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9 Awesomely Fun (And Safe) Kids’ Swing Sets For Your Backyard

The backyard is the new playground. Help it rise to the occasion.

by Emily Kelleher
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

Even as the world opens up, your backyard remains a haven for your children. And a great backyard swing set elevates it from a patch of grass to an at-home amusement park. The best kids’ swing sets can be a hefty investment, but the payout is your mental health: You yell at the kids to “go play outside!” and instead of whining, they just… go? Having a kids’ outdoor playset in the backyard also encourages more physical activity on long summer days when screen time sings its siren song.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are a few safety features parents will want to keep in mind when choosing a swing set. Though wooden or metal swings might be appealing, the AAP recommends choosing swings made of soft materials. During installation, parents should make sure there are no open hooks or bolts, and that the swing set is secured to the ground, and not swaying when the swing is in use.

Swing sets should be installed in areas with soft surfaces that can gently break a fall, like wood chips, sand, or rubber, if possible. “I think the surface is a real key,” says Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, chair of the AAP Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention. “Most injuries I have seen are due to the swing sets being on grass, or other unforgiving surfaces.”

The AAP’s guidelines can make swing sets sound scary, but mostly they’re common sense. Teach kids to walk far from swings when people are on them, to remember that seats might get hot on hot days, and to never stand on swings or tie things to them. “Supervision is absolutely essential, and [so is] making sure things are used as intended, and not ‘creatively,’ ” Hoffman says.

The Best Outdoor Swing Sets for Little and Big Kids

Ranger Wooden Kids' Swing Set by Swing-N-Slide
$239.80
Real Wood Adventures Wildcat Falls Swing Set by Little Tikes
$1
Naturally Playful Playhouse Climber Swing Set by Step2

Great for younger kids, this ultra-durable plastic set has a hidden playhouse, a slide and two high-sided adjustable swings with nylon ropes. The total weight limit is 150 pounds.

$780
Real Wood Adventures Panther Peak Playset by Little Tikes

Go big or stay home, you say? Damn right. This is a full outdoor clubhouse for kids, featuring five foot high rock-climbing wall and 5 foot vertical cargo net. There's a long wavy slide. And two swings. There's also built-in safety railings and handholds, and two removable canvas sunshades. The swing weight limit is 110 pounds; a maximum of six kids can play on this at the same time.

$1
Skyfort II All Cedar Swing Set by Backyard Discovery

Don't insult this by calling it a swing set. It's like calling Everest a hill. There's an elevated crow’s nest and telescope, two belt swings and a two-person glider, so four kids can swing at once. And behold the five-foot rock wall and full-size monkey bar set. Bad weather? No big deal, thanks to the covered upper clubhouse. And of course, nothing is complete without a 10-foot wave slide. The weight limit is 1,350 pounds.

$1
Baby Swing by Swurfer

So this isn't a swing set, but it's one great swing. You can use it from the time your child can sit up to about four years of age; the weight limit is 50 pounds. Because of its unique design, kids get a wider range of motion when they swing. And it helps them work on their sense of balance. You can attach this to a tree or an existing swing set.

$80
Platform Swing Set by Sky Island

The swing to end all swings: Kids can swing, spin, rock, or just hang out. It's a platform swing with a steel frame and made of heavy-duty nylon rope. There's an attachable cover to block out the sun. The swing stays low to the ground and is secured by a pyramid of feet, and the fabrics are water- and UV-resistant. The included cushion adds extra comfort, and the tent can be removed.And the weight limit is 400 pounds.

$449
Cedar Kids' Swing Set by Buckley Hill

This swing set has the same swings, rock climbing wall, slide and clubhouse as larger models, but only requires 23 feet of space. The upper level has mesh siding to keep kids in while letting parents see them, and it also has a built-in chalkboard.

$435
Kids' Swing Set by XDP Recreation
$319.98
Toddler Slide Playset by Costzon
$245.99

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