Get a Vitamin D boost while playing on your swing set.

With summer right around the corner, this is the season many people will spend the most time outdoors. And with summer comes lots of sunscreen, hats, and general covering up of the skin.

But hold off a bit on the sunscreen and use your time spent in the backyard playing on the swing set to get a Vitamin D boost!

If you spend time outdoors, you definitely want to keep your skin healthy, but another health concern is that enough people aren’t getting enough Vitamin D. One way you can counteract this is to allow a small amount of sun on your skin during optimal times throughout the day.

By spending more time playing with your children on your swing set, you can boost your natural Vitamin D intake this summer, and even during the spring and fall months.

One of the easiest ways to get a bit of extra Vitamin D is to let your skin soak in some precious rays before you apply sunscreen.

For fair skinned people, about 10 minutes each day is enough. For darker skinned people, you need to let your skin soak in the sun for longer. Tanned skin, like olive skin tones, need roughly 20 minutes, and people with darker hued skin tones may need up to six times longer in the sun than what is needed for lighter skin tones.

There are varying schools of thought on Vitamin D absorption. Some believe that it is impossible to get enough Vitamin D by using sunlight.

However, it is a fact that sunlight creates Vitamin D, so even if you rely mostly on using foods and/or supplements to get the majority of your Vitamin D, getting a bit extra by spending time outdoors is a great way to augment your Vitamin D regimen.

Parents and kids alike can benefit from a little extra sun exposure for a few minutes each day in order to increase Vitamin D in their bodies.

Keep in mind that the amount of Vitamin D produced with sun exposure varies greatly depending on the climate you live in, the shade of your skin tone, the amount of clothing you have on, the time of the year and the time of day.

Most parents will naturally begin to count while pushing a swing, but with a few additional actions, you can begin to cement much of the learning process early on.

Here are some parent-tested, kid-approved ways you can practice counting while on the swing set in your backyard.

• Practice counting on each push. When your child is still very young and does not know numbers, stand in front of your child while you push on a baby swing. Show the numbers with your fingers while you push and count. Children retain information better if you present in at least three ways: visual, auditory and action. When you do it this way, they are hearing, seeing and feeling the numbers.
  

  Teach counting while swinging on the swing set.

• Practice counting in tens. When your child has reached an age where he or she knows numbers pretty well, count in multiples; 10, 20, 30, and all the way up to 100 or more.

• If your child is learning another language, count in that language. My daughter takes Spanish class and she can count to 20 better in Spanish than in English!

• Sing counting songs while swinging on the swing set. When my daughter was about 2, she loved it when I sang while I pushed her on the swing, pushing from the front so she could see my face. One of my daughter’s favorite songs then (and she still likes it) was Five Little Monkeys. And one of her favorite Spanish counting songs is Uno, Dos, Tres Amigos.

With a little creativity and tailoring to your child’s personal knowledge and tastes, you can make the swing set a tiny school. Have fun!

Playing outdoors is necessary for child health.

A new study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine shows that preschool-aged children are simply not getting enough play time outside. The main culprit is not enough parental involvement in outdoor activities, especially for preschool-aged girls.

The study looked at 8,950 preschool-aged children, and removed factors such as hours of television watched, marital status of parents, income and neighborhood safety. Even without these obstacles, researchers still found that preschool-aged children were not getting enough outdoor time.

Preschool-aged girls were less likely to be taken outside to play. And moms were more likely to play outside with their kids than dads, 44 percent to 24 percent, even though 60 percent in the study were working mothers. Non-white mothers were also less likely to take children outside to play. The study concluded that it is critical for daycare facilities to have outdoor time for those children whose parents work full-time.

About half of the children studied did not have even one parent who took their children outside to play daily.

With that in mind, here are a few tips for getting extra outdoor time:

Moms who exercised were more likely to take their kids outside to play. Create an exercise routine that coincides with outdoor play for your child.

I have a regular routine with a friend where we meet twice a week at a park that also has a track. The kids play while we walk laps. It’s a win-win for everyone. Tip: bring a snack and some fun toys for the kids. It will keep them occupied longer while you exercise.

Children with consistent playmates were also more likely to get regular outdoor exercise. Make sure your child’s social calendar is active.

A couple of ways to make this happen:

• Join a local mom/parenting group through Yahoo groups. These groups often have regular outdoor play dates.
• If nothing like this exists in your area, then start one yourself! Or, set up a weekly play date with current friends or school buddies. Put it on your Google calendar and send reminders to make it happen regularly.

Other solutions?

• If your child is in daycare full time, then find out the amount of outdoor time your child is getting daily and specify how much time you’d like your child to be outside.
• Make outdoor play a priority and add it to the household chores. Divvy it up between parents and set a schedule, or make it part of your routine. For instance, while one parent is making dinner, the other parent can take the child or children outside to play.
• Incorporate outside time in necessary activities like eating. Have a picnic, then add in some physical exercise after you’re done eating. Kick a ball. Fly a kite. Hula hoop.
• Go bike riding as a family.
• Sign your child up for an organized sport that practices regularly.
• Go for moonlit strolls on the weekends.

