Swing Sets Archives - Mommy Tea Room

Swing sets come in a variety of sizes and materials. Before you make any purchase, you should read these guidelines to ensure the safety and happiness of your children.

1. Measure the Size of Your Yard

You don't know how many returns have to be made due to a swing set being too big for a backyard upon bringing it back home.

Which is why, above everything else, the first thing you should do is to MEASURE the size of your backyard!

Where do you intend to place the swing set?
Will you still have space for other activities?
Is there enough room for the dog and children to run around or ride bikes ?
Any pool expansion in the future?

These should all be considered before you get a swing set. You will thank yourself for planning this out in the future. So MEASURE!

2. Swing Set Features

The very basic features of a swing set will usually include a swing and a slide.

Swings

Slides

Monkey bar

Fort

Sandboxes

In terms of swing, there is the baby swing, the glider or half-bucket swing for babies/toddlers. For older children, there are the buoy balls, tire swings and sling swings.

Then there is the monkey bar, ropes, tunnels, tires, sand pit or even fancier - a fort. So really, the combination is pretty endless!

So, think of what your children will like. Bring them to a park or a neighbour's house to test first and see what they like. This will help you choose the right swing set that your child will like.

It is always best to look for baby and toddler features that can be converted as your child grows.

Also, it is always a good idea to get double swings so that children can swing at the same time without having to take turns!

One extra tip: tire swings are more likely to collect rainwater which may invite nesting insects such as wasps so make sure regular cleaning is done if you're getting one.

3. Materials

The most common materials found in swing sets are plastic and wood.

The formal is less expensive and there is no need to worry about splinters, wasps and constant maintenance; while the latter is environmental friendly and easy to repair.

Plastic

Wooden

If budget is a factor, plastic is your go-to choice because they are generally less expensive (but still, is very safe). Note though, you will not be able to customize as freely as you want with plastic models.

With wood, there are several types with redwood and cedar (red or yellow) being the most preferred options due to their strength and durability. Also, they are resistant to rotting and are less likely to draw insects.

Try to avoid pine wood because it tends to deteriorate quickly. In fact, some models have been recalled by manufacturers due to the rotting elements resulting to fall hazards for children. You do not want that, so don't buy if it's pine wood!

4. Product Meets Safety Standards

Generally, there are no mandatory standards that manufacturers must follow.

It is therefore your responsibility as parents to safeguard your children against poorly made swing sets. Here are what you should look out for:

Make sure there is no opening less than 3.5 inches or greater than 9 inches (prevent head entrapment)
No metal slides. This can cause a burning sensation on children's skin if the weather is hot and there may be cutting hazard near the sharp edges
Make sure there is no swing hanging from monkey bars (prevent entanglement)
Check that there is no moving parts that may pinch or crush fingers (usually toddler gliders or swings with removable trays)

5. Read Reviews

Do your homework.

We cannot stress enough how important it is that you read as many customer reviews as you can before you buy any product.

You will be able to find out more by reading about other's people real-life experience, what they like, what they don't, what are they complaining about etc.

There are tons of reviews about swing sets just a simple click away on the Internet, for instance, you may want to start with this one first!

Swing sets are not the only entertainment unit you can provide for your child.

There are many other outdoor activities that you can encourage your little one to participate in - not only are they fun, they also help develop your child's reflective and athletic motor skills too!

Best Tricycle for 2 Year Old – 2020

The Best Balance Bike of 2020

Top 12 Best Child Bike Seat of 2020

All You Need To Know About Rectangle Trampoline

The Best Toddler Trampoline of 2020

Top 5 Best Bike Trailer for Kids

Now that your baby has grown older, it is time to find other entertainments for him/her. A swing set is a good idea to start with because not only is it very fun (it definitely is one of the greatest joy in our childhood!), it provides many benefits to your child's growth and development in all aspects too! Here are some in short:

1. Physical

Promotes outdoor exercises which engages all muscle groups and burn calories
Stronger physical endurance and better reflex action
One of the best ways to fight and prevent obesity

2. Social

Opportunity to engage and interact with other children to build up child's social skills
Expose child to Mother Nature instead of couching in front of a tablet or gadget

3. Emotional

The swinging motion calms and soothe a child, not to mention the great joy that it brings. A happy child is a healthy child!
Stimulate a child's motor skills and helps children sleep better at night.

