Benefits of Outdoor Playsets
In addition to providing enjoyment, a backyard play structure or swing set offers:
- Physical Benefits: Running, climbing and jumping improve fitness, strength, endurance, balance and coordination.
- Social Benefits: Interacting with other children provides experience with decision-making and conflict resolution.
- Learning and Creativity Benefits: Outdoor play helps children exercise imagination.
A playset for outdoors creates a home playground that helps your child realize these benefits and simply have fun, all while creating memories for your family.
Choose the Best Backyard Play Structure for Your Child
There are several factors to consider when choosing an outdoor playset or swing set, including material, size, activities and budget.
Outdoor Playset Materials
- Wood: Wood playsets have a warm look that blends with the landscape. They’re insect and rot resistant but require regular maintenance.
- Metal: Metal playsets require less maintenance. Typically, you just need to apply a bit of touch-up paint to scratches and keep an eye out for rust.
- Plastic: Plastic playsets are smaller, and the smooth, softer material suits younger children. Often a rinse or wash is the only maintenance necessary.
Outdoor Playset Sizes
Your space needs to fit a playset large enough for the number of children using the structure. Check the product information for specific requirements, but in addition to space for the playset itself:
- You need an unobstructed area at least 6 feet around the structure and accessories.
- The area above the playset must be clear of obstacles like branches and wires.
- There should be space in front of and behind swings that extends at least twice the height of the support beam.
- For metal playsets, you need a location with sufficient space out of direct sunlight
Outdoor Playset Equipment and Activities
Tailor home playground equipment to your child’s activities and interests. Most sets include a tower and a swing set. From there, you can find sets with slides, rings, sandboxes, picnic tables and climbing areas.
Make sure the activities and accessories are right for your child’s age. For example, children under the age of five shouldn’t play on anything above 5 feet high. If they can’t climb a wall or swing on their own, then they’re not ready for those accessories. Change activities as your child grows. Consider add-on components, such as:
Playset Budget
Balance material, size and activities to find a playset that fits your budget. You can save installation costs if you assemble the playset yourself, but plan for the purchase of any tools and materials you need. Reserve some of your budget for future activity upgrades and maintenance.
Most playset kits include all the necessary components and hardware, but you might need to purchase and cut the lumber separately for some other wood sets.
Tips for Assembling an Outdoor Playset
Backyard play structures include do-it-yourself assembly instructions and most require only standard tools:
Use the tips below to plan your project but follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your playset. If you’re not comfortable installing a playset or don’t have the time, consider Lowe’s playset installation service.
Getting Started With Backyard Playset Assembly
- Depending on the size of the playset, construction could take 10 to 16 hours, so check your manual for an estimate and plan realistically.
- Follow all Homeowners Association (HOA) or building code requirements that apply to your work.
- Read the assembly instructions or home playground plans before beginning work.
- Call 811 to check for underground utilities. You might need to dig to level the ground, improve drainage or lay fill material.
- Enlist a helper.
- Unpack the playset to ensure you have all the parts and none are damaged.
Don’t assemble a playset with missing or damaged parts.
Select a Location for the Playset and Prep the Area
- Verify you have the necessary space at the installation location. See Outdoor Playset Sizes above.
- Plan a location that’s visible from several windows in the home.
- Consider a shaded area to protect your child from the sun and to prevent burns from hot metal surfaces.
- Locate a level area that’s clear of obstacles like stumps, limbs, overhead wires, etc.
- Don’t install over a hard surface.
If you need to level the ground, mark the layout of the area with stakes and string. Make sure the strings are level. Remove grass and soil to the depth necessary for your fill material and playset instructions. Check multiple areas around the location against your layout strings to ensure the entire area is level.
Assemble the Playset
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to assemble the structure and add the accessories. Use the specified hardware and fasteners and ensure they’re properly secured. Don’t overtighten the fasteners.
