Step2 Clubhouse Climber Review: Outdoor Fun for Toddlers

Editor's rating:
9.0
Reviewed by Bobby Brower
User's rating:
0
1
0%
2
0%
3
0%
4
0%
5
0%
Add your Rating

We like

  • Does not need to be secured to the ground for it to be safe
  • Easy to assemble although you will need another person and some tools
  • Made of durable materials that can withstand the outside elements
  • It’s low to the ground so the risk of getting hurt is greatly diminished
  • Great for toddlers who need their own area to play away from older kids
  • Has several windows that prevent claustrophobia
We don’t like
  • Assembly may be difficult at times
  • Has a high price tag

How it works

Many parents want a safe and fun place for their children to play. Some parents find it a chore to go to the park when their younger ones are at risk of getting hurt or knocked down by older kids who run and play faster and harder. Many parents choose to keep their children at home so they can play in the safety of their own yard. The only catch is that many parents do not have the same play area that a park can provide. The solution is to buy something that will keep your child entertained in a way that the park can’t and the people at Step2 have created a clubhouse climber that is better than the jungle gyms and play areas at your local park. What’s best about the Step2 Clubhouse Climber is that it is sturdy and safe and can fit perfectly in your own backyard. 

 

Design

Design

The most important aspect of the Step2 Clubhouse Climber is that is does not need to be secured to the ground. The clubhouse weighs about 100 pounds and can withstand the high winds of a windstorm. Just ensure that the clubhouse is on flat solid ground before you assemble it.

The clubhouse is two towers connected by a bridge. One tower is a lookout tower where your little one can see out of several windows as to what is happening around the play area. To exit this tower, you can either go across the bridge to the other side or you can slide down the slide out into the yard.

The other tower contains a steering wheel transforming the clubhouse into whatever your little one wants it to be. This tower is slightly bigger with a skylight, and a full front window in front of the steering wheel so that your child can see where they are navigating in their imagination. This tower is easily accessed by two sets of slip-proof stairs that are accompanied by grip handles so that your little one can get in and out of the clubhouse safely.

Underneath the clubhouse is a set of crawling tunnels so that your child can find a safe place to hide during hide and seek or find a safe escape route when playing and being chased by their friends.
Safety

Safety

As with all things play related, parental supervision is recommended whenever your child is playing in the Step2 Clubhouse Climber. Although the steps are slip-proof with grated steps for extra grip and are accompanied by grip handles on the side of the structure so that your child can steady themself while using the stairs, parents should keep a watchful eye out as their child may lose their balance and fall to the ground below. The same goes for running over the bridge as little ones may lose their balance and fall, and when your child is using the slide, it may help to have someone at the bottom to ensure they get off the slide safely.

The entire structure is made out of a hard plastic, so your child will be okay if they fall while in the structure, and the clubhouse is relatively close to the ground, so the Step2 Clubhouse Climber is a safe addition to your yard and to your child’s play routine.
Assembly Required

Assembly Required

Many parents discovered that the Step2 Clubhouse Climber is relatively easy to assemble although it can take anywhere between two hours and three hours to finish the project. The clubhouse will be delivered to your house on a delivery truck and the structure comes in two boxes. The boxes are extremely heavy, so wherever the boxes are delivered, it may serve you to open them in that spot and transport the structure piece by piece to the location where the clubhouse is going to be placed. The pieces weigh almost nothing and are easy to transport.

The Step2 Clubhouse Climber must be assembled on a clear, flat surface in order to avoid tipping or your child getting hurt while in the structure. The clubhouse was designed to never be mounted into the ground or grounded by weights or anything else that would hold the structure in place. The structure weighs about one hundred pounds and can withstand inclement weather and high winds. In order to ensure the wind does not tip the structure it needs to be on sturdy, flat ground that is clear of any debris or any crowding by other structures or homes.

