Best Teeter Totters [Kids & Toddlers]
After 30+ hours of researching, testing, and trying over 20 teeter totters, we have rounded up 6 of our favorites. So, whether you're looking for an outdoor, indoor, budget, or a durable unit, we have you covered. Here are our top picks:
Best High End
Lifetime Ace Flyer Teeter Totter
Best Mid Range
Gym Dandy Teeter Totter
Best Inexpensive
Pure Fun 360 Kids Swivel Seesaw
Last Updated: 8th Mar, 2023
Spring is just around the corner, and that means you're looking for fun things for your kids to do outside. Right now, your backyard isn't very exciting at all for them. If there's nothing for them to do, how can you tempt them to go outside and get some exercise?
Why not look into getting a teeter totter? This will bring a lot of the excitement of the playground right to your home. Your kids will love having one in their very own yard, and will always want to be playing on it. Plus, you know they're active, getting out in the sun and spending time with their siblings and friends. It's a win-win, all round. Moreover, teeter totters are a lot cheaper and safer than the playsets or, for that matter, even swing sets, making them a preferred choice by parents.
There's lots of teeter totters online right now, and they're not all made alike. How do you ensure that you're getting the right one for you and your kids? Here are 6 of the best teeter totters that we've found, ready for your kids to enjoy.
Our Top Picks for the Best Teeter Totters
- Lifetime 151110 Ace Flyer Airplane Teeter Totter- Pro Pick
- Gym Dandy Teeter Totter Home Seesaw Playground Set - Best Overall
- Pure Fun Heavy Duty 360 Kids Swivel Seesaw - Budget Pick
- Impex Durable Teeter Go Round - Teeter Totter + Merry go round
- Spiro Spin Teeter Totter - Bounces & Spins 360° - Best for Indoors
- Hey! Play! Seesaw – Teeter Totter - Best for Toddlers
1. Lifetime 151110 Ace Flyer Airplane Teeter Totter – Pro Pick
Specifications:
- Dimension: 8' x 8'
- Weight: 105 lbs
- Recommended age: 3-12
- Max seating capacity: 7
- Max weight capacity: 600 lbs
- Material: Powder-coated steel with UV protected HDPE plastic
- Safety Certification: ASTM F1148
- Warranty: 1-Year
Why would you settle for a normal teeter totter when you can feed your children's imaginations with this airplane themed model? Shaped just like a plane, your kids will get hours of imaginative play out of this teeter totter. The wings act as a regular teeter totter if they want to play with friends, or they can sit in the cockpit to 'fly' their plane with a side to side motion. In fact, if they want to take their friends on a trip, 7 kids can be seated on the teeter totter all at once.
The cockpit of the plane features everything your child needs to fly, including controls they can move and a wheel that moves the propeller. They'll really feel like they're taking to the skies.
The teeter totter itself is made from powder-coated steel in bright primary colors that your kids will love. The high quality construction means that it will last for years to come in your yard, no matter how often it's played with. The height can even be adjusted if needs be.
Top Features:
- Maximum weight capacity of 600 lbs, or 7 children
- 1 year warranty so you can purchase with peace of mind
- High quality construction for long life
- Imaginative play functions that children will love
- Offers safer materials than traditional wood teeter totters
Final Note:
You and your kids will both love this teeter totter. It's packed full of fun features, can hold a whole playground's worth of kids, and is built to last.
2. Gym Dandy Teeter Totter Home Seesaw Playground Set – Best Overall
Specifications:
- Dimension: 86'' long X 34'' wide and 33.5'' height
- Weight: 38 lbs
- Recommended age: 3-13
- Max seating capacity: 2
- Max weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Material: Powder-coated steel with plastic seats
- Safety Certification: No information
- Warranty: 2-Year
If you're looking for the classic teeter totter experience for your kids, then this is going to be the pick for you. It's an excellent model that gives you the quintessential seesaw you're looking for, with up to date features that make it stand apart from the regular teeter totters you see in the playground.
This model is made from brightly colored steel, treated so it's UV and rust resistant. You'll be able to leave this teeter totter out in your backyard all summer, without worrying about it fading or becoming damaged thanks to the weather.
It has features that have been designed to improve upon the regular teeter totter. Firstly, you'll see that there are ergonomic handlebars that allow your children to hold on securely to the teeter totter as they play on it. Padded seats allow them to be comfy as they use the equipment, and a bump absorber stops the 'bumping' that you would get on a regular seesaw. The single fulcrum allows it to rock smoothly, so it's a fun time every time it's used.
Top Features:
- Holds up to 300lbs combined total weight
- Optional stake feature, to fix the teeter totter to the ground.
