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Outdoor baby swings have been gaining popularity in recent times, and that’s because of a lot of reasons. Swings are something that everyone, regardless of their age, loves to ride. But when it comes to toddlers or babies, they love it even more.
Toddlers have a knack for getting into trouble, and they keep looking for new adventures. Swings are something that makes them feel adventurous, just not in the way that is obvious. The thrill of going up and down and the tightening and loosening of the gut, all that just adds up to fun that is swings.
Now people usually use indoor swings for kids that are less than a year old, but kids who grow up, as they grow older than one year of age, might feel unsatisfied with the indoor swings that have only very restricted motion and might want to try something that would give them more freedom to move.
So that’s where the outdoor baby swings come in. Outdoor baby swings are just like any normal swing, but they are just a bit more modified to suit the use of a baby, i.e., these swings are designed keeping the babies in mind because they are made baby-friendly and are safe for their use.
You can install these outdoor baby swings in your backyard, or any place you find, and your kid can go there and just spend some time in the air and feel like flying. We all want to fly, don’t we? Well, not the people with acrophobia, but the others do.
In this article, I am going to be talking about outdoor baby swings, what makes them safe to use, concerns regarding their safety, swing types, seat types, and a lot more. So stick with me to the end.
Concerns Regarding Outdoor Baby Swings
So finally, your baby has grown enough to go outside and play? Parents are always concerned when it comes to sending their kids out to play or even taking them out for some outdoor activities. The concern is valid, and I understand that you are worried the most about the safety of your child.
When it comes to spending some fun and relaxing time outdoors in some gardens or parks, swings are one of the best entertaining options available for both you and your child. Though, it doesn’t matter what type of swing it is, if it’s you who is going to ride the swing.
However, when it comes to your kids who are going to ride these outdoor baby swings, parents get worried and selective about the swing. But if you are going to public parks or gardens, there is not much you can do about the type of swings present there except observing precautions.
If you want your kids to enjoy that amazing feeling of the breeze of air moving around their body and that adventurous feel when they swing back and forth away from the ground you will probably want to ensure a safe environment first.
In that case, the safest and most fun environment will be your backyard, right? You can utilize the backyard of your house to place an outdoor baby swing for your babies so that they are always within your reach for you to observe their safety.
After the surroundings, the second most important thing to pay attention to is the type of outdoor baby swing you want to buy or build for your kids. There are a number of types of baby swings and each of them varies in construction as well as the safety offered.
Types Of Outdoor Baby Swings
Now that we have considered the safety factor, it’s time to jump into the different types of outdoor baby swings and see which one works out best considering the available space and of course the safety.
1. Full Basket Swing
Beginning our list from the safest option available in outdoor baby swings, a full basket swing is the one that is on the wishlist of many parents. Babies as young as 1 year or older than 2 years have the right to enjoy the thrill of swing just like we adults have and a full basket swing will take care of that.
A full basket swing is specially designed for babies who are yet not able to stand or walk properly, basically toddlers. This type of swing has a 4 sided enclosure that keeps your child safe in there, and the only way to get in or out is from the top.
These swings have two slots at the bottom for legs, and the overall design protects your child from falling off the swing. Thus, this is probably the safest way of letting your child enjoy while you are free of any worries.
However, your kids can’t swing on their own. So they will require a person to accompany them. Therefore a supervisor will be needed, but there is not really any danger related to the activity. You can choose the correct size of the seat, either small or large, according to your baby.
As the age group that is going to use this type of outdoor baby swing is a lot younger, proper attention is given to the quality of material used. Such swings are usually made from soft-touch matte plastic or rubberized plastic. It will offer maximum comfort without compromising safety.
However, a full basket swing won’t be useful once your kid grows up. You will need to see other types of outdoor baby swings as this full basket swing comes in small sizes and it often requires a second person to give swings.
2. Half basket Swing
A half basket swing, the name itself defines a lot, you get the idea right? Not just a name, but a half basket swing shows a lot of similarities to a full basket swing. As your child grows, they will like to have partial freedom to move around in their swing.
