials. So if it’s a playhouse your kids are after, we provide high-quality playhouses created by EXIT. Their entry-level outdoor equipment bests most of the options available, in terms of design, quality and usability. If you’re looking for something higher range, they also provide the EXIT Loft playhouse range. The Loft 700 has a stunning finish and comes with a slide and sandpit. We can also comfortably recommend some of EXIT’s other outdoor children’s toys.

Outdoor Equipment: Lawnmowers

If you’re a professional looking for lawnmowers in Cork or Dublin, check to see whether we provide free shipping to your location. We are stockists of Toro, Weibang and Stihl lawnmowers. The Weibang WB537SCV 3in1 – Shaft Drive Pro Lawnmower is a professional powerhouse with a 196cc engine that looks like something out of knight rider. Another machine to consider is the Toro Timemaster 30″ Self-Propelled. This has a 30″ cutting deck (compared with Weibang’s 22″, and has an extra bit of oomph thanks to its 223cc engine. This makes the Toro Suitable for larger gardens. If you’re seeking a tractor mower we may also be able to help; some models may not include shipping.

Outdoor Trampolines

While the wet weather has likely dampened thoughts of outdoor pursuits, the humble trampoline will never go out of style. If you’re looking for outdoor equipment such as a trampoline, look no further. We stock BERG’s incredible line of trampolines. And if you’re looking for a trampoline in Dublin we may be able to help you – with free shipping to your door.

How to Choose the Right Trampoline For Your Children

6th December 20186th December 2018

Trampolines are considered one of the best ways to entertain your kids. There are lots of types of trampolines available on the market nowadays. They were invented somewhere around the 1930s’ by a young gymnast George Nissan and his coach. The first trampoline was used as a piece of equipment and was made of tire inner tubes and scrap steel. Before becoming a fun toy for children, trampolines were used for training astronauts and athletes.

Modern versions come in all shapes and sizes, with safety handles and nets for small kids. Trampolines can be used indoors and outdoors, depending on the type of the house the family lives in. Indoor trampolines are usually of a small size, they can be foldable and have support handles. Those which are meant to be used outdoors are much larger and have a safety net.

Today, it is impossible to imagine a typical backyard without this enjoyable toy for children. Any family can afford this item, as they are represented in various price categories. An enormous number of models is represented in the stores, and it is easy to choose the one which fits your taste, size of the yard and wallet. Of course, it is better to invest once into a good thing which will be used for many years, than to go for a cheaper variant of doubtful quality and made of unsafe materials.

Round or rectangular?

For many parents, an important thing is a shape of the trampoline. Rectangular and circular trampolines have their own pros and cons. The choice depends on your personal preferences and living conditions. The rectangular trampoline is mostly used by professional athletes during competitions. This shape allows the sportsmen to perform various tricks and twists and gives them more space during the contest. Because of their professional purposes, they are made of high-quality materials and are much stronger than round trampolines. That is why this kind of equipment is normally more expensive.

The downside of being made of strong materials is the fact that rectangular trampolines are heavy and, as a result, hard to move around. So, many families might see it as a trouble in case they want to replace it or put it into the storage for winter, for example. One of the good things is that this shape fits perfectly into the corner of the backyard and thus allows you to use space more rationally.

Round trampolines are meant to be used as a mass product by most of the families with kids. Much less steel is used to make a lighter frame for this type of equipment. For this reason, they are usually much cheaper than square or rectangular ones. It is possible to assemble and disassemble them without professional help.

They are often equipped with safety details such as handles, nets or other accessories. Another thing is that due to the shape, the person using a circular trampoline tends to stay in the middle of it, which is an obvious advantage for those who have small kids. While using this shape, weight is evenly distributed between all the springs, so they are stretched evenly. This means that they are not worn out very quickly.

Keep it safe

Do not forget that no matter how expensive and safe your trampoline is, it is always important to follow certain rules in order to avoid injuries.

Read the instructions carefully before installing the trampoline.
Use the net to put around the trampoline for more safety.
Make sure there is an adult watching the children while they are playing.
Put soft mats or sand under the trampoline and remove hard or sharp objects from below it.
Use comfortable clothes and don’t wear jewelry.

