In short: Children’s swing set No. 5 is an open log frame without a roof, with a bench hanging on ropes and a small platform with a slide attached to it. Children climb up to the platform by crosspiece logs, and at the top a railing of curved branches keeps them safe. The size, height and finish are agreed individually.
What kind of children’s swing set this is
The frame of the swing set consists of a thick horizontal log supported by two log sides. On the left side the logs are crossed in the shape of the letter A, and on the right side diagonal braces additionally support the top log. The platform structure is attached to the left side. This way the swing set and the slide become one structure, which stands more firmly than two separate pieces of equipment.
The ends of the top log project beyond the sides and finish the silhouette of the frame. On the right side a short, slightly curved log lying across is fixed to the legs, which additionally strengthens the frame at the bottom.
The bench is knocked together from slats and has a backrest and armrests. It hangs on light-colored ropes fastened at the top to the top log. A seat like this is comfortable for more than one child: two can swing on it, or a child together with a parent.
The platform is built on a log frame, next to the side of the swing set. Its floor is laid with boards, and at the top the platform is surrounded by a railing of natural branches curved in an arc. Small logs are fixed crosswise between the logs under the platform, and children climb up by them. A slide with wooden sides and a light, smooth sliding surface runs down from the platform.
All the parts of the frame are made of peeled round logs that keep their natural shape. You can see growth rings, branch marks and slight bends in the logs, and the curved branches of the railing emphasize the handwork even more. To children a structure like this recalls a forest cabin or a fairy-tale castle, so games in it often turn into whole stories.
What the photo shows
The summary helps you quickly understand what the photo of this typical example shows.
| Feature | In the photo |
|---|---|
| Open log frame without a roof | Yes |
| Bench with a backrest and armrests | Yes |
| Suspension on ropes | Yes |
| Platform with a railing of curved branches | Yes |
| Slide | Yes |
| Roof over the bench or the platform | No |
The swing set stands on a lawn, surrounded by young spruces and berry bushes. In the foreground you can see part of a sandbox with a concrete edge. It is not part of this product, but it shows that the swing set has been placed in a yard meant for children to play in.
Under the bench you can see a trampled patch of ground without grass. It is a natural sign that the swing set is used often: children brake and push off with their feet in the same place again and again. In a spot like this, sand or fine gravel comes in handy, as they do not get trampled as quickly as lawn.
The photo also shows that a piece of equipment like this does not need a big plot. A swing set with a platform fits into a corner of the garden among the plants, and the rest of the lawn stays free for other games. The main thing is to plan enough room for swinging and for sliding down. The light surface of the slide stands out well against the logs, so even from a distance it is clear where the platform ends and the descent begins.
A swing set without a roof with a slide: the advantages
A roof is useful, but it is not essential for a children’s play structure. An open frame has advantages of its own:
- A lighter look. Without a roof the swing set does not block the view and looks lower, so it also suits a small yard well.
- More light. An open frame does not cast a big shadow on the lawn and the plants around it.
- Simpler care. You do not have to clean leaves and snow off a roof.
- Two activities in one. While one child swings, another can climb to the platform and slide down.
Still, you should know that without a roof the bench heats up on a sunny day and stays damp longer after rain. If the swing set will stand in an open spot, it is worth thinking about the shade of trees or outdoor cushions. If you want a covered seat, compare with the swing set with a slide and two canopies No. 2.
An open frame has one more advantage: it is easier to adapt to the existing surroundings. A swing set without a roof can be placed under tall trees whose branches would have got in the way of a roof, or next to the house, where a roof would block the view from a window.
How children can play safely
A swing set and a slide in one frame are convenient, but children need to be told a few simple rules: do not run in front of or behind the swinging bench, do not climb up the slide while someone is sliding down, and do not push each other on the platform. The smallest children must always play under the supervision of adults.
When setting up a swing set in your yard, pay attention to the following:
- the base must be level so that the frame and the platform stand straight;
- in front of and behind the bench leave a free strip without trees, bushes or stones;
- at the end of the slide there must be room for a child who has slid down to stand up and step away;
- under the bench and at the end of the slide a softer surface is suitable: lawn, sand or gravel.
In the photo a small bush grows by the slide. When planning your yard, plant the plants so that they do not block the end of the slide and do not grow into the swinging zone. This way you will avoid scratches and an unexpected stop while sliding.
At the start of the season check that the platform boards, the railing and the crosspiece logs are holding firmly and that there are no protruding screws or split-off splinters. It takes only a few minutes, but it lets you let the children play calmly all summer. After a storm or strong wind it is worth taking one more look to see whether branches have fallen onto the platform and the slide.
What age of children it suits
A bench with a backrest and armrests suits children who can already sit by themselves and hold on to the ropes or armrests. Smaller children can be swung while held on the lap, and then the swing set becomes a place to share time with a parent. The platform with a slide is most enjoyed by preschool and early school-age children.
Since the size is agreed individually, the height of the platform and the length of the slide can be adapted to the age of your children. If the children are still small, a lower platform will be safer, and later they will still be able to enjoy the swing set. A bench with a backrest also suits teenagers and adults, so the product will not become redundant in the yard when the children grow up.
A platform with a slide also develops motor skills. By climbing the crosspiece logs, children learn to coordinate their hands and feet, and by sliding down, to keep their balance. Swinging also trains the sense of balance, so a children’s swing set with a slide is not only entertainment but also useful exercise in the fresh air.
If you are planning a whole play corner, the swing set can be complemented with a sandbox or a children’s playhouse. You will find examples of such products in the section swing sets and sandboxes for children, for example the sandbox with a hip roof or the children’s play complex No. 6 with a climbing frame.
Care and what to discuss when ordering
Inspect the ropes in spring and several times during the summer: if they are frayed, rough or torn, replace them immediately. Check the rope fastenings on the top log as well. Wipe the surface of the slide free of sand and leaves, and the wooden sides must stay smooth, without split-off splinters.
Periodically coat the logs, the platform and the bench with a protective product made for exterior wood. Look more carefully at the ends of the logs near the ground, as they stay damp the longest. For the winter it is worth taking the bench down and keeping it under a roof.
When you order, discuss how many children will play and how old they are, how much space you have in the yard and which way the slide could run. Say which shade of finish would go with the other products in your yard.
If the yard already has a wooden gazebo or other wooden structures, it is worth giving the swing set a similar shade. Then the children’s play spot does not look cut off, but becomes part of a unified yard. In the photo the logs are coated with a warm honey shade that goes well with the green lawn and the spruces.
How to order swing set No. 5
UAB “Laukbaldis” has been making wooden products since 1996 and, according to the company, was the first in Lithuania to start making this production. Swing sets, sandboxes, children’s playhouses and garden furniture are made in Dapkiškių village, Tauragės district.
Call +370 687 25388 and quote the product number, No. 5. Only typical examples are shown on the website, so the size, the height of the platform and the finish are agreed with you before production. If you have photos of your yard, they will help you choose the most suitable solution faster. During the call you can also ask about other products in this category if you want to match them with each other.
Frequently asked questions
Can this swing set be ordered with a roof?
In the photo the swing set has no roof, but the size and solutions are agreed individually. If you want a covered bench, discuss it when you order or compare with swing sets that have a canopy.
How do children climb up to the platform?
Small crosspiece logs are fixed between the logs under the platform, and children climb up by them. The platform is surrounded by a railing of curved branches, and a slide runs down from it.
What age of children is this swing set for?
A bench with a backrest suits children who can already sit by themselves, and smaller ones can swing with a parent. The height of the platform and the length of the slide can be adapted to the age of the children.
Why does the grass disappear under swing sets?
Children brake and push off with their feet in the same place again and again, so the lawn there gets trampled. It is worth spreading sand or fine gravel under the bench.
Is the bench suitable for adults too?
The bench has a backrest and armrests, so parents can sit on it too, for example swinging a small child on the lap. Check the permitted load and the width of the bench when you order.
How do I order swing set No. 5?
Call us and quote No. 5. We will discuss the size, the height of the platform, the finish and the spot in the yard.
