There are many reasons why it is good for children to be outside. For them, it’s a good way to take in the fresh air and exercise. Installing backyard monkey bars, swing sets, or a clean kiddie pool will be some of the ways you will keep them indoor activities.
The great thing about this is that they can run around and play games. It can also help a child become in a better mood and stay focused.
Studies have shown that spending time in nature is good for stress and anxiety. And you and your kids can benefit from even just building your dream backyard a and spending time in it.
So, if you want to lift your child’s spirits, or help them be less moody, or help them concentrate more efficiently, try spending more time outside.
What are Monkey Bars?
Monkey bars, also known as jungle gyms or climbing bars, are horizontal ladders set up off the ground. Monkey bars work both for kids and adults but are generally found in the playgrounds.
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Hence why kids call it a monkey bar as they can jump and climb up and down the monkey bar like monkeys! Unlike most playground structures, monkey bars come in all different shapes and sizes.
Types of Monkey Bars
Monkey bars come in different types, and some of the most common include the following;
a) Straight Monkey Bars
The most traditional type are straight monkey bars. They’re bars the kids actually use to grip. Since they’re easy to grip, straight monkey bars are the best to start with.
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b) Domed Monkey Bars
You stand to unlock different possibilities with domed monkey bars. It has a dome form so as to provide a three dimensional play area. It can also mean that you or your kids aren’t limited in terms of space.
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c) Monkey Bars with Side Ladder
What’s great about these climbing bars is it comes with a side ladder, just from the name. It’s the best for kids who are new to the game, it gives them a way of getting onto the bars. This is practical as well as fun, and kids can also climb the side ladders and then slide down the bars.
d) Wavy Monkey Bars
Wavy monkey bars have a curved design. Children that like challenging games will find this great for them as it’s more difficult to hold onto the bars.
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Importance Of Unstructured Play
Recently there’s been a growing movement to bring unstructured play back into children’s lives. While this is in response to the theory that children are being scheduled too much, and don’t have time to just be kids anymore.
There are many benefits of unstructured play. It allows children use their imagination, be creative and investigate their environments. It helps them physically, emotionally and socially.
According to research, unstructured play is an important thing for children’s development. It enables them to learn how to solve problems, work with the head, work with frustration as well as be creative.
So why not give your child the gift of unstructured play? Create a space in your backyard where they can explore, imagine, and just be kids!
Why Monkey Bars Are Great
Monkey bars are a great addition to any backyard playground. Kids can safely explore their physical abilities and challenge themselves as well. Whereas the old monkey bars are also a great tool for developing coordination and strength.
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Here are some reasons why monkey bars are great:
a) Encourages active play.
It allows kids to move around, use their energy, and monkey bars are just the way to do this. All that excess energy gets an outlet and they help to keep kids fit and healthy.
b) Promotes Problem-Solving Skills.
Kids have to learn how to use their bodies as best they can to get from one bar to the next. It helps them to build up some very important problem solving skills which they will be able to use in other areas of their life.
c) Helps Build Confidence.
Monkey bars encourage kids to do things that maybe they wouldn’t do themselves at first. Commonly, they are quite tall and kids need to conquer their fears in order to complete them.
d) Relieves Stress
Like adults, children can experience stress from school work, relationships, things that go on at home, or even health problems. Playing on monkey bars is fun and can be physically challenging, that is why it is a great way of helping things out your stress.
A lot of playing and having fun will involve with laughing which reduces mental stress. Moreover, laughter relaxes muscles, improves mood and help us feel more relaxed.
d) Improves Posture
Using this playground equipment will not only strengthen your child’s spine, but also stretch it out and correct their posture. Posture is important for one’s physical health and confidence.
Good posture also;
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- Decreases risk of joint degeneration
- Relieves muscle strain
- Improves core strength
e) Improves Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Playing and using their muscles improves kids’ fine and gross motor skills. The reason why monkey bars are important is the second one.
Swinging their bodies helps to improve body coordination and gross motor skills while the kids’ hands gripping and holding onto the rungs hone your arm’s fine muscles and improves your grip. Playing on the swing increases upper body strength as well.
f) Provides full body workout
Monkey bars are a strenuous piece of equipment. It takes a lot of effort to hang off the rung or from one bar to the next. All of these activities are a lot of fun and your child is using up much energy.
It assists in improving the child’s back, leg, chest, arms and abdomen muscle tone, as frequent hanging and moving on the swing set. Swinging on monkey bars may be a little hard for your child to learn, but practice makes it easier.
Vuly Play
Vuly Play is an Australian company that produces high quality outdoor play equipment. Their products are made from durable materials and designed to stand up against the harsh Australian climate. No matter if you want climbing frames swing sets or monkey bars, Vuly Play has plenty that will keep your kids entertained for hours.
Image source: vulyplay.com
If you’re trying to find something that’ll allow your children to be active and outside, Vuly Play can be the answer for you. Powder coated bars for improved grip, rest assured that your child is playing in a safe environment, but it’s also not full of chemicals that could make your kids sick.
