The 10 Best Swing Sets for Backyard Fun (2024)

This swing set has something for just about every kid. In addition to its two swings, it features a trapeze, slide, ground-level picnic table and a covered lookout that's accessible by ladder or via climbing wall. Creative Playthings also offers attachments you can add or swap over time, including alternate swing options, a steering wheel and more.

Our experts appreciate the durability of this set, which is made with dense Southern yellow pine and treated with Sherwin Williams water-repellent stain, adding extra protection from rot and insects. Plastisol-coated swing chains and nonslip ladder rungs help to prevent potential safety hazards. However, some consumer reviews on Amazon noted that certain parts were damaged during transit, so inspect each part when setting up the swing set in your backyard.

Dimensions: 15' x 12' x 7' | Frame material: Southern yellow pine and cedar | Age range: 2 months–15 years | Weight limit: 120 lbs per swing

This wooden swing set features classic A-frame styling and is crafted with sturdy cedar. It comes with two swings and a trapeze, which can be easily swapped with alternate swing options, such as a bucket swing for toddlers or a dual glider. It doesn't offer any added play features, but its simplicity keeps the cost much lower than other sets. All chains are coated with plastisol to help prevent pinched fingers and rust.

Our testers love the sturdy construction and quality and admire how compact this set is while still managing to fit three kids on at one time.

Dimensions: 8'8" x 7'8" x 6'10" | Frame material: Cedar | Age range: 2–10 years | Weight limit: 345 lbs total

A Good Housekeeping 2023 Parenting Awards winner, the Endeavor II swing set is equipped with end-to-end activities including a 10-foot slide, climbing wall, three swings, clubhouse and more. We appreciate the bonus picnic table that allows rest in-between swinging and sliding as well as an outdoor space to eat or read. Testers gave it high marks for ease of use and found their kids kept coming back to play. And for extra guidance on assembly, you can download the Bilt app for helpful instructions.

Our experts also recommend the Olympian Outlook XL 4 Swing Set by Backyard Adventures, which allows for significant play features, thanks to its sprawling size. However, it rings in at a couple of thousand dollars so we find Backyard Discovery to be a better value.

Dimensions: 270" x 122" x 119" | Frame material: Cedar | Age range: 3+ years | Weight limit: 512 lbs total

If you prefer a metal swing set, this model by Lifetime offers solid construction and a range of play options including three swings, a trapeze, a slide, monkey bars and a fire pole. While we haven't personally tested this set, our experts have experience with the brand and confirm that its construction is reliable and sturdy.

The powder coating is meant to preserve the metal's strength and color as its exposed to weather over time. All hard edges are also rounded or covered with plastic caps to help prevent corners from causing injury, and the chains are fitted with rubber grips to prevent pinching. However, some Amazon reviews note a delay in response from customer service when requesting replacement parts.

Dimensions: 18'10" x 14' x 7'8" | Frame material: Powder-coated steel | Age range: 3–12 years | Weight limit: 150 lbs per swing

CedarWorks' swing sets are made with premium-quality Northern white cedar, selected for its longevity with minimal to no maintenance. The beautifully crafted sets are fully customizable to fit your needs, space and budget, and our Lab pros particularly love the 3D modeling tools to help you fully understand the designs before they come to life.

Options include swings, trapeze bars, slides, ladders, rope walls, rock walls, forts and much more, and sets can be updated as your children grow. How much each set costs depends on your zip code, the set's size and its features. Prices can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars if you opt for the brand's larger architectural designs. That said, you can work with CedarWorks' design experts to find the set that makes sense for your family.

Dimensions: 15' x 14' x 12' as pictured; fully customizable | Frame material: Northern white cedar | Age range: 1–12 years, depending on customization | Weight limit: Varies based on customization

For older kids, our Lab pros love the versatility of Gorilla Playsets. In addition to active play tools, including two swings, a trapeze, a climbing rock wall, dual slides, a canopy-covered top deck and a built-in sandbox, this set comes with fun accessories, like a steering wheel, tic-tac-toe panel, chalkboard and telescope to encourage imagination and creativity.

The brand also makes even more extensive swing sets, with multiple decks and rope-climbing walls. All sets are crafted with decay-resistant cedar and outfitted with recessed bolts and rubber-coated chains for added protection. Several Amazon reviewers say some pieces were missing. To ensure all parts are included, take your time while assembling it and reach out to customer service if you notice there's a piece you didn't receive.

Dimensions: 14'6" x 12' x 10' | Frame material: Cedar | Age range: 3–11 years, depending on customization | Weight limit: 800 lbs total

For the littlest ones, this compact and affordable indoor or outdoor swing set will provide plenty of smiles. The swing is secure with a high back, armrests and a front T-bar, while the soft slope on the slide will let your infant feel some wind in their hair without sending them flying. The swing cannot be adjusted, so make sure to test out its height from the ground before discarding the receipt.

A nonslip stepladder helps kids build leg muscles, and the detachable basketball hoop and ring toss encourage hand-eye coordination. Made from plastic, this swing set won't put your child at risk for splinters or overheated surfaces the way wood and metal might. Plus, our experts love that it's easy to wipe clean.

Dimensions: 5'6" x 4'11" x 3'11" | Frame material: High-density polyethylene | Age range: 2–8 years (swing has safety belt for children under 2) | Weight limit: 110 lbs per slide, 66 lbs per swing

If your toddler is itching to graduate to a belt swing but they're not quite ready for a full-size swing set, try this pick from Step2. Complete with two swings, a slide, a top deck and a ground-level clubhouse, this set will give your toddler a taste of the big-kid swings while keeping them relatively low to the ground.

Made from plastic for outdoor use, this swing set is sturdy and easy to wipe clean. Consumers appreciate its sturdiness, but one reviewer notes that customer service was not helpful in replacing a part. Our experts noticed that while the instructions aren't incredibly clear, the set is still easy to put together. We love that it can be used both indoors and outdoors and how durable it is.

Dimensions: 9'2" x 9'7" x 6'3" | Frame material: Plastic | Age range: 3–8 years | Weight limit: 75 lbs per swing, 250 lbs for clubhouse

This swing set is built to hold up to eight children at once across its two swings, trapeze rings, two slides, rock wall and canopy-covered two-level clubhouse (complete with a working door). It's crafted with pre-stained cedar, which resists mold and rot, and is both child-friendly and safe for the environment.

Good Housekeeping Executive Director of Strategy & Operations Lexie Sachs loves that the slide goes perpendicular to the swings so it fits easily in her narrow backyard. Some online reviews do note assembly can take a while, though.

Dimensions: 9' 7'' x 18' 4'' x 7' 6'' | Frame material: Solid wood | Age range: 3–8 years | Weight limit: 880 lbs total

If you're looking for a swing set with all the bells and whistles, Backyard Discovery's Skyfort II Set has everything a child could dream of. Featuring a slide, two swings, a two-person glider, monkey bars, a rock wall and a two-story clubhouse with a crow's nest and picnic table, this set is bound to encourage endless fun. Made out of cedar, it's created for easy assembly and safe play.

Use the free app to check out the interactive, 3D assembly instructions (which rotate 360 degrees and zoom in and out) to make the building process as straightforward and secure as possible. Good Housekeeping Institute's former Chief Technologist and Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman notes that this is the most difficult set to assemble on our list due to its size, but once it's set up, it does a great job of keeping many kids of different ages engaged at once.

Dimensions: 21'11" x 16'9" x 12'4" | Frame material: Cedar | Age range: 3–10 years | Weight limit: 1,350 plbs total

To find the best swing sets for this round-up, the engineers and parenting experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute road-tested more than a dozen models, with our tiny testers logging hundreds of hours of play. We considered overall design, durability and construction quality, play features and industry safety standards set by ASTM International.

Testers noted whether grips were comfortable and the slide was ergonomic, as well as how durable the accompanying hardware was. We also considered availability of additional attachments and how easy these were to swap in and out. Our experts continue to conduct assessments on swing sets as new models become available.

