Outdoor playsets foster necessary social, confidence, and physical skills. When you’re looking for the best outdoor playsets for kids, it’s important to keep those factors in mind. For our list, we thoroughly checked out reviews from parents like yourself and took into consideration several features. These include the number of activities on the playset, safety, longevity, durability, etc. Take a look below to discover what we concluded to be the top 10.
10. Cedar Summit Premium Wooden Swing Set
What we like:
- Adjustable swing height
- Fun sandbox area
- Roof canopy
What we don’t like:
- Low-quality wood
- Not easy to assemble
- Chalkboard safety issue
Recommendation: This Cedar Wood Swing Set is one of the best outdoor playsets for kids generally under the age of seven. It has a fun lower sandbox section in addition to the swings and slide, so kids have a number of things to keep them busy. The canopy is a nice touch to help shade children in the warmer months. However, the chalkboard presents a safety issue as it’s only in place with vinyl and kids can potentially tear through.
9. Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Set
What we like:
- Easy for young kids to climb up/down
- Bolt to the ground
- Simple to add-on/remove swings
What we don’t like:
- Smaller than anticipated
- Screws can loosen
- Struggle with assembly
Recommendation: This is a brand who knows how to make products for kids, and this Clubhouse Swing Set is no exception. It features the likes of two swings, a slide, a climbing wall, and even a rope ladder. Kids should have little difficulty using this. The swings are even easy to replace with infant ones, if needed. This does appear a bit too small though as young children are bound to outgrow it around kindergarten. Also, the screws loosen, but it stays sturdy when bolted.
8. ECR4Kids Tree Top Climb and Slide
What we like:
- Indoor & outdoor design
- Back safety barrier
- Optional table set-up
What we don’t like:
- Thin plastic
- Hard to climb ladder
- Lightweight
Recommendation: A fun playset for young kids, this is designed for use both indoor and outdoor. It has a number of cool features such as the safety barrier to prevent kids from falling backward and the choice to install a table by the lower bench. The two side ladders could be better as some kids may have difficulties grabbing hold. Also, even with sand, this multi-use playset has the potential to move.
7. Ironkids Kids Outdoor Playground
What we like:
- Variety
- Well-built frame
- Can move sections around
What we don’t like:
- Low-quality canopy
- Tough to install some parts
- Slide isn’t always easy to go down
Recommendation: This set from Ironkids is one of the best outdoor playsets for kids that can be broken down and moved for more versatile playing. The trampoline can be taken anywhere if desired. However, it is a bit tough to put the trampoline together. It does have a nice sun canopy over the swings for protection, but it blows away easily and is prone to tearing.
6. Step2 Skyward Summit
What we like:
- Four separate climbing surfaces
- Stable for multiple kids
- Can be used as a fort
What we don’t like:
- Rope ladder a bit short
- Not an easy building experience
- Some pieces might not fit
Recommendation: This is a great outdoor playset that can be used to instill confidence and get kids used to exercise. It features four different climbing surfaces to challenge kids, which also allows for more than one to play on it at a time. The rope ladder is a tad bit small though. Underneath this climbing set an opening to see through the top, and with the flag, kids can pretend it’s a fort. It may take some time to put together, but it’s worth it in the end.
5. Backyard Discovery Skyfort II
What we like:
- Numerous of things to interact with
- Picnic table and bench
- Tall enough for older kids/adults
What we don’t like:
- Swings are a bit too close together
- Low-quality slide construction
- Difficult to build
Recommendation: Backyard Discovery has created a large playset where kids of all ages can find something to play on. There are the monkey bars, rock climbing wall, two-person swing glider, additional two swings, and a slide. The slide isn’t the best built as it can break, but replacing should be no issue. It has plenty of headspace for older children to play on and for adults to walk through.
4. Step2 Clubhouse Climber
What we like:
- Handrails
- Good size to grow with
- Sturdy construction
What we don’t like:
- Very short slides
- Poor instructions
- May be missing some parts
Recommendation: This playset is designed especially for younger toddlers. It can grow well with a child up to around kindergarten. By then, however, it will be too small, especially the slides that are too short to begin with. The Step2 Clubhouse Climber does have two good handrails by the steps to assist with climbing and prevent any falls.
3. ECR4Kids Indoor/Outdoor Buccaneer Play Boat
What we like:
- Brightly colored
- Imagination-stimulating
- Super easy to install
What we don’t like:
- Not for independent play
- Lacks durability
- Could be sturdier
Recommendation: One of the best outdoor playsets for kids that push the use of imagination, this pirate boat is sure to get your kids excited. This play boat has a cool pirate flag along with a movable steering wheel. It’s as easy for a young toddler to play with as it is for children around five or six. Independent play may be tough as the safety rails on top are too short. Also, it can tip over if pushed too hard.
2. Lifetime Big Stuff Adventure Play Set
What we like:
- Large variety of activities
- Weather-resistant
- Solid, sturdy build
What we don’t like:
- Climbing wall holes don’t all align
- Installation is a bit tough
- Coating on swing chains can get sticky
Recommendation: With the Big Stuff Adventure Playset, your child can experience a number of various activities from swinging to rock climbing. There’s a chalk wall inside, binoculars, a wheel, etc. They’re sure not to run out of things to do with this. It can be a pain to install, especially as the parts aren’t labeled. The set should last a good deal of time though as it’s sturdy and weather-resistant.
1. Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber
What we like:
- Heavy-duty construction
- Good weight capacity
- Good portability
What we don’t like:
- Potential to rust
- Coating hurts the grip capabilities
- Tough product assembly
Recommendation: The best outdoor playsets for kids is one that looks simple, but can bring about hours of fun. This Dome Climber is built with remarkably tough material so that it last longer, but some parts are still prone to rust. It’s sturdy enough that it can withstand a good amount of weight (about 600lbs) so a few kids can play on it at once. You can even move it easy enough around your yard as needed. There is a coating on the bars that makes it tough to grip sometimes.
Conclusion
Finding the best outdoor playsets for kids may be intimidating as there are so many to look at, but our list is here to help you narrow down your search. What works best for you will be determined by what you feel will better suit your child. Another thing you can try in case you need something you can use in the yard for your youngster to play on is a baby trampoline. Have you purchased any of these? If so, let us know how it all worked out in a comment below!
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