Wickey Climbing Frame Review

I’ve been looking into getting Leo a wooden Wickey climbing frame for the past few months, and after extensive research, we invested in one. After nearly four years of heavy use (Leo is now 5!), I can give you a completely honest assessment of whether a Wickey climbing frame is worth the investment. We even moved house during that time, so had to take it apart and put it back together!

If you’re considering a Wickey climbing frame for your garden, this review covers assembly, durability after years of use, safety, weather resistance, and whether we’d buy another one. Spoiler: our Wickey climbing frame has been brilliant, but there are some things I wish I’d known before purchasing.

Last Updated: August 2026

Wickey Climbing Frame Review: Quick Summary

Overall Rating: 9/10
Our Model: Wickey Joyflyer (installed May 2022)
Years of Use: Nearly 4 years
Price Range: £500-£2,500+ depending on size and features
Assembly Time: 1-2 days (2 adults recommended)
Best For: Ages 3-12
Would We Buy Again: Absolutely yes

Pros After 4 Years: ✅ Still incredibly sturdy – feels as solid as day one
✅ High-quality pressure-treated wood
✅ Keeps kids entertained for hours
✅ Modular design – can add accessories later
✅ Much cheaper than TP or similar brands
✅ Detailed instructions with online videos
✅ Worth every penny

Cons After 4 Years: ❌ Wood needs annual treatment for longevity
❌ Some fixings have rusted (coastal area)
❌ Slide shows wear but still functional
❌ Assembly is time-consuming (but doable)
❌ Heavy – difficult to move once assembled

About Wickey and Their Climbing Frames

Wickey is a German company that’s been making outdoor play equipment for over 20 years. They focus on high-quality, safe, and durable products for children’s outdoor play – climbing frames, swings, playhouses, and all sorts of back garden accessories.

What I like about Wickey climbing frames is that they’re designed to be properly challenging and exciting for kids whilst promoting physical activity. They offer loads of different sizes, designs, and themes – pirate ships, treehouses, castles, the lot. You can get Wickey climbing frames for toddlers as well as ones for older children.

Key features of Wickey climbing frames:

• Made from pressure-treated solid wood that’s durable and weather-resistant
• Safety features like non-slip rungs, handgrips, and safety handles
• 10-year guarantee on wooden components (if you use their ground anchors)
• Loads of accessories and add-ons available
• Different colour options for slides and tarps
• Can be customised to fit different garden sizes

The wood is pressure-treated to protect against weather, which means it should last for years without constant maintenance. They’re properly safety tested too, which matters when you’re letting your kids climb all over something.

About Wickey Climbing Frames (2026 Update)

Wickey is a German company that produces outdoor play equipment, including climbing frames, swings, playhouses, and trampolines. The company has been operating for over 20 years, with a focus on providing high-quality, safe, and durable products for children’s outdoor play.

What Makes Wickey Different:

Price Point: Wickey climbing frames are significantly cheaper than brands like TP while offering similar (or better) quality. You’re getting a lot for your money.

Modular Design: You can start with a basic frame and add swings, monkey bars, climbing walls, and other accessories later. This makes them brilliant for growing families as you can adapt the frame as your children get older.

Variety: Wickey offers hundreds of different climbing frame designs – from simple tower frames to elaborate pirate ships, treehouses, and castles. There’s genuinely something for every garden size and every child’s imagination.

Quality Materials: All Wickey climbing frames are constructed from pressure-treated wood, which is durable, weather-resistant (with proper treatment), and safe for children.

Safety Features: Non-slip rungs, handgrips, safety handles, rounded edges, and TÜV GS safety certification (German safety standard).

2026 Range: Wickey now offers even more options, including climbing frames with swings for different ages (toddler swings separate), integrated trampolines, and customizable colour options for slides, roofs, and accessories.

The Wickey Climbing Frame I Picked

I picked the Wickey Joyflyer because it seemed perfect for the size of our garden. I would have loved one with a swing, but it would have completely taken over our back garden. We considered getting a standalone swing later (which we did – more on that!).

