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The Spruce / Jenn Salon A great swing set brings the playground to your own backyard. We researched and tested the top residential swing sets on the market, evaluating ease of setup and maintenance, features, and quality of materials. Our top pick, the Backyard Discovery Skyfort II Residential Wood Playset, includes a clubhouse, slide, and double glider swing, is made of sturdy cedar, and comes with an interactive 3-D installation guide. Here are the best swing sets. Photo Courtesy AmazonWhat We Like
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Who else recommends it? Good Housekeeping and BestReviews both picked the Backyard Discovery Skyfort II. What do buyers say? 90% of 500+ Overstock reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. Your kids will have the time of their lives playing on the elaborate Backyard Discovery Skyfort II, which is so much more than your average swing set. This set features a spacious elevated clubhouse with a ladder, rock climbing wall, and slide, as well as a set of monkey bars, three-position swing beam, built-in picnic table, crow’s nest, and even a sturdy sandbox. No matter how your children like to play, the Skyfort has it covered. This high-end swing set is crafted from durable cedar wood, and it requires a large yard for installation. It requires quite a bit of assembly, but its many features allow several children of various ages to play at once. Our tester loved that the set felt sturdy and high-quality while having enough elements to keep kids entertained, despite the high price tag. One of our staff members tested this particular product, and they said they loved that the set felt safe and sturdy. According to our tester, "Nothing sways when the kids are on the swings or climbing into the clubhouse." Dimensions: 200 x 149 x 272 inches | Material: Cedar wood | Age Range: 3–10 | Warranty: 1 year, and extended 5 years for the wood The Spruce Courtesy of Amazon What We Like
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You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better value than the Trekassy Swing Set, which features both a belt swing and saucer swing for your children to play on. This swing set is on the smaller size—measuring 90.5 inches long and 67 inches wide—but it can still support up to 440 pounds thanks to its heavy-duty weather-resistant steel frame. The saucer swing on this set is 32 inches in diameter, making it ideal for one or two young children, and you can adjust its height so your little ones can climb on more easily. The belt swing is made from durable plastic and features plastic-coated chains for safety. Either swing can be taken off and replaced with other standard-sized playground accessories, such as a baby carrier swing or hanging chair. Dimensions: 90.5 x 67 x 71 inches | Material: Steel | Age Range: 3 and up | Warranty: Not listed Courtesy of Amazon What We Like
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Toddlers will love this bright and colorful 4-in-1 play set including a smooth slide, a swing that toddlers strap into, and an elephant trunk that doubles as a ring toss. There are no sharp edges for little ones to knock into, and the swing can accommodate up to 66 pounds. Users noted that the swing set was easy to set up. The lightweight material and relatively small sizes make it easy to enjoy this set outdoors or indoors in a living room or small yard. Dimensions: 66 x 59 x 47 inches | Material: Polyethylene | Age Range: 2-8 years | Warranty: Not Listed Courtesy of Walmart What We Like
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The Lifetime Deluxe Swing Set is a classic choice for small families, as it features two swings and a trapeze bar with gym rings. This swing set is made from heavy-duty powder-coated steel and UV-resistant plastic that can stand up to any weather. It can support up to 400 pounds, allowing multiple people to play at the same time. The Lifetime Swing Set is best for homes with medium or large yards. The product comes in two boxes and requires two people for assembly, and it has a number of useful safety features, including soft rubber grips on the swing chains to prevent little fingers from getting pinched. Overall, it’s an unbeatable choice if you’re looking for a basic swing set, as it’s sturdy, keeps safety in mind, and will last for years. Dimensions: 162.5 x 125.5 x 112 inches | Material: Steel | Age Range: 3-12 years | Warranty: 5 years Courtesy of Walmart What We Like
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No more fighting over swings with this set from Sportspower. This set lives up to its "Super Star" name with two classic swings, a flying saucer, a Roman glider, and a slide that can accommodate up to seven kids at once. Sportspower uses sturdy metal reinforced with 2-inch steel metal tubes for further durability. All of the swings' chains are covered in vinyl to protect little hands, and the set can carry up to 700 pounds so kids and parents can play together. This structure spans almost 15 feet, so be sure to set aside enough room in your yard for your kids to enjoy fully. For all of the pieces included, the set comes at a fair price. Dimensions: 177 x 104 x 72 inches | Material: Metal | Age Range: 3-8 years | Warranty: 1 year Courtesy of Home Depot What We Like
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Metal swing sets are typically low maintenance and extremely durable, and the Lifetime Monkey Bar Adventure Swing Set offers children several ways to play thanks to its complex design. It is built from powder-coated galvanized steel and weather-resistant polyethylene and includes three belt swings, a trapeze bar with gym rings, set of monkey bars, fireman’s pole, and a 9-foot wavy slide. As you can probably imagine, this complex swing set takes up quite a bit of room. It can accommodate up to six occupants at a time, supporting 600 pounds, and it has a number of convenient safety features, such as plastic caps on the edges and rubber grips on the swing chains. Dimensions: 226 x 168 x 100 inches | Material: Steel | Age Range: 3-12 years | Warranty: 5 years Courtesy of Home Depot What We Like
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For those with small yards, the ALEKO Child Swing is a simple, compact, and affordable option. The metal frame supports one plastic swing seat held up by ropes, and it’s recommended for kids ages 3 to 8, as it has a 99-pound weight limit. The ALEKO Child Swing is made from steel and features a non-slip seat for safety, and you can even adjust the height of the seat to suit your child’s needs. The overall design is quite simple, but it’s also budget-friendly and easy to assemble. Dimensions: 55 x 70 x 55 inches | Material: Steel | Age Range: 3-8 years | Warranty: 1 year Courtesy of Amazon What We Like
