Spring Break Toys & Activities – Let’s talk about Swing Sets

Easter is in mid April this year and spring break usually falls close to that date.  With any luck, there will be good weather in your area and a chance for outdoor toys and activities! If you are staying home, the money you save on travel could be invested in some quality toys that will be used for spring and summer fun.  We all know that TV and video games can be used to entertain but we want to talk about getting the kids busy with physical and educational activities that are both fun and stimulating. 

For the backyard, lets start with swing sets.  There are 3 main construction materials, wood swing sets, metal swing sets and plastic swing sets. If you have a large backyard, there are some impressive wooden swing sets with club houses, slides, sand boxes, and more. Some of the things you will want to consider are:

• Size – of course you need to be sure you have the room.
• Features – consider not only will be good this year but for the next few years as the kids grow up.
• Set Up and Assembly – read the fine print. One of the popular swingsets we checked out stated that it takes 2 adults working together approximately 10 – 14 hours.  That’s a 2 day job for 2 people. It probably is worth it but if you’re not expecting it, the assembly could be a big aggrevation.
• Age and Weight – Can multiple kids play at once? Will the kids be able to use the set for several years? Preferably the swing set is strong enough for adults too so there is no worry about the kids outgrowing it.
• Price and Shipping Charges – Don’t forget to check the combination of price, tax, and shipping.
• Reviews – A swing set can be a pretty big investment, so check out the online reviews to see what other parents have thought about their purchase. Both Amazon and Walmart have reviews right on the site.

The above suggestions also apply to metal swing sets.  The metal swing sets tend to take up less room and be less expensive.  They typically are swing sets with a few options like slides and gliders.  One of the basic metal swingsets suggested 1.5 to 2 hours for 2 adults to assemble. Now that one sounds very doable. Tools are required so be aware that you might end up making a run to the hardware store.  Be sure to check the upper age or weight limit.

I hate to use the term plastic swing sets because it somehow might imply cheap construction.  This is not the case. The swing sets from Little Tikes and Step2 are very well made. The Little Tikes Endless Adventures PlayCenter, shown to the right, is a great full function swing set with playhouse, slide, glider, climbing net, sandbox, and swings.  The recommended age is 3 to 9 years old, although we think this set is primarily designed for the younger end of that age range. They advertise splinter free, easy assembly – that’s a bonus!

We have a huge selection of wooden, metal and plastic swing sets for all budgets listed at Top Toys for Kids. For spring break fun and summer activities, you might also want to take a look at backyard bouncers, water slides, and ride ons.  We’ll discuss them in more detail in a future post.