Buying Guides

Buying Guides

Find the right play equipment for your child

Honest advice on sizing, safety and what to look for, from a baby's first play gym to a backyard swing set. Start with your child's age, use a fit chart, or browse by type of play.

Start by age Compare climbers
Two toddlers climbing on an Avenlur Pikler triangle set with rocker and slide in a bright playroom

Start Here

Start with your child's age

The guides most parents need at each stage. Want to know what your child is learning right now? See our toddler development guide by age, from first climbs at 12 months to monkey bars at 5.

0 to 12 monthsBabies
1 to 2 yearsYoung toddlers
2 to 4 yearsToddlers and preschool
4 years and upBig kids

Fit Charts and Tools

Compare and check the fit

Side by side specs and fit charts, so you know what works with what before you buy.

Compare indoor climbersAges, weight limits, sizes and testing for 11 climbers in one table.Open → Compare outdoor playsetsAges, weight limits and the yard space each swing set needs.Open → Crash mat fit chartWhich mat fits each climber, Swedish ladder, swing and playpen.Open → Tent cover fit chartWhich tent cover fits each Avenlur climber.Open → Sensory swing fit guideWhich sensory swing works with your climber.Open → Swing seat fit chartSwing seats and add-ons matched to each swing set.Open → Safety and testingWhat ASTM and CPSIA mean and which products are tested.Open →

Climbing and Indoor Play

Climbers, ladders and indoor gyms

From first Pikler triangles to monkey bars, slides and balance beams.

Toddler on the Avenlur Hazel climbing triangle at homeThe Ultimate Pikler Triangle Buying GuideWhat a Pikler triangle is, when babies are ready, how to choose a size and which accessories are worth adding. The place to start for first climbers from around 10 months. Child sitting on top of the Avenlur Hazel Pikler triangleMontessori Climbing GymsWhat makes a climbing set Montessori, which Pikler pieces fit each stage and how to build a set. Child climbing the Avenlur Magnolia wooden indoor climberKids Climbers and Climbing Walls GuideTypes of climbers, rock walls versus ladders and nets, the best indoor climbing toys for toddlers by age, and how much space you need. Avenlur Chestnut indoor jungle gym with slide and swings in a living roomJungle Gym Guide: Types, Ages and SafetyIndoor and outdoor jungle gyms explained, what age to start, how to size one for your room and the safety features that matter. Child climbing the Avenlur Magnolia indoor gymIndoor Gym for KidsWhich indoor gym fits your room, what works at each age and options for kids 5 and up. Child on gymnastic rings on the Avenlur Grove wall gymIndoor Playground EquipmentEvery type of indoor play equipment for home, by age and room. Avenlur Grove foldable indoor jungle gym for kids with slide, climbing net and monkey barsSwedish Ladder Wall Gym GuideHow Swedish ladders mount, which height fits your ceiling, and which attachments work with which frame. Two kids climbing the Avenlur Walnut Swedish ladder jungle gymClimbing Walls for KidsRock walls, Swedish ladders and rope walls compared, safe installation and pull-up bars. Avenlur Walnut monkey bars installed in a kids playroomMonkey Bars for KidsIndoor vs. backyard monkey bars, when kids are ready and how to teach the skill. Avenlur Manuka wooden toddler slide indoors in a bright living roomIndoor Slides for Toddlers and KidsTypes of indoor slides, how to choose one by age and space, and how to set it up safely. Toddler rocking on the Avenlur Willow wooden rainbow seesawSeesaws, Rockers and Climbing ArchesWhat Pikler arches, rockers and seesaws are, what kids get from rocking and balancing, and how to choose one. Avenlur Majesty toddler balance beam with ramp endsBalance Beams for KidsBalance beams, stepping stones and rockers compared, plus 6 obstacle course ideas.

Product Videos

See them in action

Watch our best selling climbers set up and in use before you choose.

Two kids climbing the Avenlur Walnut Swedish ladder wall gymWalnut Swedish Ladder Wall Gym VideoA 9 in 1 wall gym with a rock wall, rope wall, slide and swings. Also shows the Walnut Modular. Avenlur Grove foldable wall mounted indoor jungle gymGrove Foldable Indoor Jungle Gym VideoAn 8 in 1 wall mounted jungle gym with monkey bars, rings and a slide that folds to 14 inches deep. Child climbing the Avenlur Magnolia indoor jungle gymMagnolia Indoor Jungle Gym VideoA 7 in 1 toddler jungle gym with monkey bars, a rock wall, ladders, a swing and a slide for ages 2 to 6. Avenlur Chestnut indoor jungle gym with slide and swingsChestnut Foldable Indoor Jungle Gym VideoAn 8 in 1 foldable jungle gym with a rock wall, monkey bars, rings, two swings and a slide for ages 2 to 8. Toddler on the Avenlur Hazel Pikler triangleHazel Pikler Triangle Set VideoA foldable 5 in 1 Pikler set with a slide, rock wall ramp, climbing arch and rocker for ages 1 to 6.

Outdoor Play

Backyard play

Swing sets, playhouses, water and sand play, sized for your yard.

