The 10 Best Swing Sets To Thrill Kids Of All Ages

Dimensions: 156 x 162 x 126 inches | Materials: Wood, plastic, vinyl | Features: Clubhouse, rock wall, sand box, wave slide

Pros:

• Packed with play features
• High quality materials
• 10-year warranty

Cons:

• Assembly can be time-consuming
• May be too small for older kids

Alvarez “always” recommends Gorilla Playsets swing sets to his customers. “They use better quality hardware and the wood is usually thicker than other sets,” he says. “They also really take care of the wood—there are no splinters on it.” Alvarez says that sets usually cost more than the competition because of these thoughtful elements.

The DYI Outing III is moderately priced as far as quality swing sets go and features a little of everything to keep a range of kids happy (it’s specifically recommended for ages 3 to 11). This set has an Alpine wave slide, a rock wall with a climbing rope, safe entry ladder, two belt swings and a trapeze swing. There’s also a sandbox, along with a steering wheel and telescope in the playhouse, which conveniently has a vinyl canopy to block out the sun. This set is crafted from 4-by-4-inch wood frames, with a 4-by-6-inch swing beam for an impressive level of sturdiness. You can also select some additions to it like a tunnel slide or a castle-like wooden roof, but this does increase the cost. We like that it comes with a 10-year warranty on the wooden set and a 1-year warranty on the accessories.

What the parents say: Reviewers repeatedly use words like “quality” and “sturdy” to describe the DIY Outing III. “This is a quality set,” shared one owner. “It took my husband and I three days to put it all together, but, man, is it solid. My kids—2 and 6—love it.”

Dimensions: 104 x 92 x 82 inches | Materials: Wood, plastic | Features: Two swings, trapeze

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• UV- and rust-resistant wood
• Relatively fast assembly

Cons:

• Design may be too simple for some kids
• Smaller set

While Gorilla Playsets tend to be on the pricier end, the company sells this basic swing set for under $300. It’s admittedly simple—meaning, there’s no climbing wall or clubhouse for kids to explore. But it provides three swinging choices to keep kids happy, and anyone who has ever watched kids at a swing set knows the swings often hold the most appeal.

Each swing supports up to 115 pounds, and it’s ideal for smaller yards or famlies who don’t want the swing set to take up all their green space. This set has two standard swings with plastic coating on the chains to prevent pinches, along with a trapeze for tricks and just hanging around. The wooden set is UV- and rust-resistant, and comes pre-cut and pre-drilled for easy assembly.

What the parents say: Several owners give this set the thumbs-up for being easy to assemble. “Easier to put together than expected,” says one. “Nice swing set enjoyed by my two daughters.” Another fan called this the “perfect starter swing set.”

Dimensions: 111.5 x 84 x 75 inches | Materials: Plastic | Features: Curved slide, playhouse

Pros:

• Just-right height for younger children
• Won’t fade or rush with time
• Good for small spaces

Cons:

• Not ideal for older kids
• Assembly may require two people

This set is built with plenty of thoughtful features to make a great play experience for smaller kids. The Step2 Play Up Gym Set has a 4-foot slide that’s big enough to be exciting, but not so large that toddlers are intimidated by it. The set is made from plastic, so it has a little more give than wood or metal in case of accidental stumbles. (By the way, that plastic is water-, temperature- and UV-resistant and yet free of BPA, phthalates and VOCs.) A playhouse with a wheel is tucked above the slide for added entertainment, with a crawl space below that’s perfect for hide-and-seek. The set comes with two strap swings, so multiple kids can play at once.

What the parents say: Owners say this swing set is easy to set up, and durable once it’s assembled. “Unboxing and assembly were pretty straightforward,” shares one reviewer. Another calls the swing set “sturdy,” adding that it “feels very safe.”

Dimensions: 206 x 358 x 130 inches | Materials: Metal, plastic | Features: Clubhouses, monkey bars, rock walls, bridge, wave slides

Pros:

• Athletic features
• Plenty of entertainment options
• Materials won’t rust or splinter with time

Cons:

• Takes up a lot of yard space
• Pricey

At over $4,000 without discounts, this swing set is not cheap. But it’s packed with features that older kids love, including a curved ladder, trapeze, two roomy two-tiered playhouses, monkey bars and a connecting bridge to show off all kinds of athletic prowess. The wavy slides are long enough to accommodate bigger bodies. Kids have the option of getting to the top playhouse by using the ladder or climbing wall. The set is crafted from galvanized, powder-coated steel that doesn’t easily rust or corrode, along with high-density polythylene for added durability. “I like Lifetime brand play sets—they last longer,” Alvarez says.

