When you were a kid, did you have an outdoor wooden swing in the garden? I bet you did. Most kids had a backyard swing set back in the days before computers and games consoles took over the world. These days, wooden swing sets have been overtaken by plastic versions, which is a real shame because a wood trumps plastic every time.
Traditional wooden swing sets look great and are very durable. They blend into the scenery a lot better than a gaudy red and green plastic swing, which makes them a better choice if you care what your garden looks like. Wooden swing sets are also fun! Kids can play alone, or with their friends. It gets them out of the house and into the fresh air, encourages social play and keeps them active. What more could a parent ask for?
A wooden swing set will last for many years, so once your little one is all grown up, the grandkids can play on it. So if a new swing set sounds like a smart investment, here is our guide to the best wooden swing sets for kids.
9 of the Best Wooden Swing Sets for Kids
 | Swing-N-Slide Orbiter Swing Set | Check price at |
 | Cedar Summit Brookridge Cedar Wooden Play Swing Set | Check price at |
 | Backyard Discovery Skyfort II All Cedar Wood Swing Set Lowest Price | Check price at |
 | Suncast Vista Outdoor Swing and Play Set | Check price at |
1. Swing-N-Slide Orbiter Swing Set
The Swing-N-Slide Orbiter swing set is lots of fun. Made from maintenance free timber with a five-year warranty, this classic swing set includes two swings and a trapeze bar combo. The design is very strong with cross braces for extra support, so you don’t need to worry that the swing set will fall apart under a lot of heavy use. The design meets or exceeds ASTM safety standards.
2. Cedar Summit Brookridge Cedar Wooden Play Swing Set
If you want a super wooden swing set activity center for the kids, the Cedar Summit Brookridge cedar wooden play swing set is a great buy. This swing set ticks a lot of boxes for parents and is the perfect addition to any larger garden. It offers nine different play activities, including a slide, swing, playhouse, ladder and monkey bars. The tarp keeps kids dry if it rains and the extra safe construction means your kids can play without incident. The playset is really easy to put together.
3. Backyard Discovery Skyfort II All Cedar Wood Swing Set
Wooden swing sets are the kind of activity center all kids love. The Backyard Discovery Skyfort II is made from solid cedar wood and features a whole host of different activities. Kids can swing on the swings, climb into the wooden fort, play on the slide and have fun on the monkey rings. There is even a challenging rock-climbing wall. This wooden swing set will definitely feed their imaginations and is one of the best wooden swing sets we have come across.
4. Swing-N-Slide Equinox Swing Set
The Swing-N-Slide Equinox swing set is a classic design that is guaranteed to appeal to kids. The wooden guard posts are maintenance free and come with a five-year warranty; it also meets or exceeds ASTM safety standards. This swing set is really easy to set up and once assembled, is a lot sturdier than a metal swing. The set includes two swings and all the necessary hardware for a smooth assembly. Your kids will love it!
5. Backyard Discovery Santa Fe All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set
The Backyard Discovery Santa wooden swing and playset is made from all cedar wood. It features two classic belt swings, an 8-foot slide, a playset glider and a sandbox with a mesh cover to keep out wildlife. Kids can climb up into the fort and slide back down again. There is also a rock-climbing wall with a wavy structure. Your kids and their friends will have a ball playing and developing their motor skills all summer long. It is a fantastic swing and climb set for families with several children or grandchildren.
6. Fortune Bliss Backyard Swing Set
The Fortune Bliss backyard swing set has lots of cool activities to keep up to six kids entertained. The swing set is made from solid cedar wood with a bronze finish. It includes two belt swings, a trapeze bar, a stepladder and rock-climbing wall. There is also a sandpit beneath the wooden fort for younger kids to dig in. This is a fun outdoor playset for the whole family. You don’t need any special tools to put it together and the set comes with a five-year warranty on the wood.
7. Classic Cedar Swing Set from Eastern Jungle Gym
The classic cedar swing set from Eastern Jungle Gym is ideal for smaller families. The swing set is made from 100% natural cedar. It is easy to assemble thanks to a simple 1-2-3 bracket construction system. The set includes two sling swings with plastic coated chains, plus a trapeze bar and ring combo for adventurous kids. This swing set is sturdy enough to handle adults, so make sure your kids let you have a play.
8. Suncast Vista Outdoor Swing and Play Set
The Suncast Vista outdoor swing playset is a cool wooden playset made from resin and wood. It features two sling swings and a ring/trapeze bar combo, a multi-position climbing wall and a seven-foot slide. The handles and brackets are all made from powder-coated steel for extra longevity. There is also a bi-level platform and playhouse for imaginative play.
9. Cypress Swing Set by Creative Playthings
The Cypress Swing Set by Creative Playthings comes with a five-foot high play deck, a sandbox, sling swings, ring trapeze bar, tic-tac-toe, steering wheel, chalkboard and numerous other activity toys. The main structure is made from southern yellow pine and treated with non-toxic preservative whilst the activity toys are made from plastic and corrosion resistant metal. This is a fantastic wooden swing set and activity center for large families.
Wooden swing sets make the perfect garden accessory, so if your kids are all grown up and no longer use their old swing playset, why not invite the grandkids over to play on it!
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, Brian Smithson (Old Geordie).