Swingset Advice

[Nanu57v]

So for DD's 5th birthday last week, we told her we would get her a swingset. We coincidentally just got our tax return so we have the funds for it (obviously, or we wouldn't have told her).

So I've been searching everywhere for the best swingset...good value and sturdy. I found one I really liked from samsclub for $1000 plus shipping (or pickup) and installation, but its made in China and DH would prefer to stay away from that. So, we are looking at local places (amish made kind of stuff). I found one I LOVED for 2885. It would be about $3K installed. IMO, that is way too much to spend for a swingset, even if we have 2 kids and plan to have more. So, I'm looking for something with the same features for less. Any thoughts on this? Also, what features do your kids use and love?

 

[Nanu57v]

Wow, no replies? This has never happened to me before on the Dis.

 

[TEENEE]

When my kids were small we looked at playsets at Homedepot, Lowes, Toys R Us etc. We picked out the things we liked about each one and built our own. It ended up costing us about $500 & two days labor. If you are able to build it yourself that would be my recommendation.

I should add that was about 10 years ago.

 

[golfgal]

When our kids were little we had one similar to this:

http://shop.mobileation.com/Trimm-Station-Metal-Swing-Set-by-Kettler

Ours was from Sears and was just plain sheet metal colored though. The rest of the neighborhood had the nice Rainbow ones yet everyone played on our set for some reason. It was there when we bought the house.

I have never been a fan of the wooden sets mainly because we have had to dig out a lot of slivers from them.

 

[savannahcat]

We have the set from Sam's Club - although it is the version from 2005. It's held up extraordinarily well, especially considering the variety of weather it endures. It has a swings, a climbing wall, a slide, a playhouse, monkey bars, and space for a sand box underneath. The monkey bars are the only feature that my kids don't use regularly. We've never had a problem with splinters from the wood.

To be honest, when we purchased it, I didn't notice where it was made. I can't remember the name of the manufacturer, but I do know that they have excellent customer service. The original plastic seats for the swings developed cracks after the first summer. We called the manufacturer and they sent free replacements right away - they didn't even ask for proof of purchase.

My kids are now 6 and 4 and I can see them using the set for at least 5 more years.

 

[Nanu57v]

We have the set from Sam's Club - although it is the version from 2005. It's held up extraordinarily well, especially considering the variety of weather it endures. It has a swings, a climbing wall, a slide, a playhouse, monkey bars, and space for a sand box underneath. The monkey bars are the only feature that my kids don't use regularly. We've never had a problem with splinters from the wood.

To be honest, when we purchased it, I didn't notice where it was made. I can't remember the name of the manufacturer, but I do know that they have excellent customer service. The original plastic seats for the swings developed cracks after the first summer. We called the manufacturer and they sent free replacements right away - they didn't even ask for proof of purchase.

My kids are now 6 and 4 and I can see them using the set for at least 5 more years.

Are you my neighbor? Because she told me he same thing...and has the same swingset...and her kids are the same age...hmm.

Thanks for the advice!

ETA: Oh wait, she has boys...you must not be my neighbor. But she did mention about the broken pieces and the amazing customer service.

 

[Nanu57v]

When our kids were little we had one similar to this:

http://shop.mobileation.com/Trimm-Station-Metal-Swing-Set-by-Kettler

Ours was from Sears and was just plain sheet metal colored though. The rest of the neighborhood had the nice Rainbow ones yet everyone played on our set for some reason. It was there when we bought the house.

I have never been a fan of the wooden sets mainly because we have had to dig out a lot of slivers from them.

I like the rainbow colors...but I think metal swingsets are against our development rules...like above ground pools. The price is definitely right for those! And about splinters...I found a place that uses the fake wood...you know like for decks? Super $$$ though.

 

[RadioFanatic]

We just bought and installed this one from Walmart:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Adventure-Playsets-Sunchaser-Swing-Set/13249263

And it had free site to store shipping which other places charged about $150-200 for.

My DS loves it already!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My advice would be to buy a very good quality one. It will stand outside in all kinds of weather year round for many years and you will have children on it other than your own. Kids will do things you don't expect (like walk along the top of it when you turn your head for a moment or all climb up one side at once, lol).

We got a nice set on clearance one fall. I wasn't going to buy just then, but I couldn't resist the great price. It's been up for over 10 years now and although the swings themselves need replacement and it needs another coat of stain, the wood is as strong today as it ever was. Good luck.

 

[EllenFrasier]

Wow, no replies? This has never happened to me before on the Dis.

You probably didn't get any replies because all the readers were in shock at first that you would spend almost $3,000 on a swingset! LOL!

We bought our children a swingset and it cost $199. It is still $199 at ToysRUs. Just your basic slide, two swings, a glider, a monkey bar and some other swing with two seats opposite each other - not sure what it's called? Anyway, my kids have all used that swing set and it's held up for 15+ years. I think we got our money's worth.

 

[mjkacmom]

We have a Rainbow, and we spent about $3500 on it 7 years ago. It is, by FAR, the best investment in a play-thing we've ever made. We had a $500 Toyrsus wooden one, and it just wasn't sturdy enough once the kids got older. Ours is used on a daily basis - even in snow. Ds11 and his friends use it. My advice is to spend the $ on a quality set. Make sure there is a fort - it gets used a lot!

ETA - never a splinter!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You probably didn't get any replies because all the readers were in shock at first that you would spend almost $3,000 on a swingset!

I don't think $3K is a bad investment for something your children are going to get years of safe enjoyment from.

It's about the cost of one Disney trip.

 

[mykidsand_i]

We also have a Rainbow- I can highly recommend it! We do not have the splinter problems (the wood is high quality and we maintain it)...

A playset is a great investment. Just think of the excersize, immagination and play that takes place. We wanted to get a good quality one. Many years ago, you could buy any old set, they'd last forever. Nowdays though, with so much crap being made- it's hard to know if MOST will stay together for more than a few years.

The good thing about Rainbow is that they are made with quality in mind- they have a huge price range- and they are sold at Walmart, Sams, and from a rainbow dealership. Also, rainbow sets can be found 'used' many places- if you were to buy a new one, use it until your kids are completely grown and it's still going to be in good enough shape to re-sell!!!

 

[SaraJayne]

We also have a Rainbow- I can highly recommend it! We do not have the splinter problems (the wood is high quality and we maintain it)...

A playset is a great investment. Just think of the excersize, immagination and play that takes place. We wanted to get a good quality one. Many years ago, you could buy any old set, they'd last forever. Nowdays though, with so much crap being made- it's hard to know if MOST will stay together for more than a few years.

The good thing about Rainbow is that they are made with quality in mind- they have a huge price range- and they are sold at Walmart, Sams, and from a rainbow dealership. Also, rainbow sets can be found 'used' many places- if you were to buy a new one, use it until your kids are completely grown and it's still going to be in good enough shape to re-sell!!!

We also have a Rainbow...and as far as I know, the only place you can buy a "real" Rainbow is a dealer (or second-hand, obviously).

We chose a Rainbow because they are made in the US and the quality is fantastic. The neighbors behind us have a set that isn't Rainbow and after just a year, it looks terrible and the wood is all cracked and peeling...so they play on our Rainbow.

 

[mom2travel]

We had a rainbow too. Bought it when DS was 3 and it still looked great when we moved when he was 10. It was very sturdy, non-treated wood. Worth every penny. I believe they come with a 10-year warranty/guarantee - at least they did when we bought ours. I would not hesitate to recommend them