With creativity, you will find that you can encourage outdoor time and make it fun for you and your family.

Swings sets are a great addition for the family with a child who has sensory processing disorder.

Swing sets are a great purchase if you have a child with sensory processing disorder, also known as sensory integration dysfunction.

The child who has sensory processing disorder, commonly known as SPD, will often use the swing as a way to help regulate.

While swinging in the backyard won’t replace occupational therapy, swinging on a swing set can help regulate the senses that are dysfunctional for children with sensory processing disorder, in between sessions.

A swing is typically one of the “treatment tools” used for children who need help integrating sensory input.

According to the book, The Out-of-Sync Child, swings will help “to develop better body awareness and improve postural security… in order to experience specific movement sensation.”

Many children with SPD will find varying positions on a swing that make them feel more comfortable in the world.

A friend whose son has SPD, said that when she began occupational therapy with him, the first time she was ever able to leave without him having a complete meltdown was when his occupational therapist put him across a swing on his belly while chewing on sour gum.

Another friend whose daughter has autism, said her daughter was “addicted to the swing” long before therapy began. With hindsight, she believes that the swinging was giving her sensory input that she wasn’t receiving anywhere else. Many people with autism also have SPD, although they are not mutually exclusive.

In The Out-of-Sync Child, the go-to guide for many parents of children with SPD, offers this example: “A phenomenon often observed is that a child who ordinarily does not talk much or well will begin to speak once she gets moving. Indeed, when she runs or swings, she may suddenly shout, sing, or talk.”

Swaying gently back and forth on a swing, spinning dizzily in a rotating tire swing or disc rope swing, or gliding on a glider can balance the vestibular system, which is key to aiding the child with sensory processing disorder.

So, while having a swing set will not be the answer to all your child’s sensory issues, putting a swing set in your backyard may be an extra aid for when your child is having a rough day.

Independent swinging on a swing set.

Ok, so you’ve been pushing your little one on the swing set for a few years now. For the first couple of years, it was precious. Now, that kiddo is ready to swing independently but just won’t do it by him/herself yet.

I get it. It’s frustrating, right? You’re ready for your child to be independent on the swing set so you can chill out on a park bench or chat with other parents in peace. But they just keep saying, “Push me mama!” or “Higher, dad, higher!”

My daughter is almost 4, and she is just now starting to swing independently. Lest you go through another year of wishing your child would pump for her/himself, like I did, here are a few tidbits I have gleaned from the past year of “encouraging” my daughter to swing without my assistance.

Tips for independent swinging on a swing set:

1. Find a swing that is low enough that your child can touch the ground with his/her feet. This makes it easier for kids to hop on the swing and get started by themselves.

Pumping doesn't always happen naturally. Teach your child how to pump their legs.

2. Find a child slightly older who is really good at swinging on a swing set. Even better if this is a child whom your child really admires. Make some play dates where swings are nearby and then just sit back and watch. Your child will naturally want to emulate their friend.

3. Pumping on a swing set is not intuitive. You must teach pumping. To get your child to pump, stand in front of her/him, hold your hands within tippy toes distance and then have the child try to “kick” your hand. Preschoolers love this game. I picked this one up from my daughter’s preschool teachers. It totally works!

4. While you are still pushing, tell your child to try to “touch the sky” with his/her feet.

5. Finally, don’t forget to encourage with confidence. Tell your child, “I know you can do it!”

With a few of these activities on a regular basis, your child will be swinging independently in no time.

The resale value for a well-made swing set is much higher than a low quality one made with sub par or flimsy materials. In fact, if you purchase low quality, you may not be able to resell at all. You could find yourself needing to purchase again from the wear and tear on the set too soon.

Investing more upfront will pay off in the long run, as resale dollars tend to be much higher. And over time, you will have spent less than purchasing a wooden swing set with little to no resale value.

A quality wooden swing set can be sold used for 50% or even up to about 65% of its original value, depending on the condition, time of year you sell, and length of time you make it available for sale.

Things to Consider When Reselling Your Wooden Swing Set

How long have you had it?

A wooden swing set that’s only been used for a few years can be sold for a much higher price than one that has been used for several years.

What was the original quality, and how is its current condition?

When you advertise your used wooden swing set, make sure you mention the quality of the wood, the length of time you used it, and how much you originally paid. Buyers will consider paying more when they know the quality and value of the original purchase.

The condition of the swing set will also be a selling point if you mention how well you took care of it. Weathering will also be a factor. Also, keep notes on any additions or fixes you make.

When you are about to sell, consider the time of year.

Used toys sell better at the beginning of the proper season; for swing sets, that time is spring and summer. Christmas is also a good time to sell.

If you plan to sell in the spring, watch the timing. When the first nice days begin to roll around, pounce on that timing and advertise your swing set immediately. Don’t wait until the middle of the season.

If you want to sell around Christmastime, you should start advertising in November or early December.

So remember, when reselling your wooden swing set, make sure that you describe your swing set accurately and with great detail about the quality and condition. And then pick the right time.

