One trend that concerns child-development experts is that kids don't play outdoors anymore.
Either they are ferried to organized sports classes like skating, soccer or baseball or their activities are indoors, centered round the computer, TV or video-games.
This means they're less physically fit, far more likely to become obese, self-centered, lacking fine motor co-ordination and social/emotional skills.
Looking at the reasons that have driven our kids indoors, the prime one is parents themselves.
With both parents juggling busy work/home schedules and the shrinking of safe places outside the house left to play in our big urban centers, parents are wary of leaving children unsupervised.
Children are missing out on the kinds of play their parents indulged in: tree-climbing, running, jumping, lifting/carrying big things, swinging, water-play etc.
Studies have shown that this kind of outdoor play stimulates the pineal gland which is important for regulating our body-clocks.
They also learn to cope with and appreciate nature.
However, new products have emerged in the world of children's outdoor play equipment, which can fill this sorely-needed space.
One such innovative product is the wooden climbing frame.
For children bursting with energy, these frames provide a great outlet for those high spirits, and since they have added safety features like safety-nets and grab-bars placed at convenient points, they're the closest that your kid could probably get to climbing a tree or a roof! There are plenty of options in this segment.
From the basic jungle-gym type of climber, with parallel and cross-bars, monkey-bars, to more complicated tree-house, fortress or bridge style climbers, most manufacturers of children's outdoor play equipment make sure that there are plenty of opportunities for combining creative play with physical work-outs.
Other combos include climbing equipments with swings, ramparts, slides or even a large colorful abacus for counting.
Depending on your requirements, the age of your kids and your budget, you can choose wooden climbing frames which are suitable for a single child, two or three or large groups of kids who can then spend hours in co-operative creative play outdoors.
Generally, kids between 3 and 11 are the ones who enjoy this the most.
The size of climbing frame you choose also depends on the space available.
If you have a smaller yard, then you'll have to choose one that will fit in comfortably into the space, with enough let all round for kids to play safely without injuring themselves.
Most of the outdoor play equipments are made of specially treated, high-quality, strong and durable wood, coated with lead-free paint or varnish.
Edges are rounded and child-friendly, with a smooth, safe finish.
If you're buying a DIY wooden climbing frame, you'll get a set of appropriate tools and a user manual to help you to assemble it.
Ensure that all safety norms are being complied with and all materials are of the highest quality to provide years of safe and durable service, and can withstand rough handling by a bunch of high-energy kids!