[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] We wanted something fun at our home for when our grandkids visit. We recently got the Lifetime Double Adventure Tower Playset for our large backyard, and overall we're extremely happy with the quality and look -- but there are a few things worth knowing before you buy.
Set-up: The assembly took a significant amount of time, even with several people helping. The instruction manual was very thorough, the video was helpful, and we really appreciated the labeled blister packs that kept all the hardware organized. That said, it's extremely important to follow the instructions precisely- and if possible, have the time and space to just go through the complete build from start to finish. We had to redo a couple of steps because we missed small details earlier on. We also found a couple of typos and missing details in the manual that caused some confusion during the build... using the video as a second resource helped with that. After building it ourselves, we can definitely see the value in paying for Lifetime's assembly service, if that's an option for you.
Favorite features: The play set itself is cute and very well made. We love that it will encourage active, outdoor play for our grandkids and has features to spark their imaginations. We really like the bridge connecting the two towers and the fun details on the deck, like the road track and little store pictures for driving toy cars. Our grandkids (ages 3 and 5) had fun climbing the rock wall, going down the double slides, and playing with the steering wheel in one of the towers. However, they did lose interest a little more quickly than we expected. We wish there were a few more interactive play elements included, especially since this set does not come with a swing. We think this playset still has a lot of potential and we may add some additional fun, creative play features on our own.
Appearance: One of our favorite things is the color scheme. The neutral colors (tan and forest green) look great in our backyard. It also has just a pop of brighter colors (red, yellow, and blue) on the climbing wall- very cute without being an eye sore. The size is perfect for our half-acre lot-- substantial enough, without overpowering the yard.
Overall, the Lifetime Double Adventure Tower Playset is well made, looks great in our backyard, and offers plenty of fun for climbing and sliding. While we wish it included a few more built-in interactive features- like a toy spy glass, bell, or moving puzzle or game, etc., it's a solid base that can easily be enhanced with a few add-ons. The real product reviewers (our grandkids) have only had one opportunity so far to come and test it out- and to be honest, it was cold and getting dark quickly. We are excited for the many hours of fun our grandkids will have playing on it in the future!