Why the Joyflyer:

• Compact footprint – fits in smaller gardens
• Slide, climbing wall, tower playhouse, and telescope
• Room underneath for sandpit or den
• Can add accessories later (swings, monkey bars, etc.)
• Price: around £600-700 at the time (2022)

What I Love About the Joyflyer Design:

• The rock climbing wall gives Leo proper climbing practice (he goes to The Little Gym)
• The telescope and steering wheel provide imaginative play
• The covered upper platform creates a proper little den
• The slide can have a hose attached for water slides in summer
• Underneath works as either a sandpit or hideout

Toddler swings are quite short-lived, so when we did add a swing later, we got a full-size frame with a toddler attachment seat to make it future-proof. Wickey outdoor equipment is made to last, and we wanted to take full advantage of that longevity!

Delivery and Unpacking the Wickey Climbing Frame

The Wickey climbing frame arrived on a pallet. It’s delivered kerbside, which means you need to unload it yourself – definitely worth knowing beforehand. We weren’t prepared for that, and it was quite heavy!

The delivery was well-communicated, though. We got emails with tracking updates, and the courier rang to arrange a suitable delivery date. From ordering, it took about a week to arrive (it ships from Germany).

Top tip: Make sure someone is home who can help unload the pallet. It’s seriously heavy – ours was over 200kg. If I’d been home alone, I wouldn’t have managed it.

When it arrived, my husband unpacked everything and put it in the garage to protect it from rain until he could build it. Wickey recommends unwrapping all the pieces straight away to let them air out for a couple of days before assembly, which we did.

Check all the pieces for damage as soon as it arrives. That way, if anything’s wrong, you can contact Wickey immediately, and they’ll send replacements. All our pieces were fine, thankfully.

Building the Wickey Wooden Climbing Frame

Assembly: The Reality

The Wickey climbing frame arrived on a pallet in May 2022. It comes completely disassembled – as in, every single slat, screw, and bracket separately. This is both good (you know exactly what you’re getting) and challenging (it’s a proper DIY project).

Unpacking: When it arrived, my husband unpacked everything and put it in the garage to protect it from rain until he could assemble it. This was smart because spring weather in Yorkshire is unpredictable!

What’s Included:

• All timber pieces (pre-cut and numbered)
• All fixings (screws, bolts, brackets)
• Detailed instruction manual (in multiple languages)
• Access to online video tutorials (VERY helpful!)
• Slide
• Accessories (steering wheel, telescope, climbing grips)

Assembly Timeline: My husband built our Wickey climbing frame over two days – one full weekend. He reckons he could have done it in one long day if he’d started first thing in the morning and had help throughout.

Labour Required: Mostly a one-person job, but you NEED a second person for:

• Holding the tower uprights while you secure them
• Lifting the roof section into place
• Holding pieces steady while drilling
• General “pass me that screwdriver” assistance

Tools Needed:

• Electric drill/driver (essential – hand screwing would take forever)
• Selection of drill bits
• Spirit level
• Tape measure
• Adjustable spanner
• Ladder or stepladder
• Safety goggles

The Instructions: Wickey’s instructions are detailed and include:

• Clear diagrams for each step
• Numbered parts matching the timber
• Online video tutorials showing each major stage
• Customer service available if you get stuck

My husband found the instructions mostly clear, though there were a couple of stages where having the video tutorial was really helpful for visualizing how pieces fit together.

Assembly Tips (Things I Wish We’d Known):

1. Level your ground first! Our garden is so uneven (thanks, Persimmon new build!) that we had to move the frame after assembly to level it properly. Do this BEFORE building!
2. Treat the wood BEFORE assembly – it’s much easier to treat individual pieces than trying to get a paintbrush into awkward corners once it’s built.
3. Don’t fully tighten screws until each section is complete – you might need wiggle room to adjust.
4. Lay out all the pieces and check them against the parts list before starting. Missing something halfway through is frustrating!
5. Watch the video tutorials first – even just skimming through gives you a mental picture of how it all fits together.
6. Pick good weather – assembling in rain is miserable, and you don’t want wet wood.
7. Anchor it properly! Once you’ve got it level and in position, use ground anchors to secure it. This is a safety essential.

Difficulty Level: If you’re reasonably handy with a drill and can follow instructions, you can build a Wickey climbing frame. My husband isn’t a professional builder – he’s just someone who’s assembled a lot of flatpack furniture and done basic DIY. It’s definitely doable for most people.

