The summer holidays are upon us!
For parents who want to get their children outside and enjoying themselves, instead of hiding in the air-conditioning glued to a screen, your answer might just be a garden that is fun and inviting.
We have done our research and found that Bermuda’s stores are stocked high with toys, games and swimming-pools to suit every age, budget and yard size, and we even found someone who can custom-make tree houses, playhouses and playsets that are limited only by your imagination.
Custom-made garden fun
There is something about a wooden tree house or playset that just screams idyllic childhood and the man who can bring this magic to life is Michiko Campbell, aka, Chiko the Builder. Not to be confused with Chiko the Chef – same person, different talent.
One of the largest he ever made was an open wooden playhouse on stilts with steps leading up to it and a hammock swing on one side. Ideal for tea parties with friends, or a relaxing story.
“That project was amazing. I loved everything about it,” he said.
Another favourite project involved an uneven Bermuda stone wall, which he turned into a mountain climbing-type apparatus with a boat rope, slide, platform and lookout house.
On the more practical but still vibrant side, he has also created a bright pink, two-storey playhouse, with storage below and white outdoor steps leading to the fun part up top, complete with balcony and windows.
Other creations include a Noah’s Ark that can be a boat, a table and even a sand pit. He can also custom make swing sets.
While he has made playhouses around trees, he hasn’t yet been asked to make one high up in a tree.
“You just have to make sure you got the strong base platform and the tree is durable for it,” he said. “Any strong hardwood tree would do.”
Having said that, if the tree is not strong enough, it’s nothing that supporting pillars can’t fix.
For more information follow Chiko The Builder on facebook, @chikothebuilder on Instagram or call 704-4566.
Toys and games
For instant fun, the Gorham’s toy department is bursting with outdoor garden games including croquet, volleyball, badminton, ladderball and something called Jazzminton, which, said the box, is “the ultimate paddle game with no boundaries”. Along with a more traditional looking pickleball set, looks like it makes a great alternative use for a driveway. There’s also a “Fun 5 Combo” which includes five games in one box. This, said sales associate, Carol Lema, is very popular.
There is also kid-friendly archery and axe throwing sets, but RG Home’s sensible advice is to set those up away from the direction of any windows.
For smaller children, the Caterpillar Sandbox, is another top seller and Gorham’s also has the play sand to go with it.
While they might be a bigger investment, the outdoor ping pong and foosball tables at Island Trading can be a whole family affair … literally.
“Children, teenagers, parents and grandparents. They are a great way to get everyone off screens and outside for some fun, friendly competition,” said the store’s managing director, Laura Farge-Lowe.
Both of these, she added, “are designed for outdoor use, with a durable, weatherproof playing surface suited to Bermuda gardens, patios and pool areas.”
To help keep them in the best shape possible, she recommended folding and storing the ping pong table in a sheltered spot when it’s not being used and for both tables, using their protective covers.
Water fun
All of this outdoor play is bound to make children hot and cranky so what better way to cool them down than by throwing them in some water.
Single, double and even foam slip and slides are currently on sale in Gorham’s, along with a variety of ever-popular water pistols. For the latter, based on personal experience, this writer strongly recommends closing all windows and locking all doors to make sure ALL water battles stay outside.
They also sell a variety of hard and blow up paddling pools for young children. The hard ones, Ms Lema said, have the added benefit of being fun for dogs too.
Something that has been flying of the shelves in recent years are the above-ground swimming pools.
“People go crazy over pools in their backyard,” she continued. Available sizes range from six feet up to 18 feet in diameter and the most popular ones come with steel frames.
While they may look like giant paddling pools, they need to be maintained like swimming pools. Gorham’s sells cleaning vacuums and they come with pumps, but the filters must be changed regularly. They also need chemicals, such as chlorine. Gorham’s don’t sell these, but they do sell the floating dispensers for the tablets. These tablets can be bought from Pool & Spa House on King Street in Hamilton, and they keep them in stock year-round.
A word of warning, while great fun, above-ground swimming pools can be dangerous, especially for small children or others who can’t swim well.
“I would advise you to make sure that you fence it off,” Ms Lema said. Even if you take the step ladder away, there is still the risk a child will find a way to get up. “Kids are very inquisitive,” she continued.
For added pool fun, there is a wide variety of flotation devices including noodles and blow up floats seemingly in every shape and colour, as well as toys for diving.
If you really want to splash out (pun intended) on the ultimate in water flotation, Ms Farge-Lowe recommends the Big Dipper at Island Trading, which is “designed to last season after season” with the proper care and storage. The Big Dipper is like a gigantic noodle and doesn’t need to be blown up. She has one for each of her kids and “they are still going strong after three years”.