With the many benefits derived from it, it is no wonder a swing set is a must in any playground! There are many varieties of swing sets in the market today with a wide range of prices. It is important that you choose wisely because after all, little children will be using it and you do not want them to get hurt in any way! This is why we highly recommend you to read this guideline that we have put together for you before you make your purchase.

Top 5 Best Outdoor Swing Sets for Kids

Alternatively, read along to find out what are the top 5 best swing sets for kids we have reviewed for you. We incorporate different sizes, price points, recommended age and brands in our review. There is bound to be one that fits your needs and budget!

Swing Set	Recommended Age	Dimensions	Price	Ratings
Cedar Summit Brookridge Cedar Wooden Play Swing Set	3 years and up	650 pounds	$$$	4.6/5
Backyard Discover Skyfort II All Cedar Wood Swing Playset	3 - 10 years	200 x 272 x 149 inches 720 pounds	$$$$$	4.2/5
Flexible Flyer "Triple Fun" Swing Set	2 - 10 years	87 x 17 x 10.5 inches 74 pounds	$$	4.1/5
Ironkids Challenge 300 Refreshing Mist Swing Set with Rope Climb, Expanded UV Protective Sunshade	4 - 8 years	97 x 154 x 75 inches 119 pounds	$$$	3.3/5
Backyard Discovery Saratoga All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set	3 - 10 years	150 x 220 x 228 inches 345 pounds	$$$$	3.3/5

1. Cedar Summit Brookridge Cedar Wooden Play Swing Set

The Brookridge offers many different activities for children to enjoy. It has a slide, double swings and a monkey bar so you can be sure every child has something to play with. There is also a small snack porch with a window and built-in chairs on the side as pictured above for children to sit and snack. The chalkboard in the fort area (right beside the slide) gives children the freedom to draw anything they want, and this will stimulate and grow their imagination.

The Brookridge is made from cedar wood which is one of the best woods known for its sturdiness and resistance to rotting. At the weigh of 650 pounds, you can be assured that this swing set will stand strong even with the toughest use and weather. Further, the manufacturer provides a 1-year warranty for defects in materials and workmanship and a 5-year warranty against rot and termite damage on wooden parts. That should give you peace of mind of its quality!

Parents especially love these features:

Step-by-step instruction manual very detailed and clear
Great customer support
All parts are easy to assemble
Safe and sturdy

There are generally no complaints from users for this swing set, however, there are some that find assembling the swing rather difficult and commented about the pre-drilled holes not lining up properly. If you encounter this problem, contact customer service immediately which many find very useful and responsive.

Overall, this is a medium size swing set that fits in most backyards. The price is slightly on the high end side but you get everything you need in top quality material. The long warranty gives you peace of mind that it will last for a reasonable time to accommodate to your child's growth. Oh did we mention it is suitable for any child aged 3 years and up? Definitely a value-buy considering the many years of use you will get out of it!

BEST DEAL ONLINE: Cedar Summit Brookridge Cedar Wooden Play Swing Set

2. Backyard Discovery Skyfort II All Cedar Wood Swing Playset

It is safe to say Backyard Discovery is one of the leading brand in manufacturing swing sets. Amongst its many different models, the Skyfort II All Cedar Wood Swing Playset stood out the most due to its amazing features.

As pictured above, you can see that this wooden swing set comes with 2 belt swings and a 2-person swingset glider.

This means less quarrel, less crying as children do not need to line up for their turn as it can house 4 children at the same time!

The 10-foot slide is speedy but safe and there is a monkey bar on the other side for the adventurous ones!

Here is the back view of the Skyfort II. A standard playset ladder leads to an upper play fort with unique windows and wood roof with sunburst gables. Children can play house or any games they can imagine here - one tip: children love to play pirates here due to the built-in telescope feature on the top fort. For the daring and older children, there is a challenging solid rock-climbing wall next to the slide. Wait there's more. There is a lower fort with side snack porch, made believable by the snack window and built-in bench for children to sit down and eat or play a game of food stall keeper!