Not only are Vuly products better priced than their competitors, they tend to be, too. For example, the Vuly monkey bars are far cheaper than equivalent Funky Monkey Bars.
What to Consider When Buying Backyard Monkey Bars
Before buying monkey bars for your backyard, you need to consider the following;
a) Sizes
What determines the size of your monkey bars is how much space is in your backyard. If you have the space, you may want to try out different models, even longer ones. Also important is the height, however. Therefore, when kids fall, they won’t be hurt.
Plus, if you have preschool kiddos around, don’t buy anything taller than five feet. Fine for children between six to twelve years, but six and a half to seven feet is okay. So they are just high enough to swing freely without hitting the ground with their feet.
b) Type
You have to get that monkey bars that your kids can climb in ease. In addition to that, if you want to keep your garden consistent you may also opt for wooden options that give a more natural look.
c) Ease of Installation
You wouldn’t like to get monkey bars that would give you a headache to install. Try to stay away from playground equipment that you need help to install. When buying, read customer reviews to anticipate what you’re getting into.
d) Material and Durability
The durability of monkey bars depends on material. It can stay longer or not depending on the material used and whether or not they are weathered with the elements.
Wood and galvanized steel are the best materials for monkey bars. Wood is a good solution for hot dry weather, with high UV resistance, but be prepared to do repeat maintenance to keep it as durable as possible.
Rope alternatives are the best for those on a budget. They are, however, not as durable and only become longer lasting if they are kept under a sheltered area or patio to avoid elements of weather. If you are okay with replacing them every few years, you can use those too.
e) Check the Safety
Your children don’t have to be exposed to harm during playtime. Earlier it had already been mentioned that the height of the monkey bars should be according to your child’s age/ height. The bars for the young kids should be of about height between 9 inches and one foot. This will keep you from having scary head entrapments.
If the end bolts are too exposed, you can as well cover the end bolts with softer rubber pieces. It allows providing more protection to your kids during play. Grips on monkey bars prevent from slipping and falling.
There is another way to include security in the agenda of the playground; making sure safety of the ground. It takes the ineffable human factor out of the cause for injuries, as a fall is unavoidable. The bars can sit on an impact absorbing surface.
f) Supervision
One way to ensure that your kids are out there having fun but at the same time you know they are safe is supervision. Observe how they play and what they do to avoid the fall, irrespective of what.
Safety Guidelines When Using Backyard Monkey Bars
Accidents do happen especially to kids who tend to be clumsy or careless. There are therefore safety guidelines for kids so that they are safe as they indulge the fun.
a) Check Before Use
Before letting your kids play, check the bars. This way you be aware of loose bolts or damaged or weak parts. Besides, you should let the kids play only on the monkey bars made for kids as adult monkey bars are so high and could be dangerous for kids.
b) Don’t Play on Wet Bars
Wet bars can be very slippery and therefore dangerous. Kids might fall off a wet slippery surface easily which will increases the chances of getting hurt.
c) Don’t Play on Broken Equipment
This is one of the most important guidelines you will ever need to follow. Broken Playground Equipment should be used by kids. Injuries to users, especially kids who are almost never keen, can easily follow broken and easily breakable items.
Monkey Bar Exercises for Adults to Try Out
We already know the benefits of monkey bars for kids and adults. Therefore, we will see some monkey bar exercises that you would love to try.
a) Pull-Up
Pull-up Is a good exercise if you want to really work the upper body, particularly the back and arms. Hold the bars in an overhand grip and hang for this exercise. Next, heave yourself up towards the bar, until you can lift your chin over the top. Repeat the process and lower yourself.
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b) Side Swing
Side swing is a range of motion exercise that will increase your flexibility. Grabbing the bars and holding them with an overhand grip is how it is done. Raise yourself till your chin goes above the bar and hang there. Slowly swing to one side and swing back to the other.
c) Weaving
Grip strength is a lot of what you need for weaving, and since it’s also a little more difficult than the others, you’re in for a workout. But it’s great for building grip strength. Holding the bars with an overhand grip start weaving. Hang from chin over the bar and go to one side slow move to the other side.
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d) Typewriter
The typewriter strengthens your grip power, and works your body from a different angle. Grab them an overhead grip, raise your chin above the bar and move side to side, repeating the reps and switching sides.
e) The Dip
If you’re looking for an exercise to work on your triceps, this is it. Hook the bars overhand and hang. Next, lower yourself until the elbows come to a 90 degree angle. Keep pushing yourself upwards and keep repeating.
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Conclusion
Classic backyard staple, monkey bars, have been around for generations. What a lot of people don’t know, however, is that the monkey bars are not exactly such an old thing.
These days, you will find that there are many kinds of monkey bars that you can have in your backyard, metal bars and wooden bars are just some of these bars. Whatever type of monkey bars you select, you’ll receive hours of fun for the family. Parents will have an opportunity to watch their kids swing and climb in the tree houses — and they can even swing and climb in the tree houses too!
