Little kids grow out of everything quickly, so if you are looking to invest in an outdoor playset you want one that is both toddler and older child or adult appropriate.
There are so many different choices it can be hard to know which one to purchase.
The right outdoor playset will not just be for little kiddies, and the grand part is that you will be able to adjust portions of the playset as your children grow older.
How Do Playsets Differ
The adorable playset, which stands not even 3 feet high, will undoubtedly be adorable for your child’s first few years but it won’t be long before it is outgrown and you will end up getting rid of that adorable playset or purchasing a new outdoor playset.
Not every outdoor playset is meant to be used for a variety of ages, so the playsets that include this feature should also be avoided if you want something useful for older children and/or adults.
Playing Pretend
Young kids love playing pretend – it is an important part of their growth.
They may want to play house and use a sand box to make pies or climb the rock wall as a superhero or swing as high as they can and pretend to be an astronaut.
But before long, playing pretend is not the “cool” thing to do anymore.
Sand pies may be too messy, the rock wall may not be challenging enough, and they know that unfortunately, no matter how hard the swing or how high they go, they will not make it to space.
So, if you are looking for an outdoor playset for older children or adults, see if you can find one that does not have a play kitchen, but has somewhere that kids can hang out no matter how old they are, like the area at the top of the slide that has a little shelter from the sun, plus room to solo read a book, or hang out with a friend.
Learning
A few of the outdoor playsets are intended to be educational for your children while being your outside.
The designs have bright primary colors and all kinds of shapes, some even are the alphabet, numbers, games of matching, and instruments for playing music.
Don’t forget, these will be fun and engaging for younger children, but older children and teenagers may find these babyish and cringe-worthing.
Size
Size is going to be a pretty big factor when choosing an outdoor playset for older children or adults, and there are multiple areas where size matters:
- Overall height of the playset
- Width and height of the ‘doors’
- Width and length of the slide
- Length of the swing chains
- Height of the monkey bars
- Size of the rock wall grips
- Size of the steps
- Size and height of tables
Practically all aspects of the playset should be adequately sized for older kids.
Many of them are enjoyable and practical, and some are actually safety related.
Think about any staircase you encounter in your everyday life, whether that’s in your home, your front door, your school, your workplace, or the mall.
Every step’s actual depth is designed for your foot to fit on it and to not slip off of.
If you purchase a playset with stairs that are too small and designed for toddlers, the adult size children are going to trip.
There is also the length of swing chains.
Smaller children have shorter legs and will need their swing much lower to the ground to get in.
However, in just a few short years, their legs are going to grow longer and if you can’t adjust the length of their swing chain, their legs will drag the ground.
And then there is the simple “you need to fit” features.
Keep In Mind – Avoiding permanently getting stuck in the playset will make you never want to use it again, like when you don’t fit through the doorways or at the top of steps of any wall climbing playset or your butt gets stuck in the slide.
Unless, of course, you get lucky and win big on America’s Funniest Videos, but who wants that embarrassment?
How to Look at the Construction
Viewing the playset as an investment is always important, even if you are looking for many for small children.
You might find a range of construction types, but most outdoor playsets utilize two different construction materials.
- Galvanized Steel
- Pressure Treated Wood
Both of these materials will hold up against the outdoor elements, as both are manufactured to resist corrosion, but they do have their pros and cons.
Galvanized steel will be much more expensive than pressure-treated wood as well, but it will last longer.
It also will not warp or crack in cold weather, and you will not have to worry about it rotting or being eaten by bugs during warm weather either.
Pressure-treated wood has the edge on price, and if you manage to find a playset that is made of cedar, it will also work as a natural insecticide to help keep bugs away.
However, wooden outdoor playsets can sometimes be poorly manufactured, where the support beams of the structure consist of glued-together pieces of wood.
In this situation, if the construction was poor, the glue may loosen over time, and the structure may not be as sturdy as it seems.
Take note to look for a playset constructed with one big piece of wood whenever possible.
Key take away – wooden outdoor playsets can warp over time in extreme weather, which can cause the structure to be dangerous and unstable, when metal playsets will be sturdy.
Consider Your Space
Before you rush out to get the largest outdoor playset you can find, look at the space you have designated for the set up.
This means not only how big the space is but also where it is and what is around it.
You may have a nice space for outdoor playset but it’s located right next to a power line.
Or there is a clothesline running through the space you have, which is not a good look for taller playsets.
The good news is there are multiple types of playsets out there, suitable for either small or large areas, but more importantly, the whole family should still have fun!
Freestanding structures
Stand-alone outdoor playsets require no anchoring or installing, so they are excellent for people with limited yard space.
They are also good for renters so you can take the play structure with you when you leave.
Instead of a large playset that has many areas to climb up and down, stand-alone playsets consist of one set.
These may include:
- a slide
- monkey bars
- swing set
For older kids or an adult who lives in the house, a swing set would be a great gift.
It’s always nice to have something to do outside, and a swing set provides a place to hang out and relax with friends without being “too kid-like.”
Towers
This is the point in time where we start seeing more combination playsets.
The standard tower set includes a swing set, a tower, and a slide, but there are many variations of this.
You might have a:
multiple towers
- rock walls
- bridges
- fire poles
- multiple slides
- monkey bars
- balance beams
- and so many other pieces
The main difference is that all of these components are connected and usually branch off from the tower.
Playhouse
Now, enhance that tower play set by adding in a playhouse.
Even better, if it’s got a tunnel that leads from the tower to the playhouse, or you can climb up through the playhouse to the tower, even better!
These are fantastic playsets for older children and adults, even if they are beyond the age of playing house.
It gives them a place to escape from the sun and hang out with friends, without feeling like someone is watching all the time.
With a few books, some cards, and a few snacks, you’re equipped for older children or adult friends!
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, older kids need bigger and more challenging outdoor playsets with no baby-kid features.
With outdoor playsets for younger kids, some may be too small or too easy for older kids, which can lead to boredom and disappointment.
Outdoor playsets should also be made from high-quality materials that can hold more weight, especially with adult participation.
Cheap materials may not hold up with continued use or exposure to elements outside, which raises serious safety issues.
With a little planning you can have the perfect outdoor playsets for the big kids in your life (you may be included).