A half basket swing will make sure there is enough room for a 2-3 year kid to enjoy the swing and will ensure their safety at the same time. You can get a half basket swing if you think your child has grown and is confident enough for such a type of swing.
It has a chain on one side which works as a handle to hold while swinging. It gives a sense of openness to your kid. The seat is made up of durable yet comfortable plastic. Thus, the overall design of this outdoor baby swing is a good balance of comfort and safety.
It won’t be a bad idea to directly introduce your kids to a half basket swing instead of a full basket swing at first. Both the swings are not much different. Depending upon the manufacturer and the chain used, sometimes a full basket and half basket can be interchangeable on the same swing.
A key point to consider here is, go with a full basket swing for maximum safety when your child is a lot on the younger side and get a half basket swing if your child seems confident enough for this particular type.
3. A Toddler-type Swing
We have already seen the full basket swing which is specifically designed for younger kids. But if you are looking for something more specific when it comes to toddlers, a toddler swing might be the most accurate option for you.
The thing about toddlers is they have little to no control over their body movement and balancing. Thus they require constant as well as firm support. A full basket swing might not be a good idea, as there is still plenty of room to move in between due to the absence of seat belts.
On the other hand, a toddler swing is designed by considering all the above mentioned factors. It has several belts to hold your baby in a firm position. The two shoulder straps and one strap between the legs will make sure your baby is securely held on to the swing.
The whole seat of this type of outdoor baby swing is made up of hard plastic. Don’t worry about the hard plastic, it is not there to cause any discomfort to your baby. The motive behind using hard plastic to fabricate this swing is to provide maximum safety.
A unique form factor of this toddler swing is it is the only type of swing which comes with a distinct backrest. This is the main factor that makes this swing the most suitable for toddlers. However, observe extreme precaution when taking your toddler baby to outdoor swinging.
4. Curved Sling Swing
Coming to the most common and widely spotted outdoor baby swings. A sling swing is one of the popular swings out there. These types of swings can be seen everywhere from local gardens to amusement parks.
There are a couple of reasons behind sling swing’s popularity and wide acceptance. These swings are the most basic and easy to get on. This one just has a curved base seat for sitting of course and you can hold the chains on the side for support.
Another plus point of this outdoor baby swing is its strength. The base or seat is made up of metal which imparts an ample amount of strength to support the weight of an adult without causing any deformation. That means your baby’s weight shouldn’t be a problem.
The two chains attached to the seat which support the weight of the swing onto some strong foundation are also made from metals like steel. Therefore, durability and strength is not something you should worry about when getting a sling-type outdoor baby swing for your backyard.
However, due to lack of any other support than just the seat, this type of swing is not ideal for kids below 6 or 5 years old, so forget about babies. Whereas one plus point is that, you and your 6+ year old child, can enjoy the joy of swinging on this sling type outdoor baby swing.
Coming to some precautions, the sling type swings do come with a lot of variants in terms of size, the material used, style, and some other things too. If you are purchasing one for your younger kid, you can go for one with plastic seats, as they generally weigh less than 40-50 kgs and are cheaper too.
However, if you are planning to enjoy the sling swing along with your son or daughter, consider buying one with a larger base made up of metal. I am sure, you will go with the metal based swing as swings are irresistible, be it a child or an adult, right?
You can visit outdoor swing retailers to get a swing that fits in your dimensions of the backyard perfectly. Also, similar to a seat, pay attention to the base as it is the one that is going to take all the load.
5. Single Swing
The most versatile type of swing when it comes to usability is a single swing. It is not a lot different from sling swing but still unique enough to make its place in our list of top 12 outdoor baby swings.
There are several advantages as well as limitations when it comes to single swings. First, let’s see what are positives about this type of outdoor baby swing, and later on, we will discuss what are the limitations of the same.
Advantages
The First advantage is that it’s a lightweight as well as portable swing. It means that you can take this swing on your family trips, it will fit inside your car’s trunk without any hustle. The only metal part you will probably find on this swing is the hooks and attachments to the seat.