If you’re not confident with DIY, Wickey offers a professional installation service (extra cost), or you could hire a handyperson for a day to help.

The Features That Make the Joyflyer Special

The Climbing Wall: The integrated rock climbing wall is brilliant for building strength and confidence. Leo practices skills he learns at The Little Gym on this wall daily. The grips are:

• Secure and haven’t loosened over 4 years
• Appropriately sized for small hands
• Positioned at good intervals for progression
• Replaceable if they ever wear out (they haven’t!)

The Telescope: A simple addition that sparks endless imaginative play. Leo uses it to “spy” on birds in the garden, watch for planes, and generally pretend he’s on a ship or in a tower. It’s a small feature that adds huge play value.

The Steering Wheel: Another simple but brilliant addition. Perfect for:

• Imaginative play (driving a car, steering a ship)
• Developing fine motor skills
• Role-play games

The Slide:

• Length: Perfect for a 3-12 year old
• Wave design: Adds excitement without being scary
• Hose attachment point: For water slides in summer!
• Safety: High sides prevent falling off
• After 4 years: Still smooth enough, some visible wear

The Tower Playhouse:

• Covered platform: Creates a proper den
• Elevated height: Great for imaginative play
• Windows: Leo uses these for “shop” games
• Weather protection: Roof keeps the platform mostly dry

The Underneath Space: This is one of the most versatile features:

• Option 1: Sandpit – Buy a Wickey sand pit cover to prevent cats getting in
• Option 2: Den – We use ours as a hideout. Leo loves playing in there
• Option 3: Storage – Some people store outdoor toys underneath

We chose the den option and it’s been perfect. Leo takes toys underneath, uses it for hiding games, and loves having a “secret base.”

Customization Options:

When ordering your Joyflyer, you can choose:

• Slide colour: Red, blue, green, or yellow
• Roof colour: Various options
• Whether to include: Telescope, steering wheel, climbing grips

We chose:

• Green slide (to blend with the garden)
• Natural wood roof
• All the accessories (telescope, wheel, climbing grips)

Optional Add-Ons Available:

Wickey sells compatible accessories you can add later:

• Swing attachment kits
• Monkey bars
• Climbing ropes
• Sandbox covers
• Additional climbing grips
• Gymnasts bars (we want to get this!)

This modular approach means you don’t have to buy everything at once – you can expand as your child grows and your budget allows.

Quality and Durability of the Wickey Climbing Frame

In terms of quality, the Wickey climbing frame feels really sturdy. The wood is excellent quality – we’ve treated it with wood preserver to protect it from the elements, and our first impressions are very positive.

The maximum weight the slide can bear is 50kg. You can tell because it feels a bit flimsy under my adult weight. When I say flimsy, I mean it’s fine for children but I can tell it wouldn’t take my weight properly. The climbing frame itself can hold 100kg, which is reassuring.

Things I’m impressed with:

• Solid wood construction – It doesn’t wobble or feel unstable once properly built and anchored
• Quality finish – The pressure-treated wood looks good and feels smooth
• Safety features – Non-slip rungs, rounded edges, safety caps over all screws
• Weather resistance – The pressure-treated wood should last years outdoors
• Design – It looks really good in the garden, not cheap or plasticky

A few considerations:

• The wood can develop some surface cracks as it weathers – this is apparently normal for pressure-treated wood
• Some reviews mention slight warping of certain pieces, though we didn’t experience this
• You need to treat the wood annually to maintain the guarantee
• The slide needs careful use by adults – it’s definitely designed for children’s weight

Wickey Climbing Frame: 4 Years Later – The Honest Durability Report

This is the section that matters most if you’re considering investing £500-2000+ in a Wickey climbing frame. Here’s exactly what’s held up and what hasn’t after nearly four years of heavy use.

What’s Still Perfect:

The Frame Structure: Still rock-solid. No wobble, no weakness, no concerns whatsoever. The main tower and support posts feel as sturdy as the day we installed them. When Leo (now 5) climbs around on it, there’s zero movement or creaking.

The Climbing Wall: The grips are still secure, and the wood behind them shows no signs of damage. Leo uses this daily and it’s held up brilliantly.

