Encourage kids into the outdoors this summer, with a swing set or climbing frame that brings the fun of the park into their own garden.
The best playsets combine a few activities – usually a climbing frame, swing and slide at the least. Others have extras that are more suited to different interests, and some can be customised or added to over time to keep them interesting.
Safety comes first with all kids’ buys, and there are a number of quality and safety tests you can check your product conforms to. Wood structures should be treated to be durable outdoors, and may even come with a guarantee for peace of mind.
Most playsets are self-assembled, and can take from five hours to a day to put together, requiring much more time and patience than a piece of flat-pack furniture. Ask a DIY-loving friend or relative to help, and check first with the retailer how long your chosen set takes to put together.
1. Plum Products Discovery Woodland Treehouse: £399.99, Very
Made to get your little ones appreciating nature, this playhouse includes a built-in potted garden, bamboo wind chime and a chute for watering plants. It combines the usual playhouse elements – a 6ft wave slide and climbing ramp – with unusual extras designed to make learning and engaging with the outdoors fun. It’s suitable for ages 3 and up.
2. Maxifort Frontier Climbing Frame: £629.99, Dunster House
Adventures are limitless with this playset that includes wave slide, two swings, monkey bars and a mini climbing wall. There are also a number of optional extras such as a ship’s wheel or telescope to upgrade or switch out as your kids grow. Safety is top priority: this set has been independently tested and includes steel ground anchors. The timber frame is pressure treated and comes with a 10-year guarantee.
3. TP Early Fun Play Centre: £249.99, TP Toys
It’s not just the over-three’s that can get in on the garden fun, this centre is designed for toddlers and babies from 6 months up to enjoy. Coming with a foldaway swing seat, slide and table sandpit, the frame is made from FSC certified European wood and is covered by a 5 year guarantee. It’s a good compact design that can be secured with ground stakes.
4. Wickey StarFlyer Climbing Frame: £429.95, Wickey
The Flyer series from Wickey has a range of options to suit budget, size and desired features. At the pricier end is the StarFlyer, which packs in an impressive amount of play features: a swing, rope ladder, climbing net, climbing wall, sandpit and slide. The tower has an all-weather tarpaulin roof that comes in customisable colours. The stargazing telescope is a lovely extra touch.
5. Fat Moose CleverClimber Club XXL: £299.95, Fat Moose
For seriously sporty kids, this climbing set includes a vertical climbing wall, and the option to add a basketball ring. The rope ladder and long tumble bar encourage play that develops strength and balance. The CleverClimber has a lot to offer for the price, and is quality and safety tested. The structure is compact and there are few options to adapt its use over time.
6. Toys R Us Smoby Swingset Playhouse: £399.99, Toys R Us
Smoby’s playhouse is bright and attractive. Made in thick plastic, it lacks the sturdy feel of wood, but is suitably unintimidating for the intended age group of 2 to 5 years. The house has opening doors and shutters, and there’s a 70cm slide to scoot down and clamber up. The swing has a baby seat which can be transformed into a standard seat when needed.
7. Plum Pyramid Wooden Climbing Frame with Swings: £749.99, Early Learning Centre
This army-style climbing frame should test even the most energetic kids. Made for 3-12 year olds, there’s a cargo net, climbing wall, wave slide and two swing seats. The structure is made from FSC certified timber. The camouflage fabric den is a fun addition for inspiring imaginative play. This set has a year’s warranty and takes two adults five hours to assemble.
8. Chad Valley Large Multiplay: £109.99, Argos
Featuring a saucer swing, as well as a slide and den, this set is made of weather-resistant galvanised steel. For ages three and up, the design has fabric elements that keep it lightweight compared to wood versions. Ground anchors are provided to keep it secure. This budget buy takes a while to assemble, so you may want to rope in some extra helping hands.
9. Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Set: £331.49, Toys R Us
The brand we love for its yellow and red car, offers this colourful swing set for kids aged two to five years. It’s made in chunky plastic, which gives it a friendly profile for younger ones. There’s a fun steering wheel and crawling tunnel, as well as the usual swings, slide and rope ladder. The set must be anchored to keep it safe.
The Verdict: Children’s swing sets and climbing frames
Ideal for younger ones, the Discovery Woodland Treehouse by Plum Products is a charming set that encourages learning about nature as much as play. Its natural wood, muted colours and compact size mean it’s not too much of an eyesore in the garden for mum and dad too. For older kids, and the more boisterous, the Maxifort Frontier Climbing Frame is a great all-rounder that will keep kids and their friends busy for hours.
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