Bring the Fun to Your Backyard with These Swing Sets (2024)

Looking to bring the fun to your backyard? A swing set can be a great addition, with play features like slides, climbing walls, and sandboxes creating a DIY playground steps from your door.

Of course, before purchasing a swing set, there are safety elements to take into consideration, like weight capacity and design features that prevent injuries. Plus, if you intend to install the swing set yourself, you should research the assembly requirements and make sure clear instructions are provided. Some products provide the option for professional installation at an additional charge.

We researched the best swing sets on the market and consulted parents on our team to come up with a list of options that will keep kids entertained and active for years to come.

What We Like

What We Don't Like

  • Assembly can be challenging

The Gorilla Outing Wood Swing Set is well-built, reasonably priced, and has plenty of fun features to keep kids occupied for hours. Recommended for ages 3 to 11, it has an Alpine wave slide, a rock wall with a climbing rope, two belt swings, a trapeze swing, and even a built-in sandbox. A small ladder leads up to the playhouse, which features a steering wheel and telescope for pirate-themed (or spaceship, perhaps!) entertainment.

This swing set also features a vinyl canopy over the play deck, and a wooden platform over the sandbox to protect kids from the elements as they play. We also appreciate the soft rubber coating on the swing chains, which prevents fingers big and small from getting pinched.

The Gorilla Outing has a total weight capacity of 800 pounds, allowing multiple people to play at once. It's crafted from cedar wood, a popular choice for material because it’s extremely durable and attractive. The solid 3 x 3-inch wood frames, along with a 4- by 6-inch swing beam, make this set incredibly sturdy. To further sweeten the deal, all of the lumber is covered by an impressive 10-year warranty to protect your investment.

Like any swing set with so many components, assembly can be tedious, depending on your skill level. You also have the option to pay an additional charge for professional installation.

Dimensions: 156 x 162 x 126 inches | Material: Cedar wood frame | Age Range: 3-11 | Weight Capacity: 800 pounds

What We Like

  • Loads of fun features

  • Durable and sturdy cedar construction

  • Ideal for large families

What We Don't Like

  • Time-consuming assembly

This impressive two-story set offers an array of features to keep the entire neighborhood occupied. We especially love the clubhouse, which has a wooden roof, covered entryway, and bay windows—creating the ultimate treehouse experience.

This swing set also includes a rock climbing wall, a 10-foot slide, monkey bars, a 3-position swing beam, a built-in picnic table, a crow’s nest, and a sturdy sandbox. With all of these entertaining elements, multiple kids of various ages can play at the same time.

The Backyard Discovery Skyfort II is crafted from durable cedar wood, which is incredibly sturdy and covered by a five-year warranty. Measuring 200 x 149 x 272 inches, this substantial swing set will require a large yard for installation.

With so many components, it should come as no surprise that the assembly process is very time-consuming. It may require several people and several days to put it all together. The good news is that once it’s up, this swing set will keep kids entertained for years to come.

Dimensions: 200 x 149 x 272 inches | Material: Cedar wood | Age Range: 3-10 years | Weight Capacity: 1080 pounds

What We Like

  • Three types of swings

  • Accommodates up to 7 children

  • Unique seesaw feature

  • Sturdy and durable steel frame

  • Foam and PVC coverings to prevent injuries

What We Didn’t Like

  • Assembly can be time-consuming

  • Not ideal for older children and adults

This swing set from XDP Recreation features three different types of swings–a traditional belt swing, a standing swing, and a disc swing. The chains can be adjusted to accommodate children of various heights, and they're covered with PVC to protect kids’ fingers. This set also has a five-foot wavy slide and a seesaw attachment that's unique among play sets these days.

With five stations, the Free N' Swing Play Set allows up to seven children to play at once. Our research shows that it's very sturdy, with a heavy-duty galvanized steel frame that's welded at the joints for added strength, and it’s covered by a five-year warranty.

Though, note that each seat has a maximum capacity of 100 pounds, so it’s not the best choice for older kids or adults.For additional safety, this set includes foam leg guards to prevent injuries. The assembly process can be time-consuming, which is one potential drawback to consider.

Dimensions: 168 x 91 x 74 inches | Material: Metal | Age Range: 3-8 years | Weight Capacity: 700 pounds

What We Like

  • Attractive wooden design

  • Sturdy construction

  • Adjustable swing height

  • Vinyl canopy roof for weather protection

What We Don't Like

  • Low weight limit

  • Short warranty period

The Swing-N-Slide Ranger Plus is another versatile pick made from premium cedar lumber, combining a classic appearance with extremely sturdy construction. It features two swing seats and a trapeze bar, and all have coated chains to ensure a secure, non-slip grip.

A ladder on the side leads up to a small play deck with a wavy slide attached. Mesh panels around the play deck help prevent accidental falls. Another notable feature is the vinyl canopy, which protects the play deck from the elements and provides welcome shade on sunny days (and gives a clubhouse feel to the top platform).

This swing set is one of the smaller options in our round, making it an ideal choice for smaller yards. Each of the three swings are adjustable to accommodate various ages and heights. Keep in mind that these swings aren’t suitable for most old children and adults due to their weight limit of 115 pounds, though. The recommended age range for this swing set is 3 to 10 years old, so children can still enjoy this set for years.

