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. 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.” Price at time of publish: $2,299 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. Price at time of publish: $210 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. Price at time of publish: $246 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. Price at time of publish: $749 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. Price at time of publish: $256 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. Price at time of publish: $1,903 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. Price at time of publish: $62 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. Price at time of publish: $1,314 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. Price at time of publish: $601
Location
Scout 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.
Size
Think 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.
Material
The 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.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
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. However, for larger swing sets, you may want to anchor the unit with concrete. This involves digging a hole for each leg and securing them in place with concrete—be sure to level your swing set carefully if anchoring this way, as you won’t be able to adjust it once the concrete is dry. Expert advice was provided by Cedarworks and Heather Napier, marketing director at Backyard Discovery.