Many parents found that several tools are needed in order to properly assemble the clubhouse so that it is put together correctly and safe to use. Parents have reported that there are clearly marked areas where screws are supposed to go; however, there are no actual screw holes, so you are going to have to create your own screw holes. In order to do that successfully, you are going to need a power drill. A regular screwdriver can do the trick, however, it will be time consuming and may cause your arms and shoulders and hands to ache. Other parents have also needed a socket wrench to tighten some of the screws, so it may be wise to have one of those on hand as well. The set does come with an allen wrench for when you need to tighten screws that require that tool. Assembly is a two person job, so enlist the help of a friend or spouse to get the job done quick and easy.
Age Range

Age Range

The Step2 Clubhouse Climber is recommended and designed for children ages two-years-old to six-years-old. Beyond six-years-old, your child will be far too tall and heavy to play on the clubhouse. The doorways, crawl spaces, slide, and stairs are all built and designed for toddlers. The weight limit of this clubhouse is up to two-hundred ninety pounds, so parents can easily play on the set with their children if they can fit into the structure. This also means that several children can play on this set at once, which makes it a great addition for any child’s birthday party or any family backyard gathering. Many parents have found that this clubhouse is a good investment as it can last your child many years due to its wide age range.
Imagination Play

Imagination Play

The biggest benefit that parents love about the Step2 Clubhouse Climber is that it allows children to let their imaginations run wild. The steering wheel that is located in one of the towers immediately transforms the clubhouse into several other things for your child to imagine. The steering wheel can turn the clubhouse into a floating castle, a speed boat, a car, a pirate ship, an airplane, and even a rocket ship. Children can spend hours pretending they are battling on the bridge and sliding and crawling to safety while steering the clubhouse around in the imaginary world they create.

Play of this kind is great for children and provides them with several benefits. Imaginary play allows children to open their minds to problem solving. While playing, a child may not know what is coming next in the story they are creating, and as a result, they will quickly think of new scenarios and fun things to create in order to solve the dilemma or problem that has been thrown their way. This kind of play also means that your child has to get up and get moving in order to be a part of the game. This way, your child will not be sedentary and locked on screens or other digital devices that may cause them to not exercise and interact with other children. The Step2 Clubhouse Climber is a great experience that helps your child grow physically and emotionally.
Social Play

Social Play

In a time when many kids are entertained by smartphones and tablets and televisions, the Step2 Clubhouse Climber is a reason for your child to get out of the house and into the yard to play with siblings and friends. By running and jumping and playing together, kids will start to form bonds and friendships with other children. This type of interaction helps develop social skills that will allow your child to not be shy and be able to openly communicate with their peers. In that communication, kids will begin to use their imaginations to create scenarios and stories that go along with the structure. Coming together to create a story will be your child’s first foray into collaborative work and collaborative thinking. Having solid collaborative skills will aid your child in working well with others while in school and eventually into their adult work life. Having a healthy social life will only help your child as they grow older.
Motor Skills

Motor Skills

Whenever your child has the opportunity to climb and grip and run and slide they will be building their balance skills as well as their gross motor skills. The Step2 Clubhouse Climber has gripping handles that are utilized when your child uses the stairs, which will help them learn to balance themselves while they are gripping and pulling themselves up. This combination is a great way for your child to build the muscles and dexterity needed to fully use the clubhouse. Turning the steering wheel, balancing across the bridge and using their weight to go down the slide will all help your child become better in tune with their bodies and make them more agile and balanced.
Price

Price

The Step2 Clubhouse Climber is a very expensive investment. This type of purchase fits into the budget of only a select group of parents, however, if you can afford it, it is worth the buy. The clubhouse has so many benefits that your child will excel from that it seems foolish not to buy the clubhouse if it falls within your budget. The physical, emotional, social, and imaginative benefits that will help your child grow and develop are priceless. The structure is made of durable materials and can last your family for many years to come, which makes it a great investment. It is easy to put together and is not too big that it can’t fit into anyone’s yard. The price tag, although steep, is worth the price, and you do get what you are paying for with this clubhouse.

Conclusion

The Step2 Clubhouse Climber is a great buy for the parent who can fit an expensive experience into the family budget. With so many great structural perks like a steering wheel, skylight, windows, slide, bridge, slip-proof stairs, and grip handles it seems like a no brainer to add this item to your family’s yard. The Step2 Clubhouse Climber gets your child out of the house and not only gets them to be physically active, but it also gets your child to be socially active by playing with other children and their siblings in real life and away from screens such as smartphones, televisions, and tablets. Your child will have the opportunity to develop their emotional and social skills as much as their physical and motor skills. Getting out of the house and playing can only provide positive additions to your child’s life. If you can afford this clubhouse, you should purchase it immediately. With an easy-to-assemble experience, the Step2 Clubhouse Climber is a great buy for both parents and children, especially since a couple hours of assembly will leave you with a fun time that can last years for all of your children. The Step2 Clubhouse Climber is the perfect purchase for the parent that wants to give their child every opportunity to grow and develop in a safe and secure environment without having to leave home.
See Deals