The Steering Wheel & Telescope: Still attached, still functional, still frequently used. These simple additions provide endless imaginative play.

The Covered Platform: No issues. The roof has kept rain out, and the platform underneath is still solid.

Overall Wood Integrity: Where we’ve treated it annually (more on that below), the wood looks great. No major splits, warping, or rot.

What’s Showing Wear:

The Slide: This is the component showing the most wear. It’s still perfectly functional and safe, but:

• The surface is slightly scratched/scuffed from thousands of slides
• The colour has faded a bit from UV exposure
• It’s not as “fast” as it was new (which might actually be good for safety!)
• Still completely safe and usable, just visibly used

Metal Fixings: Some of the metal brackets and screws have surface rust. We live near the coast, so salt air doesn’t help. They’re still structurally sound, but aesthetically they look aged. This is probably worse in coastal areas than inland.

Untreated Wood Areas: Where we missed treating (underneath mainly), the wood has weathered more – it’s greyer and rougher to touch. Still structurally fine, just looks older.

What We’ve Had to Replace:

Nothing Major! We haven’t had to replace any structural components. We have:

• Added new climbing grips (we wanted more – not because the originals failed)
• Replaced a couple of rusty screws (preventative, not necessary)
• Re-treated all the wood annually

The Maintenance Reality:

Year 1 (2022): No maintenance needed – it was new!

Year 2 (2023): First annual wood treatment. Used clear wood preserver. Took about 2 hours. Made a huge difference to weather resistance.

Year 3 (2024): Second treatment. Noticed some screws showing rust – replaced a handful (about £5 worth). Platform roof cleaned of leaves/debris.

Year 4 (2025): Third treatment. Slide cleaned thoroughly. All fixings checked and tightened. Still going strong!

Annual Maintenance Costs:

• Wood treatment: £15-25 per year
• Replacement fixings (optional): £5-10 if needed
• Time: 2-3 hours annually

Total Maintenance Over 4 Years: £60-100 – that’s about £15-25 per year to keep a £600+ structure in brilliant condition.

Weather Resistance:

Our Wickey climbing frame has endured:

• 4 Yorkshire winters (including snow and ice)
• Heavy summer rain and humidity
• Direct sunlight and UV exposure
• Autumn leaves and debris
• Coastal salt air (we’re about 30 miles from the coast)

The pressure-treated wood is genuinely weather-resistant, but annual treatment is essential for longevity. Untreated, the wood greys and becomes rough faster.

Safety After 4 Years:

The Wickey climbing frame is still completely safe. We check it regularly for:

• Loose fixings (tighten annually)
• Splinters (sand down if any appear)
• Structural integrity (still perfect)
• Slide condition (still safe)

Leo is now 5 and much more adventurous. The frame has grown with him – what was too big for a toddler is now perfect for an active 5-year-old.

Would It Survive a House Move?

It’s designed to be disassembled, and the quality is good enough that it’s absolutely worth moving. We moved ours no problem, we just took the ladders, slide and top off and kept it in larger parts to put back together at the new house.

Ground Anchoring and Safety

This is important – Wickey strongly recommends using ground anchors to secure the climbing frame. You can buy these separately from their website.

If you use the Wickey anchor set, you get a 10-year guarantee on the wood. Without them, the guarantee is much shorter. It’s worth the investment.

We initially just placed ours on the ground, but we’re planning to properly anchor it soon. The frame is stable enough without anchors for now, but it’ll be safer once properly secured – especially as Leo gets bigger and starts using it more energetically.

Some people concrete the legs into the ground instead of using the metal anchors. Either way works, but anchors are easier if you ever need to move it.

How Leo Uses His Wickey Climbing Frame

Leo absolutely loves it. At 2 years old (nearly 3 now), he’s still getting used to all the features, but he’s on it every time we go in the garden.

His favourite things:

• Walking along the platform, feeling like a big boy
• The steering wheel – he spends ages turning it and making car noises
• Being helped down the slide (he’s getting braver and will do it alone soon)
• Looking through the telescope
• Playing underneath in the den area

He can’t quite manage the climbing wall or rope ladder independently yet, but that’s fine. It means the Wickey climbing frame will grow with him. In a year or two, he’ll be using every single feature, and it’ll still be interesting when he’s 7 or 8.