All of the necessary lumber and hardware is included, along with fully illustrated instructions, for a relatively easy assembly. However, this product has a short warranty period of just one year.

Dimensions: 144 x 131 x 92 inches | Material: Cedar wood | Age Range: 3-10 years | Weight Capacity: 595 pounds

What We Like

  • Entertaining for smaller children

  • Smooth plastic without sharp edges

  • Sturdy and durable design

  • Weather- and temperature-resistant

What We Didn’t Like

  • Assembly can be tedious

  • Height is not adjustable

This plastic swing set has no sharp edges for little ones to bump into, making it a safer choice than harder materials like metal or wood. The Step2 Naturally Playful set offers plenty of fun features to keep toddlers entertained (and parents happy).

It includes two swings, a ladder that ascends to the top platform, and a working door that leads to a clubhouse beneath the platform. There's also a 5.5-foot curved slide that’s an ideal height for toddlers without being too intimidating.

One potential downside to this swing set is that the height is not adjustable, so it can be difficult for smaller children to get on and off. Also, keep in mind that the maximum weight limit on each swing is 75 pounds, so this is another pick that's not suitable for larger kids or adults.

The double-walled plastic construction resists chips, fades, and cracks, ensuring years of reliable use. The assembly process can be tedious due to some unclear instructions, but we agree the result is worth the effort.

Dimensions: 75 x 110 x 115 inches | Material: Plastic | Age Range: 3-8 years | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds

What We Like

  • Loads of fun features

  • Durable

  • Suitable for various ages

What We Didn’t Like

  • Time-consuming assembly

One of the most unique features of this swing set is the two-story covered tower, which provides ample shade and plenty of entertainment. A climbing ladder leads up to the observation deck, where there's a steering wheel and access to a 9-foot wavy slide. There's also a rock climbing wall along the side of the tower, and the enclosed lower level can be used for imaginative play. This swing set also comes with two traditional belt swings, a trapeze bar, and monkey bars for added fun.

With such an extensive array of features, the Lifetime Adventure Tower is pricier than many opinions on this list, but we consider it a great investment because it keeps kids of all ages engaged. It's made from UV-resistant high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and reinforced with galvanized, powder-coated steel for optimal durability.

To prevent injuries, this set has no hard edges, and the swing chains have soft rubber grips. Considering all of its components, you can expect the assembly process to be time-consuming. The instructions are clear and precise, though it may take several days to put it together.

Dimensions: 130 x 234 x 130 inches | Material: Powder-coated steel and polyethylene | Age Range: 3-12 years | Weight Capacity: 1,000 pounds

Final Verdict

For a weather-resistant swing set to accomodate multiple children and multiple ages, you can’t go wrong with the Gorilla Playsets Outing Wood Swing Set. If you prefer metal construction, we like the XDP Recreation Free N' Swing Swing Set. With fine unique stations, including a seesaw, up to seven kids can play at once.

What to Look for in a Swing Set

Size

To ensure a proper fit in your backyard, it’s important to consider the dimensions of the swing set. For bigger families with larger yards, a set that offers more elements and allows multiple kids to play at once is a solid choice (and will likely lead to less bickering among siblings and friends!).

However, if you're short on space, consider a more compact option. Depending on the layout of your yard, and the age of your kids, our best metal or best wooden picks may suit you. They're not the smallest of our list (that goes to our best for toddlers pick), but they require a smaller footprint than some of our other favorites.

Material & Durability

Wood and metal are popular construction materials, and both are reliable choices when it comes to durability. Wood swing sets are very reliable as long as they're taken care of properly (yearly staining is recommended). They also have the advantage of being more customizable, and they don't get hot to the touch, either. The wooden swing sets on this list are made from cedar, including our best overall option, which is naturally long-lasting and not prone to splinters.

On the other hand, metal swing sets are more affordable and may require less maintenance. However, you should make sure to note and fix any chipping as this can lead to rust, and eventually, damage or deterioration. Many metal options, including our best metal pick, have a powder-coated finish for better resistance against the elements.

Safety Features

Just like when you install a new trampoline or swimming pool, there are safety concerns to keep in mind when adding a swing set to your yard. First and foremost, it should be properly anchored to the ground during installation, so that it remains stable when kids play. Some swing sets come with ground anchors that screw into the soil—similar to the ones you’d use to stake a tent. Others may require that you purchase these anchors separately.

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.

Swing sets should also have several safety features to help prevent injuries, like soft rubber grips on the swing chains prevent little fingers from getting pinched, and mesh panels or bars around the exterior to prevent accidental falls.

Also, a swing set shouldn’t have any sharp edges that little ones can bump into. Our best for toddlers pick is made entirely of smooth plastic, which is more forgiving than wood or metal.

Play Features

In addition to classic elements like slides, swings, and playhouse-style platforms, we love to see options like climbing walls, sandbox spaces, and steering wheels that allow for imaginative play.

UV canopies are also useful, as are adjustable swings that can accommodate growing kids. Our best wooden pick features both of these elements.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Sage McHugh, who has been covering home and garden products for The Spruce since 2019. To select the best swing sets for this list, she considered dozens of products, carefully evaluating their size, weight capacity, safety features, play features, and durability.

Our Experts:

  • Dena Ogden, associate editor at The Spruce
Bring the Fun to Your Backyard with These Swing Sets (2024)

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