Outdoor play sets provide a great way for your kids to develop their strength and
balance and to have hours of fun imaginative play. Today, options abound in terms
of play sets. Whether you want a simple plastic play set for your toddler to climb
on or a larger set that would put your city's park to shame, you are likely to find
the perfect play set to meet the needs of both you and your children.
Choosing the right play set requires a lot of research because of the many options
available. In many cases, purchasing a play set represents a major financial outlay
for families. You want to be confident that the choice you make is not just right
for your pocketbook but that it is what your children want and need as well. When
looking for a play set, consider:
Who and How It Will Be Used
Other factors to consider is how long will your child/children use the set? How
many kids will use it? Do they like to swing, slide, or climb? What do your kids
enjoy in a play set, i.e. swings, slides, ropes, bars etc. The beauty of many of
the play sets today is that they can be customized to change and grow with your
kids. As your kids mature and their tastes change, so can your play set.
Safety
While safety may not be paramount in the thoughts of children when they view their
playground equipment, it definitely is for parents. Safety is definitely a primary
concern. Each year, more than 200,000 children go to the emergency room with injuries
associated with playground equipment. Most are related to falls from the equipment
to the ground. Many can be easily prevented. Items to check include the hardware;
are there any open "S" hooks or protruding bolt ends? Does the equipment have any
sharp edges or points? Are there any spaces that could trap children, such as openings
in guardrails or between ladder rungs? Does the play set have any metal accessories
(slides, monkey bars, etc.) made of any metals that can reach temperatures high
enough to cause serious contact burn injuries when used? Different play sets and
manufacturers offer different safety features so check them out thoroughly before
purchasing.
Yard Layout
The size, slope and layout of your yard will factor into your final decision. You
do not want a play set that overpowers the layout of your yard, but instead compliments
your yard and overall home appeal. In short, you want the right fit for the size
of your yard.
Also, it is important that you have enough level space suited for a play set. If
your yard is rocky or sloping in several places, you may need to landscape that
section of the yard prior to assembling the unit. Consider other issues such as
drainage and the type of material that will be used under and around the play set. In
other words, is grass adequate for breaking any potential spills or should you pad
the surface with sand, wood chips, etc.? With statistics showing us that 70 percent
of play set injuries are caused by falls to the ground, the type of impact-absorbing
surface that you have under the play set is definitely an important consideration.
Warranty
The type of warranty protection provided is another factor to consider when
searching. It's important to know exactly what type of warranty is being offered
and what the company will cover. Is it a five year warranty or a lifetime warranty?
Do they warrant against faulty parts only or is their warranty more extensive? Since
you expect your play set to last for the long haul, you need a warranty that will
ensure you are protected for the long-term.
Materials
Materials and their durability will play a large role in your decision. Playground
set frames are typically made out of three types of materials: plastic, metal and
wood. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages which will be discussed in
a moment. The type of material not only effects the price tag, but can potentially
effect how long your kids can use it.
Outdoor play sets come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can include such accessories
as a swings, slides, ropes, bars, cubbies, sandpits and forts. The nice thing about
many of these play sets is that you can customize them to suit your needs. You
might decide to start out with just the basics like a swing and small slide, but
can easily add on more features as your child/children grown. Here is a brief overview
of the types of play sets and a few recommendations in each category to get you
started.
Plastic
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Plastic is a common material used in toddler outdoor play sets. These types of outdoor
play sets come in several bright colors and finishes, are relatively safe and easy
to set up and portable enough to move around your yard. They are also great for
small yards that are limited on space. The down side is that they do require some
assembly and most children tend to outgrow them by the age of 4 or 5.
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These molded plastic units generally range in size from 53 inches in both length and
depth and 48 inches in height. There are large plastic one-piece play sets that
can include several levels with a play area underneath. This kind of mini-unit measures
about 70" x 46" x 83", which still does not take up a lot of yard area.
A couple of fun suggestions that can occupy your kids for hours include CarePlay's
Lighthouse Climber. It looks just like the beacon of light that brought
ships safely home. Youngsters can climb, explore and have tons of fun. Some play
sets like the Endless Adventures™ Playcenter Playground by Little Tykes can even
look like wood when they actually are plastic. Kids will have a ball on its big
four-foot-high platform and enclosed fort. The multiple-station swing set has two
swings and a two-person glider to accommodate all of your children's friends.
