I'm going to propose that rather than buying the latest games console for your little cherubs you should perhaps consider something that might actually get them active and out of the house - a climbing frame for example.
Okay, so I'm going to sound pretty old as soon as I write this, but I can't help feeling that children had a more balanced lifestyle when I was a boy. There you are, I sound old. Why do I feel this way? Well since you ask, it's because these days we seem to be creating children who would much rather stay indoors and play on the latest games console than even contemplate going outside. It doesn't seem to matter even if it's a wonderfully glorious spring or summer day - given the choice, members of the latest XBox generation will almost certainly choose to sit in a darkened room holding their plastic controller.
What are the alternatives? As a kid I remember spending hours upon hours outside making dens, tree-houses, things to jump over with my bike, and so the list goes on. However, if their imagination just isn't up to it you can stimulate them by buying something like a climbing frame or swing and slide set rather than the latest games console. Admittedly you will require a little more outdoor space for a climbing frame than for a Wii. As a result it may not be practical for all of us, but you don't need much space for the smaller of the range of modern climbing frames that you can get. Remember, it doesn't have to compete with the local park for size and variety in order to provide a very healthy playground for your children!
So, to conclude, next time you are pestered for the latest console or PC or even the latest game for a console you already own, why not consider putting the money toward a timeless outdoor toy such as a climbing frame. Your children can proudly play with it with their friends next time they come round. They will happily pretend it is anything from a rocket, through a castle to a ship. Many hours of good healthy fun can be had and they will expend a lot more energy than sitting in front of a computer monitor or TV screen literally twiddling their thumbs to rank up more 'gamer points'.
Right, mini-rant over. Perhaps things weren't all that much better when I was a boy, and maybe I'm just jealous that I had to be content with the occasional game on the BBC B-Micro with graphics that appeared to have been drawn by a toddler. Nonetheless, I'm sticking to my story and I'll be telling it to my children and my grandchildren assuming I get some one day.
Okay, so I'm going to sound pretty old as soon as I write this, but I can't help feeling that children had a more balanced lifestyle when I was a boy. There you are, I sound old. Why do I feel this way? Well since you ask, it's because these days we seem to be creating children who would much rather stay indoors and play on the latest games console than even contemplate going outside. It doesn't seem to matter even if it's a wonderfully glorious spring or summer day - given the choice, members of the latest XBox generation will almost certainly choose to sit in a darkened room holding their plastic controller.
What are the alternatives? As a kid I remember spending hours upon hours outside making dens, tree-houses, things to jump over with my bike, and so the list goes on. However, if their imagination just isn't up to it you can stimulate them by buying something like a climbing frame or swing and slide set rather than the latest games console. Admittedly you will require a little more outdoor space for a climbing frame than for a Wii. As a result it may not be practical for all of us, but you don't need much space for the smaller of the range of modern climbing frames that you can get. Remember, it doesn't have to compete with the local park for size and variety in order to provide a very healthy playground for your children!
So, to conclude, next time you are pestered for the latest console or PC or even the latest game for a console you already own, why not consider putting the money toward a timeless outdoor toy such as a climbing frame. Your children can proudly play with it with their friends next time they come round. They will happily pretend it is anything from a rocket, through a castle to a ship. Many hours of good healthy fun can be had and they will expend a lot more energy than sitting in front of a computer monitor or TV screen literally twiddling their thumbs to rank up more 'gamer points'.
Right, mini-rant over. Perhaps things weren't all that much better when I was a boy, and maybe I'm just jealous that I had to be content with the occasional game on the BBC B-Micro with graphics that appeared to have been drawn by a toddler. Nonetheless, I'm sticking to my story and I'll be telling it to my children and my grandchildren assuming I get some one day.
Alan Glenn is a father of two very energetic boys, who like to play on his XBox. He is also owner of a site that features a range of climbing frames including the compact Little Tikes Jungle Climber.
Alan from http://www.littletikesclimbingframes.co.uk/
Alan from http://www.littletikesclimbingframes.co.uk/
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