There are many sizes of outdoor playgrounds and slides, some are very large that cost around forty thousand dollars and some are as low as five hundred dollars. Whether you are a church looking for a good plastic and metal swingset or a school looking to purchase a very expensive and fun playground, their are many choices today on the market. The variety of outdoor playground slides and sets range from choo choo trains to fire trucks and very large castle like structures. They can have large slides that twist and turn, made of metal or plastic. The imagination really is up the playground designer. The sky is the limit. Plain metal swing sets and straight metal slides are not as popular as they used to be, but they are still manufactured.

The first thing that needs to be completed is measuring the area that the playground is to be installed. Decide how tall you want the slide or playground to be and then decide your budget for the project and see if the size of the playground will match the funds available. The installation of the playground is another cost. After installation, a safe surface for the kids to play on needs to be installed.

When buying a commercial sized playground and slide, colors vary, and you may even be able to choose the color of the mulch. Customizing your playground is fun and enjoyable. You can begin with a simple design then work it into a larger and better playground. Most people opt for the designing their playgrounds instead of buying a large structure that is prepackaged. Adding slides and climbers as time goes on can make it an ever changing model and an almost evolutionary project. Kids may even enjoy watching and experiencing this change.

Remember when this is installed that there will be a large amount of children who initially play on it and as time goes by there will be less. If this structure is located in a school ground or a public park then expect a constant flow of kids on a weekly basis. Installing public playground benches around the playground will give parents a place to watch their kids. Of course, if these large installations bring kids from all over, then bathrooms and water fountains need to be installed too.

Every community has their needs and when deciding the cost you have to balance out the whole cost of the project including installation, shipping and tax to the importance of having an area for kids to come to play. For most people cost isn’t the issue. Keeping our kids happy, healthy and safe is the goal for most.

Simple swingsets have been a common mainstay for years. The triangular shaped metal swingsets made kids happy, but now with all the extras they can really play and play hard. Some of the most popular accessories come in small packages. Rockwalls are forever popular and can be purchased online through many means including ebay. Rock wall rocks are plastic footholds that can be positioned in a easy to climb manner. They can really test the agility and prowess of a child, not to mention challenging their fear of heights. Of course for the beginner rock wall climber parents are usually backing up the kids as they make there way upwards.

Another popular accessory is the tire swing.Just looking at the way kids play you will usually fnd them turning in circles pushing each other until they get too dizzy. You can purchase a tire swing with all the proper hardware material.

Tic toe spinner panels hold interest for kids also, but for only a short time. usually they hold about five minutes of there attention then they go about running and expending energy. Usually these items get old and stained losing their luster after awhile.

Fireman poles are always being used and a great way for kids to “get away” from their captors when playing hide and go seek. When getting chased they seem to be a quick way down to the ground. One of the best but not seen too often is the tracking system. Its a trackline that is built so when the child grabs the handle they literally slide and ride to about 20 – 30 feet

Of course for those items that are used quite a bit then their will always be accessories that just don’t get any attention. These in no particular order are: outdoor swing set steering wheels, plastic telescopes and flag kits. Seems to be one of those items that get just a few seconds of joy.

Back to the schoolyard once again swinging on the swings and feeling carefree. Memories of childhood come back every once in awhile and I find myself remembering all the fun times during recess. There were plenty of times that we were on those outdoor playground slides so high looking down to the ground as the hard black top stared back menacingly, unlike today with all the soft  playground rubber materials and mulch varieties. We have become more aware of the kids injuries, whether from liabilities or from that we are just a little wiser, either way the kids benefit.

Who would of thought we would have such expensive swing sets. Schools have dipped into there funds and have purchased swingsets  for tens of thousands of dollars. Back when kids had harder heads and blacktop was the base for the playground the schools would purchase a very low priced swing set and let the kids go at it.

Commercial swingsets are finding there way into every aspect of our life.  Whether they are in school playgrounds or at a public park , they are a gathering place for all kinds of children. They give the parents a chance to enjoy the playtime and the kids have a chance to use the energy that they have.

The Strong Design of a Timber Set

Planning an area for a swingset of this size takes a little time to survey of the area. Make sure the area is flat. You may want to mark off the land that will be occupied with wooden markers and a string especially if the set is very large. Small  timber swingsets are cheaper, but since they are not big as the 4 x 8 lumber that the larger ones come with, they are not as able to counteract the stresses that children put on them. Initially they are affordable but as the child gets older they will make the swing set move and sway.  A large four by eight timber structure will make the set much stronger and will last longer too.  This becomes more evident when children from the neighborhood come to play. When five or six children jump on one swingset they will make the wood stress out.  The large wood timbers will not only support the stress but it will be heavy enough as a whole to keep the swingset from moving.

These swingsets are popular even in a slow economy. The combination of heavy wood, shaded rooftops and various activity attachments make it a fun and playful time. Swings,slides, rock climbing wall, climbing rocks all add to the fun and excitement.

Purchasing a large timber swing set can be expensive, but there are options beyond having the company you purchase it from assemble it. The more expensive company backed sets usually come with a warranty, so any damage by insects the parts can be replaced at no cost, but on the down side the swingsets can cost from 10,000 dollars or more. Kits can be purchased for a fraction of the amount of the expensive swingsets. Swing set kits come with parts and directions for assembly.

Swing sets come in different sizes and shapes.  Whether they are large commercial type swing sets for playgrounds and churches or a small swing set that encompass just a  swing or two, they can be made from metal,wood, or plastic.

