Best Backyard Playsets
As a parent or guardian, you have an obligation to ensure that your kid grows healthy. But do you know that their playtime is a crucial element in their growth?
There are many ways through which you can enhance and make your child’s playtime more enjoyable. One of the best ways to do so is by installing a backyard playset for them. A good playset will have several features for your kid(s) to play with and can accommodate different age groups, so you don’t have to worry about your child outgrowing them too soon.
However, it is essential to note that there are a lot of backyard playsets available, which makes it hard to settle on one that will satisfy all your child’s play and safety needs. That is why we’ve taken time to compile a list of seven backyard playsets that should match those needs.
Due to increased demand and supply issues, among others, a lot of the backyard playsets may not be available at this time. One workaround is to take a look at the backyard playsets bestsellers list and check availability based on that list
…In a Hurry?
Step2 Clubhouse Climber
Do you want to give your kids an amazing, fun, and adventurous time outside? Then the Step2 Clubhouse Climber is a good backyard playset for you to pick. This playset comes with rich features that will ensure your child continues to have a good time for years to come. Your child has several options on having when using the step2 Clubhouse Climber. They can climb up the stairs to the upper-level clubhouse where they can enjoy the aerial view of the surrounding, the sky. Your child can also have fun on the sliding board, through strolling on the cross-bridge, and for those that love adventure, they can crawl and creep through the tunnels while playing games such as hide-and-seek.
It is important to point out that this backyard playset is made in the U.S. A with some of the best materials. It also rests securely on the ground, which ensures your child’s safety while playing. However, it is also important to point out that the maximum weight that this playset can hold is 109.1 kg; if this limit is exceeded, it might put those playing at risk. Some notable features include:
A steering wheel
Imagine the fun that your children will have playing with a rotatable steering wheel. It gives your child the room to fantasize about being whatever they want, be it a ship’s captain, or a truck driver.
Safety Features
The Step2 Clubhouse Climber ensures the safety of the children is well looked after. It has firm climbing ladders, with non-slip steps, and also a sturdy pair of handrails.
Lots of Windows
One thing that can easily ruin your child’s playtime is having a poorly lit playset, and the Step2 Clubhouse Climber has that taken care of. This playset has several windows that allow enough light and also provide the kids with space to enjoy great views of the sky and the environment. If your child is claustrophobic, then you can rest assured that they will also have a good time.
Roomy Crawl-Thru Tunnel
Another great feature with this playset is the crawl-through tunnel. It allows the kids to enjoy themselves as they hide from each other. The tunnel ha several exit routes, and you don’t have to worry that your child will get stuck in the tunnels.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Safe climbing fun | Assembly instructions are a little vague |
| Fast assembly | Designed for younger kids |
Gorilla Playsets 01-0001-Y Outing Swing Set
Do you want to keep your kids active and happy? The Gorilla Playset will help you do that. This playset provides a number of great things that your child can do, including having fun on the rock wall, or spending time on the sandbox area or the yellow alpine wave slide.
It is important to note that the Gorilla Playsets 01-0001-Y Outing Swing Set comes ready to install. The playset also comes with a step-by-step manual that provides guidelines on how you should go about with the installation.
The playset is made using a heavy-duty vinyl canopy that ensures that your kids are protected from U.V. rays while playing and provides cool temperatures for playing.
Unlike some playsets that are only fit for children of a certain age bracket, the Gorilla Playsets 01-0001-Y Outing Swing Set can be used by children aged between three and eleven years. This makes it a one-time investment.
Other things that are worth noting about this playset is that it has a grippy rubber coating on the chain swings to prevent pinches. The cedar used is also resistant to rot, insect damage, and decay.
Notable Features include:
3 Position Swing Beam
This feature provides space for the trapeze bar and a belt swing for added fun on the playset.
Telescope with Working Compass
This backyard playset comes with a telescope that has a functional compass that allows your child to explore their love for astronomy while having a good educational experience. It is important to point out that the lenses used on the telescope have no magnification power to ensure that the eyes of your child are protected.
Rock Climbing Wall
Want to add more adventure to your child’s playtime? The rock-climbing wall adds that. It features ten rocks that your child can use to scale the four feet wall.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Suited for children 3-11 years old, it will provide years of fun | 6-7 hours to assemble by 3 people |
| Sturdy and well-built |
Lifetime 151110 Ace Flyer Airplane Teeter Totter
The Lifetime 151110 Ace Flyer Airplane Teeter Totter is perfect for your child to have a good time with their friends. The teeter-totter can hold up to seven children, which makes it a perfect playset for parties.