Avenlur Craftsman modern wooden swing set with slide and climberOutdoor Play Equipment for KidsEvery type of backyard play equipment, by age and yard. Kids climbing the Avenlur Sycamore Large backyard swing setBackyard Playground SetsWhich playset fits your yard, how much space you need, and surfacing and safety. Avenlur Sycamore Jumbo outdoor wooden swing set and backyard jungle gym for kids with climbing wall and trapeze barSwing Set Buying GuideHow much yard space a swing set really needs, toddler versus school-age sets, anchoring, clearances and seasonal care. Avenlur Aloe toddler outdoor playhouse with slideOutdoor Playsets for ToddlersLow play towers, foldable climbers, toddler swing sets and water tables, plus safety surfacing and space tips. Avenlur Mimosa wooden playhouse in the Natural finish with charcoal roofWooden Playhouses for KidsGround-level playhouses, raised playhouses with slides and playhouse swing sets compared. Avenlur kids sensory play table in the yardWater Tables for KidsWater tables, sand tables and water walls compared, water play by age, and how to keep it clean and safe. Child making mud pies at the Avenlur Woodland outdoor kitchenMud Kitchens for KidsMud kitchens compared, where to put one, what to stock it with and DIY vs. ready-made. Child digging in a sandbox with the Avenlur ride-on excavatorRide-On Excavator ToysHow sandbox diggers work, what age they suit and how to set up a sandbox. Full view of the Avenlur Forest modern swing set and playhouseIndoor vs. Indoor/Outdoor PlaysetsThe difference between our pine indoor sets and treated cedar indoor/outdoor sets, and how to care for a playset that lives outside.

Babies and Toddlers

Babies and young toddlers

Play gyms, bouncers, playpens, swings and kitchen towers for the first years.

Toddler climbing to the top of the Avenlur Hazel Pikler triangleToddler Development by AgeWhat children learn to do from 1 to 5, the play that helps at each stage and the pieces that fit. Avenlur Rocket wooden baby gym, a Montessori infant play archWooden Baby Play GymsFour wooden play gyms compared, what babies do under one month by month and safe floor play. Baby relaxing in a wooden baby bouncerBaby Bouncers and RockersBouncer vs. rocker vs. swing, what works at each age, and how to use a bouncer safely. Baby playing with the xylophone and spinner activity panel on the Avenlur playpenWooden Baby PlaypensWood vs. plastic vs. mesh, which size fits your home, and how to set up a playpen safely. Little one in the Avenlur Spruce indoor baby swingBaby and Toddler SwingsWhen babies are ready for a swing, indoor swings with stands, toddler swing sets and baby seats for your set. Baby in the Avenlur Spruce wooden indoor swing with standIndoor Swings for Kids: Sensory, Hammock and Baby SwingsThe three types of indoor swing, their benefits, and which Avenlur swing fits which climber. Avenlur Laurel Montessori kitchen helper in natural woodToddler Kitchen Towers and Step StoolsWhat a learning tower is, when toddlers are ready, tower vs. step stool, and the safety features to look for. Toddler going down the Avenlur Laurel slide in the playroomKitchen Tower vs. Step StoolWhich is safer for toddlers, what age to start, and how to choose between convertible and foldable kitchen towers. Avenlur Cherry 5-in-1 wooden indoor climbing gym with slide for toddlers15 Indoor Activities to Keep Toddlers Active This WinterEasy movement ideas for cold days, plus how climbers and slides make daily active play simple.

Play, Learning and Furniture

Play, learning and furniture

Pretend play, educational toys, activity tables and Montessori furniture.

Avenlur Flair indoor playhouse with built-in desk and chairPretend Play for KidsWhy pretend play matters, how it changes from 1 to 7, and the playhouses, market stands and mud kitchens that invite it. Avenlur Nambar Montessori reading nook with curtain for kidsIndoor Playhouses for KidsWooden playhouses, play tents and reading nooks, and which fits your space and age. Avenlur wooden number blocks lined up from 1 to 10Educational Toys by AgeWhat makes a toy educational and the skills to focus on from 1 to 6. Two kids sharing the Avenlur large wooden water tableSensory Tables for KidsWater, sand and activity tables compared by size and age, indoors or out. Child playing at the Avenlur wooden multi-activity sensory play tableKids Activity TablesToddler activity tables by age, from a 6 month baby seat to a table for 7 year olds. Avenlur Hanover Montessori furniture set for toddlersMontessori Furniture for ToddlersWhat makes furniture Montessori, the pieces to start with and how to set up each room. Avenlur Cordia Montessori kids desk in natural woodMontessori Table and ChairsWhat makes a table Montessori, why kids benefit from their own table, and how to choose the right height by age. Avenlur wooden mountain rainbow stackerBenefits of Wooden ToysWhy parents and Montessori classrooms choose wooden toys, plus an honest wood vs. plastic comparison.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best first climber for a baby?

A low Pikler triangle, from around 10 to 12 months once a baby can pull to stand. Our Pikler triangle guide covers sizes and setups.

What play equipment helps toddler development?

Pieces that invite climbing, balancing and helping do the most, and the right one depends on your child's stage. Our toddler development guide by age covers what children are learning from 1 to 5 and which pieces fit each age.

How do I choose play equipment for a small space?

Look for foldable or wall mounted designs. A Swedish ladder needs as little as three feet of floor depth, and foldable climbers store flat between uses.

Can indoor playsets be used outside?

Our indoor sets are pine and designed to stay inside. For backyard play, choose an indoor/outdoor set made from treated cedar.

Ready to shop?

Browse our best sellers or compare every indoor climber side by side.

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