The Best Backyard Playground Equipment of 2021

As a kid, if I wanted to swing or slide, I just walked across the street to the neighborhood park.

A fortunate few of my friends, however, had their own gym sets that consisted of metal poles that supported swings, slides, and gliders.

If we pumped hard enough, we could pull those poles right up out of the ground – and of course, that’s how you won the swing contest.

After growing up and having my own kids, I wanted them to share those same experiences.

We purchased a pressure-treated pine model playground that we had installed right in the backyard. I also took out a contract to have it tightened and inspected each year, and it was well worth the peace of mind.

We’ve come a long way, with playgrounds and swing sets available today have grown to sprawling (and safer) configurations of mythic proportion!

And today, kids are spending a lot more time in the backyard, making playground equipment more important than ever for keeping them mentally engaged and physically fit.

Are you looking to buy your own playtime centerpiece, and spark a new generation of wonderful childhood memories for your own kids?

Read on to learn what you need to know to pick a system that will rock your kids’ backyard adventures!

First, we’ll discuss what’s available. Then we’ll consider the decisions you’ll need to make, so you can pick the one that’s best for your family.

After all, play sets come in several different materials with a wide array of options to choose from!

Matching Age to Equipment

Your first consideration when choosing a play system is age appropriateness.

Children’s physical statures and motor skills vary by age, and matching their characteristics to those of the equipment is essential not only for enjoyment, but for safety.

As you explore options, you’ll find that equipment falls into one of three age categories: toddler to age 2, preschool ages 2 to 5, and elementary ages 5 to 12.

Toddler to 2 Years

Keep things close to the ground with baby swings, ramps, and simple stairs. Children who crawl soon take their first steps, and then begin to climb, with no fear of falling.

Help kids experience the joy of movement with equipment made especially for them.

What to Buy?

A terrific choice for toddler to twos is the Step2 Lookout Treehouse Climber Playset, available from Wayfair. Fun for climbing and sliding, over and over again!

Preschool (2-5 Years)

Systems in the preschool group resemble those of the elementary age, but are constructed on a smaller scale with close proximity to the ground.

Preschoolers have come a long way. They’re stronger and more limber, learning to balance, and feeling very confident in their movement.

This means they can negotiate narrower steps and ladders, and shorter slides. They shout, “Push me!” as they tighten their grip for a swing ride. Not babies anymore, these kids are in constant motion, eager to master a task and put their own spin on it.

What to Buy?

For the preschoolers at your house, consider the Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Set, available from Amazon.

Elementary (5-12 years):

Think monkey bars, cable walks, tire swings, and fire poles. Children from five to 12 years of age are building agility and body awareness, so give them a little challenge with some activities to master.

Kids at this age are energetic, and their movement is fluid and confident. They’ll race around with their friends for hours, and then, just like the little ones, will find a cozy retreat in the clubhouse platform. Large systems may accommodate 8 or more children.

Systems for this age group come in wood and metal, and can accommodate the weight and wear-and-tear of several children using multiple activity zones at once.

What to Buy?

The Frontier Swing Set from Gorilla Playsets is an ideal option for this age group, and is available at Wayfair.

Getting Started

Are you with me so far? Great!

Once you’ve gotten some idea of the age group or groups that your kids fall into, take a look out the window at your yard.

Where do you have the best line of sight to keep an eye on your kids when they’re outside? Wherever that is, that’s the very best location for your new playtime setup.

Where do you have the best line of sight to keep an eye on your kids when they’re outside? Wherever that is, that’s the very best location for your new playtime setup.

So you’ve found that perfect viewing spot – but maybe the ground’s not completely level?

This can usually be remedied with some installation adjustments. Be sure to consult the manufacturer of your selected system to learn what’s possible with your chosen model.

Safety First: Home Playground Safety Tips

This brings us to our next and most important subject: safety.

There’s a lot you need to know about your playground choice, such as its need for level ground, clearance for swings, and how far apart railings should be.

So read on, and let’s find out what you need to take into account for the safety of your kids.

