Cons: A little tough getting the ends together. Too small an area.
The Bottom Line: Though small the Superyard XT gate stands up to the elements and keeps toddlers and little ones safe and happy. Grandpa is not happy locking and unlocking the ends.
popsrocks's Full Review: North States Superyard Xt Gate
A quick joke pops happens to remember.
Grandpa: "The kids just called, they are coming over with the grand children."
Grandma: "OK honey, let's childproof the house."
Grandpa: "Why bother? They get in anyway!"
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Though I have never stated it out loud, most of my grandchildren elicit the words, "Here comes 'Trouble'", from me.
They are five gals that stretch the limits in everything they do. Perhaps they just stretch grandpa's limits. I will say they are all gonna go far when they get older. In the mean time we use walkers, gates, fences and barbed wire, (just kiddin') to keep them close. Those items along with a keen eye help keep them safe from harm.
I first saw the North State Industries Superyard XT Gate when we went camping with our children and grandchildren this past summer. We had a couple of sites together with four tents, eight adults, and four of our five grand daughters and a partridge in a pear tree.
For Seven Year Old Children?
As my wife and I first pulled up to camp we saw a small white, six-sided cage with two of our grand children playing happily and safely inside. It wasn't our young grand children. It was the five and seven year olds. They were busy making mudpies.
Now this gate system is not for older kids like them. It is designed for toddlers to two-three year olds. That said, there was something about the contained area that kept my two older grand daughters stepping into that little arena all day long. Never did any of the gated six pieces of plastic that measure about 26"h x 32"w bend, give-out, or break. The children were in there for hours upon hours all weekend.
Some Basics About the Superyard XT Gate
The six 32" wide panels are joined pivot joined and the ends are snapped together to complete the hexagon shape. When not in use those two ends are taken apart and the six sections zig-zag and kinda lock making an easy-to-carry product that takes little storage space. A strap for carrying the gate is included.
Putting the two ends together was a little bit of a chore for me the first time I was checking it out. The ends stay together via a "pin-in-slot" system, where you pull up on one side and allow the pin to line up and drop into the other side. It was the opposing forces that I had to perform to allow it to lock and unlock that never came easy. Fortunately this isn't something that needed to be address often as the older children simply climbed over the gated sections with ease. Information about the little ones coming up in a bit.
Each panel is supported by an outside, heavier plastic, form with one more vertical piece giving extra strength to the middle of each panel. A tightly weaved, triangular, well-supported mesh keeps little hands from reaching through and yet gives plenty of visibility within so grandpa could see the children.
The plastic seemed easy enough to clean after the older ones finished with their mudpies.
Who's It For?
The real test as far as I was concerned was the use of the safety yard gate by the little ones. We have a two year old and a one year old who shared the gated area. It was the perfect size for them. We had plenty of toys to keep them busy and they entertained themselves for a while when they saw the adults talking nearby.
I thought the safety Superyard XT gate particularly useful because other options were not available at the campsite. Those jumper things we hang in doorways wouldn't have a safe place for support and the walkers we use at home would not do well on uneven ground.
Last Thoughts
Keeping the toddlers inside a closed area because of uneven ground and an occasional car driving by was important to grandpa. For those reasons, it did well.
I didn't like using the locking system that put the ends of the gate together. It was a bit cumbersome. That said, there was little need to open and close it that way. The height of the gate is perfect for keeping in young children. It an easy height to reach over for lifting the children in and out or removing toys, bottles or whatever.
Unlike a playpen, that doesn't take weather well, this is designed for outside use. One negative of course is that the children are directly on the ground and more likely to have "insect encounters", and pick up and eat grass etc., if that bothers you...or them. Our grandkids are hardy, no real prob for them.
The gate cleans easily and keeps a healthy look even after mudpies and more. It travels well and stores neatly. The actual space inside the area is quite small. No bigger than a moderate sized play pen. Though they were happy in it, I feel that a little more toddling room would be good. I did read that extension pieces can be added. If I had the grand children in our yard more often by themselves, I would get those pieces. I even considered getting one with the extensions for our little Cockerpoo Chip. He gets too active at times when the little ones have food or snacks in their hand. He know where and how to grab a quick bite to eat.
He must follow grandpa's lead.
They would need a number of extra panels to keep that big guy in.
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