✔️ Materials: The material you choose really depends on the terrain of the backyard, but most swing sets are made of wood, metal or plastic, or a combination of these materials:

• Wood swing sets have a more classic look, fitting in with the landscape of your yard, and they're durable, with some lumber — like cedar and redwood — being naturally resistant to bugs and decay. Still, for maximum protection over time, you'll want to maintain the stain, check the bolts and watch out for splinters.
• Metal swing sets generally require less upkeep, but quality varies with metal types and coatings. Heat can also be an issue, with metal causing burns on hot days. Look for a metal with a protective coating to keep kids safe. Oledzka also notes that rust may become a problem. Since metals aren't inherently corrosion-resistant, our experts recommend using a preventive product like Rust-Oleum Clear Enamel Spray Paint, as long as the manufacturer hasn't already applied a treatment and the maintenance instructions recommend applying a coating. If you do notice rust on your metal swing set, remove it as soon as possible according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Plastic swing sets tend to hold less weight than wood or metal, so these can be good starter swing sets for younger children. Oledzka adds that all swings "should be made of plastic or soft rubber for comfort and protection in case of a small child walking into a swing and hitting their head." Plastic also eliminates the risk of splinters and reduces the risk of burns but is less likely to maintain vivid coloring after sun exposure over time.

✔️ Features: By definition, every swing set needs a swing, but many sets have great add-ons that encourage different kinds of movement and play. If you have a large backyard, a swing set with a slide, rock climbing wall and/or ladder allows exploration, says Oledzka. Meanwhile monkey bars, chain ladders and rings are more challenging and ideal for older kids. Some sets are constructed so you can add features over time, but others don't allow for modifications.

✔️ Age: For a family with a younger child, Oledzka recommends investing in a toddler swing set that can fit a baby 6 months or older. As the baby grows, they will enjoy graduating to climbing a ladder or sliding down a slide. Letting your little one play on equipment that's for older kids can be dangerous, but luckily, many sets offer years of exciting play. If you have older kids at home, look for a versatile swing set that has a range of features to inspire captivating play.

✔️ Size: Most swing sets last between seven and 10 years, so pick something that your child can grow with. If you're planning to add to your family or host playdates, consider a set that accommodates multiple children. But most importantly, measure your space to ensure you'll have enough clearance around the swing set. Industry standards specify a clearance of at least six feet in all directions from the perimeter of your swing set, and up to nine feet for higher areas.

✔️ Price: Swing sets can be an investment, with many falling between $1,100 and $1,800. Our pros made sure to include picks on the low and high end of that range, while also researching more affordable swing sets that are a little over $200 or closer to $300. Of course, there are larger, more feature-heavy sets that ring in at over $2,000. But our research found the majority of high quality swing sets are closer to $1,300.

• Ensure your swing set meets ASTM International safety standards. Check that your swing set has no small spaces that children can get stuck inside, and keep an eye out for exposed chains with pinching hazards.
• Choose a swing set in the correct age range for your child. Make sure the swing set you buy is designed for your child's age and stage. Resist the urge to purchase a set that your child will "grow into" and opt for something that's designed to be safe to play with now and in the future.
• Place your swing set on the proper surface. Because a few falls are to be expected, you'll want a shock-absorbing surface that's six to 12 inches deep. Surfaces like shredded rubber, sand, pea gravel, wood chips or mulch will help protect your little ones better than asphalt, concrete, grass or dirt.
• Build in a "fall zone" surrounding the play area cushioned with your shock-absorbing surface for maximum swing set safety. All swings, slides and other equipment should have enough clearance in front and back, and the shock-absorbing surface width should extend twice the height of the set. Our experts recommend extending it at least six feet around the play area to be safe.
• Build your swing set on level ground that's clear of rocks, roots or other tripping hazards, and away from trees and branches to avoid run-ins and entanglement.
• Anchor and install swing sets according to the manufacturer's instructions, or hire a professional for the build.
• Make sure you're watching your kids at all times to minimize injury. Oledzka advises small children should have a caregiver next to them and older children should be supervised.
• Teach your kids swing set etiquette. Oledzka mentions several safety practices: No swinging while standing or kneeling, no leaping from a swing and pay attention to the other children around. Swings are also meant to be used by one child at a time, she says. "Don't allow two children on one swing; it can stress the equipment and lead to an accident."
• Inspect your swing set twice monthly for loose bolts, corrosion or any other visible signs of wear. Stay on top of concerns to maximize the life span of the product.

Alissa Schulman is a contributing writer at Good Housekeeping, where she has written about outdoor equipment for kids and other kid accessories, from the best baby gates to the best potty training seats. To write this article, Schulman collaborated with Good Housekeeping Institute's former Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman, who oversaw testing of the best swing sets. Rachel has tested thousands of products, from toys to cars, and has more than 15 years of experience vetting products for the GH Institute.

Elizabeth Berry most recently updated this article. She is the updates editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she edits lifestyle and parenting articles that touch a range of topics, such as the best double strollers.