Wooden outdoor play sets are usually large and a little more expensive than  the smaller metal type.  Wooden swingsets are good because of the strong structure, the pleasing look they have and they don’t get too hot when touched on a hot day like metal swing sets.  The disadvantage of wooden swing sets is that they can give splinters when they get older, and can be a home for carpenter bees.  Carpenter bees and woodpeckers can really damage a wooden swingset.  So if price does not matter, you would like a more luxurious swingset and you want a very strong structure, then wood is the best choice.

Metal swing sets are good all around and simple to use and look at, also they are a lot cheaper then their wood counterparts.  As a child sing sets were made primarily of metal.  Metal swing sets have lasted for many years.  As a child they were fun and simple and were perfect for play time. Everything back then was hard including the ground they were placed onto.
Along with their strength the residential swing sets are affordable and easy to assemble.

Plastic swing sets or play systems are easy to move an affordable also. they can be small enough to put in area where space is limited or they can be a little bigger and have a theme whereby kids can create
and imagine themselves in another era. Assembly can be as easy as snapping them into each other.

Residential swing sets nowadays are built like their commercial counterparts but a little smaller in size.  Price tags for swing sets of this caliber range from eight hundred to ten thousand dollars or more, picking out the size type and design all depends on your financial situation. Sometimes buying a new swingset may not be the best choice, because sometimes if you are lucky you can find an expensive swing set used for about one third of its cost. The only downside, depending on the size it can be hard to move.

Large plastic swing sets can hold a lot of children. The stronger models will hold around over twenty children. They come in many designs like castles, forts or just a down sized version of the larger swing sets that you would find in a commercial or school playground.  They can be easily expanded, because you can buy separate pieces as the child gets bigger or needs to have a larger space to explore.

The high quality plastic swing sets that are on the market today are strong enough to last a long time.  Although they can fade when they age they can be a cheaper substitute then the metal or wooden ones.
When buying plastic swing sets make sure you ask about the longevity and the type of plastic they use to manufacture them.  Make sure they are UV protected for sun protection and longer life of the product.

So in conclusion these types of sets are good for the toddlers from ages two to five years old, they are durable, colorful and can last a long time if someone takes care of them.  Larger swingsets are built to withstand outdoor weathering due to the UV protection and the smaller ones should be brought indoors to keep out of the sun.  They are used effectively for churches who have Sunday school or classes during the day for preschoolers.
Nothing brings greater joy than a toddler or a child smiling and seeing their eyes light up with the enjoyment of playtime.

It is a difficult decision to make,but a worthwhile one.  Don’t forget in your decision to buy one of these wooden swing sets that you may have the option to resell it.  Since they are so durable and long lasting they will probably stay in he same condition that they were initially purchased.  To keep your wooden swingset in prime condition you may need to stain it depending on what kind of wood it was built with. Redwood and cedar can be  stained. Buying a quality wooden swing set made of large 4x4s’ should last for a long time, like any item you buy, the longevity of it usually correlates to the quality.  Wooden swing sets can be bought with thick 4×4 wood lumber or you could buy it with small 1×4 or 1×6 lumber. The swing sets that you find at a local do it yourself center will usually be small lumber type sets.  The other option is to buy direct from a specialty company that manufactures them and solely profits on them.  They will be better in construction and will usually have some type of warranty on them. They can install them too and will for a small fee reinstall them if you move.  A Big backyard swing set that are this large and expensive can be left at your home  and may be a way to sell your home easier.

Wood Boring Carpenter Bees

Some of the disadvantages of a wooden swingset is the problem with wood boring bees. Depending on where you live you might have a problem with these pests.  The bees can find a swing set in a geographic area or in a city and just a few cities over not be active. They can destroy swingsets fast if they are ignored. The carpenter bees can drill into the wood fast and can penetrate making a catacomb of tunnels. Trying to chase them away and kill them is a twenty four hour battle.  If you don’t find a nest in time the wood peckers can add to the damage and peck their way into the wood to find the bees. Plugging up the holes with steel wool and spraying them is very time consuming and usually the bees always win.  Find a good reputable bug service to spray bi monthly to keep them out.

It is important to remember your local city codes, because they will sometimes prohibit large wooden structures like these.  Also remember your neighbors and the view they may have, try to discuss this so they will not complain or find your swingset offensive.

To get your wood you will need to go to your local wood supplier. Usually 2×4 and 4×4′s are needed to create a strong structure that can hold a lot of weight. The lumber you buy should be pressure treated to withstand the weather. Don’t buy any of type wood to do the project, because it might cost you more money in the long run. Talk to the wood supplier to see what type of lumber they suggest for swing sets.  Typically its treated pine. Pick your timber so you don’t get warped or curved pieces.    Remember that pressure treated lumber is infused with a waterborne substance that protects it from wood boring insects such as carpenter bees and termites. It is called AQC and it has been tested for safety for people and animals.  A decision has to be made when purchasing a wooden swing set kit. You will have to balance the risk of exposing your kids to this chemical or exposing your child to a bug service to exterminate the bees and termites if they attack your playground.  Pressure treated lumber also has a tendency to warp.

When buying an outdoor swing set kit, plans and parts are supplied with directions to make the job an easier project.  Bolts, nuts, hinges, hangers and brackets all get counted and packaged together with the kit you buy.  Ideally you should have around three people to help you but two can handle just about any job.