Here’s a summary of safety essentials from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to take seriously when setting up a backyard playset:

Protective Ground Surfacing

You will want the surface to be sturdy enough to be able to safely install the equipment, and soft enough to minimize injury in the event of a fall.

For Stationary Climbing Equipment and Slides:

Ensure a minimum of 6 feet around the perimeter, surfaced with soft, protective ground for safe use and prevention of injuries from falls.

For Swings

A minimum of 6 feet of protective surfacing should be laid out from the support structure on either side – and even more extended from the front and behind the set, at a length approximately twice the height of the swing from ground to support beam.

Swing Set Spacing

Ensure a minimum of 8 inches between swing and support structure, and between swings. A minimum of 16 feet should be maintained from swing support frame to pendulum seesaw.

Minimum clearance from the underside of swings to the ground should be 8 inches.

Elevated Surfaces

Platforms more than 30 inches above the ground should have guardrails to prevent falls.

Potential Entrapment Standards

Openings that are closed on all sides should be less than 3 1/2 inches, or greater than 9 inches.

Be sure to close “S” hooks as tightly as possible, and eliminate protrusions or any catch points on equipment.

9 Tips for Playground Maintenance

Keep the following in mind, to maintain a safe and fun backyard play space:

1. Inspect protective surfacing and maintain proper area and depth.

2. Replace or repair any hardware that is loose, worn, or protruding.

3. Maintain equipment footings, and remedy any potential tripping hazards.

4. Keep the area free of debris, toys, and litter.

5. Be sure that the children’s area is free of natural obstacles, like branches, weeds, rocks, and tree roots.

6. Keep metal components free of rust and chipped paint.

7. Remove wood splinters if possible. If wood is cracked or decayed, the structure may be unsafe. Stop use and contact the manufacturer.

8. Inspect for deterioration and corrosion on structural components that connect to the ground. Stop use if found, and contact the manufacturer.

9. There should never be any missing or damaged equipment components, such as handholds, guardrails, and swing seats. Repair or replace as needed.

So far, so good. Now you know:

• How to dedicate an area of the yard for safe fun
• What to look for when you select a system
• What to expect in terms of maintenance

Get Out Your Tape Measure

Now, you’re ready to mark off the area for your playground!

Watch out for tree roots, and make sure there are no branches over the area. If you want shade, consider the shadows cast by your home at various times of day. Or, consider a system that casts its own shade with UV protected canopies.

Plan to place a cushioning layer or protective surface beneath the structure, according to the safety clearances recommended in the previous section of this article.

Rubber mulch or rubber tile are highly recommended for soft landings. Grass and dirt surfaces, on the other hand, are not recommended – they are just too hard and potentially unsafe.

So Many Options

And now for the exciting part – shopping for the new playground that your kids are going to love!

It’s a lot of prep, I know. But it will pay off, I promise you.

As you scroll through these photos of happy kids swinging, sliding, climbing, and having a fabulous time, you’re going to see that playgrounds are available in several different materials. And prices can vary widely.

In a nutshell, equipment might be made predominantly of either wood, metal, or plastic. Simple enough, right? But wait – which is the best?

Way back in my day, it was metal all the way. While that’s still a tempting option, wood and plastic are some of today’s most popular choices, if your budget allows.

My favorite sets are made of wood, so let’s begin there.

Here are the basics on some wood options you’ll see:

Redwood

Redwood is a hardwood, grown predominantly in California.

It is a durable option with an attractive reddish-brown color. Over time, if exposed to the elements, it may turn a silvery-gray color.

Pros

• Consistent top-notch quality
• Strong and durable
• Naturally resists insects, decay, and rot
• Minimal shrinking and swelling
• Great appearance

Cons

• Most expensive
• Requires routine cleaning and staining and/or sealing to preserve appearance – otherwise color fades to gray over time

What to Buy?

The Kids Creation Redwood Grandstand Swing Set, on of our 17 recommended products, is a top-quality redwood playset, built to last. It’s available from Wayfair.

Cedar

There are several grades of cedar to choose from, most being more affordable than redwood. This option is also naturally resistant to decay, rot, and insects, like the former.

