Best Backyard Playsets (Wooden & Metal)

1. Backyard Discovery Skyfort || All Cedar Wood Swing Set

Lots of homeowners love to buy wooden playsets, as they offer a lot of benefits. As they're wooden, they have a classic style that's going to age well as long as you own the set. Plus, when taken care of, wood is going to last a long time. It's resistant rot when treated, and can take a lot of wear and tear. If you're thinking of a wooden playset, then this is the best set we've found.

The Skyfort packs so much into its frame that your kids will love it. It comes with all the basics, such as two belt swings, a climbing frame, and a slide. There's also a sky flyer that two children can ride at once, as well as a flat step ladder to allow children to explore every inch of the playset.

What we love about this set are its unique features. There's a crow's nest with a built-in telescope to allow for imaginative play. The top floor includes a sun deck, bay windows, and a fully covered area. Below you'll find a picnic table as well as space for a sandpit. This is the playset you wish you had as a kid, and now you can give it to your children.

Top Features:

• Full cedar construction resists mold and rot, so it will last for years
• Lots of activities so several children can play at once
• A companion app is available to help you put the whole set together easily

Final Note:

In our research and testing, we found the Backyard Discovery Skyfort to be the best wooden playset currently on offer. It packs so much into its frame that your kids will be exploring it for weeks to come. The build quality, design, finishing, attention to safety elements, and the warranty terms prove that this playset is built to last.

2. Creative Playthings Charlotte – Best Design (Made In The USA)

When looking for a good playset, you want something that's going to stand the test of time. That's why companies like Creative Playthings are so proud of their design. They use Southern Yellow Pine in the construction of their Charlotte playset, and they guarantee it's going to last you a long time to come. The pine comes from sustainable forests too, so you can buy safe in the knowledge that your purchase comes from a renewable source.

Because the set uses pine wood, the set is much heavier than others you'll get online. The fact it's a heavier wood shows that it's high quality, and will easily take several children climbing on it day after day. There's plenty for them to do too, from swings to monkey bars to a slide they can speed down again and again.

When you buy this set, you'll get a full set of instructions to help you put together. All pieces are cut to size and pre-drilled, so you'll have much less work to do. Just put the pieces together, and you're ready to get it up and ready for your kids.

Top Features:

• High-quality wood so you'll have a playset that will last for years to come
• All kinds of play features, including swings, monkey bars, and a slide
• Two-tier playset includes a full picnic table and balcony

Final note: 

The design of this set has to be seen to be believed. The work is impressive, and your kids are sure to love it. High-quality American craftsmanship, yellow pinewood construction, excellent aesthetic factors with 10-years warranty make this playset definitely worth considering.

3. Creative Cedar Designs Sky View Wooden Playset – Budget Pick

You want the best playset available for your children to enjoy, but you don't want to spend the earth on one. Can you get good quality while buying a budget playset? You certainly can with our budget pick, the Sky View Wooden Playset.

The set boasts ten different activities packed into its frame, and you'll be amazed at how much your kids can do. They can eat at the picnic table, play in the sandpit space, climb the rock wall, or fly down the wave slide. There's swings, and a telescope and binoculars on the top level for your kids to explore with.

It's honestly amazing how much value you're getting for this playset. Customers who have already bought it have talked about the high quality of the set itself. They were amazed at the quality of the cedar wood used in construction, and found that it stood up well to play.

Top Features:

• A huge amount of play features packed into one play set
• Lots of ideas to help with imaginative play and collaboration
• Easy assembly to allow you to get the set up and ready within a day
• Activities to help children stay active

Final Note:

If you're looking for the most bang for your buck, look no further. This playset is going to be the right one for you. It's priced reasonably yet does not compromise on the build quality.

4. KidKraft Wooden Newport Outdoor Playset – Best Under $500 Pick

Just because you're trying to save cash doesn't mean you can't get a great playset. This outdoor playset is proof of that. The set is full of things your children will love. There are belt swings, a rock climbing wall, a wave slide, sandbox, and even a vinyl chalkboard for all their creative ideas. It's honestly amazing how much is packed in for the price you'll pay for it. 

The whole set is made from treated wood, so you'll be able to use it for years to come. There should be no problems with rot or termites as long as you periodically maintain it. It's simple to put together, and you won't need any footings to set it into place. 

If you want to add more to this budget playset, you can. There are accessories you can pick up, such as telescopes and steering wheels, that can easily be attached to the playset itself. The joy of this is you can use the accessories that your child loves, so you can create a truly unique experience for them. 

Top Features:

• Treated wood to ensure the set stays in good condition
• Easy to put together, so the set is ready for play
• Lots of features encourage active and imaginative play

Final Note: Looking for the best playset under $500? This is it. Even though it's a budget model, you're not going to compromise on style or fun with this set. It comes with ample activities to keep your kids entertained for hours and hours and is built durably.

5. Swing-N-Slide PB 8272 Cedar Brook Play Set – Most Activities For Your Kids

All the sets we've looked at so far have come packed full of activities, but this one has the most we've seen. If you buy this model, your children are sure to never be bored. Just a few examples include the rock climbing wall, two swings and a two child glider, picnic table, slide, monkey bars, and more. The whole set is topped off with a large roofed canopy, allowing lots of space for so many children to play.

