Swing Set & Slide

These heavy-duty backyard swings and slides are fairly easy to make. You don't need an expensive kit or even store-bought plans. The pictures here are from my second lawn-timber swing and slide. I made these photos when it was fourteen years old, when I re-finished the wood.

Here are some general measurements. These plus the photos can help you create your own design. When originally designing this structure I visited a bunch of public parks and playgrounds to collect ideas -- and even measurements. Hopefully, this will save you some of that work.

Here are some essential measurements:

• The platform is 5' 2" square.
• At the slide, it is 51" above the ground. Note that my yard slopes.
• The top of the rail is 25" above the deck.
• The deck consists of 11 planks of 1" x 6" decking. The side rails are the same material.
• The 4" x 6" swing beams are 12' long with approximately 3' underground, sunk with a bag on concrete on each of the three swing legs. The three other legs are 4" x 4" timbers that are simply sitting on the surface of the yard.
• The sides of the platform are made from 2" x 10" stock.
• The vertical support next to the top of the slide for the rails is 2" x 8" x 36".
• The top rail supporting the swings is 4" x 6" x 9' 6".
• The twin 4x6 posts are 21" apart (so my lawn mower fits between them) and the bar is 24" long.
• The ladder is 21" wide and consists of seven steps. The sides of the ladder are made from 2" x 8" stock and are routed to accommodate the steps. The steps are 1" x 6" deck stock.
• The swing chains are 19" apart with 2' separating the swings.
• Treated lumber was used throughout.

A couple of notes: the chains are fastened at the top with professional-grade swing hinges that I purchased from a school supply store. In my first swing set I had a bad experience with the light-duty consumer-grade variety. In that previous case, they simply wore out and broke under load. Also, originally I used the better quality solid rubber swing seats. Those are really good and sturdy but the rubber deteriorated with time and would blacken kids' pants. Still, they are better than the light-duty blue rubber I'm now using. Don't use solid seats of plastic or wood. Kids will run into them and a bruise is a lot easier to deal with than stitches.

Click on any picture below for an enlargement.