A garden swing is a timeless outdoor toy and can provide hours of entertainment for children of all ages. Investing in a swing is a great way to encourage your kids to remain active and enjoy the many benefits of outdoor play.
However, garden swings can pose safety risks if they’re not used and maintained correctly.
The good news is that you can significantly reduce these risks with proper precautions and supervision, keeping your kids safe on swings.
Here, we'll explore essential tips and guidelines to help you create a secure environment for your kids to swing, climb, and play to their hearts’ content.
So, without further ado, let's get into the swing of things!
How to choose a safe swing for your kids
Swing safety begins with choosing a high-quality swing set. Poorly made swing sets have broken parts, an unstable base, and exposed bolts, increasing the risk of injury.
We recommend opting for a wooden swing set or a metal swing set. These have sturdy frames that can withstand a child's weight and remain grounded despite vigorous movement.
A strong and durable plastic seat is ideal for comfort and safety. Choosing a swing set from a reputable manufacturer like Rebo made from sustainable, long-lasting materials will prevent breakages and ensure your playground remains safe for years to come.
You also want to make sure that the swing or swing set you choose is appropriate for your child’s age and coordination skills. Babies and toddlers need far more support than older children, so they will need a special bucket-style baby seat to swing safely.
If you have children of different ages, you can choose a double swing set with a standard single seat and a baby seat to keep everyone happy!
Net swings are another good option for children who don’t quite have the coordination skills needed to hold themselves up on swings. Your child can sit or lie in the centre of the net without needing to hold onto the ropes.
How to assemble a swing safely
After choosing a quality swing or swing set for your garden, you need to make sure that it’s assembled correctly.
Ground anchors are essential to secure the frame to the earth and prevent a wobbly base. Various anchors are available to suit different ground types, so make sure to choose those appropriate for your garden.
Rubber matting can prevent slips if the grass below the playing area becomes muddy, offering an additional protective layer for your peace of mind (and the welfare of your lawn).
Read the instructions carefully before assembling, and double-check that you’re on the right track at each step. If you don’t have the right equipment on hand, don’t try to assemble the swing, as you could end up with loose or unstable connections.
For more swing assembly tips, read our guide on how to secure a swing set to the ground.
Teaching your children swing safety rules
While we can’t always trust kids to play nicely, we can lay down the ground rules to give them the push they need to stay safe on a swing set.
Here are our five safety rules you should teach your children to help them swing safely.
- Always sit, never stand or climb
- Hold on tight to both ropes
- Swings are meant for one child at a time
- Keep a safe distance when other kids are swinging
- Always stop swinging before dismounting
These rules are great because they apply to swing safety in your garden as well as in park playgrounds and at school.
Maintaining your swing
Although durable, high-quality swing sets like those featured on our website are unlikely to break, we still recommend checking your swings regularly to make sure there aren’t any loose bolts or cracks.
Tighten loose bolts and screws you find and make sure any exposed nails or other sharp items are covered or removed to avoid cuts and scrapes.
If a part of your swing, such as the seat or rope, breaks, you can find replacement swing accessories on our site. You can also buy extra ground anchors if your frame is coming loose from the ground.
Other things to think about to keep kids safe on swings
To help you cover all bases and stop those smiles turning into tears, here are some additional things to consider to minimise risk while swinging. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?
- When you’re choosing a location for your swing or swing set, ensure there is enough space around it to allow for your child to swing without banging into anything. We recommend leaving at least two metres around all sides of the swing.
- Make sure your child wears appropriate clothing when swinging, as any drawstrings or loose items of clothing could get trapped in the swing.
- Check metal surfaces during hot weather before your child gets onto the swing to prevent burns (this goes for slides as well).
- Supervise your child, especially if they’re under the age of 5.
- If you have a swing set with a climbing wall or monkey bars, be sure to read up on the specific guidelines on keeping kids safe on climbing frames!
- Kids will be kids…so keep a first aid kit handy for minor cuts, scrapes, and bumps!
Get swinging with Outdoor Toys!
Find the perfect swings and swing sets for your little ones online with Outdoor Toys. We have a fabulous range of quality swings, accessories, and garden toys to transform your outdoor spaces into a child’s paradise!
Explore everything from mud kitchens and sandpits to trampolines and ride-on toys to keep your kids entertained (and away from their screens) for hours.
Plus, we offer 0% finance on orders over £99 so you can spread the cost of your new kit over four monthly payments! See our PayPal Credit page for details.
FAQs about keeping kids safe on swings
At what age can my child safely use a swing?
As all babies develop at different rates, there isn’t quite a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, a ballpark age guide would be between six and eight months.
Make sure to choose an appropriate swing based on your child’s age, weight, and height.
For further guidance, refer to our helpful guide: When can a baby go in a swing?
What are the benefits of swings for children’s development?
Swings provide a fun outdoor activity and have a multitude of benefits for your child's personal development.
The action of swinging helps to develop motor skills, coordination, and grip strength. Furthermore, they’re great for improving social skills and encouraging children to share, communicate, and respect one another. For more, read our guide on the benefits of swings for kids.
What different types of swings are available?
OutdoorToys offers a wide range of swings, including metal swings, wooden swings, single, double, and triple swing sets, swing sets with monkey bars, swings with slides, and swings with climbing frames.
Are metal swing sets safe?
When correctly assembled and maintained, high-quality metal swing sets such as those manufactured by Rebo are a great, safe option for your garden. Metal is a durable, weather-resistant material that can stand the test of time. With metal swings, just be careful during hot weather, as the metal can become very hot to the touch and may burn your child’s skin if exposed.