Seven Tips for Choosing Family Swing Sets

Backyard swing sets can provide hours of fun for your family. Choose your swing set wisely and you will be able to use it for years. Make an uninformed choice and the set may end up sitting in your yard, taking up space. Doing your homework before you buy will help you pick the perfect swing set for your family.

1. Measure your yard.  It is easy to over-estimate how much space you have. Measure the size of your yard and remember swing sets need six feet of additional space in all directions to help prevent accidents. You don’t want the children to hit a fence when swinging or trip over the poles of the swing set while running around.
   
   
2. Compare swing set materials. Today’s swing sets are made of a variety of materials, including wood, metal and plastic. Each material has advantages and disadvantages, so decide what features are most important to you. If you want something natural looking, a wood swing set might be for you. Swing sets with molded plastic seats and accessories are often the most comfortable and offer a variety of colorful options that young children enjoy. Finally, metal swing sets are usually the least expensive, but due to rust, tend not to last as long as wood or plastic.

3. Examine the details. Quality swing set construction is essential to safety. Look for swing sets that use heavy gauge hardware and coated chains to protect little fingers from pinching. Recessed hardware on posts is also a sign of quality.

4. Consider your children’s ages. Do you want safety swings with seat belts for toddlers or a tire swing that can hold two or more children? If you have more than one child, consider a swing set that lets you mix and match a variety a swing styles so you can get swings for different age groups. Remember to check the weight limit of any swings before ordering.

5. Don’t forget the accessories. Are your kids athletic? They may want trapeze bars or a rope ladder for climbing, standing, and swinging attached to their swing set. Look for swing sets you can customize with fun accessories. You’ll get more for your money, and your kids will have more options at playtime.

6. Do you want slides? There are so many styles of slides; they deserve a category of their own. You can find slides from two to eighteen feet long, straight or curved, covered or uncovered - the list goes on. Think about what your children will be doing and how old they are. The covered “tube slides” protect children from falling over the side of the slide and shield them from the hot sun, but they are more expensive.  If your kids are younger, a tube slide may be ideal. If they are older, a fun, uncovered, curvy slide may be the better choice.

7. What is your budget? Before going shopping, decide how much you can spend. Put together a list of all of the features you must have, add the features you’d like to have, and start shopping with these considerations in mind to find a swing set your family can enjoy for years to come.

Spring Swing

The Spring Swing is a one of a kind swing that quickly and securely attaches to an adequate tree limb.  Our spring swing is designed for children ages 3 to 8 between 30 and 70 lbs (but safety tested for up to 600 lbs).

Stand N Swing

• Allows children to stand on the swing without feeling like they should be sitting down, designed for stand-up swinging. Great for those who want to learn how to push or pump themselves to fun swinging speeds.

Buoy Ball Swing

• Great for small children who want to try the trapeze but aren't strong enough yet to do it safely or at all.

Tire Swing

• A playground standard, can fit up to 3 children at once depending on their sizes.

Disk Swing

• Fun for spinning and swinging, using a long universal rope that is 9' long and 3/8" thick. The disk itself is 11-1/4" in diameter. These daisy disks are molded from a high density polyethylene material. Sturdy outdoor fun! Available in Blue, Green, Yellow and Red. See More Disk Swing Options

Physically Challenged Swing

• Specifically designed with safety and fun together, this swing allows children with special needs to enjoy the fun of swinging like the other kids can. Can be used by children of all ages, from babies who are just beginning to sit up on their own to school-aged children up to 125 lbs. (52kg). Designed for children with disabilities and movement-limiting handicaps.

• Since 1981, PlayKids (SwingSet.com) has been a leader in providing safe, durable and affordable swing sets to families and businesses across the nation.
• As a proud member of the Better Business Bureau and Safe Shopping Network, we stand behind all of our products. Our Swing Sets are made to last and come in a variety of sizes and shapes providing fun for children and even adults of all ages and ablities!
• We also have some very interesting color selections for our products to spruce up your garden or play center areas.

Other Playground Equipment

• Rock Climbing Rock Holds
• Commercial Belt Seats
• Swing Hangers
• Plastic Molded Swing Set Seats
• Tire Swings
• Toddler & Infant Swings
• Baby Swings

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Call 800-PLAYSET(1-800 752-9738) Monday Thru Saturday 10:00am to 5:30pm Eastern anytime or contact us at cs@playkids.net

Please feel free to drop us a line to share your thoughts on the site, all comments welcomed.
Playkids / Swings N Things
7701 N.W 56 ST
Miami FL 33166
Tel (305) 591-1160
Fax (305) 513-9992