What to look for in a wooden play structure?

[GEM]

We want to get a nice wooden play structure for my little guy - something with a slide, a swing, and some kind of climbing thing. (He's part monkey!) We want something that will be safe, fun, well-made and last for years (maybe through a few kids)! Can anybody give me any suggestions on what to look for? Or where to look? Thanks!

 

[kaw1218]

It really depends on your budget... you can get a wooden one from costco or sams club for a few hundred dollars.... or you can get one from rainbow and pay over 3 or 4 thousand....once you have that, then you can go from there...

edited: I DON"T recommend the ones from toys r us, they to be not so sturdy no matter how many times you check all the nuts and bolts.

 

[Daxx]

The only suggestion I have is to make sure that any wood used in the playset isn't treated w/arsenic or other harmful chemicals.

Also, make sure any metal or plastic tubes that are part of the playset are capped. I don't mean the playset itself as it's wooden ... I mean the things you can attach to it (swings, monkey bar, etc.). My bro. has a wood playset and the one monkey bar thing was a metal tube w/a chain attached to the sides. The metal bar wasn't capped and bees formed a nest inside the bar. When the kids went out to use it one day, the bees started swarming out!

 

[kaw1218]

Oh be careful if the swings are rope or unprotected chain..... they can easily wrap around a childs neck, arm, leg... etc... and a neighbor had a wooden swing set with swings that were rope and the kids were getting splinter like pieces of rope in their hands.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

My parents built one for me and my brother when we were young. It is still standing today with no problems. Other that needing a power washing. I don't know the brand because I was only like 7 when we got it. It was a kit you bought of a slide and fireman's pole and the instructions. It came with a list of the lumber needed and you bought that seperate on your own. I think that was a good option because my dad "upgraded" some pieces to allow it to be a little stronger. You could also by expansion instructions for other pieces like a swing set.

Ours is a clubhouse with a tarp (which we have only replaced once). It came with a slide, fireman's pole, rope ladder and climbing rope. We added a small section for some rings. We also bought a bridge later on and added that to the side. This thing has held up to my brother and me, my cousins, and a 100lb dog who loved to go down the slide. It has been through hurricanes, noreasters and blizzards. Me and my brother loved that clubhouse. My mom won't take it down because she is sure that her grandkids will use it too.

 

[kaw1218]

My parents built one for me and my brother when we were young. It is still standing today with no problems. Other that needing a power washing. I don't know the brand because I was only like 7 when we got it. It was a kit you bought of a slide and fireman's pole and the instructions. It came with a list of the lumber needed and you bought that seperate on your own. I think that was a good option because my dad "upgraded" some pieces to allow it to be a little stronger. You could also by expansion instructions for other pieces like a swing set.

Ours is a clubhouse with a tarp (which we have only replaced once). It came with a slide, fireman's pole, rope ladder and climbing rope. We added a small section for some rings. We also bought a bridge later on and added that to the side. This thing has held up to my brother and me, my cousins, and a 100lb dog who loved to go down the slide. It has been through hurricanes, noreasters and blizzards. Me and my brother loved that clubhouse. My mom won't take it down because she is sure that her grandkids will use it too.

Home depot and lowes sell kits like that.

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

We built a wooden one 2 years ago for our 4 children and our numerous daycare children and it is in great condition. We bought the plans and materials from Menards. It took my husband and brother-in-law 2 whiole days to build it. (Isn't my DBIL the most awesome uncle EVER!!) It kind of stunk because they had to cut all of the wood themselves and what-not but it turned out great and a million times sturdier than those kit ones that you just slap together. Ours has 2 slides, 2 forts with wooden roofs ( I didn't want to have to buy new tarps every year), a bridge that connects the 2 forts, 3 swings, 3 different types of climbing walls, a sandbox, and monkey bars. It was the best toy that I have ever bought my children. They play with it daily and have great imaginary adventures.

 

[singingpixie]

DBF has been an installer for Woodplay for two years now, and I fill in now and then in the store when the owner needs a day off. That said, their playsets are really good quality. They are 100% redwood (meaning they're naturally insect and decay resistant, no chemicals), and are constantly rated the safest, sturdiest in the industry. check out their website, there's a good variety to fit lots of budgets.