Cheap Playpens (shop bought or DIY) - ideas please!

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missy

missy

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Hi all,

I know you're a very ingenious lot so I'm wondering what kind of playpens / indoor runs you use for floortime?

I need a new one (on a v. tight budget) and am looking for ideas/recommendations please.

I don't have that much space so ideally it should fold away or come apart for storage, in between play times.

Seen any cheap ones for sale recently? Or has anyone successfully made their own, either from scratch or engineered one out of something else? (I did read that somebody made one from an old divan bed base - very clever!)

Please help!
Any suggestions/pics gratefully received, thanks :)
 
I made mine out of grids it folds away for storage

DSCN2813.jpg


folded down

DSCN2815.jpg


I only use it in the house though.
 
If your piggies aren't escape artists a VERY cheap way of making a big pen is to go to your garden center and get low corrugated plastic meant for lawn borders. It just rolls up for storage and can be as big or as little as you want it to be :)
 
Thank you. Both FAB ideas! :)

Modwyn, your little pooch looks like he wants a go in the grids himself!
 
Wilko's metal baking cooling racks (a quid each) and a handful of cable ties...folds away a treat! I have 12 linked together (with open ends) and it can be added to as you wish! Thing is, Ben and Dave are living in it at the mo as they found their Nero 4 too small for them.:))
 
gonna have a go at the grids one myself - needing an ourdoor one for supervised lawn mowing :)) Mite have to sturdy it up though, got a few explorers in my gang.
 
So many brilliant ideas - thanks soooo much!

That Ikea tent looks great but only if I can still see what they're up to (and as long as it doesn't obscure the tv too!) Claire, do you think that tent could be hand washed easily? It's the biggest pigloo I've ever seen! (ps love the cute guinea calendar in the background!)
 
Currently my new introduced trio are living in my bonding pens! Which are not to be used for unsupervised or open spaces. They are far too low. Ive had boars jump over them when they smelt a couple of girls in the hall. rolleyes (no contact was made) However i have used them outside with netting ontop and held down with bricks. I also have two boars inside living in an 4by3 outside run rolleyes

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=45592

We used to use a paddling pool we picked up for 99p, when our first two were tiny, which offerd them tons of space, but the little blighters munched on it rolleyes

Ive been known to use a baby travel cot for one of the buns as a temp play area.

You best bet of a play area that is HUGE, would be to piggy proof a room and place hidys all over. We have a free range bun, who has run of most rooms (for the most part) I'm sure he thinks he is a puppy. (he loves tons of space)

You could look for babydan play area's on freecycle.
 
missy said:
So many brilliant ideas - thanks soooo much!

That Ikea tent looks great but only if I can still see what they're up to (and as long as it doesn't obscure the tv too!) Claire, do you think that tent could be hand washed easily? It's the biggest pigloo I've ever seen! (ps love the cute guinea calendar in the background!)
Click to expand...

Hee hee, the calender was a Christmas present. I had the 2009 version last year :) That's the only problem with the tent, it is rather large but because it is made of a tarpauline plastic, it is very easy to wipe clean :)
 
Hi

I've just been reading this thread, I absolutely love the igloo (pigloo), I bought one of those for my son a few years ago and I think it's in the loft, think its time to get it back out again! :(|)

Claire W, did you get the igloo recently? just thinking if I can't find ours I may have to buy another xx>>>

Everyone has such great ideas on here, I wish I had as much imagination! :red
 
Polypea said:
Hi

I've just been reading this thread, I absolutely love the igloo (pigloo), I bought one of those for my son a few years ago and I think it's in the loft, think its time to get it back out again! :(|)

Claire W, did you get the igloo recently? just thinking if I can't find ours I may have to buy another xx>>>

Everyone has such great ideas on here, I wish I had as much imagination! :red
Click to expand...

As soon as I saw the fab (p)igloo pic yesterday I checked the Ikea website - they are on there, so I assume there's still good availability in stores.

There are tons of brilliant ideas - thanks all x
 
Polypea said:
Hi

I've just been reading this thread, I absolutely love the igloo (pigloo), I bought one of those for my son a few years ago and I think it's in the loft, think its time to get it back out again! :(|)

Claire W, did you get the igloo recently? just thinking if I can't find ours I may have to buy another xx>>>

Everyone has such great ideas on here, I wish I had as much imagination! :red
Click to expand...

I brought mine at the beginning of January so yes, they are a recent thing :)
 
MintyAndGarry said:
Wilko's metal baking cooling racks (a quid each) and a handful of cable ties...folds away a treat! I have 12 linked together (with open ends) and it can be added to as you wish! Thing is, Ben and Dave are living in it at the mo as they found their Nero 4 too small for them.:))
Click to expand...

What a good idea! I didn't think of baking racks! Nice and cheap. Although - did you buy all 12 at once? You'll look like a crazy baking lady!

Claire W said:
I brought this children's play tent from Ikea for my girls to play in. It was £6.99. We just fold it down and leave it behind the settee :)

DSCF1090.jpg
Click to expand...

I love it!
 
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