That’s the beauty of investing in a proper climbing frame rather than toddler equipment – it lasts through different developmental stages.

Is a Wickey Climbing Frame Worth the Money?

I genuinely think this Wickey climbing frame will last us ages. We’re planning to move house in a couple of years, and we’re definitely bringing this with us so Leo can enjoy it for years. If you’re looking for quality climbing frames that’ll actually last, Wickey is a solid choice.

Pros of Wickey climbing frames:

• Excellent quality and durability
• Huge range of designs and sizes
• Modular with loads of add-ons available
• 10-year guarantee (with ground anchors)
• Safety-tested and certified
• Good customer service
• Pressure-treated wood that’s weather-resistant
• Encourages outdoor play and physical activity

Cons to consider:

• Not cheap (but you get what you pay for)
• Assembly is time-consuming and requires decent DIY skills
• Kerbside delivery means you need to unload yourself
• Takes up significant garden space
• Needs annual wood treatment to maintain a guarantee
• Some delivery delays can occur (they ship from Germany)

For us, the investment has been worth it. Leo’s outside more, he’s developing his physical skills, and he’s having a brilliant time. Compared to constantly taking him to soft plays or paying for activities, having a climbing frame at home is actually quite cost-effective long-term.

What Does a Wickey Climbing Frame Cost?

2026 Price Ranges:

• Basic tower frames: £400-700
• Mid-range frames (like our Joyflyer): £600-1,000
• Large frames with swings: £800-1,500
• Elaborate models (castles, pirate ships): £1,200-2,500+

Our Joyflyer:

• 2022 price: Around £600-700
• 2026 price: Approximately £700-850 (prices have increased but still competitive)

What’s Included in the Price:

• All timber (pressure-treated)
• All fixings and brackets
• Slide
• Accessories (telescope, wheel, grips depending on model)
• Instructions and access to video tutorials
• 10-year guarantee on timber (with proper maintenance)

What’s NOT Included:

• Ground anchors (essential – buy separately for £10-20)
• Wood treatment (recommended – £15-25)
• Professional installation (available for extra cost)
• Swing seats if you add swing kits later

Wickey vs Competitors:

TP Climbing Frames:

• Typical price: £800-2,500+
• Similar quality
• More limited design options
• Wickey is usually £200-500 cheaper for comparable frames

Plum Climbing Frames:

• Typically: £300-800
• Generally smaller/less robust
• Wickey offers better quality for similar money

Supermarket Own-Brand:

• £200-500
• Much lower quality
• Won’t last as long
• Wickey is significantly better value long-term

Professional Wooden Frames:

• £2,000-5,000+
• Higher quality finishes
• Bespoke designs
• Wickey offers 80% of the quality at 30% of the price

Cost Per Year Analysis:

Our Joyflyer:

• Purchase price: £650
• Annual maintenance: ~£20
• Total cost over 4 years: £730
• Cost per year: £182.50
• Cost per month over 4 years: £15.20

Compared to soft play sessions (£5-8 per visit, 2-3 times monthly = £120-190/year), the Wickey climbing frame pays for itself within the first year!

Is a Wickey Climbing Frame Worth the Money?

After 4 years, I can confidently say: YES.

Here’s why:

• Still in excellent condition
• Used almost daily (weather permitting)
• Saved hundreds on soft play/park visits
• Will last another 4-6 years easily (Leo’s 5, will use it until at least 10-12)
• Can be moved to our next house
• Could resell for £250-400 if we wanted (Wickey frames hold value well)

When a Wickey Climbing Frame ISN’T Worth It:

• Very small garden (check dimensions carefully!)
• Flat with no garden access
• Planning to move frequently
• Child not interested in outdoor play
• Budget genuinely can’t stretch (cheaper alternatives exist)

But if you have the space and budget, it’s one of the best investments we’ve made for Leo’s play and development.

Comparing Wickey Models

If you’re trying to decide which Wickey climbing frame to get, here are a few popular options:

Wickey Joyflyer (what we have) – Compact design with climbing wall, slide, and platform. Good for smaller gardens. Platform height 120cm.

Wickey MultiFlyer – Includes double swings and a slide. Platform height 120cm. Great if you want swings included.