Do not forget to have fun and enjoy precious moments with your family! If you are still looking for the perfect trampoline, but not sure which one to choose, contact Douglas Forest & Garden. Our team will be happy to help you.

Outdoor Play Equipment Ireland

30th July 201830th July 2018

Playing outdoors with your friends or family members is always fun. We have a fantastic range of play equipment for children of all ages such as swings, water tracks and seesaws. Every child will have a great time with the EXIT toys outdoor play equipment range.

Children can sit and play in the small swings and if you want something for more of an adrenaline rush, there are cool duo swings and nest swings. With EXIT Swings, you can easily change the seats so you can enjoy swinging in a different way each time. The EXIT AquaFlow tracks are perfect for kids who like to splash water around. The water tracks are can be constructed in different ways and come in a variety of sizes. There is nothing better than splashing and playing with water. For optimal playing fun, see saws are great. They encourage you to play with a friend, brother or sister, allowing you to go up and down as well as rotating, all at a fast pace.

Playing outdoors is the way to keep kids healthy and great for teaching them new things. Here is our full range of EXIT outdoor play equipment.

EXIT AquaFlow water track super-set

The EXIT AquaFlow water track superset is a water play set for kids. This unique water toy guarantees endless hours of fun. It has various bins with 3 different locks so several children can play simultaneously. The gutters interior side and bins are made of plastic which is easy to clean and watertight. Water flows down through the locks and you decide how much water will flow through the track. At the end of the water track, the water is collected in a bin and can then be pumped manually up to the top. The AquaFlow bins can be put at different angles, for example, straight, in a bend or in a zigzag. Its water tracks are made from cedar wood which is resistant to weather influences such as rain, and therefore resistant to wood rot. The water pump is included.

EXIT Spinner Seesaw

The EXIT Spinner Seesaw is an amazing outdoor toy that goes up and down and also rotates 360 degrees. It is black and green in colour. This seesaw has an extra spring element underneath the seats on this seesaw. Its frame is extremely solid and is galvanized and beautifully black powder coated. The seats are made of hard, high-quality plastic so it is very easy to keep clean. The seesaw has a stable three-legged foot and steel hand grips. Due to its solid and user-friendly anchoring system, this outdoor play toy is truly unique. Its anchoring system allows it to remain solidly in place in the garden, but it can easily be moved when cutting your lawn. It is weather resistant and the manual is included for assembly.

EXIT Aksent Double swing

The EXIT Aksent double swing is a 2-seat swing so you and a friend or family member can swing and play together. This Scandinavian designed swing is very durable meaning it will last a long time in your garden ensuring years of playing pleasure. Its frame is anchored firmly to the ground and the strong metal pieces connecting ensure a sturdy and high-quality toy. You can also hang other swing seats like a nest swing seat, a lounge swing seat or a safe baby swing seat. It is made from certified cedar wood making it weather and wood rot resistant. Included is four ground anchors for solid grounding and a manual for assembly.

EXIT Aksent Duoswing + slide

The EXIT Aksent Duo swing + slide is a durable swing that has comes with two seats. Its durable, Scandinavian design ensure years of playing fun. The frame of this swing is anchored into the ground firmly and its strong metal connecting parts means it is a high quality, sturdy playing toy. There is a ladder that can be used to climb up to the platform in order to slide down. Other types of swing seats, such as a nest swing seat, a lounge swing seat or a baby swing seat can be hung off this cool toy. This is made from certified cedar wood making it resistant to weather influences and wood rot. Four ground anchors for solid grounding and a manual for assembly are included.

EXIT Aksent Nestswing + Slide

The EXIT Aksent Nest Swing + Slide is a modernly designed swing. This piece of play equipment is provided with a special nest seat and a platform where you can climb and slide down. The slide is lime green colour and nest swing is black and green. The diameter of the nest swing is 98 cm and the maximum load-bearing capacity is 100 kilo. It is easily adjustable in height for children of all heights and it grows with the child. The seat consists of a water-repellent fabric. The metal fittings/2 ground anchors it comes with ensuring a stable outdoor playing toy. Manual is included for assembly.

If you have additional questions about our EXIT play equipment then let us know by calling us on 021-496-5132!