What Kind of Swing Set?

I know what not to get! We got the walmart- cheap one and after. 2 years it was not weathering well. Sorda splintery, the bar that held the swings would bow and the wood near/on the groud got bugs! I would not get one from walmart! Although I assume over time all the wooden ones would do this unless you got the real good wooden swings, like Rainbow or something. Happy swing set hunting!

We had a Rainbow play system. We bought it 19 years ago when there was very little competition out there in the wooden playsets. Rainbow was one of the first to break away from the old metal frame sets.

My husband did a lot of research to make sure 1) it was mechanically sound and very safe 2) that it was the type of lumber and paint/ stain that was not harmful to kids and 3) that the installation/ set-up was done well to prevent shaking and lifting, which can cause accidents. I was too busy with caring for 2 babies at the time, so I let him research his heart out. He is an engineer and this kind of thing floats his boat. He determined that Rainbow was the best out available.

You can go small, medium, large set ....whatever you want to spend. I can't remember what we paid 19 years ago, but I do remember how much out kids used it!!! They all loved it. The neighbors came over and played on it too, and I got to meet other moms in the area.
Once my husband (the engineer, remember?) figured out that the total price divided by hours used meant we paid about 75 cents per hour played on for 14 years. This made him happy.

We ended up selling ours for $200 about 5 years ago. It needed some clean-up and a new coat of stain, but still worked like a charm. The neighbors we sold it to still have it!

Rainbow Playscapes are GREAT! We had one for 10 years and just recently gave it to our neighbors. It needs a little work, but my kids could still use it if they wanted to.

We bought a Rainbow playset and my 2 1/2 yr old loves it. We ordered a special step ladder with rails so it is easier for her to climb. She loves the swing, and (little monkey that she is) loves the rockwall, and she loves loves the sandbox. She even uses the trapeze bar with our help of course. We actually ordered it with a picnic table but will install it later when they ( I have a 3 and 5 yr old) are over the sandbox. For my first child, we had a step 2 wooden climber which she loved, but I would have loved to have had this playset for her. I have seen others during playdates and Rainbow's seem studier...and much larger play areas. All 3 fit very well on the platform and sandbox and with lots and lots of room to spare! Rainbow has so many to choose from, I ordered the one with the less exposed open areas on the top platform. Just be prepared...with my kids being so young, especially my 2 year old, who is fearless of course, I spend most of my time outside with them...which I don't mind. They have so much fun. I do sometimes leave my 2year old outside when she is in the sandbox for while to get her lunch ready etc, but I can see the system clearly from my kitchen...so i can run out and be near by if she starts to climb.

Playgrounds of Pearland will make a custom one just for you. They have been in business for over 12 years. They come out to your house and help you design one with all that you want on it. They have a lifetime warranty too.

Check out Craigslist before you buy anything!!!

At that age I would get something smaller. He won't be able to enjoy the big wooden one for a couple of years (just swing.) Even this small one says ages 3-7. So something like this might be great for now and then at age 7 or so get the big wooden ones. http://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Playful-Playhouse-Climber...

You could get something that is only for climbing ans sliding
http://www.amazon.com/Step2-788600-Kangaroo-Climber/dp/B0...

S. mom to 4 girls ages 2-6

We have had a Rainbow for 5 years now. We bought it when our youngest two children were 3 and 1. They are now nearly 8 and 6 and both still play with it regularly and their 2 year old brother loves it as well. We have a toddler swing attached to it for him and he is able to climb the ladder to the playhouse and slide down on his own. He can also ride in the tire swing below the playhouse. Climbing the rockwall, using the trapeze bar, and swinging on the regular swings will have to wait a little while longer but there is still plenty that he can do.

We also have a Little Tykes plastic playset that was the first one we bought when our first child was just a little over a year old. He loved it when it was the only thing we had but our 2 year old now ignores the Little Tykes set and heads straight to the Rainbow.

Good luck,
K.

We just bought a swingset for our 7 month old. We realize she won't be able to use the fort or slide for a couple years, but the swingset comes with a 10 year warranty so we're not worried about it falling apart beforehand. I don't know where you live, but there is a swingset place off Beltway 8 and Clay Road called Kid Structures. We went there and they sell a few different brands of swingsets (Rainbow, Backyard Adventures) and they have an area in the back on the discontinued sets that are a really good deal.