Review of The Wickey Smart Travel Tower Playhouse

*Please note that this is a gifted product which received in return for a review*

To me, climbing frames are a must for any garden in a household where there children. I had a green metal climbing frame as a kid. The platform and slide were wooden. Which was, of course a complete error for the slide as my mum found to her peril with the number of tears shed over splinters!

These days, manufacturers have learned their lesson with most slides being made of plastic and, on the odd occasion, metal (watch out for the heat from the sun though!).

One of the things we have always been keen to be able to do is get a climbing frame or playhouse for our garden. Thanks to Wickey, we have been able to do both! The Wickey Smart Travel Tower Playhouse is just perfect for the space we have created in our garden since it’s makeover. We knew we needed something to keep Rex busy – and this was it!

Who are Wickey?

The whole concept began at the start of the 1990s when their MD, Guido Goyen, sold their first self-developed climbing frame. First, they sold just to the trade and then, in the late 90s, they started to distribute independently online. They were a huge success and, in 2009, Wickey itself was born and sold climbing frames under their brand name. They have been growing ever since and even expanded their products to offer children’s beds.

Now, more than 500,000 gardens in Europe have one of their products and also offer certified playground equipment to the public sector. So, look out for them in nurseries and public playgrounds!

Wickey only use quality products and ensure the best quality wood. Produced in Germany, the wood is planed and bevelled and compliment a robust and durable design. Not only is the wood maintenance-free but there are special safety cover caps on all screws.

What is included in the Wickey Smart Travel Tower Playhouse?

We chose the Wickey Smart Travel Tower Playhouse due to the amount of options which suited Rex. There is a playhouse on a raised platform which has a cute chimney pot and windows on 3 elevations of the house together with a play telescope and steering wheel for imaginary play, handles, angled ladder with 5 holds to turn it into a mini climbing wall, a slide with water connection, rope ladder with wooden rungs, swing with adjustable ropes.

There is even space for another area underneath the raised platform where you could place a sandpit or mud kitchen.

You also have the ability to purchase extra accessories such as swings, rings and gymnastic bars as well as anchors for the climbing frame and safety tiles.

What is construction of the Smart Travel Tower Playhouse like?

I have to be honest here. There is absolutely no way on this planet that Ross and I would have been able to put this together. We nearly fell out over where we were going to put it – and that was bad enough!

The instructions were all included but it was a complete minefield for Ross and I. We don’t have a power drill or power screwdriver and you definitely need both of them. Nope, we decided that we would get a carpenter or builder in to put ours together. We originally asked one of the gardeners to help us but after being let down big time (maybe he saw the instructions?!) the best man of a wedding I photographed came to our rescue!

Steve came over one Monday morning and spent the majority of the day putting the climbing frame together. He was here from 8.30am until 4pm. The only thing we did was make him tea and cut out the tarpaulin for the windows and flag! He did everything else on his own!

It is also recommended that you use Wickey’s own anchors to secure the climbing frame into the ground. By using these anchors it will trigger a 10 year warranty for all the wood.

What are our thoughts on the Wickey Smart Travel Tower Playhouse?

I have to say that Rex – and we – absolutely love this climbing frame! It is a great looking piece of equipment and does not take up anywhere near as much space as we had anticipated.

Rex was blown away the moment he saw it. You can just see this in the photos we took!

He now pretends that the house is his ice cream shop and takes great delight sticking his head out of the window to ask us what flavour we would like! He loves the climbing wall and slide as well as house but isn’t that bothered about the rope ladder or swing – which Ross and I predicted. However, Grace has always wanted a swing so guess where she regularly sits?!

Our final thoughts

If you don’t have experience in constructing climbing frames then, honestly, get someone else to do it. Our carpenter charged us for this but we knew it was worth paying him to do the job properly. Rex is thrilled with the addition to our garden and it keeps him occupied each and every time he is outside. The greatest thing is that this Wickey Climbing frame is an investment which will continue to give for at least the next 8 years.