Read Ratings and Reviews

As you can tell from the size, this swing set will require considerable backyard space so make sure you measure correctly before making the purchase. For those that have bought it, they cannot rave enough the sturdiness and stability of this swing set. This is expected, considering it is built from solid cedar wood. Its durability is highly commendable too as parents notice the finish and quality of the Skyfort II remains the same after having it for years. Most, if not all, love that it can cater for growing children for many years and therefore unanimously agree this is a great investment for the joy of their children.

Step-by-step instruction manual very detailed and clear
Very sturdy and stable
Durable
Has many features

Perhaps the only 'complaint' parents have about this swing set is that it has many parts and requires considerable time to build it. This is expected, given the size of the swing set. Fortunately, the instruction manual is clear and detailed for anyone to follow through and the holes are pre-drilled for your convenience. It is recommended that you separate and categorize all the screws and bolts accordingly to make assembly easier. If DIY is really not your forte, don't worry, this product offers installation service as well.

Overall, the Backyard Discovery Skyfort II is a product of top-notch quality. It has multiple play features that stimulate different growth areas in children and it is sturdy and safe for even the roughest use. No doubt its price is on the steep side, if you can afford it, this is surely recommended. Parents who have bought this do not regret their buy and commented that they do feel it is a truly valued investment.

BEST DEAL ONLINE: Backyard Discovery Skyfort II All Cedar Wood Swing Playset

3. Flexible Flyer "Triple Fun" Swing Set

The Flexible Flyer "Triple Fun" Swing Set is a cheaper alternative compare to the rest of the products in this review. The main reason being this swing set is mainly made with plastic.

The Triple Fun comes with a 6 foot slide, 3 swings (with adjustable heights) and a see-saw with handles, all in a midnight blue shade with an ivory frame. All painted parts and HDPE plastic parts are UV protected so you can be sure the colors will not fade as time goes by. It can hold up to 6 children playing at the same time with maximum weight limitation of 630 pounds. This swing set is made in USA and has a 180-day warranty to give you peace of mind.

What parents love about the Flexible Flyer "Triple Fun" Swing Set is how it has all the basic features children love in a relatively small, compact size and at affordable price. It will fit in most backyards so if space is an issue, you should consider this product. In comparison, the Triple Fun is easy to assemble and set up and due to it being lower to the ground, children as young as 2 years old can play on it safely.

Small - can fit in most backyards
Very affordable

There are complaints of the swing and slide being slippery which may cause fall hazard on children. You can either scrape these places with sandpaper, or buy replacement seats. It is also recommended that you buy an anchor kit because the Triple Fun does not come with stakes for the ground. This would prevent the swing from tipping and increase its stability.

This swing set is a good for the price you pay. It comes with sufficient features to keep children entertained and it is stable despite being made from plastic. Make sure you follow the recommendation above to prevent children slipping and sliding off and you should have a good product in your hand.

BEST DEAL ONLINE: Flexible Flyer "Triple Fun" Swing Set

4. Ironkids Challenge 300 Refreshing Mist Swing Set with Rope Climb, Expanded UV Protective Sunshade

Ironkids is another brand that manufactures swing sets for children. A little background on the brand: since 1985, Ironkids has organized the Ironkids Triathlon Series (swimming, running and biking) for children aged 7 to 15 to take part in throughout the United States. It goes to show the brand's dedication in promoting a healthy, active and positive lifestyle for children.

Swing

Rope Climb

Monkey Bar

The Ironkids Challenge 300 Refreshing Mist Swing Set comes with two swings, a monkey bar. a slide and a 6 foot high rope climb. As its name indicates, there is a sunshade provided on top of the swings and monkey bar to block off harmful UV rays so that your children stay safe and protected at all times.

The plastic seats of the swings are contoured and the swing chain is covered in plastic to provide hand protection for your children. The rope climb intends to promote sense of balance and co-ordination in children as well as strengthen both arms and legs muscles.