You may be surprised at just how many people will want your high quality, wooden swing set at a great price.

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At the end of a long day of sitting, do you really want to go home and sit some more just to watch TV? Wouldn’t you rather head outside with the kids, maybe toss the football around or play with the dog? Wouldn’t you rather see your kids outside too, enjoying a new redwood swing set from Kid’s Creations, secure in the knowledge that they are building healthy habits at a young age that will go with them for the rest of their lives?

But we all know someone who spends just a little too much time online, don’t we? It’s becoming more common among kids an teenagers, especially in regards to online gaming. Statistically, most parents underestimate the number of hours per week that their kids spend online. Too much time playing and socializing over a computer rather than face-to-face can lead to poor social skills, mood swings, and even decreasing vocabulary in some cases.

Wouldn’t it be better to know that your kids are out in the back yard, enjoying the weather and improving their health with the good old-fashioned value of a backyard wooden swing set? Any one of Kid’s Creations many popular models (including some that you can design yourself) are made of high-quality redwood lumber that you can count on; it will be there for years to come, and your grandkids will probably be able to play on the same playset as their parents.

Having a backyard swing set or playset can be a great excuse to get up and get out there, both for kids and adults. Your kids will benefit from a lifelong habit of physical activity, and studies show that you will live longer if you get out and play with them. This is one of the main reasons that all Kid’s Creations wooden swing sets are stronger and sturdier than other leading brands: our equipment can support grown-ups as well as kids. It gives you the chance to teach your kids good habits, and to live longer to see them enjoy it.

Add to this the fact that excess time spent playing video games equals sleep deprivation and zero time spent outdoors or exercising and you have a recipe for disaster. The next time your kids reach for the game controller, how about suggesting that they spend a little time outside? The best way to tempt them to get outside and stay healthy might even be the addition of a wooden swing set to your yard. A top-quality backyard playset can not only liven up any yard, it gives your youngsters just the excuse they need to get out in the fresh air and get some exercise.

Here at Kid’s Creations, we don’t just produce a product designed to grow with your child, to never become obsolete, and guaranteed against wear and breakage, we think about how that product impacts our environment and the health of the children who play with it. We don’t just use sustainably-harvested redwood that resists rot and pests, we minimally treat it with our own original Wood Glow Semi-Transparent Stain that is safer both for your children and the environment than conventional commercial wood stains and coatings. We don’t just round every corner and recess our metal hardware to protect kids from scratches and torn clothing, we sand every surface and coat our swing chains to protect against pinched fingers and rust. For the best value on the market, we give you a responsibly made piece of play equipment that has minimal impact on the environment, and which will never wind up in a landfill. We also give you a product that will protect your childrens’ health and safety while also providing them with healthy exercise outdoors in the fresh air, instead of cooped up in the house in front of a video screen.

We don’t just employ a combination of safety features you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in the industry. We don’t just use our own unique semi-transparent stain specially selected for us by Standard Paints and apply it with a machine also specially designed for our manufacturing process. We don’t just hold our lumber suppliers to the highest possible standard for sustainability and responsible stewardship of our nation’s beautiful redwood forests. We don’t just offer one of the best guarantees in the business personally backed by our founder and president, Jeff Snell. We take pride in each and every 100% American-made, hand-crafted wooden swing set that leaves of Garnett, Kansas plant on its way to your home.

Natural redwood, treated only with our own Wood Glow Semi-Transparent Stain and hand-sanded by our 2^nd- and 3^rd-generation craftsmen is not only naturally resistant to threats like rot and pests, it’s also less susceptible to temperature extremes, precipitation, and the destructive power of UV rays. It’s also virtually free of the safety hazard of splinters, something few other forms of lumber can claim.

Upload your pictures to your Facebook page, and then submit your entry by either tagging Kid’s Creations in your photo or by sharing the photo with us at our page: www.facebook.com/kidscreations

Two Ring Adventure

It’s very important that you tag us or share it with us on our Facebook page, if you want to qualify for the competition. Once you have done this, keep an eye on the Kid’s Creations Facebook page to see what your fellow contest entrants come up with. On December 1^st, we will select a winner. The winner of the contest will receive a Two-Ring Adventure Set, just in time for Christmas. You give us your best picture of the worst swing set you own, and you could end up owning one of the best playsets you’ve ever seen!

October 2011 Swing Set of the Month

Most people tend to think of a wooden swing set as strictly a warm weather source of entertainment. While spring and summer are a great time for your family to enjoy good times outside, we’ve all had our share of inclement weather this past summer. From record-setting high temperatures and lack of precipitation, to tropical storms and even earthquakes, the summer of 2011 will not be forgotten. How about spending some time in the back yard this fall? Cooler weather and the promise of changing leaves for fall make it a perfect time to throw the football around, toss a Frisbee, or push the kids in a swing. Swinging, climbing, and playing on an outdoor playset can be a great break from raking the fall leaves together and getting the lawn ready for winter. A well-made wooden swing set is the ideal centerpiece for those great autumn days of making memories with your family leading up to football season, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.