Luke Judge

Today is Election Day in the United States and all activities should properly begin with a G and be followed by O, T and V. You know that already.

And between phone calls, door knocks, and shuttling people to the polls, and especially in those hours between polls closing and when the results come in, I wanted to give y’all something to think and talk about that – no matter what the election results will be – is going to fast become a long overdue national (and international) public conversation.

As Jon Stewart put it so well on Saturday, the real threat to democracy stands naked before us all: It’s the media.

There is nothing threatening about a free press, which is a wonderful thing, always. But the bought-and-paid-for “news organizations,” an entire system of them, the ones with that permanent “for rent” sign pasted to their foreheads – including the ones that claim to be on our side – now must be identified as Public Enemy number one, and dispensed with as such.

Elections come and go every couple or few years, depending on your country of residence, and entire industries are devoted to what Pat Cadell presciently labeled in 1976 as The Permanent Campaign

climbing Frames election results, public enemy number one

Garden swing and slides can be turned into a castle or a spaceship by a child’s imagination. This is one of the main reasons why play equipment for children like the garden swing-slide combination is so popular. They are also simple, fun and can be cheap to buy. Space may be a consideration in your children’s play area but a smaller garden area does not have to mean you need to forgo having an activity set where they can swing, slide, and exercise.

Just follow our buying tips for children’s garden swings and you’ll be fine.

Tip 1 – If you’re buying for a toddler, get the swing set that suits their requirements.

Toddler years are formative years both in learning and in health and a child encouraged to run, play, and exercise early will keep those habits longer, thus avoiding the couch potato syndrome. Toddler swing and slide sets are especially made for the younger child in mind.

Although these units may be outgrown in time, they are smaller, with handrails and steps designed for the young and possibly unsteady child in mind. Toddler garden swing and slide sets may be ideal for your garden area and are generally much smaller sets, which may come with a swing extension.

Tip 2 – Larger is better for your child’s development if you have the space.

Larger outdoor playground sets and garden swing-slide combinations may be suitable for older children or if your garden has more space to devote to an outdoor children’s playground.

Tip 3 – If you are on budget, consider cheaper materials such a metal over wood.

What the garden swing and slide set is made of will influence cost, the life of the swing-slide combination and how easily they are added on to.

Tip 4 – If you are buying a metal swing and slide, go for quality versus price.

The most popular type of swing was for years were a full metal pole swing with possibly a metal slide extension on the side. This was traditional and if constructed of good quality materials would last long past the time children outgrew a garden swing and slide set.

However, in wet areas poor quality metal would rust, in sunny areas, then metal heats up making the slide area and the swings uncomfortable or possibly unsafe for delicate skin. By choosing a good quality pole swing and slide with a coated or molded slide area there are few better choices to last through the years than a metal swing-slide combination.

Tip 5 – If you can afford it, a wooden garden swing and slide is the most durable.

On the other hand, wooden children’s outdoor play equipment has become popular due to the fact they can be easily added to, pressure treated wood makes them durable and weather resistant and they look good. Slide extensions of molded polyethylene have been developed that are weather resistant, sturdy and provide an interesting slide for the children while, a swing set addition may make this garden play land a memory children treasure forever as well as influence their activity levels for the rest of their life.

Even small garden areas can manage to accommodate a garden swing and slide set that is safe, fun and within budget and will influence their health for years to come, investigate the selections in children’s playground equipment it will pay off in savings and in fun.

climbing Frames playground sets, time children