Don't worry, the ropes are heavy duty and weather resistant which can support up to 100lbs. With the monkey bar, do not get alarmed by the pictured displayed above. It is actually very safe with hand grips provided for children to build their arm strength. If you do not want the monkey bar feature, you can easily replace it with another swing in the middle.

This is a good choice (a best seller in fact) if you have a baby as it can accommodate a child's growth with removable T-bar/straps.

A cooling mist spray is included in this swing set to keep children cool and help provide skin-hydrating refreshment in any weather without you having to worry it will soak everything else. The spray has 4 brass nozzles which cover all features of the swing set and you can adjust the mist volume with the control provided. It is easy to set up as well. All you need to do is connect it to any external water faucet or hose and it will start functioning. There is also a shut off valve included.

What parents love about this swing set:

Multiple features
Very affordable
Cooling mist provided
Interchangeable sides for slide and rope climb

However, there is considerable concern over the assembly of this swing set. Parents found the instruction manual to be lacking in terms of clarity and directions and many find it difficult to put the swing set together. You should also note that at least 2 people is required for assembly. Another observation is that the UV Protection shade is slightly thin and parents found that it may wear off with time. Some also found the swing seats to be slightly slippery, but nothing this replacement cannot fix. It is also recommended that you get this anchor kit for added security.

For the price you are paying, you cannot go wrong with the Ironkids Challenge 300 Refreshing Mist Swing Set. It has the basic features of a swing set that can stimulate your child's senses and growth. Once you have tackled assembly, you will love this swing set, especially when you see the joy it brings to your children.

BEST DEAL ONLINE: Ironkids Challenge 300 Refreshing Mist Swing Set with Rope Climb, Expanded UV Protective Sunshade

5. Backyard Discovery Saratoga All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set

Yes, another Backyard Discovery product, this time it is the Saratoga All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set. Like the Skyfort II, the Saratoga is made from cedar wood as well so you can be assured of its sturdiness and stability.

The Saratoga is another popular swing set from Backyard Discovery due to its well-built features. Unlike the Skyfort II, the Saratoga has an enclosed clubhouse on the ground with a functioning door that opens and closes as well as windows with mutton bars for children to see from the inside.

Off the back of the clubhouse is a snack bench covered with a canopy for children to sit and play house. A wooden ladder will lead children to a play deck with wooden roof on the top of the clubhouse where they can slide down using the 8 foot speedy but safe playground slide.

The Saratoga comes with a 2-person glider swing, 2 belt swings, a slide and monkey bars. With this, you do not need to buy any additional features, unless of course if you want to get this best seller swing that caters for babies that can accommodate to children's growth.

What parents are amazed of the Saratoga is how durable it is to withstand all kinds of weather, including snow and ice. They love that there is no splitting or rotting, no rust (even on the screws) and how well the color is kept even when it is displayed under the sun and rain 365 days directly on grass. There is no complaint regarding the features of the swing - no slippery swing seats and slide or fall hazards. And because it is so strong and sturdy, you do not need to buy another anchor kit separately like that you may for plastic swing sets. Truly, parents commend its great quality for the price.

Sturdy and durable
Functioning clubhouse and upper play deck available
No fading of color
No splitting, rotting or rusting

As with the Skyfort II, parents may find assembly tricky and time-consuming. This is understandable considering this play and swing set is not small. Another minor thing may be that the door to the clubhouse on the ground floor is opened inwards, and that may leave limited space for children to play inside the clubhouse. Also, be mindful that the snack bench holds only up to 35lb, anything over and you may find the bench drooping.

All in all, you get what you pay for - top quality with great design. It is slightly more affordable than the Skyfort II so if you are keen on getting a Backyard Discovery swing set, this is your go-to choice.

BEST DEAL ONLINE: Backyard Discovery Saratoga All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set

So what is our verdict?

It's usually not the case where we will say the more expensive the better it is. However, in this category, we have to say that the more expensive swing sets do offer better quality and features as opposed to the cheaper alternatives. Again, it is all about personal choice. Consider your budget and space, how long you intend to keep the swing set, what are your prioritized features and functions etc. Perhaps take 5 minutes to read our guide. It may give you some valuable insights.

5 Tips for Choosing The Best Swing Set – An Expert’s Guide