Metal
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Quality metal play sets are usually constructed from thick gauge, galvanized steel,
which is rust resistant and very strong. Metal play sets are also more cost efficient
when compared to their wooden cousins. However, metal sets do not last as long as
the wood sets. Often, the weather and use will wear them down faster, and while
metal sets are sturdy, they are no match for the strength of most wooden sets. Additionally,
the average metal play set can usually only support about 75 lbs. per child whereas
the wood play set supports about 120 lbs. or more per child. This could potentially
impact just how long your children would be able to enjoy the equipment.
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Flexible Flyer's
Swing Time Metal Swing Set is built for those who love to swing. It includes
two kid comfort swings, a trapeze swing, a triple sky glider swing, a new Big Foot
swing and a double wall plastic slide. The
Surfboard Metal Swing Set by Kettler is designed for fun, but has safety
in mind. This particular model comes with several accessory add-ons such as a gondola
swing, board swing and a slide. It includes a five-year warranty against fading.
Also by Kettler is the
Trimmstation Metal Swing Set. This set includes a horizontal ladder, board
swing, climbing rope, swinging bar and monkey bars. An optional slide attachment
can be added. This model is designed for ages 3 and up and can hold a maximum weight
of 300 lbs.
Wood
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Wooden play sets are sturdier than most metal play sets. As mentioned, they can
support more weight per child than a metal set. Additionally, a wooden swing set
will typically last longer than its metal counterpart. Depending on the type of
lumber and whether or not it is pressure treated, some wooden swing sets can include a guarantee for usage ranging between 10 and 25 years. If you want a more natural
look for your backyard or more variety in your set design, then you can't beat wood.
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Unfortunately, if you favor a wood-framed play set, you will find that cost will
be a major factor. Since price is often the first consideration and hurdle, many
buyers may be turned off by its higher price tag. However with wood, you will most
likely get your money's worth in terms of long-life, safety and enjoyment.
In considering what type of wood you should select, you should consider that cedar
and redwood are often the preferred choices in wood. These woods are low maintenance
because they naturally resist rot and insects and do not require sealing. While
pine, fir and spruce are less expensive, they do require more work to maintain their
resistance to the elements. More importantly, know that pine is one of the softest
woods there is and the frame may not be the most durable. Soft woods also tend to
deteriorate from the inside out - a fact you are not always aware of because you
can not see it.
While pressure treated lumber is great in terms of offering waterproofing and longer
life, it can be dangerous if treated with harmful chemicals. Always ask what the
wood has been treated with and be sure to avoid such treatments that contain arsenic
or chromium.
For families who want convenience, the Landmark
Wood Complete Ready-to-Build Play Set includes everything you need to produce
the sounds of joy and laughter in your backyard. All cut lumber and accessories
are included in this action packed play set kit. Landmark's time saving bracket
system, and fully illustrated plans allow this play set to be built in 3 to 6 hours!
Accessories include: 25 time saving brackets, a 2 piece summit slide, 8 rock climbing
walls, a pirate's ladder, cliff climber, swing seat, outrigger swing, disc swing,
periscope, steering wheel and two-tone canopy.
The
Hampton Wood Swing Set by Creative features ample headroom and a long list
of safety and play features. With this set you are ready for years of backyard fun.
It includes a sturdy set of swing beam monkey bars, an 8 wrung slide rope ladder,
access ladders, a built-in sandbox, a belt swing, acrobatic swing and a rocket rider.
If your kids love forts, then they will enjoy the
Alp Sky Ranch Wood Swing Set by Big Backyard. This set includes two -- count
them -- two play forts, two slides, a five deck high rail spiral slide ladder with
tower access, a belt swing, acrobatic swing, glider swing, overhead monkey bars
and a lower sandbox rope ladder.
Most play sets are built to last. Depending on the type of material you choose and
the various add-ons you select, you could easily find yourself spending upwards
of four to five thousand dollars for one of those large, full-featured play sets.
While you may have sticker shock over the prospect of paying that much, it's important
to remember that if you plan correctly, your play set will likely be a one-time
purchase. In other words, it can be adapted to suit the needs of your children,
at any age, and to grow with them.
There are several good models starting as low as $300; however, expect to pay $750
to $1,000 or more for a good unit with the basics. Also expect to pay more for sets
with more features and for wooden-framed play sets which have a higher price tag
when compared to metal and plastic sets.