Rope Swing Knowledge Base: Kids' Memories for a Lifetime!

Kids' Fun Swings - Memories for a Lifetime!

For kids' fun, it's easy to set up a rope swing to hang from a tree, from the eaves, or a custom swing frame. Kids can have the most fun year-round and not get tired of it. Of course it is also smart to choose a style and color matching your yard or residence. On the right, there's an example of a Weather Resistant durable Aspen Wood painted Red. It features Comfortable seats and wide arm rests, with a long lasting quality paint job. Ten foot rope and seat belt are included. It comes basically assembled, and takes no more than 15 minutes to put in place. [and it's Made in USA].

A safe and fun choice for younger kids is like this Wind Rider Glider Swing: with an ergonomic design, and back supported seat, providing additional comfort. It provides a transition from the early toddler-type swing to a regular swing seat. It attaches quickly to any standard duty swing hanger. And it comes with hand grips and foot holders for a more secure position, helping promote the child's development of strength and coordination. All the details about this are on the Wind Rider Glider Swing shopping page.

If you don't have a safe place to hang your swing, have a look at the many styles of free-standing swing sets available to place on a deck or lawn. Using a 1 inch thick manila or sisal rope makes it easy to hold on to and very safe. Coat the ends of the rope with rubber or whipping to prevent fraying. To prime the seats and then put multiple coats of spray paint is also a good idea.

Here's another idea for the young ones who enjoy the outdoor rope swing: Oxford Reading Tree: Storybooks: the Rope Swing is a kids' Stage 3 reading picture book about friends enjoying rope swing play.

More do-it-yourself tips:

Place your ladder up against the tree branch and climb up to where you want to place the rope. Make sure it is far enough away from the tree that the kids won't swing on it and slam back in to the tree.

Cut off any excess rope so that the rope does not touch the ground.

Consider using a cantilever beam fastened horizontally to your tree, rather than attaching your swing directly to the branches. A beam or pole mounted to your tree will give a more evenly balanced swing axis, but may be a challenge to stabilize as it is not as solidly in place as a tree branch itself.

Try the rope swing out yourself first. Swing on it by sitting on a knot. Then try the rope swing again by standing on one of the knots. Kids will want to play with the rope swing in many different ways such as sitting on it, standing on it, etc.

Sisal or manila rope needs some attention at the ends to prevent the fibers untwisting and coming apart but does give a more traditional look than synthetic ropes.

Features of Kids' Rope Swings

Safety first for the kids
the most romantic place in your home or garden
hanging porch swings require strong overhead support
a do-it-yourself (DIY) kids' swing can feature a cut board, a round circle, a tire, a belt, or a log for the seat.
free-standing patio swings are available for deck or garden landscape
A great indoor option is the Indoor Trapeze Bar and Swing Set for Kids - Perfect Rainy Day Activity

KIDS' SWINGS & SPECIALS

Kids' Swing Safety
Be sure to test the location and mounting for your swing thoroughly. Always supervise small children. Smaller kids loved the belt seat more than a board or log. This kids' safety swing, available through Amazon, provides all you need to set up for your little ones: Bucket Toddler Swing w/ Rope.

Materials and Construction
A one inch rope has a working load of well over 800 pounds. This is a big rope, easy to hold onto and safe, and makes a great climbing rope too. The higher and longer the rope the bigger the ride. With a 16 inch disc seat, even big kids (adults) can ride. Some single-rope swings only offer a 3/8th to 1/2 inch rope and there made of nylon, plastic or cotton and they stretch. Also, kids have difficulty holding the smaller ropes. This Skateboard Swing is well-made and provides an unusual sideways motion not found in normal swings.

Kids' Swings over the Water
The goal with these swings is to have fun getting wet. Many of the above safety suggestions apply. Main differences with these swings: there is often only a knot used instead of a seat -- makes the dismount easier into the splash zone; the swing is usually only ridden for one half cycle; and the swing distance is greater. Easy Tree Hangers are available for those basic quick swing set ups.

Swings for the Family
Family swings can be set up for casual indoor use too. It's best to find one sturdily constructed for years of use. Relaxing family swings need to consider color and style to best match the home and surroundings. Here's a Unique High Quality Elastic Hammock Swing To Consider. It stretches so don't set it too low!

Swing for Active Kids
This unique round tree swing allows kids to sit in a variety of positions. It features a tight weave on the hand-woven seat to keep hands and feet protected. Kids give this a reputation for fun like a traditional tire swing - a favorite way to play outdoors- but with more comfort.

Tire Swing on a Beach Front Yard
This example shows some benefits of the tire swing for kids. Bigger kids can ride on top (like the photo). Smaller kids can stay inside the circle. When the surroundings are as magnificent as this, any tree will do. Just put up anything and it will bring more enjoyment to that spot over the months of time to come.

Thrill Physics
For kids, probably the biggest thrill is the speed they can feel on the ride. In this image, the boy's swing reaches top speed at the low point of the cycle, after which it decelerates. And the greater the pendulum length, the greater the speed at this point. (provided the dad or the boy himself can provide the energy to keep increasing the swing arc). So for kids who are old enough, the higher the branch, the longer the pendulum, and the bigger the thrill of the swing ride.

Seat Design Considerations
The example above next to "Materials" shows a swing with a single-knot seat. One rope fastened between the legs. This is simple and provides more variations to the ride - it can go in any direction. The design just above has actually two ropes with stabilizers - each rope fastens to the seat both front and rear, essentially keeping the seat in a fixed position relative to the rope. And this one to the left is just in between - two ropes without any stabilizers. It's simpler, and as long as the girl holds on there shouldn't be any issues.