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Little Tikes VS Rainbow Play | Honest Comparison
When it comes to buying a climbing frame most families will do a lot of research to check out the most prominent brands in the market at that moment in time. Two big names in the climbing frame market are Little Tikes and Rainbow Climbing Frames. In this honest comparison, we’ll explore the various aspects of these brands to help make your buying decision personalised to your families needs.
Types of Climbing Frames Offered
Little Tikes:
Little Tikes offers an array of plastic and smaller-sized climbing frames designed for younger children. The range they offer is pretty limited from an option point of view and recommended age perspective. Their products include features like slides, swings, slides and playhouses. On most of their products they recommend the kids to be between the ages of 2yrs-6yrs old.
Rainbow Climbing Frame:
Rainbow specialises in premium wooden climbing frames. Offering a wide variety of customisable structures, including swings, slides and playhouses, suitable for children of all ages. Rainbow can modify a climbing frame to suit your garden and family perfectly, whilst also having the luxury of adding new parts of the climbing frame post-purchase if you decide you want to add something new or expand your set.
Value for Money
Little Tikes:
Little Tikes products are generally more budget-friendly, when comparing the two. They are slightly more accessible to a wider range of families that are looking for an affordable play solution for their kids. However, you’re still likely spending around £500 on average, depending on what is chosen, so if budget is a large factor in your decision making there might be a better option out there for you. Although do remember if you’re spending less on a product, it normally means the lifespan of that product is substantially less than Little Tikes or Rainbow Play’s might be!
Rainbow Climbing Frame:
While Rainbow Play Climbing Frames may have a higher initial cost, excellent long term value is offered through the durable cedar wood used for their wooden climbing frames. Lifetime warranties are also offered on the wood components used, adding extra value to the products. Rainbow Climbing Frames also offer finance options to customers that prefer the idea of splitting the cost over a long period of time, making paying for the climbing frame a lot more manageable for more families.
Eco Friendliness & Sustainability
Little Tikes:
Little Tikes primarily uses plastic in their products. While some plastic is recyclable, it is generally considered less eco-friendly than other resources, like wood. Little Tikes claims to recycle and reuse materials whenever they can, and claim to do their best in being sustainable. They are, however, not specific as to how they are implementing this sustainability.
Rainbow Climbing Frame:
Rainbow Climbing Frames use of cedar wood is more sustainable, as cedar is a renewable resource. Rainbow speaks highly of environmental work they do to ensure they are causing no damage to the environment from their production. For every tree harvested to make a Rainbow wooden climbing frame, five new trees are planted.
Warranty
Little Tikes:
Little Tikes typically offers limited warranties, often ranging from 90 days to a few years, depending on which product you’ve purchased.
Rainbow Climbing Frame:
Rainbow Play is known for its robust warranties. Their cedar timbers come with lifetime warranties, showcasing their confidence in the quality and durability of the products offered.
Longevity and Quality
Little Tikes:
Little Tikes climbing frames are suitable for younger children and may be outgrown as kids grow up. They are a good quality product for their intended age groups. As they are recommended for younger children and are outgrown quite quickly, it means you won’t need it to last as long as other products that grow with your children.
Rainbow Climbing Frame:
Rainbow Play climbing frames are known for their durability and quality. They are designed to grow with your children, and its modular abilities allow for you to add to your wooden climbing frames as your children grow up. This keeps them interested and ensures they haven’t grown out of certain aspects of the climbing frame. This also helps to provide excellent long-term value for families investing in Rainbow Play.
Installation and Delivery Options
Little Tikes:
Little Tikes climbing frames are a lot easier to assemble. The brand also offers straightforward installation instructions.
Rainbow Climbing Frame:
Rainbow Play Climbing Frames are more complex to build, however they do offer professional installation services to ensure your climbing frame is set up correctly and can be used safely. This helps with a hassle-free process, however, this does come with an added cost for customers as building one of these climbing frames isn’t an easy task!
Personalisation
Little Tikes:
Little Tikes climbing frames may have limited customisation options, as they are often designed as standalone units with specific features.
Rainbow Climbing Frame:
Rainbow Play excels in personalisation, and believes that every family has different wants and needs when it comes to their garden and children. Age of kids, size of garden, budget and aesthetics all play a part in creating a Rainbow Climbing Frame!
To conclude, the choice between Little Tikes and Rainbow Climbing Frames depends on a number of different things: budget, preferences, and the ages of your children. Little Tikes provides a budget-friendly option for younger kids, while Rainbow Play offers premium, customisable solutions with a focus of quality and longevity. Consider your family's needs and priorities first and then choose a brand that can fulfil those needs and meet expectations.
We hope this has helped you, however if you do have any further questions or would just like to talk to one of our experts, please give us a call on 01276 477461.
