Need Help- Looking to Purchase Backyard Swingset...

We have a Child Life set (http://www.childlife.com/) handed down to us from a neighbor. It's about 12 years old and is in GREAT shape even. I would recommend it.

I know Menards has rubber mulch, they also have the wooden play yards, more affordable than Rainbow. I don't think any of the play sets in cluded the ground surface. But my neighbor did buy the rubber mulch and it's great for kids.
Hope this helps,

HI S.! I got a swing set when my first boy was 1 (I now have 3 boys). We got it from a fence company. My brother got a rainbow and I thought that he was ridiculous to spend that much money! However, 6 years later, 3 boys later, and a neighborhood of kids always in our backyard, I wish that I got a rainbow. They don't break down - where as mine is falling apart! I would definitly go with the rainbow!

We got ours from Playnation in Crystal Lake. They have a showroom where you can try everything out. Request a catalog from thier website. They also have a new showroom in Antioch, IL. They are still expensive but I don't think as much as Rainbow. We got our when our first son was 2 and we are still happy with it. He is now 5 and we have a 1yo that loves it too. We paid to have them deliver and set it up. It was well worth it. Good luck.

C.

Rubber mulch is the way to go. Also, if and when picking out a swingset system ALWAYS think will it grow with my child. You don't want to spend money on things that they will outgrow in 2 years. Check Menards, they have great play systems and for a reasonable price. Especially when you can purchase other products for the system once they outgrow the old ones.

I agree with everyone else, Menards would have a much better deal, and now might even be a better time to buy because of clearance sales. But the rubber mulch you have to buy seperatly, my neighbors also put it under the wooden set they have it is much better than wood chips. But also very expensive. You know you can also check out Fox's on 111th and cicero ave. They are high but have a nice varity.

We have a Rainbow. We got it during the free installation and also got a factory second (has blemishes, but is solid quality). It has held up very well through playgroups and my sons daily usage. We really saved a ton and feel it was the best way to go!

We have a Rainbow, but only because we needed someone to install it as my husband is not at all handy- nor does he have the time. But, Costco and Sam's Club (if you are a member) sell very nice ones. Sunray (I think is the brand at Costco) is actually made by Rainbow. So, you get a nice swingset for cheaper. I don't think any swingset comes with the actual underfoot, I think you need to do that yourself. I think you can make an area with rubber mulch and you they install the swingset on top of what you already put in.

Rainbow is a high quality play set. Cedarworks and Backyard too. Costco, and Menards has the play sets too... but check out the type of wood are & the weight and age it goes up to. Pine is a soft wood not good for play sets. Cedar and Redwood are best. The Costco kind (Sams too) are like Rainbow but they are the lowest grade Rainbow and will not hold a lot of weight. My neighbor has a Costco playset and 2 girls ages 6 & 7 were swinging at same time and I thought the play set was going to fall over. My kids grandparents just offered to do the same thing for my kids and we decided on Rainbow (gets installed in 2 weeks) it was between Rainbow and Cedarworks for us, took me 1 1/2 months to research. You can save a lot of money on the smaller less expensive sets but you really will not get a use for YEARS and YEARS like the higher quality/more expensive play sets like Rainbow and Cedarworks also Backyard.

Rainbow is very expensive. You could get much more for your money going elsewhere.