Best Swing Set

The sight of our top pick, the Flexible Flyer World of Fun Swing Set makes one nostalgic with the memories of countless hours spent in the playground. The swish swish of the air in your ears as you swing back and forth, the whee as you go down the slide, which child in the world can resist a swing set? We have gathered here the best of the swing sets so that you can pick a great one for your precious one.

Our top pick isn’t just a simple swing set. It’s every kid’s dream. It’s got various swings, a slide and even a see-saw to make the fussiest child a happy play time participant. It is made for children aging from two to ten and is sturdy and durable that it can withstand wear and tear for years of fun filled play.

Never mind that we aren’t children. The moment we saw our step up pick, the Backyard Discovery Kings Peak All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set, we also wanted one, albeit in our size. It is simply amazing. It looks like a fort and a swing set all rolled into one. The only drawback was the price, making this our step up pick and not our top pick.

Our budget pick, Alpine Custom Swing Set Hardware Kit is extremely budget friendly. It does come with a little catch, which we will explain in just a bit. But for the little price you pay, this is a great swing set with great reviews all around.

Why you should have a swing set in your backyard

When we were children we all loved playing on the swing, didn’t we? And we carry those memories even today. We still remember the high of reaching your feet to the sky on a swing and the pure joy of coming down the slide.

All children benefit immensely by playing on a swing set. It helps with their physical development, gives them exercise and helps them with their gross motor skills which in turn leads to the advancement of their fine motor skills such as writing.

The unstructured play provided by playing on a swing set lets the child be his or her wonderful self. They are most free when playing outdoors. It also gives them a great confidence boost which helps the development of their self-esteem. If you need another reason, as more kids play on a swing set together, it also helps with their social skills. It teaches them to take turns when playing. It teaches them to give the others a chance and most importantly it helps them make friends.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of playing on a swing set read this article on that topic.

All of the above advantages can be had by taking your child to the playground. But having a swing/play set in your own yard has more benefits than that. The most important of these is that it guarantees the safety of your children. In the comfort of your garden, they can play freely and safely. You need not worry about ogling eyes when your children are ensconced in your own yard.

Secondly, having a swing set in your own backyard means that your children can play on it whenever they want to. They do not have to bemoan you not taking them the park anymore. Just open the door and the playground is in your yard. Here, another aspect of safety also comes into play. You can watch to make sure that they play safe. You can be there to catch them if they fall.

Why Safety Matters

When choosing and playing on a swing set, the safety of the children is something that must always be borne in mind. While it is great fun to play on a swing set, if not properly supervised or if sub-quality material have been used to manufacture the swing set, serious injury or even death could occur.

First there are the minor injuries such as cuts and bruises by falling or being pinched by the swing chains. If you read this article on safety of swing sets you will notice that even more serious injuries could happen if safety precautions are not taken. For instance, in the USA, in 2014 alone, there had been 46,860 reported cases of injuries caused by home swing and swing sets, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), which we have to agree is rather staggering.

So when your children play on the swing set, be watchful. Teach them to play mindfully and carefully. It is important to have fun. But it is just as if not more important to be safe.

How to Choose a Safe and Fun Swing Set

Before we go into details on the swing sets we have chosen for you, it is vital to see how we chose them and how you can pick a good swing set yourself.

As you might have noticed, we have been talking a lot about the safety of your children. Which goes to say that safety should be one of the most important requirements when you buy a swing set for them. It shouldn’t have any chance of cracking, splintering or breaking down when children are on it.

In our books, the more the features, the better. This would mean that children could have hours and hours of fun and can engage in different activities. The best of swing sets in the market now come with a variety of activities for your children. These commonly include belt swings, a trapeze swing, monkey bars, rock climbing walls and slides. Some also have forts and club houses, sand boxes, cargo nets and seesaws. Before investing in one, compare all to see which one is the best deal for what you pay.
Durability should also play a role when choosing a swing set. Unless you are buying it for the youngest child and want a swing set especially made for toddlers, your swing set should last for years until such time that your kids have outgrown it. This means that it should be made with sturdy and durable material.

Last factor we considered was ease of installation. Some swing sets do not carry instructions or the instructions provided are not easy to follow. In such cases, professional help might have to be sought.