- Fun design that kids will love
- UV and rust resistant
- Lots of updated features to enhance playtime safety and fun
Final note:
This is the traditional teeter totter given an upgrade. Your kids will love it, and you'll love it, knowing that they're safe and sound using it.
3. Pure Fun Heavy Duty 360 Kids Swivel Seesaw – Budget Pick
Specifications:
- Dimension: 75'' (L) x 39'' (W) x 15.5'' (D)
- Weight: 105 lbs
- Recommended age: 4+
- Max seating capacity: 7
- Max weight capacity: 350 lbs
- Material: Powder-coated steel with rubber grip and plastic seats
- Safety Certification: N/A
- Warranty: 90 days
Who says that a budget teeter totter has to be a basic model? This seesaw has everything you need in a piece of playground equipment, and more. It's designed in fun green and yellow colors that you'll love, and match up with other playground equipment made by the same seller.
What sets this model apart is that it not only goes up and down but spins 360 degrees too. Once your kids see it working, they're sure to love it. In fact, it'll be hard to get them off it. The whole model can hold up to 350lbs, enough to hold any two children. The seesaw is made of heavy-duty double steel tubing, so it will be able to stand up to years of play. There are also secure stoppers under the seats for added safety as kids use it.
As kids grow older, they can still use this teeter totter. You can adjust the length of the frame, so they can still play for years to come. Molded seats and secure handlebars complete the set, making it safe and fun for anyone to play on.
Top Features:
- Fun color scheme that matches other equipment in the collection
- 360 degree spin feature
- Frame can be adjusted to 75 inches long
- Passes several recognized safety tests
- Easy to put together
Final Note:
This seesaw shows that you don't have to spend a fortune to get a good seesaw. Your kids will love it, and your bank balance will too.
4. Impex Durable Teeter Go Round – Teeter Totter Plus Merry Go Round
Specifications:
- Dimension: 40 inches high x 46 inches wide x 101 inches long
- Weight: 68 lbs
- Recommended age: 3-13
- Max seating capacity: 2
- Max weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Material: Powder-coated steel
- Safety Certification: N/A
- Warranty: 2 years
Want to get the best value for money? Then you'll want a teeter totter that can give you more. This model is one that you'll want to consider. Not only is it a teeter totter, but it's a merry go round too. This teeter totter offers even more play value to your kids, so it's definitely a model that's worth buying for your backyard.
The teeter totter is a steel powder coated model, that allows it to be kept outside without risk of UV light fading the color, or rain rusting it. You'll be able to keep it outdoors for years, ready for your kids to play with whenever they want. They'll love it, and will be outdoors all the time on it. It's suitable for ages 3-13, so they're going to be able to play with it for as long as they want, without worrying about outgrowing it.
The universal joint in the middle of the teeter totter allows it not only to move up and down, but side to side as well. Coaster wheel under each seat allows the teeter totter to spin too, so your kids can play with however they want. The seats are padded for comfort, and even come with a backrest. Specially molded grip bars complete the set, allowing for safe play.
Top Features:
- Steel construction allows for a teeter totter that will last for years
- Can hold up to 300lbs at once
- Padded seats with backrests for safety and comfort
- Coaster wheels allowing for merry go round movement
- Designed for 3 year olds all the way up to 13 year olds
Final Note:
This teeter totter gives you so much value for money. The spinning motion, as well as the traditional up and down motion, means your kids will love this set.
5. Spiro Spin Teeter Totter – Bounces And Spins 360 Degrees – Best For Indoors
Specifications:
- Dimension: 74'' (L) x 25'' (W) x 14'' (H)
- Weight: 68 lbs
- Recommended age: 3-8
- Max seating capacity: 2
- Max weight capacity: 154 lbs
- Material: Powder-coated steel, rubber and HDPE plastic
- Safety Certification: N/A
- Warranty: 2 years
Not every teeter totter needs to be used outdoors. Maybe you don't have a lot of outdoor space, or maybe you want your kids to be able to burn off some energy when it's raining outside. If you want an indoor seesaw, this is going to be the one for you.
This teeter totter doesn't just rock from side to side. Your kids will be able to bounce up and down on it, and even spin around too. It offers a huge amount of play value, that you'll love as the kids will always want to play on it. The seats come with large wheels underneath that allow for the spinning motion, giving them safety as they play.
It's a perfect indoor teeter totter, as all feet on the model are fully padded to protect your floors. You won't see any damage to the floor when you bring this out for the kids to play on. It's a fully stable model, but you do have the option to add sand if you want to add weight to the base. All you have to do is fill up the hollow base.