What the parents say: One owner calls this set “the best for the money,” noting that their kids love it. “They have spent all summer long, almost every day, playing on it,” they say. A fellow reviewer notes that the playground is “great for a variety of ages, as there’s so much to do.”

Dimensions: 243 x 223 x 132 inches | Materials: Metal, plastic | Features: Clubhouse, rock wall, monkey bars, fireman’s pole, two wave slides

Pros:

• Multiple climbing spots
• Good for larger families
• Holds up beautifully over time

Cons:

• Expensive
• Some spots aren’t safe for younger toddlers

When the swing set my family inherited in our move started to crumble in 2020, this was the one we eventually settled on. While it’s admittedly pricey, it’s so well made that it still looks like new four years in. The set features twin slides—perfect for sibling races—along with three swings, a trapeze and propeller swing, allowing for plenty of room for several kids to play at once. My older kids get a lot of use out of the monkey bars and fireman’s pole, while my 4-year-old loves the playhouse with its ship’s wheel and chalkboard. Even my 10-year-old goes up to use the playhouse on occasion when he needs “me time.” 

The climbing wall is cleverly built—it has a large hole on the bottom, so my 1-year-old can’t try to climb it, but is tall enough to keep my older children engaged. (Keep in mind that there are plenty of ladders that adventurous toddlers can climb, making it difficult to stand back when they’re engaged.) The set is UV-resistant, so it won’t lose its color or fade over time.

What the parents say: “My wife and I finally broke down and bought this after a lot of research and, let me tell you, we couldn’t be happier,” shares another reviewer. “My girls simply cannot get enough.” Another reviewer notes that “the climbing wall is very sturdy, as is the entire set.”

Dimensions: 186.5 x 93 x 73 inches | Materials: Metal | Features: Four swings, wave slide

Pros:

• Plenty of swinging spots
• Multiple hanging features
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Anchors need to be purchased separately

This metal swing set has an impressive capacity—it can handle up to seven kids weighing up to 100 pounds each at once. It boasts three sling swings and a saucer swing to give children options and minimize squabbles. The swing chains are rubber-coated to protect fingers, and the frame is made from 2-inch powder-coated steel to lower the risk of rust and corrosion over time. Sportspower’s set also has a 5-foot molded slide that both smaller and larger kids can use. At under $300 on sale, it’s a steal that has plenty of room for everyone.

What the parents say: The reviews are packed with comments from parents who say this set is easy to assemble. “Product was easy to assemble and the kids are having a great time using it,” shared one. “Quality is good as well.”

Dimensions: 132 x 168 x 180 inches | Materials: Wood, plastic, metal | Features: Clubhouse, climbing wall, wave slide, picnic table

Pros:

• Suited for toddlers to preteens
• Large range of features
• Additional attachments can be added over time

Cons:

• Assembly takes time
• Swings are positioned somewhat close together

Creative Playthings’ Spring Hill Swing Set is designed for kids ages 2 to 12, providing an option that might serve your kids for many years. The set is made from a combination of southern yellow pine, plastic and metal for sturdiness and durability. It gives you plenty of options—two sling swings, a 10-foot wave slide, a ringed trapeze bar, climbing wall and playhouse. There’s also a built-in picnic table for alfresco meals. The set includes thoughtful elements, like no-slip ladder rungs and plastic coatings on the swing chains to protect little fingers. 

Something to keep in mind: The brand also sells attachments that you can add over time, so you can adjust your set as your child—and their interests—change. It includes a 10-year limited warranty.

What the parents say: Many parents comment on the quality of this set. “After assembly, we were impressed with (a) how sturdy this product was and (b) the quality of every part of the product, from the screws and bolts, to the wood they sent, to the slide and swings,” shars one. “The manufacturer did not do this on the cheap. This thing is made to last. Our kids and our extended family and friends are already having a great time with this play set.”