Compare Wooden Swing Sets and Outdoor Playsets
Compare Outdoor Playsets
Backyard swing sets look similar in photos, but the numbers tell them apart: who they're built for, how much weight they hold and how much yard they really need once you add safe space around them.
Here are all of our wooden swing sets, outdoor climbers and playhouses side by side, with every spec taken from the product listings.
The short answer: for toddlers from age 1, look at the Forest Small or the Sycamore Large and XL. For a compact set that folds away, choose the Juniper Indoor/Outdoor. For kids up to 12, the Forest and Craftsman are the biggest sets, and the Craftsman holds 600 lbs in total. Always add at least 6 feet of clear space around any set.
Quick Picks
Start With Your Yard and Your Kids
Low decks and gentle slides for ages 1 and up.
Forest Small, Sycamore LargeCompact footprints, or a set that folds.
Juniper, Palm, ChestnutOctagon frames with monkey bars and climbing walls.
Hawthorn, Sycamore JumboLarge sets that run to age 12.
Forest, CraftsmanSide by Side
Swing Sets and Outdoor Climbers Compared
Yard space adds 6 feet on every side of the listed footprint. Swings need extra room in front and behind, so leave more along the swing beam. "Not stated" means the listing doesn't include that detail yet.
| Set | Ages | Weight limit | Size (L x W x H) | Yard space | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Small | 1 year and up | 110 lbs / 400 lbs | 153.3 x 69.2 x 78 in | 25 x 18 ft | Playhouse tower with windows, slide, belt swing |
| Juniper Indoor/Outdoor | 18 months to 5 years | 60 lbs / 220 lbs | 67.5 x 49 x 43.2 in | 18 x 16 ft | Slide, rock wall, baby belt swing, wooden swing; folds flat, treated cedar |
| Palm | 2 to 8 years | 110 lbs / 500 lbs | 82.7 x 42 x 38.4 in | 19 x 16 ft | 5-in-1 outdoor and indoor playground |
| Chestnut Indoor/Outdoor | 2 to 8 years | 110 lbs / 500 lbs | 88.8 x 57.3 x 58.6 in | 19 x 17 ft | Slide, climbing wall, monkey bars, swing, rope net, rings; folds, treated cedar |
| Sycamore Large | 1 year and up, supervised | 100 lbs / not stated | 111.5 x 62 x 63.5 in | 21 x 17 ft | Climbing wall, monkey bars, slide, belt and saucer swings, ring web |
| Sycamore XL | 1 year and up, supervised | 100 lbs / not stated | 126.5 x 69.5 x 67.5 in | 23 x 18 ft | Climbing wall, monkey bars, wooden ramp, belt and saucer swings |
| Sycamore Jumbo | 1 year and up; monkey bars and trapeze 4+ | 100 lbs / 500 lbs | 167 x 93 x 75 in | 26 x 20 ft | Double climbing wall, monkey bars, wave slide, 2 swings, trapeze |
| Hawthorn Large | 3 to 11 years | 110 lbs / 500 lbs | 114.1 x 53.2 x 78.7 in | 22 x 16 ft | Octagon climber, monkey bars, climbing wall, fire pole, swing |
| Hawthorn XL | 3 to 10 years | 110 lbs per child | 127.8 in long, 86.6 in tall | Not stated | Octagon climber, monkey bars, rock wall, rope net, wave slide, swing; cedar or white |
| Forest | 3 to 12 years | 110 lbs / 500 lbs | 198.5 x 100.1 x 98.8 in | 29 x 20 ft | Covered fort, 6 ft wave slide, 2 belt swings, trapeze, rock wall |
| Craftsman | 3 to 12 years | 110 lbs / 600 lbs | 181.5 x 79.3 x 94.3 in | 27 x 19 ft | Play tower with roof, slide, climber, sandbox, swing beam |
Reading the Numbers
Three things to check first
Ages. A set for 1 year olds has lower decks and gentler slides. A set for 3 to 12 has taller towers and bigger challenges.
Total weight. If several kids will play at once, check the total limit, not just the per-child number.
Yard space. Measure your flat, open area, then compare it with the yard space column.
Playhouses
Outdoor Playhouses Compared
| Playhouse | Ages | Size (L x W x H) | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mimosa | 3 to 7 years | 105 x 47 x 91 in | Raised playhouse, 37.5 in deck, 71 in slide |
| Aloe | Not stated | 87.8 x 55.7 x 78.2 in | Wavy slide, water wheel station, steering wheel, sandbox base |
| Saffron | 3 years and up | 43 x 43 x 45.5 in | Ground-level playhouse with mud kitchen and serving window |
| Casa | 3 years and up | 45.1 x 43.3 x 58.2 in | Indoor or outdoor cottage with play kitchen |
- Measure a flat area and add at least 6 feet on every side.
- Check the ages and weight limits for every child who will play.
- Plan protective surfacing, like wood chips or rubber mulch, under and around the set.
- Check whether your yard needs anchoring and whether you need to call 811 before digging.
- Plan for assembly. Most sets need two adults and a full day.
Questions Parents Ask
Outdoor Playset Comparison FAQs
Which swing set is best for a toddler?
For ages 1 and up, the Forest Small and the Sycamore Large and XL are designed for young children with supervision. For a compact set that folds, the Juniper Indoor/Outdoor is for 18 months to 5 years.
Which swing set lasts the longest?
The Forest and the Craftsman are both designed for ages 3 to 12. The Hawthorn Large covers 3 to 11.
How much yard space do I need for a swing set?
Start with the set's footprint and add at least 6 feet on every side, as the US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends. The yard space column on this page does that math for you. Swings need extra room in front and behind.
Which outdoor playset holds the most weight?
The Craftsman lists a 600 lb total limit. The Forest, Sycamore Jumbo, Hawthorn Large, Chestnut and Palm each list 500 lbs in total.
Do I need a swing set with a slide?
Most of our sets include one. The Forest has a 6 ft wave slide, the Sycamore Jumbo and Hawthorn XL have wave slides, and the Sycamore XL swaps the slide for a wooden climbing ramp.
Find Your Set
Still Deciding?
Read our swing set buying guide or see which playground fits your yard. Need a seat for your set? See our swing set accessories.