This teeter totter is designed for the little ones, ages 3-8. If you want a teeter totter that's perfect for the younger ones in your home, then you'll love this one. They'll be sure to love it too, as they can bounce around even when it's cold out.
Top Features:
- Rocking, bouncing, and spinning motions all in one piece of play equipment
- Will hold up to 77lbs on each seat
- Helps build up coordination skills
- Foam pads to protect your floors
- Specially designed for younger kids
Final Note:
This teeter totter is an excellent indoor model. If your kids love the teeter totter but can't play outdoors, then you've got to get this for them.
6. Hey! Play! Seesaw – Teeter Totter – Best For Toddlers
Specifications:
- Dimension: 57" L x 12" W x 21" H
- Weight: 14 lbs
- Recommended age: 2-4
- Max seating capacity: 2
- Max weight capacity: 110 lbs
- Material: Plastic
- Safety Certification: N/A
- Warranty: 1 year
Who says the big kids have to have all the fun? Toddlers should get the chance to play with their very own teeter totter, too. This model gives them a seesaw that's just the right size for them. At 21 inches high and 57 inches long, it's just the right size for them to enjoy. It's also made from durable plastic, using bright colors and animal shapes to encourage them to play. It's a great toy for toddlers, teaching them coordination as they work to move it, and teamwork as they play with another child to get the seesaw moving. Once they get the hang of it, they'll never want to get off it.
This teeter totter has a light and compact design, so you can easily move it wherever you want it to be. Put it outside when the sun's shining for outdoor play. Once the rain and cold weather comes, bring it indoors so your kids can play even when the weather's bad. They'll love being able to play no matter the weather.
Easy to grip handlebars help your toddlers hold onto the teeter totter, and a raised seat back stops them sliding off. It's a comfortable seat for them, so they can easily learn how to play with their new toy.
Top Features:
- Fun animal shapes and bright colors your kids will love
- Holds up to 11lbs in total
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Easy to put together
- Low to the ground so safe for little ones
Final Note:
Your toddlers will love their very own teeter totter. It will give them a sense of independence, as well as teaching them teamwork as they play on it.
Teeter-Totter Buyer's Guide
Firstly, you'll need to pick the right materials for your teeter totter. The ones you remember from when you were a kid were most likely wooden. You might want to pick up a wooden teeter totter for nostalgia's sake, but they're not actually the best material. Wood splinters and gets rough if it's not taken care of, possibly leading to injury. If you want a wooden teeter totter, you'll need to spend time treating the wood to make it safe.
A better option is powder-coated steel. It's tough and can take hours of play without bending or breaking. The powder coating prevents rust from rain and UV damage from the sun. It often comes in lots of fun colors too, that will look great.
Plastic is another good option, as it's a durable material that's often used for play equipment. It'll also come in bright colors, that makes it a lot of fun too.
Key Considerations
<Indoor Or Outdoor>
This question will be easier to answer for some people. In some cases, a buyer won't have a yard, or won't have enough outdoor space. In that case, they'll want to default to an indoor teeter totter. They're a great purchase, as they allow kids to burn off energy even if they don't have any outdoor space to do it in.
Otherwise, you'll need to ask yourself whether you want a model that's better outdoors, indoors, or both. There are lots of seesaws that can easily be moved around, so you can have it outdoors or indoors depending on the weather.
<Check The Space Needed>
If you've seen a teeter totter that looks good to you, ensure that you're going to be able to fit it into your back yard or home. The sizes will be on the product listing, so measure the space you have in mind. Will the teeter totter fit in?
As you do this, you'll also need to consider the space around it. Will there be enough space for kids to run around as they play? Also, take other play equipment into consideration. If you add in more toys, will they all fit?
<Age And Weight Ranges>
On each teeter totter listing, you'll see a recommended age range, as well as maximum weight listing. That will be shown as a combined weight, as well as how much weight one seat can take. Pay close attention to this as you decide. Will your kids be able to use this teeter totter? Will they be able to use it for a few years to come, or will they soon outgrow it?
If your child is slightly too young for a model, it's tempting to buy it and let them use it anyway. You think it won't make much difference, but the limits are there for a reason. If they're not the right age or weight range, they could get hurt using the teeter totter. If it's a really good bargain, you can always buy the teeter totter and save it for when your kids are old enough.
Summing Up the Guide
There's more range in teeter totters than you'd think, but one of the models listed in this guide will be perfect for you. Pick the one that suits your kids best, and they're sure to get years of fun out of it.
Check out some of the other kids playing equipment to spruce up your yard:
