Our Favorite Kids Playground Sets

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Choosing the right outdoor play equipment for your backyard is a big decision to make. It needs to be safe, long lasting, and an altogether smart investment to make for your family. This is why choosing a backyard play structures that can be used safely by children for years to come is important. In this article, we share our favorite 4 backyard play sets, our 3 favorite swing sets, and 2 of our favorite stand-alone outdoor play equipment. We also share helpful resources like the top 3 questions you should ask about the playground toys you are considering to buy, as well as features to avoid, and why buying online playground equipment might be easier than going to big box stores. So without further adeiu, scroll down to view our favorite backyard playground sets and individual outdoor play equipment.

The Top Four Backyard Play Sets

Backyard Playground Set #1: Cedar Outing Play Set by Swing-N-Slide

Contains the following: 2 swings, 1 trapeze, a wave slide, a rock wall, an angled latter, and a covered fort area underneath a fabric covered deck. Also includes details like a steering wheel, telescope, flags, and a rope (for the climbing wall). Designed for children ages 3-11 years old. Available in many different options. Free shipping.

Why we like it: This set checks most of the boxes, at least the big ones for us. It’s made of cedar. It has 2 swings, a slide, a play area (perfect to turn into a sandbox), and a covered deck. It even has a rock wall.

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Backyard Playground Set #2: Treated Pine Charlotte Swing Set by Creative Playthings LTD.

As with the set above it, this set also checks all the boxes, and then some. This set also includes monkey bars, a fun, challenging feature, especially as children get older. This set is made of treated pine, the most durable wood for playgrounds sets. Free Shipping. Made in the USA. View a similar set without the monkey bars.

Why we like it: Similar to the set above it in terms of layout and functionality, this set also checks most of the boxes. We like that the deck cover is also wood and that the height of this slide is a little taller than the first set. The monkey bars are also an added level of activity for the set that will likely be a feature used more and more the older children get.
*Note: This set is more expensive than the first, mainly due to its wooden base. Learn why is Question #3 of the playground set buyers questionnaire below.

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Backyard Playground Set #3: Cedar Nantucket Play Set by Gorilla Playsets

Contains the following: 2 swings, 1 trapeze, a wave slide, a rock wall, an angled latter, and a covered fort area underneath a deck, and a wooden house like enclosure. Also includes a rope for the rock wall, a ladder, a telescope, flag accents, windows that open and close, and a spinning tic-tac-toe board. This set is made of cedar wood that is sealed and has a redwood finish. Additional Shipping Charges apply.

Why we like it: In comparison to the first two sets, this set has the most detailed enclosure that makes it look like a tree fort or little structure of its own. We also like the tic-tac-toe feature and the look of the redwood stain.

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Backyard Playground Set #4: Cedar Sun Palace Play Set by Gorilla Playsets

Contains the following: 2 swings, 1 trapeze, a long wave slide, an extra wide rock wall, two angled latters, and a covered area underneath a deck with a tire swing, a wooden house like enclosure. Also includes a rope ladder, a rope for the rock wall, a telescope, flag accents, and a spinning tic-tac-toe board. This set is made of cedar wood that is sealed and has a redwood finish. Free Shipping.

Why we like it: This set is designed with an A-Frame layout, unlike the 3 sets above that utilize a square design (you can tell by the area underneath the base). This makes the footprint of this set more wide in the middle, enabling this set to add a tire swing below, which is an especially fun feature for younger children. We also like the wide rock wall on this set and the inclusion of a rope ladder.

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Playground Set Buyers Questionaire

Below are questions that you should consider before committing to a new backyard play set.

1. What is the deck height of the playground set? This size is important. It determines the size of the foot print and swing arc of the set. It’s the distance (measured in feet) from the ground to the playground set’s main deck. In general, 4 foot deck height is only recommended when space is limited. Otherwise, 5 foot deck height will make it so children won’t outgrow the set quickly. 6 foot deck heights are recommended for more spacious sets that can be used by children into their early teens and that adults can also gently use.
   
2. What are the safety features of the playground equipment? Understanding what components are used and what precautions are taken in the playground equipment will give you a sense of how secure it is. The safest backyard playsets featuring the following components:
   – frames made of at least 4×4 wooden beams.
   – The swing beam is at least a 4×6 solid wood beam (not two 2×6’s)
   – The wood is both pre-sanded and pre-drilled.
   – The hardware is commercial grade.
   – The hardware is designed to be recessed.
   
3. If made out of wood, what is the best wood type for me? Understand the difference between different wooden playground bases. We only recommend the following types: Cedar, Redwood, and Premium Preserved Pine. Below are the differences between the three types:
   A. Cedar: Cedar wood for playgrounds is the most cost efficient, durable wood choice. Playgrounds made of this wood are often sourced and constructed in China. Cedar wooden playgrounds are likely the most overall value and cost efficient option.
   B. Redwood: Redwood is a naturally beautiful wood choice. Redwood will last as long as cedar too, making it a durable wood base as well. Redwood playground sets are most often sourced from California in the United States (this is not always the case – so be sure to research the exact set you’re interested in before purchasing), which may be preferred to Cedar wood sourced from China. Redwood playgrounds are often the most expensive playgrounds.
   C. Premium Preserved Pine: Premium preserved pine is the most durable wood choice for playground sets. Premium preserved pineis both pre-shrunk and preserved, making it most resilient against the elements of the wood types. The treatments the pine undergoes is copper based, and are GreenGuard Certified and safe for children’s use. In comparison to cedar and redwood backyard playground set prices, it tends to fall in between the two.

Our Two Favorite Backyard Swing Sets

If you could care less about the slide and fort components of the playground sets, you may want to simply go with a swing set instead. They are also much more cost effective. See our top two backyard swing set choices below.

Backyard Swing Set #1: Orbiter Complete Wooden Swing Set by Swing-N-Slide

This swing set contains 2 swings and a trapeze. This set is made of woodguard posts that are enveloped in a protective plastic coating that includes a five-year warranty. Highly rated children’s swing set. Dimensions when assembled: 113″ L x 96″ W x 84″ H. Includes ground anchors for extra stability. Free Prime Shipping.

Why we like it: This no-frill swing set is a highly rated set due to it’s simple, solid design. We like that it’s so clean looking and that it also includes a five-year warranty. Great for children of varying sizes and for yards with limited space.

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Backyard Swing Set #2: Heavy Duty A-Frame Metal Swing Set by Lifetime

This swing set contains 2 swings and a trapeze. This set is made of all-weather high strength low alloy steel backed by a 5-year limited manufacturer warranty. This set is also a highly rated children’s swing set. Dimensions when assembled: 1112″ H x 125.5″ W x 162.5″ D. Available in two different color options: earthtone and primary colors. Free Shipping.

Why we like it: Similar to the swing set above, this metal swing set is a highly rated set as well, due to it’s simple, solid design. We like that it’s so clean looking and that it also includes a five-year warranty.

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Backyard Swing Set #3: Flying Saucer Tree Swing by Royal Oak

This tree swing is a single swing that is designed to hang from a tree (or other horizontal structure). The swing has a steel frame with 600D Oxford fabric and commercial grade rope. It is designed to hold multiple children at once with a 700-pound weight capacity. It comes with a 12-month warranty. Includes a cover for the swing and multi-color flags that can be attached to the rope. It comes in a variety of colors and two different styles: saucer (round) and platform (rectangular) This swing set does not include the needed hanging strap kit, which needs to be purchased separately. Free Prime Shipping.

Why we like it: This swing is different than your usual swing. Because of its unique design, it can be used in different ways – children can sit, lay, and kneel on it and swing with other children. We like that this swing can be used in so many different ways. We also like the less-obtrusive design of simply hanging this single swing set from a tree instead of having an entire swing structure taking up lots of space in the yard.