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As you kids get older, they’ll appreciate the versatility of the Gorilla Playsets Outing Wood Swing Set, which includes fun features like a rock-climbing wall, elevated play deck, and sandbox. The wooden set has two swings and a trapeze bar that are connected to the playhouse, and it’s recommended for kids up to age 11. The set can support up to 800 pounds. This swing set is made from durable wooden beams that are pre-drilled to make assembly faster. It’s outfitted with a steering wheel and telescope to encourage kids to use their imaginations, and the play deck is covered with a vinyl canopy to protect them from the sun on summer days. Dimensions: 156 x 162 x 126 inches | Material: Cedar wood | Age Range: 3-11 years | Warranty: 10 years Courtesy of Amazon What We Like
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Wooden swing sets like the Swing-N-Slide Ranger Plus Wooden Swing Set offer a classic look and sturdy construction, making them a worthwhile addition to your yard. This swing set includes two belt swings and a trapeze bar, and it has a small playhouse on the side with a ladder and wavy slide. (If you don’t want the play deck, you can also get the Ranger Swing Set on its own.) This play set's frame is crafted from durable wood with metal and plastic accents. The swings feature coated chains for safety, and each seat can support up to 115 pounds—so keep in mind they’re not meant for adults. The playhouse has a canopy roof and protective mesh panels on the side, and the swings can even be swapped out for different accessories, if you choose. Dimensions: 144 x 131 x 92 inches | Material: Cedar wood | Age Range: 2-10 years | Warranty: 1 year
Final Verdict For ultimate fun that'll last for years, the Backyard Discover Swing Set is on the pricier side but is loaded with features, like a ladder, sturdy sandbox, slide, and even a rock climbing wall. For a smaller, less expensive option, consider the Trekassy Swing Set (view at Walmart), which includes one swing seat and a saucer swing. The Spruce / Jenn Salon Price As with all large play structures, swing sets are an investment. However, there are so many options that you are bound to find one in your budget. It is also important to consider that swing sets are meant to be
enjoyed year after year, so investing now in a high quality set will ensure that your play structure stays sturdy and safe. The experts at Cedarworks, a national playground equipment supplier, advise consumers to take an "expense approach" and purchase based on price if they are looking for an item that may have a shorter lifespan, or an "investment approach," which involves investing now on a higher quality set to keep for years to come. LocationScout the area you plan to put the swing set. Make sure you have enough space for the structure, plus the necessary clearance for swings and slides. Also, consider where the sun hits your property—it’s better for the lifespan of the swing set if you place it in a shadier spot. "Consider the accessibility and visibility to and from the home to allow a watchful eye on the children playing," says Heather Napier, marketing director at Backyard Discovery. She also advises homeowners to remove any branches, pinecones, or other objects that can affect construction. SizeThink about how many children you have now and what ages they are, as well as how many children you may have in the future. Some swing sets can accommodate up to seven children, while others are meant for just one. Ensuring you have a space for all of your children to enjoy will guarantee no unnecessary fights or tantrums occur. MaterialThe material of your swing set can determine how much maintenance it will need according to your environment. Those with steel or metal frames will be more weather resistant and long lasting with little upkeep. The same goes with those with plastic elements that are durable and easy to clean. Wood is sturdy and durable but will need some maintenance yearly. Cedarwood is a great choice since it’s highly resistant to decay and insects. Cedarworks praises this material, saying it's also both naturally splinter-free and naturally long-lasting. They add that it's also the only wood that achieves this without paints, stains or
other chemical treatments. Chinese cedar wood is another popular option, which is made to last outdoors, says Napier. "This wood is naturally fast growing and renewable giving us comfort for years to come," she continues. However, she advises sealing wood products annually to increase longevity and protect against the elements. Age Recommendations To ensure that all
participants are as safe as possible, pay attention to the age recommendations for swing set before committing. Also keep in mind that growing kids might need more advanced features if you plan to keep it in the long haul, so added spaces likes a rock climbing wall can be a great investment. The experts at Cedarworks follow the mantra, "Your kids are growing everyday, so you want a play set that meets their needs now and in the future." The Spruce / Jenn Salon FAQ
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance contributor who's written for The Spruce since 2017. She's an expert on all things home and grew up playing on a wooden swing set similar to the ones included in this article. To make this list, Camryn considered the size and material of each swing set, as well as where the set would be placed in a yard. Additional reporting was done by Julia Fields, lifestyle writer at The Spruce. Expert advice was provided by Cedarworks and Heather Napier, marketing director at Backyard Discovery. What is the best wood for swing sets?Cedar and redwood are the most commonly selected wood for outdoor swing sets, and for good reason. These woods are known for being naturally resistant to disease, rot, and insect infestation. You will also find swing sets made of spruce, pine, or fir.
Is it cheaper to build your own swingset?Pre-made playsets can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $6,500—or possibly more if you're doing something custom. For a DIY build, you'll need to factor in roughly $450 worth of tools and supplies, plus the cost of lumber and individual pieces of play equipment.
What is the best backyard swing set?10 Best Swing Sets of 2022. Best Overall Swing Set: Creative Playthings Spring Hill Swing Set.. Best Value Swing Set: Swing-N-Slide Ranger Wooden Swing Set.. Best Metal Swing Set: Lifetime Monkey Bar Adventure Swing Set.. Best Wooden Swing Set: CedarWorks Frolic Swing Set.. What's better a wood or metal swing set?Wood: When cared for properly, wood playsets usually have the advantage over metal swing sets in terms of durability. Quality wood swing sets are made from rot-resistant woods like cedar, so they can withstand the elements.
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