Anchor the Playset
Anchor the playset to keep it stable during play and in windy conditions. Install the anchors before adding any mulch, sand or other material.
Playground Surface Options
Add loose-fill material like shredded mulch or rubber mulch, sand or pea gravel under the playset. The material needs to extend at least 6 feet beyond the structure in all directions to help protect children in case of a fall. The depth after the material settles should be 6 to 12 inches, depending on the type of material and the potential fall height.
Test Your Playset
Before giving the okay for the kids to go play, test the playset to ensure the structure, equipment and accessories are secure. You can do this by simply pushing or pulling down on swings, slides, anchors and other features.
Playground and Playset Safety
- Make sure the playset doesn't have gaps between 3-1/2 inches and 9 inches (for example, between railing balusters, rope-climbs and ladder rungs).
- Maintain separate play zones in your playground to avoid collisions.
- Keep the safety zone around the playset free of obstacles.
- Anchor ropes and chains at both ends so they can't be looped back on themselves to reduce the risk of strangulation.
- Remove tree branches that are too close to the play area.
- Inspect the structure before each play period or, at a minimum, once a month.
Adult supervision is a must. Stop dangerous behavior before injuries occur and teach safe play rules:
- Watch the Swings: Don’t let a child run behind or in front of someone who's swinging.
- Encourage Sharing: Make sure children take turns.
- Make Sure the Playset is Dry: Don't let children play on a wet playset.
- Maintain Friendly Play: Prevent shoving, pushing and roughhousing.
Maintaining Outdoor Play Structures
Your manual should provide maintenance steps, but here are some general tips:
- Tighten loose fasteners and ensure there are caps on protruding bolts.
- Make sure guardrails or other barriers are intact.
- Replace worn and damaged parts.
- Sand any rough areas.
- Maintain the correct depth of fill material.
- Clean the playset components with dish soap or an appropriate all-purpose cleaner.
- Take down swinging components and ropes or chains before winter and inspect them before reinstalling in the spring.
- Lubricate the swing hangers every spring.
- Manufacturers might recommend protecting wood components with a wood sealer.
Create Memories With the Best Playset for Your Child
Give your child a place to play, learn social skills and expand creativity while forming memories that last a lifetime. Here are the key points to remember when shopping for an outdoor playset:
- Consider the materials, size and cost that work best for you and your family.
- Look for a playset that lets you add or adjust activities.
- You need a level, unobstructed space for the structure and the safe zone around it.
- Following the assembly instructions, add a safe fill material and periodically inspect the structure.
- Make sure everyone is playing safely while enjoying the playset.
Shop Lowes.com for your new outdoor playset, as well as the tools and materials you need to create your backyard playground. If you don’t want to do it yourself, let us install your new playset or swing set. Stop by your local Lowe’s and talk to a Lowe’s Red Vest Associate. They can help you find the perfect playset, show you everything you need to install it or help you set up installation. Whether you do it yourself or let us install your new playset, we’ll help you start creating memories with your family.
Outdoor Playset FAQ
What Should I Consider When Choosing a Playset for Outdoor Spaces?
When shopping for an outdoor playset, consider the playset material, size and the activities. Metal requires minimal maintenance, wood is durable and blends well with a landscape and plastic is softer and resists the elements well. Make sure you have a level, open space large enough for the structure and the recommended safety zone. Choose activities that fit your child’s interests and are appropriate for their age.
Are Backyard Playground Sets Easy to Install at Home?
A do-it-yourselfer with moderate experience and the right tools can install a backyard playground or playset by following the manufacturer’s assembly and safety instructions. Make sure you have the necessary space, plan for the time required and enlist a helper. If you don’t have time to do it yourself, let us install your new playset.
Which Backyard Playground Sets Are Best for Small Outdoor Spaces?
A small playset designed for up to three children can be a good choice for small outdoor spaces. These outdoor playsets might include a couple of swings and a trapeze or small slide, offering different activities and room for siblings or friends.