The Best Swing Sets

Buying Guide for Swing Sets

Why buy a swing set?

Swing sets are a great way for kids to have fun in the backyard and let off some steam. Having a designated play space behind your home is a great way to give your kids a safe but spacious place to play, whether on their own or with friends. It will create endless opportunities for wandering imaginations to play and create a safe haven for you and your children to create endless fun and memories.

What to look for in a swing set?

• Safety: Swing sets with welded poles avoid exposed bolts that may cause injury during play. Plastic coverings over the chainlinks are ideal for avoiding pinched fingers. Also, look for swing sets with foam coverings and anti-slip textures for added security during play.
• Size: It’s important to measure the space in your backyard to ensure that the swing set frame will comfortably fit. Keep in mind that the swing set needs ample space in front and behind the frame so that the seat of the swing does not come into contact with any objects or fences when your kids are swinging high.
• Construction: If you’re building the swing set yourself, ensure that the swing’s features and construction requirements match up with your schedule and skill set. Improperly assembled swing sets can be dangerous when used. Professional installation can be costly but may be a better option for busy parents.

What additional features should you consider?

Whether you’re planning on picking a basic swing set or one with add-ons, it’s important to keep in mind what will entertain your kids. Swing sets that include additional features like monkey bars, slides, playhouses, and see-saws can make outside time even more fun. Just make sure you have enough room in the yard to accommodate the extra accessories.

Our Picks for the Best Swing Sets

Pros: If you think back to your elementary playground or your grandparents’ backyard, a classic swing set like this is likely to come to mind. Kids can enjoy the traditional seated experience on the two chainlink swings or dip their toes into beginner gymnastics on the trapeze swing. The chains are coated in plastisol to protect fingers from getting pinched between the metal links.

Cons: This set may require hours of assembly and drilling additional holes. Some reviewers mentioned the height of this set is average and could be a few inches taller.

Bottom Line: The seats of this swing set can hold up to 115 pounds so that your kids can enjoy their swing set as they mature. The A-frame design also allows you to exchange the seats for different swing designs if you require a toddler or saucer swing. Overall, it’s a simple but classic choice that should serve you well and not cost you too much.

 

Pros: Let your kids’ minds and bodies run wild on this 100% cedar wood playset. It features two swings, a trapeze bar, a covered upper playhouse with a rock wall ladder, challenging monkey bars, a ship wheel, a telescope, a slide, and a lower deck with a covered snack bar and bench. With so much variety, your kids will play on it for hours. And you get all of these great features for a lower price than similar models. The wood from this set is laboratory tested to be rot- and decay-resistant, and it can entertain up to nine children at a time.

Cons: Assembly will take a long time and be more complex since there are so many parts to it.

Bottom Line: This is a quality swing set with loads of variety! If you want an accommodating, well-rounded swing set for lots of kids to enjoy at a reasonable price, check out this option.

 

Pros: This toddler swing pays more attention to the child’s experience by combining the advantages of traditional hanging chairs and swings. It features double-sided cotton canvas and UV-protected fabric with natural beech wood and marine-grade rope for softer and more comfortable use compared to traditional plastic swing sets. Plus, it can be used both indoors and outdoors and collapses for easy storage and transportation.

Cons: It requires the purchaser to tie the seat ropes themselves. To extend the life of the swing, it should be kept out of the rain, so it might be best to set it up and take it down each time it’s used.

Bottom Line: This baby swing set is easy to put together without any tools and disassembles easily for cleaning. It’s much prettier and more comfortable than traditional plastic baby swings.

 

Pros: When it comes to entertaining your kids, the bigger, the better. This premium set includes a clubhouse with a lookout, slide, climbing wall, swings, monkey bars, picnic table, and a sandbox area. Made entirely from cedar wood, the structure can handle the outdoor elements and rough play. And while it might look complicated to build, the swing set is compatible with the BILT app, which takes you through each step of the construction process.

Cons: The assembly of this set is not for the faint of heart, as it will require hours if not multiple days, according to some reviewers. It’s much more expensive than the other models we reviewed because it is the largest.

Bottom Line: Your kids and their friends will have hours of fun exploring the different activities offered by this expansive swing set. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a long-term investment for your backyard.

 

Pros: This unique three swing set is perfect for young kids to enjoy while others explore the slide and see-saw. This swing set will make your backyard a neighborhood favorite among kids as it can handle up to seven children weighing under 100 pounds. Parents will love the PVC covers of the chains and the foam protectors, covering the swing set’s legs. The frame is designed with galvanized steel that is welded, rather than bolted, together to create a durable and safe swing set.

Cons: The instructions aren’t great, and it could be sturdier.

Bottom Line: With so many options to choose from, your kids will never tire of the Free N’ Swing Swing Set. This set is easy to put together and will provide endless fun.

Final Thoughts

Having fun as a kid in the backyard is all that much better with a great swing set. Your kids will create a lifetime of memories that they will cherish for a long time to come.