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Stand Alone Backyard Play Equipment for Kids

Another option when it comes to backyard play sets and equipment is to choose stand-alone play equipment instead of big playground sets. This is an especially good route to go for people with unique backyard spaces or those who want to piecemeal their children’s backyard play equipment. Below are our favorite stand alone backyard play equipment.

Backyard Play Equipment #1: Geometric Dome Climber Jungle Gym by Lifetime

This climbing dome is made by Lifetime, the same company that makes the metal swing set we share above. We think those two items would make for a fantastic, well-rounded playground set since they match, and one is for swinging, the other, for climbing. The climbing dome is made of powder-coated steel which is both rust and weather resistant. This climbing dome has fantastic ratings. It is also available in primary colors and the earth-tone version can also be purchased with a canopy for a more enclosed play space underneath the dome.

Why We Like It: The price point and longevity of this dome make it a very worthwhile addition to any backyard. As a kid, I loved to climb. I had an orange tree in my backyard growing up as well as a fence. I climbed both. Having a climbing dome would have been perfect for me as a kid! Not only is the dome strong, but it’s also light enough to move around. You can also buy it with a 20 ft. multi-color parachute so little ones can turn their dome into a covered, bottomless fort!

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Backyard Play Equipment #2: Airplane Teeter-Totter by Lifetime

This airplane teeter totter is also made by Lifetime. This teeter-totter backyard set would be great as a standalone item, or paired with other lifetime items, like the dome or swing set. Designed with multiple children playing in mind, this teeter-totter can sit up to seven children at a time, but can also be played with by just one child, making it a fantastic addition for backyard play with varying amounts of children playing at a time. This teeter-totter airplane has 3 different height settings. It is backed by a 1-year limited manufacturer warranty.

Why We Like It: Instead of a run-of-the-mill teeter-totter, this set looks like an airplane and also has functional airplane features, like a steering wheel that spins the propeller, giving this toy set an added level of pretend play.

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Playground Equipment Features to Avoid

Sometimes, knowing what to avoid when buying something is the most valuable piece of information you can have. For playground equipment and swing sets, this is even more important since it pertains to equipment your children will play on, trust their weight on, and probably eventually push to it’s limits. Below is a list of the top ‘features’of playground sets and equipment to either avoid, or simply be aware of before making your purchase decision.

• Narrow Based Designs. The width of the base of a playground set or swing set determines it’s stability, and whether or not it will topple over. This is why it’s important that playgrounds, especially those with swing sets, have a wide enough base that they do not wobble or move when in use.
• Top Heavy Designs. It’s important that playground equipment isn’t top-heavy, else it risks the same safety hazards of narrow designs – it can topple over and cause injury. PLayground sets need to be heavier on the bottom so they do not run the risk of falling over, since swings can drastically shift the weight balance of the equipment.

Ordering Amazon Playground Sets and Backyard Play Equipment Online

When I first started making this list of backyard playground sets and outdoor play equipment for kids, I thought, who would buy these big items through Amazon? But then after discussing it with my husband, who wouldn’t?! It’s amazing that almost every single item in this list gets free shipping! Some items are even prime eligible, meaning that they can come in about 2-3 days. Wow! The very large full playground sets even have free shipping, arriving in a week to two weeks time.

Ordering playground equipment online is nice because it just shows up at your doorstep. There’s no going to the store, then borrowing a truck from Uncle Tom, then driving it home at 5 miles an hour, then unloading it. It just shows up. What’s not to love?

All of the sets shown here are available for purchase through Amazon. Just click on the ‘View Price’ button to view the swing sets and playsets and climbing domes you’re interested in, read more about them in the product reviews, then place your order and voila! Your new backyard play set is on its way. Just sit back and wait for the doorbell to ring.

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More Outdoor Toys

Alternatively, if you aren’t ready to commit to any major installations, check out our outdoor toys section for easier, less permanent outdoor toys to help make outdoor play happen more this Summer. Below is an example of what types of items you can expect to find there.

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