if we bring it camping,we can tie it to two trees, so we don’t have to bringthe metal rods with us. they can be in there for hoursin the course of a week. and they play little games inside there,they make-believe. it’s a great toy, as well asa relaxation device. during the day, when it’s sunny out, we can just lay down in and rock in it. i liked it a lot when we flippedover the hammock.