If you're looking for value for money, this is the best option for you. This is the playset to buy if your house is where all the neighborhood kids congregate. Give them somewhere safe and fun to hang out during the summer months, and they'll be sure to love it.

As far as manufacturing goes, this set has been put together with the utmost care. All metal parts, including the monkey bars are made of powder-coated metal to resist rust and damage over time. The plastic rocks on the rock wall are designed to offer strong and sturdy hold on the wall, and all plastic on the set will resist cracks and fading over time.

Top Features: 

• Over 10 play features, allowing lots of kids to play at once
• Top-quality building materials, so the set will last for years to come in all weathers
• Sturdy play materials to keep your kids safe
• 5 foot covered deck allowing lots of space for play

Final Note: This set offers the most number of activities from a trapeze to slide you get everything. You'll be able to accommodate as many kids as you need (up to 10 is recommended) on your set, so no one will ever get bored in the summer months. To finish things off, this playset is backed by a lifetime warranty, giving you an extra piece of mind that your investment is always protected.

6. KidKraft McKinley Cedar Wood Swing Set – Best For Small Yards

Think that you can't have a playset in your yard because it's too small? That's not a problem with this set. There's so much packed into a small space here that your kids will love it. Measuring 171 x 137 x 114 inches, there's so much to explore inside. The playset comes with a two-level clubhouse with many unique and fun features. Downstairs, there's a kitchenette complete with play sink, stove, cordless phone, clock, and even a mailbox for imaginative play. Upstairs, they can climb up using the rock wall and slide down again with the high rail slide. Completing the set are two swings and a swinging bar for active play.

The clubhouse has fully molded windows and a cute front door, completing the look of a real home. Your children will love it, as it gives the impression of a grown-up home that's all their own.

As an adult, you're going to love this set too. The wood used is all high-quality cedar, guaranteed to last a long time and hold up to energetic play. The pieces all come in pre-assembled panels, so it's very simple to put together. There are also multiple heavy metal components, such as swing brackets and hangers, ensuring your kids are safe while they're playing. 

Top Features:

• Smaller footprint, perfect for smaller yards
• A fully stocked kitchenette for imaginative play
• High-quality pieces to ensure long lifespan
• Will be perfect for children aged 36 months – 10 years old

Final Note: 

We're impressed at how much this set packs into its small size. For space-constrained buyers, it's a must-buy and your kids are bound to love it.

7. Lifetime A-Frame Adventure Playset – Most Durable Metal Playset

Are you looking for a metal playset in particular? This is our pick for the most durable option, thanks to the sturdy construction and quality materials that have gone into making it. The whole set is designed to be all weather-resistant, so it can stay out in your yard all year round without a problem. It also doesn't need to be anchored into the ground, making it much easier to install. The whole set is UV resistant, and you're not going to need to worry about fading, cracking, or warping.

There are also several safety features built into the playset, ensuring that your little ones can play without worry. Soft rubberized grips on the swings stop pinching, and the set as a whole passes safety standards for playground equipment.

As for the playset itself, it's packed full of play features. There's an elevated clubhouse that's fully covered with a gable roof. Inside there's a pair of binoculars and a ship's steering wheel for imaginative play. There's also a cargo net and a full climbing wall for your little monkeys. A wave slide and multiple swings complete the set, so there's always something for them to do.

Top Features:

• Low maintenance, as no need for painting or staining
• All hard edges are rounded for safety
• Lots of activities, including a chalkboard, cargo net, and rock climbing wall
• Designed to stand the test of time

Final Note: This is by far the most durable metal playset out there. The all-metal construction and sturdy design make it ideal for bigger kids as well. You can buy this and be sure your kids are going to get the most out of it for years to come.

8. Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Set – Best For Toddlers

Are you looking for a set that's more suited to younger children? There's no reason why toddlers should miss out on all the fun. That's why this Little Tikes playset is such a good choice for them. This established company makes excellent toys for little ones, and you'll see their attention to detail in this set.

The clubhouse comes with everything you would expect from a larger playset. There's a two-level clubhouse, two swings, and a slide for your children to enjoy. There's two ways to get into the clubhouse itself, either the regular ladder or the challenging rope ladder. Your kids will love it as they'll feel just like the big kids at the playground, in the comfort of your own backyard.

The set is simple to put together, so installation will be a breeze. You are required to anchor the set down outside, but the set comes with everything you need to do that, so there's no problem. The whole set is designed for imaginative play, so you can be sure that your kids will love it when you install it in your home.

Top Features:

• Sturdy plastic construction to ensure safe play
• Enough play features to accommodate four toddlers at once
• Comes with everything you need to install in your backyard
• Smaller play features for your toddlers, so they can join in the fun

Final Note:

This is the best toddler playset we've seen out there. It's highly durable and safe and includes scaled-down versions of everything that you'd expect in a larger playset. Your toddlers are bound to love it. 

Backyard Playset Buyer's Guide