Our top pick: Flexible Flyer World Of Fun Swing Set

Flexible Flyer World of Fun Swing Set

We are sure that there is no child who will ever be able to resist the marvel that is our top pick. The Flexible Flyer World of Fun Swing Set is a safe and sturdy choice for your kids, if you are looking to get them a swing set they would love.

The dimensions of the Flexible Flyer World of Fun Swing Set is 213″ x 120″ x 72″ with a four feet tall slide so that even a two year old cannot have too much trouble playing in it. In addition to the slide, the swing set comes equipped with two SuperFun swings which have height adjustable chains, a trapeze swing, a rocket rider for two, an air glider for two and a two person seesaw. It is perfect for kids between two and ten and a maximum number of ten children can play in the swing set at one time as long as the cumulative weight does not exceed 1050 pounds. There is however, a single seat weight restriction of 105 pounds.

The frame of the Flexible Flyer World of Fun Swing Set has been powder coated so that it’s durable in all sorts of weather and is long lasting.

One of the best things about this swing set is the relatively low price.

Here’s why we love the Flexible Flyer World of Fun Swing Set out of all the swing sets we looked at. And we did look at some super fun swing sets too. First of all, as mentioned above, it is pretty affordable. For less than half the price of some other play sets on the market, it has basically all the features which make up a great swing set. Secondly it is made to be durable and longstanding.

Flexible Flyer Ground Anchor Kit for Metal Frame Swing Sets

If you buy it along with the Flexible Flyer Ground Anchor Kit for Metal Frame Swing Sets you can easily anchor the swing set to the ground so that it’s safe for little ones to use. If you also need to remove a swing which you feel is extra or if you wanted to replace an existing swing with a baby swing that can also be done with no fuss at all. Replacement parts are also delivered by the company quickly and efficiently on request.

More on the plus side, the chains on the swings are wrapped in a plastic casing so that delicate skin does not get pinched when being used. This is a great safety feature that garnered big points from us. The fact it has more than one swing/activity is great for little ones as it is usually difficult for parents to keep the attention of a child on one thing for a long stretch of time. Different activities mean hours of outside fun for the little ones.

Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

Something that we noticed and many customers who bought this swing set seemed to complain about is the lack of instructions when putting the swing set together. The instructions that do come with the swing set do not seem to be adequate and it is not easy for one person to assemble easily all by him or herself.

Further, the box in which the swing set is packed and delivered leaves something to be desired. For instance, it has holes bored into it for some reason and little parts such as nuts and bolts have been known to fall out of these holes and be misplaced.
Delivering the swing set in a sturdier, non-holey box with separate smaller boxes for smaller parts seems to be the answer. However, once someone gets the hang of assembling the swing set, it comes together fairly easily. And ones assembled, kids love it and that makes the Flexible Flyer World of Fun Swing Set a worthwhile investment for the enjoyment of young ones.

Step up pick: Backyard Discovery Kings Peak All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set

Backyard Discovery Kings Peak All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set

Here’s a question. Why on earth don’t they make this in adult sizes? Because we would like one please. Here’s what our Step up Pick, the Backyard Discovery Kings Peak All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set has got going for it. Are you ready for this? It has not one but two forts! Amazing isn’t it? We don’t know a single little one who doesn’t like a fort. Both forts have ladders on which children can climb into the forts from. One of the forts also has monkey bars attached from ground upwards. The same fort also has a five foot rock climbing wall on the side. The other fort has a ten foot rocket slide coming out of it. And all wood used is cedar so you know it’s great quality. What’s more, the wood comes with a five year warranty as well.

Have we mentioned the two belt swings and the two sandboxes yet? The sandboxes are under the forts and are covered with mesh so that they are safe from the elements. The forts themselves have wooden roofs and are connected with a sun bridge. If children want to play pirates, there are also a complementary steering wheel and (non-magnifying) telescope.

Our Budget Pick: Alpine Custom Swing Set Hardware Kit

Alpine Custom Swing Set Hardware Kit
The Alpine Custom Swing Set Hardware Kit is our budget pick for a very simple reason. It is very budget friendly and the manufactures claim that up to twelve children can play in it at once with the weight restriction of 115 pounds per seat. Why it is so less costly? Because it comes to you with only the most basic pieces. This swing set kit includes two swing seats and two swing hangers, one multi colored tarp and one pair of safety handles. And the aforementioned catch? The wood and the slide are not included and have to be bought separately. Even if you end up spending more on the wood, in our books this still a good bargain for a swing set with a fort and swings.

While most of the swing sets are good for children between two to ten, if you are worried about the safety of your toddler on a bigger swing set, you can just as well opt for a swing set made especially for them. The company Little Tikes specializes in play sets for toddlers and preschoolers and have come up with some great products.

Little Tikes Hide and Seek Climber and Swing

Little Tikes Hide and Seek Climber and Swing.
For starters, you do not want to pay exorbitant amounts for a playset which your toddler will outgrow soon. This is why the Little Tikes Hide and Seek Climber and Swing is a great choice for you.

The play set has a seat swing with a three point safety belt. The slide has a gentle slope so that the little one just learning to balance will have no problem sliding down it. The slide can be climbed on to by using the easy climbing wall. The space under the slide landing is the clubhouse under which the kids can crawl through which has windows for them to peak through.

This Playset is a huge hit among little kids and parents alike. Its colors and design are very attractive to children. Finally, another great feature of the Little Tikes Hide and Seek Climber and Swing is that it can be installed either indoors or outdoors.

Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Set

Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Set
Here’s another swing set which even the littlest adventurers can enjoy. It features toddler swings which can be changed to a belt swing later if you wish. This is also a great swing set which can be set up either outside or indoors and can be used by children from two to six years of age.

The Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Set is more expensive as opposed to the Little Tikes Hide and Seek Climber and Swing because it boasts more features. As mentioned before, it comes equipped with two swings, a slide, a clubhouse and two easy to climb ladders.

As a safety feature, the slide has large handrails and has been made specially made for younger kinds on mind. The Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Set is a nifty little swing set we are sure your little ones would keep on coming back to.

Other Contenders

We found some more swing sets for you to compare so that you can make an informed decision when buying one for your children. We have listed them below in the order of prices.

Backyard Discovery Parkway All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set

Backyard Discovery Parkway All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set
Here’s something we figured out. Backyard Discovery makes great swing sets. Yes, granted, they are slightly more expensive. But everyone agrees that Backyard Discovery swing sets are of great quality. Just like our step up pick, the Backyard Discovery Parkway All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set is also one great swing set.

One of the reasons we like Backyard Discovery swing sets is that most of them seem to feature forts or clubhouses. The Backyard Discovery Parkway All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set is no exception. And it is made with cedar to boot which is not only sturdy and durable but is also vert aesthetically pleasing.

This swing set comes equipped with two belt swings, one trapeze swing, a slide and monkey bars so that more than one child can have fun at one time. It also has a tower cabin which can be entered by climbing a ladder or by traversing the monkey bars, something we suspect every adventurous child would dare to.

The bottom of the tower is also a club house with a half door for entering and a window. The slide is 8 feet long and can be used to exit the clubhouse. The chains on the swings have been coated in plastic so that they do not harm young skin.

Cedar Summit Brookridge Cedar Wooden Play Swing Set

Cedar Summit Brookridge Cedar Wooden Play Swing Set
The Cedar Summit Brookridge Cedar Wooden Play Swing Set is a wooden playset which is recommended for children three years upwards. This swing set features 9 activities to keep you little ones entertained for hours. It has swings, ropes, a slide, a ladder and monkey bars. It also features a tower club house under which space has been created for a sandbox.
While the Cedar Summit Brookridge Cedar Wooden Play Swing Set has a lot of features, it is not difficult to assemble as all the lumber which come with it are precut and predrilled. Because of the cedar wood used for construction, this swing set will last for years and to ensure durability it comes pre-stained as well.

Swing-N-Slide Jamboree Fort Playset

Swing-N-Slide Jamboree Fort Playset
The Swing-N-Slide Jamboree Fort Playset is another swing set which has a fort that kids are sure to love. Why kids will love this swing set even more is because it features two swings, a ring/trapeze combo swing, a slide, a rock climbing wall, a ladder, a tower fort with a telescope and a play deck. When children are done playing fort, they can easily set up their own little play caf’ or lemonade stand as the swing set also comes with a picnic table with an awning.

The slide, which is a wave slide has a life time warranty so that you never have to worry about having a broken or cracked slide. For us, the best feature of the Swing-N-Slide Jamboree Fort Playset is the assurance of safety. It meets ASTM standards which ensures the safety of your child playing in this swing set.

It is also easy to assemble as it comes with all the required lumber precut with easy to understand instructions.

Lifetime Monkey Bar Adventure Swing Set with 9 Foot Wavy Slide

Lifetime Monkey Bar Adventure Swing Set with 9 Foot Wavy Slide
The Lifetime Monkey Bar Adventure Swing Set with 9 Foot Wavy Slide is a bestselling swing set. It is heavy duty and long lasting as it has been made from weather resistant, powder coated galvanized steel.

Here’s why the kids would go mad for this swing set. It has not one, not two, but three belt swings. It also has a trapeze bar with gym rings. The wavy slide is 9 feet long which makes it quite a ride for adventurous little ones. It also has monkey bars for little ones to climb and a firemen’s pole for those who love to play firemen.

The fact that the Lifetime Monkey Bar Adventure Swing Set with 9 Foot Wavy Slide is a freestanding swing set is what makes this a favorite among parents as there is no need to dig the ground to anchor it. Because this swing set can be used by children up to twelve years of age, when you buy it for a younger child, it can be used for years and years to come with hardly any wear and tear. It’s solid and long lasting. It’s super fun. It’s not the costliest swing set in the market. Win-win, we say.

Backyard Discovery Skyfort II All Cedar Wood Swing Playset

Backyard Discovery Skyfort II All Cedar Wood Swing Playset
Just like other Backyard Discovery swing sets, the Backyard Discovery Skyfort II All Cedar Wood Swing Playset is also high on the wow factor. It actually looks like something from a movie. But it has been made for residential use and is the perfect investment for a larger family.

To warrant such a price, what does this swing set include, one might wonder. Here are its specifications. It has an upper play fort out of which comes the slide. There is also a lower fort for kids to play in. The upper fort has gables, a wooden roof and lovely windows. The lower fort has a snack porch with a window, a snack window and a bench. The addition of the two standard belt swings and the two person swing-set glider is what makes this playset a swing set. Apart from all those features, the Backyard Discovery Skyfort II All Cedar Wood Swing Playset also has a nice long slide, monkey bars, a ladder and a rock climbing wall.

Again, the wood is cedar, which seems to be a standard for most Backyard Discovery swing sets and it comes with a five year warranty against rot and decay.

Lifetime Big Stuff Adventure Play set, Freestanding

Lifetime Big Stuff Adventure Play set, Freestanding
Similar to the other lifetime swing set on our list, this one is also a freestanding swing set, which makes setting it up a breeze.
The Lifetime Big Stuff Freestanding Adventure Play set is as safe as safe can be. All the hard edges come rounded or are covered with plastic caps. The rock climbing wall is curved to prevent falls. There are soft rubber grips on the swing chain to prevent pinching of delicate skin and the swing set itself is made with high quality high density polyethylene and powder coated steel so that it will not rust or rot. The best thing about being made with metals is that there is no way children could get splinters by accident unlike with a wooden playset.
Its amazing features include two belt swings and a propeller swing, a nine foot long wavy slide, a trapeze bar, an activity board, a curved climbing wall and a cargo net.
This swing set is also fairly easy to assemble as it comes with easy to understand instructions.

Wrapping Up

Be it a birthday gift, a Christmas gift or something you want to get your child just because you feel like it, a swing set is something every little one will enjoy. As long as it is set up properly and has been deemed safe to use, get you child a swing set and let him have oodles and oodles of great outdoor fun.

Playing on a swing set is great for kids for a variety of reasons. It develops their gross motor skills. Most swing sets on our list, include other activities such as monkey bars as well. For instance, playing on monkey bars has been scientifically proven to strengthen arms and lead to good handwriting as explained in this your therapy source article.

It is also no secret that children should spend at least half an hour a day in the sun absorbing some much needed sun shine so that their young skin can produce Vitamin D for them. Letting them play on a swing set does that too. For little kids who seems to have abundant energy that they always seem to be bouncing off the walls, playing on a swing set also lets them let off some steam.
If you get your children a swing set such as our top pick, the Flexible Flyer World of Fun Swing Set, it is great fun for up to ten kids at once. Because there is more than one activity to choose from, there will be no fights for the swing or the slide. Easily bored kids can change the activity they want at whim and play on for hours.

Get your kids a swing set today. It is a great way to ensure that your kids enjoy the outdoors and get some amazing exercise in the meantime.