Great tips on how to build a kids swing yourself

Great tips on how to build a kids swing yourself

The swing frame

If there is no old tree in the garden with branches that have grown relatively straight, you first need a swing frame (€ 419.95 at Amazon *) and sufficient space to set it up. For safety reasons, there should be no buildings or large plants in the swivel area. Since children like to jump off at full swing, it is better if flower beds are not directly adjacent. We recommend lawn, sand or special rubber mats as a substrate.

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Material and tool list:

materialDimensions
Feet4 pressure impregnated wooden beams15 cm diameter, 300 cm length
2 pressure impregnated crossbeams15 cm diameter, 150 cm length
Crossbar1 pressure impregnated wooden beam15 cm diameter, 250 cm length
Connecting material8 threaded bolts16 mm diameter
16 washersM 16
16 nutsM 16
TÜV-tested swing suspension
Material for anchoringGravel and concrete
Ground anchors with matching screws and washers
ToolDrill (€ 79.87 at Amazon *) with suitable screw heads and wood drill bits
Forstner bit
Folding rule
pencil
Spirit level

Assembly instructions

  • First, the 300 cm long round beams are placed on top of each other so that they cross at a height of 250 cm. These are drilled through and screwed together with countersunk nuts with the help of the Forstner bit.
  • Attach the 150 cm long crossbeams with threaded bolts. Also countersink the nuts here to reduce the risk of injury.
  • Assemble the second side part in the same way.
  • Screw the hangers for the swing into the middle of the round timber intended as a crossbeam. The distance should be about 10 percent larger than the rocking board.
  • Screw the upper beam to the side parts (threaded bolts).

Setting up the garden swing

So that the swing has a stable stand, the swing feet must be set in concrete. Dig four holes at least 60 cm deep and fill them with a 15 cm layer of gravel and concrete. The ground anchors are inserted into the still moist material.

The swing seat

Here you can use a finished model or build a great swing seat, which is also relatively non-slip, from the discarded skateboard of the kids.

For this you need:

  • The base of the skateboard from which you removed all other parts.
  • Ropes made of weatherproof polypropylene with a diameter of 10 mm.
  • Stable snap hooks.
  • Wooden sticks that should be a little longer than the width of the skateboard.
  • Cordless drill and wood drill.

That's how it works:

  • Mark and drill two opposite holes on the sides.
  • Pierce wooden sticks at both ends, about three centimeters from the edge.
  • Divide the rope into two pieces of equal length.
  • Thread through the holes of the skateboard so that the open ends are the same length.
  • Knot tightly directly above the seat.
  • Tie a knot in both ends of the rope at the child's reach, measured from the seat.
  • Pull in wooden rod.
  • Secure with a sturdy knot.
  • The snap hooks serve as suspension.

Instructions for a tire swing

If you have a large tree with sturdy branches in the garden, a tire swing is a great alternative to the classic wooden swing board. The swing frame built according to our instructions is also stable enough for this popular children's swing.

For this project you need:

  • an old tire
  • a rope set for tire swings.

Attach stable hooks to the tire, which is placed horizontally on the ground, at four equally spaced points. Attach the attachment and hang the tire swing.

Alternatively, you can hang the tire vertically. To do this, just screw one or two hooks into the tire so that it hangs vertically. Your child can now sit in or on the ring. This makes this variant also suitable for smaller kids, who find it easier to get going.

Tips

If you build the garden swing and swing seat completely yourself and attach it to the frame with knots, you should use very stable connections that hold reliably. Nautical knots are the method of choice here. There are numerous guides on the Internet that you can use to teach yourself these easily.