Cedar varieties include Pacific, Western Red, Alaskan Yellow, and Northern White.

Known for its aromatic scent, cedar quality does vary – with both good values and high quality options available.

Pros

• Less expensive than redwood
• Strong and durable
• Naturally resists insects, decay, and rot
• Not as likely to warp as pressure-treated lumber
• Aromatic scent

Cons

• Quality varies
• Requires routine cleaning and staining/sealing
• Without routine maintenance, color fades to gray over time

What to Buy?

The Backyard Discovery Woodridge II All Cedar Wood Swing Playset is one of our top 17 picks, and it’s loaded with activities for years of outdoor play. This model is available at Home Depot.

China Fir

Also called Chinese cedar, this is actually a type of cypress that naturally resists decay, pests, and rotting. It varies in color from yellow to white, with attractive red highlights.

Pros

• Unique and beautiful colors not found in other woods
• More affordable than redwood
• Small knot structure
• Soft but durable
• Smoother than cedar woods
• Less likely to warp than pressure-treated lumber
• Naturally resists decay, pests, and rotting
• Pleasant scent

Cons

• Softer than redwood and true cedar
• More prone to bowing and splitting than other options

What to Buy?

The Grandview Twist Complete Swing Set by Swing-n-Slide, one of our top 17 recommendations is available from Wayfair.

Pine

The quality of pine may vary, since it is a cheap and very readily available soft wood.

Look for “Premium Preserved” pine to ensure a top quality variety. There are other types of pressure-treated pine structures on the market as well, deemed safe and reliable for playgrounds. Also be sure to buy “green” treated wood that’s child safe if you go with this material.

Beware of models made of “wood” with a pine finish, as they are poor-quality imitations.

Pros

• More affordable than redwood
• Premium Preserved has an excellent reputation and guarantee
• Premium Preserved pine advocates say it rivals redwood in durability
• Premium Preserved pine requires no staining/sealing

Cons

• PVC wrapping may cause water accumulation and deterioration
• Pine quality varies
• May warp, crack, or splinter
• Pine is not naturally decay, pest, or rot resistant
• Chemically pressure-treated
• Older chemically-treated pine contains arsenic
• Preserved Premium is usually more expensive than cedar

What to Buy?

The Backyard Play Systems Castle Rock Swing Set is available from Wayfair, and it’s one of our top 17 selections.

Professional assembly is available, provided by Wayfair’s network of experts.

Metal

Sets can also be made from heavy-duty, high-carbon steel pipes – each powder-coated or oiled to resist corrosion, discoloration, and heat retention.

Pros

• Strong and durable
• No splinters or rough edges
• Affordable
• Powder-coated or oiled for weather resistance
• Low maintenance

Cons

• Gets hot to the touch
• Requires anchoring in concrete
• Considered old-fashioned or unattractive to some

What to Buy?

The Lifetime Monkey Bar Adventure Swing Set with 9 Foot Wavy Slide is available on Amazon. This elementary age set is one of our top 17 picks described above.

It requires no anchoring and is a great value in a galvanized steel product.

Plastic

Like metal, plastic components also pose no danger from splinters or rough edges, and are quite low-maintenance.

Equipment for small children these days is usually made from plastic, as are slides and activity pieces in structures for older children.

Be aware that plastic parts do get hot in the sun! There doesn’t seem to be a particular color that stays cooler than the rest, although some will tell you that yellow is preferable.

The bottom line with any plastic playground material: unshaded equipment can reach temperatures in the 100s, sometimes even up to 200°F! So shading recreational areas at least at some point in the day is highly recommended.

Pros

• Easy to maintain
• Plastic is cooler than metal

Cons

• May fade
• Becomes hot to the touch in direct sunlight
• May deteriorate in extreme heat
• May crack in extreme cold

What to Buy?

An excellent example of a durable and easy to clean plastic model is the Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Set, described above. It’s available from Amazon.

Composite Decking

Modular components may also be constructed with a combination of wood and plastic called a “composite” – a mixture of two materials, or of unspecified wood treated with a polymer coating to increase its weather resistance.