The Lifetime 151110 Ace Flyer Airplane Teeter Totter is quite durable. It is build using high-density polyethylene plastic parts that are resistant to U.V. and certain weather conditions. It is also made of steel coated with a rust-resistant layer to ensure that the playset stays strong for a long time.
The playset also features a double seat cockpit with a spinning wheel and an interactive dashboard to keep your child engaged.
The Lifetime 151110 Ace Flyer Airplane Teeter Totter measures exactly eight by 8 feet and weighs approximately 105 pounds. As we’ve already mentioned, it can hold up to seven children, and it is suitable for use by kids in the three to thirteen age group.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Seats up to 7 children | Some people had assembly issues |
| For children 3-12 years old |
Backyard discovery Shenandoah
Even though you love your child so much, you wouldn’t want to buy a new playset every other month. It is therefore paramount for you to ensure that the backyard playset you are acquiring can last for a long period. One way you can do so is by checking the material used to make the playset. And this is where our Backyard discovery Shenandoah dominates.
The Backyard discovery Shenandoah playset is 100% made out of cedar, which ensures its durability. The lumber is made with tight knots that avert any chance of forming cracks. It is also worth noting that the cedar used is also rotting and decay resistant and so you don’t have to worry about installing it on in your backyard where it is exposed to rot and decay-causing agents.
Notable features on the set include:
Doors and Windows
The Backyard discovery Shenandoah promotes social learning as your kids play by having real doors and windows. With the doors and windows, the playset becomes is definitely a dream house to the small minds.
Speedy Slide
The playset also comes with a 10feet speedy slide for added fun. The speed slide will ensure that your kids race down safely as they rush to whichever place they want.
Play Kitchen
The added play kitchen adds space for the kids to play any restaurant game or prepare imaginary meals. The play kitchen also provides space for the kids to enjoy a small snack. This play kitchen will boost your child’s creative power, and you never know, a desire to become a chef may be ignited in the process.
3 Position Swing Beam
The playset also features a two-person glider and two belt swings for added fun.
The Backyard discovery Shenandoah playset is assembled using exclusive Safe-T-Fuse locking nuts, which are resistant to loosening over time.
It is made with heavy-duty steel brackets to ensure that parts are strongly held together.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full featured backyard playset | A lot of parts, takes 10-12 hours to assemble |
| Made of cedar wood, built to last |
Backyard Discovery Monticello playset
The Monticello playset comes with some amazing features you can only find in more expensive playsets, but at a relatively lower price. The Monticello playset comes with a raised play fort that has a wooden roof, and end gables for protection against the sun. It also comes with an 8-inch speedy slide to add the frenzy that your kids will need.
The Monticello playset also has two ladders and a rock wall where kids can enjoy some wall climbing activities. The set also comes with two belt swings and a trapeze swing that adds to the fun. You will also find the snack stand at the bottom to be of great use for your kids. The snack stand has a toy box and a sandbox area.
It also has a set of monkey bars that will help your child to build strength and coordination. The monkey bars are sturdy to provide a firm grip and have climbing rungs that do not roll while in use for safety purposes.
Up to nine children can use this backyard swing set.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Playset made of cedar, which is a dense and rot-resistant wood. Takes roughly 9-10 hour to assemble | Some users wish for thicker cedar wood boards |
Backyard Discovery Tucson All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set
One of the best-designed playsets that you will find in the market. The Tucson outdoor playset form backyard features a covered upper deck, which also extends to provide cover for the lower area. The playset comes with two swing sets and an acrobat bar, which allows three kids to have fun simultaneously.
The playset also comes with a rock wall, ladders, and a super safe speedy slide to add more fun to your child’s playtime. The playset also comes with a snack stand where your kids can blow off some steam before embarking on their fun activities.
The upper deck also has a colorful green canopy which provides shade, and a lower play area that has a sandbox, and a built-in bench alongside the snack stand we’ve already mentioned. Here are some notable Features that it has.
3 Position Swing Beam
With the swing belts and the acrobat bar, your child is not limited to only one activity. Whether they are amateur or athletic swingers, the three-position swing beam has them covered.
Rock Wall Ladder
Climbing up a deck using a ladder is easy and more secure, but it does not provide equal fun as a rock wall ladder does. The rock-climbing structure makes it more exciting for your kid(s) to go up the swing set. It also stimulates muscle strength, motor skills, and coordination.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Covered play deck | 2 people required for assembly, takes 6 to 8 hours |
| Snack stand |
Little Tikes Inflatable Jump ‘n Slide Bounce House w/heavy-duty blower
There are several ways through which your child can have fun, and jumping and gliding on a bouncing castle is one of those ways. The Little Tikes Inflatable Jump ‘n Slide bounce house is also an amazing backyard playset that you may want to consider for your kids.
This bouncing castle has a three-mesh slide, which allows the children to enjoy themselves as you watch over them. The bouncer comes with stakes that allow it to anchor firmly on the ground and has a heavy-duty blower that ensures that the bouncing castle has a continuous airflow.
It is important to note that the Little Tikes Inflatable Jump ‘n Slide Bounce House is built using puncture-resistant material, which makes a great investment that will last.
The maximum weight that the Little Tikes Inflatable Jump ‘n Slide Bounce House can handle is 250 lbs.
The bounce house also comes with a shoe storage pocket.
It is important to note that while it may be fun to have many kids bounce up and down on the bounce house, the Little Tikes Inflatable Jump ‘n Slide Bounce House can only accommodate a maximum of three children.
The bouncer comes with a storage bag, a heavy-duty blower, a repair kit, 6- bouncer stakes, and 4- Blower stakes.
It is also worth noting that the bouncer provides additional sliding fun with its inflatable slide.
Warning: it is not safe to allow children under the age of three years to bounce on this playset as it puts them at risk of choking.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Safe and puncture-resistant | Some people report stitching issues which allow air to escape |
Getting the Right Backyard Playset for your child
When shopping for a playset, the first consideration that you have to make is your child’s age. Different playsets are suitable for children in different age groups. Also, the motor skills and physical stature of kids vary with age, which makes it necessary to match their characteristics with the right backyard playset.
It is important to point out that the playsets fall into three major categories: toddlers, pre-school kids, and the elementary age group.
Toddlers to 2 years
For children in this age bracket, ensure that the play equipment is close to the ground, be it a swing, ramps, or stairs. As they are learning to walk, it makes it easy for them to climb without being afraid of falling.
When shopping, be sure to check out that the playset you are buying is fit for use by children of that age.
Two to five years – Pre-school
Similar playsets are used for pre-school kids, like those in elementary. The main difference is that for this age group, the systems are constructed on a smaller scale.
Children in this bracket are stronger and able to climb, balance, and confident in their movements. Therefore, this means that they are able to navigate relatively narrower steps or ladders.
Five to twelve years – elementary
Kids at this are more energetic and have more fluid and confident movements. You should expect them to race for longer hours, which makes it convenient to install large systems for them.
It may help to understand that it is at this stage that they build agility and awareness, so have them play on systems that can help them do so effectively. You can have some monkey bars, rock wall climbers, or tire wings.
Tips for backyard playground maintenance
It is important to note that fun time is not only about the systems put in place but also the ground area where they are installed. However, it is also important to take care of the backyard playsets to ensure that your kids are safe while playing. Some of the tips that we have for you include:
Take care of metal components
It is important to always keep in mind that metal parts will rust if not well taken care of. You can paint and oil such parts to keep them free from rust.
Service the systems regularly
Part of maintaining the playset will require you to replace and repair any worn out or loose hardware on your child’s playset. This will help to prevent injury from accidents caused by faulty systems.
Inspect the surfacing
Inspection is important as it helps to maintain the proper depth and depth required. It is also through inspection that you can take note of any faults that need attention.
Clear any debris from the area
You should ensure that the playground is free from any debris or litter. Some debris can cause injury to the children if they fall on them. You should also ensure that there is no obstruction from branches, rocks, or weeds.
Final take
It is apparent that there are many options when it comes to giving your child an amazing experience as they grow. From the playsets that we’ve listed above, you can settle on one and rest assured that your child will love it.
However, before you settle on one, carry out due diligence to ensure that it meets the needs of your child and is fit for your backyard—otherwise, all the best in nurturing your child.