Great Outdoor Toy Box
Written: Feb 07 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy assembly, great for storing small things, keeps things dry
Cons: The lid keeps unhinging, too small for thick cushions
The Bottom Line: An attractive box that is great for outdoor storage.
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| Barefooter's Full Review: Rubbermaid Deck Box 3761-01-714 |
With three kids under 8, a mountain of outdoor toys, a yard that backs up to four other houses, I was looking for a storage box to contain all the toys that were littering the yard. I was getting pretty tired of sending the kids into four different backyards to pick up the scattered toys only to have them placed in a haphazard pile against the house.
I found the solution at our local Kmart, the Rubbermaid Deck Box on sale for $50, marked down from $65. One look at the box and I was dreaming of a Martha Stewart backyard-- the taupe box with its forest green cover nestled among the black-eyed Susans with every primary colored toy hidden from sight. Snapping back to the reality of our bare backyard with the metal swingset, I realized at least the deck box blended nicely with our taupe siding.
Lugging the box home, I was fearful that I would have to wrestle it together for an hour like the Little Tykes playset we bought years before. The box boasted of "six interlocking panels that snap together, no tools required." I was still apprehensive but after laying the plastic pieces in order, it was indeed a snap to put together. I had the box together in approximately 10 minutes.
The box is 3 ft 6 in x 2 ft x 2 ft and it's designed to hold chair cushions. I happen to have the thin chair cushions and this would fit into the box. However, the bigger cushions will not fit in without some serious jamming.
This is, however, a great outdoor toy box. I love hollering "Clean up time" and watching my kids race around the yard putting their toys in the box. Of course this doesn't happen every time-- some days consist of whiny kids dragging their heels "I'm tiiiiiiired" or bribes of ice cream.
When it rains, the toys stay surprisingly dry. The lid has yet to blow off in heavy winds, so that's another plus. My biggest grumble about this product is that the plastic hinges are rather short, which means the kids can easily pry the lid away from the hinges. This means that some days I find them playing "bridge" with the lid on the side of the pool and walking all over it. If a child gets inside, air still circulates and the lid is easily lifted up from inside.
The lid is sturdy, but it's not sturdy enough to really support weight if someone decides to sit on it. That's another grumble of mine, Rubbermaid could have at least spared a little more plastic to make it more rigid and solid. As it is, there are hollow spaces in the lid which can bend if someone sits on it. It does pop back up after someone gets up.
This is one deck box that I think is going to be with us for a long time. Once the kids grow up and leave the house, I'm going to use it as an ice box and throw a party.
Recommended:
Yes
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Barefooter
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Member: Karen
Location: Chicago area
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