Pros

Cons

• More expensive than wood alone
• May fade or stain
• May crack
• May trap moisture and promote mold growth
• Mold leads to deterioration over time

Customization

Next, let’s take a look at the basic structure of your playground, and outfit it with fun features for perfect playtime and outdoor memories!

What are your kids into? Twisty slides, tire swings, rock-climbing walls, and themed modular sets (like pirate ships and clubhouses) only barely scratch the surface of what’s available.

Here’s a partial list of the many options from which to choose, for initial installation or adding on later:

• Wavy slides, tube slides, double slides
• Gliders, spinner swings, tire swings, infant swings
• Acrobat bars
• Fire poles
• Steering wheels

Gorilla Playsets Steering Wheel in Yellow, available from Wayfair

• Tic-tac-toes, chalk boards
• Ladders, bridges, decks
• Rings
• Canopies
• Crow’s nests
• Telescopes

Pirate Telescope Swing Set Accessory, available on Amazon

• Monkey bars
• Picnic tables

DIY or Pay to Install?

Still with me? We’re almost finished.

Are you handy and ready to construct this baby yourself, or will you have it professionally installed? Most kits are pre-drilled and come with everything you need, so it’s completely up to you.

The most important part is the safety of the kids, so keep that in mind if you take on this project yourself.

Here’s what you need to do…

If you go the DIY route:

1. Upon the arrival of your unassembled playground equipment, read the entire owner’s manual.

2. Take inventory of all parts and their condition.

3. Contact the manufacturer immediately if there are any missing or damaged parts.

4. Gather all tools recommended by the manufacturer, and have additional basic tools handy including a tape measure, a level, twine, ground stakes or other markers, a hammer, flat head screwdrivers, Phillips screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers. Be prepared for a trip to the hardware store, in the event that you do end up short a nut or a bolt.

5. In a level location, mark off the area required to install your playset (bearing in mind the necessary safety clearances).

6. Clear away all debris from the area.

7. Enlist the aid of a strong family member or friend, and read all of the manufacturer’s instructions again.

8. Begin assembling the upright support structures and cross beams as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Level as needed. Tighten as recommended.

9. Attach all activity accessories such as swings, slides, and ladders.

10. Attach the canopy, if included.

11. Frame the play area as desired, and fill with soft-landing mulch of your choice.

If You Choose Professional Installation:

1. Select the location for installation, and be ready to show the pro exactly where you would like your equipment to be constructed. They will usually charge by the hour, so you can save some time by doing a little of the prep work yourself.

2. Mark off a level location, and clear away all debris. If you feel up to the task, you can even mark off the area required for your set using twine and stakes, bearing in mind the necessary safety clearances.

3. With your installer, participate an inventory of all parts and their condition, and contact the manufacturer immediately if there are missing or damaged parts.

4. Supervise installation, including leveling, tightening, and adding of accessories and canopy.

5. Thoroughly inspect all aspects of your product before signing off on the installation and permitting the installer to leave.

6. Frame the play area as desired and fill with soft-landing mulch of your choice. Depending on who you hire to install, this service may be included.

7. Set up appointments for regular maintenance if this is offered.

I’ll leave you here with some final advice, and then you’ll be ready to make the best decision!

5 Useful Tips for Playset Installation

1. Always buy products for children from reputable manufacturers who adhere to high standards for quality and safety, and warranty their work.

2. When selecting a modular system, investigate how components are fastened together. Wood should be smoothly sanded and bolted – it should not be glued, nor should there be laminated layers.

3. Hardware should be recessed, not sticking (and posing a potential hazard).

4. Look for models that have met the highly respected safety standards of an organization such as the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM).

5. Consider professional installation and a maintenance contract to ensure expert installation and upkeep. The life of your system depends upon both.

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

Your new apparatus is likely to be a neighborhood sensation!

That’s right: if you install a stellar playground, it could attract many kids from all around your community, not just your own.

So take my advice for the safety of all, and remember to do the following:

Inspect

Police the set for hazards before allowing children to enter.

Ask First

Have your children’s friends get parental permission to use your new set.

Fence It In

Fence in your home play area to keep out uninvited guests.