Wickey Smart Lodge – Larger frame with playhouse area, double swings, and slide. Platform height 150cm. Perfect for bigger gardens and multiple children.

Wickey GhostFlyer – Pirate ship design with loads of features. Very popular with kids who love imaginative play.

Wickey Smart Queen – One of the larger models with a climbing net, lookout, double swings, and slide. Platform height 150cm. Ideal for older children.

Think about your garden size, your children’s ages, and what features matter most. The Wickey website has a brilliant comparison tool and even lets you visualise how the frame will look in your garden using AR technology.

Tips for Buying a Wickey Climbing Frame

Based on our experience and reading loads of other reviews, here’s what I’d recommend:

Choose the right size – Measure your garden properly and leave space around the frame for safe play. Think about access for assembly, too.

Consider platform height – Under 120cm platforms suit younger children (3-6), whilst 150cm+ platforms are better for older kids (6-12).

Think long-term – Buy for the age your child will be in 2-3 years, not their current age. They grow fast.

Budget for extras – Ground anchors, wood treatment,and possibly professional assembly. These add to the initial cost.

Check delivery – It’s kerbside delivery, so make sure you’ll have help unloading.

Order during sales – Wickey often has sales throughout the year. We got ours with 15% off, which made a difference.

Read reviews – Look at reviews for the specific model you’re considering. Different models have different features and build complexities.

Consider assembly help – If you’re not confident with DIY, factor in the cost of hiring someone to build it.

Wickey Climbing Frame Review: Final Verdict After 4 Years

After nearly four years of daily use, multiple Yorkshire winters, and one very active 5-year-old, our Wickey climbing frame (Joyflyer model) has been an absolute triumph.

What I’d Tell Someone Considering a Wickey Climbing Frame:

Do it if: ✅ You have the garden space (check dimensions!)
✅ Your child is 3+ or will be soon
✅ You’re happy to do annual wood treatment
✅ You want something that lasts years
✅ You value outdoor play
✅ You can manage the assembly (or pay for installation)

Think carefully if: ❌ Your garden is very small
❌ You’re moving house soon (though they can be moved!)
❌ Your child is already 10+ (might outgrow it quickly)
❌ You’re not prepared for maintenance
❌ Budget is extremely tight (cheaper options exist)

The Best Things About Our Wickey Climbing Frame:

1. Quality – Still solid as a rock after 4 years
2. Value – £15/month over 4 years for daily entertainment
3. Versatility – Climbing, sliding, hiding, imaginative play
4. Durability – Built to last with proper care
5. Growth – Grows with your child (toddler to tween)
6. Outdoor time – Gets Leo outside in all weathers
7. Physical development – Builds strength, confidence, coordination
8. Modular – Can add accessories as budget allows

What I Wish I’d Known:

1. Annual treatment is essential – Don’t skip this or the wood ages fast
2. Level the ground properly first – We had to move ours to re-level
3. Coastal areas = more rust – Not a deal-breaker but worth knowing
4. The slide will fade – It’s still safe but won’t look showroom-new
5. Assembly takes longer than you think – Budget a full weekend

Would We Buy Another Wickey Climbing Frame?

When we move house in the next year or two, we’re taking this one with us! But if we couldn’t, we’d absolutely buy another Wickey frame. The quality, value, and sheer amount of play Leo gets from it make it one of the best purchases we’ve ever made.

Wickey Climbing Frame: 4-Year Review Scores

• Build Quality: 9/10 (still excellent, minor rust on fixings)
• Value for Money: 10/10 (£15/month for 4 years of daily play!)
• Durability: 9/10 (slide shows wear but everything else perfect)
• Assembly: 7/10 (doable but time-consuming)
• Maintenance: 8/10 (annual treatment needed but quick)
• Play Value: 10/10 (used almost daily for 4 years!)
• Safety: 10/10 (still perfectly safe after 4 years)
• Customer Service: 9/10 (helpful when we had questions)

Overall: 9/10 – Would absolutely recommend

If you’re considering a Wickey climbing frame for your garden, I genuinely can’t recommend them enough. Four years in, ours is still going strong, still gets used daily, and still brings joy every single day. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

Do you have a Wickey climbing frame? Or are you considering one? I’d love to hear about your experiences!

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