Now you might be thinking, “even if it’s portable, how am I supposed to hang this swing without any base?” Well, you don’t have to worry about that either. This swing can be easily attached to any sturdy support like a strong branch of a tree or a metal pole.
The single swing saves a lot of space as well as it can be installed in your small backyard. Whereas, other types of outdoor baby swings require a lot of space for their setup. It requires only a small place to be installed and some clear periphery around it, that’s all.
Being a removable swing, it can be easily replaced with some other type of swing, as it does not require any permanent base. Thus, as your child grows, you can always replace this swing with something more suitable. For example, replacing the plastic seats with metal ones.
Generally, these types of outdoor baby swings cost cheaper than permanent swings. Therefore, this swing won’t be too hard on your budget either. Also, being replaceable it can be reused again for your second child maybe.
Limitations
The only thing to be concerned about is that the most structure is made up of hard rubber and sometimes plastic. Thus it is durable but the weight it can carry is on the lower side. Therefore, you won’t be able to swing on it but your baby definitely can.
It is ideal for kids below age 10 and the swing can usually handle weight till 50 KGs provided it is supported by a sturdy platform. Get a single swing and your child will enjoy that for years.
6. An Horse Glider Type Swing
Anything done repeatedly over a long period gets boring over time and swings are no exception. If your child is being on the swings in the same way for years, you will probably notice that they are losing interest as well as are less excited about swings. In that case, I have a great option to offer for your kids and probably for their friends too.
A horse glider swing is especially meant to end the boredom of your child. A swing is already a fun activity to do and enjoying swings with your friends is probably one of the best things about childhood.
A horse glider swing can accommodate two kids on the same swing at the same time. Unlike the rest of the swings, kids are supposed to sit facing one of the sides like back to the back of their friend. The power of two helps to swing higher and higher.
Also, it means that this swing is not at all meant for kids on the younger side about 2-4 years old. Thus it is not suitable for your baby. But for your partially matured kids, this type of swing will provide the most fun as it involves their friends, So no longer waiting for your turn!
Your kids probably won’t complain about not taking them outside if you have a horse glider swing in your own backyard. If your kid has friends or cousins who come over regularly, then it might be a great idea to install one in your backyard.
Another fact which you might not notice is your kids can develop some skills while enjoying this type of outdoor baby swing. It develops skills like bonding, teamwork, and cooperation. You might not notice them right away, but your kids will be developing these valuable skills gradually over time.
However, this type of outdoor baby swings are not really meant for babies and can be a lot riskier for them. If you have two kids, one 2-year-old baby and another slightly grown-up kid about 3 to 5-year-old, then it might be not so good idea to bring this swing to your backyard.
7. Set Of Swings
Let’s consider you have plenty of space in your backyard or garden and you are tired of looking for a perfect outdoor baby swing for one or two of your kids. In that case, instead of getting two separate swings for your babies of the different age groups, you can get a swing set.
A swing set will sort out all the problems and your baby can have fun till his/her teenage. The only catch here is, you will need an ample amount of space to install a swing set. A swing set will ensure that your baby always has something to enjoy or something to play with.
Combinations Available In Swing Set
Swing sets are available in wide varieties and combinations. You have different options to choose from and before making any choice there are a number of factors to consider. I am listing down some of the factors, take a look at them before making a purchase.
By keeping the age group of your baby in mind, wisely choose the type of wings you want to include in your swing set. Including a toddler swing and a full basket, the swing is most recommended for babies below 3 years.
Additionally, you can get one sling swing and a horse glider swing in the set. It will make sure that the swings will be used even when your babies grow up. They will always have at least one type of swing to play with and they will progress to a new type every year or two.
Some swing sets have options to replace the seats. Therefore you can always change the current swing seat to some other type that might be more useful for your elder child. It makes the swing set a lot more versatile.
If you wonder what else you can get with a swing set so that your baby has everything they could ever wish for right in their backyard, you will probably get surprised if you see the varieties of attachments a swing set can be compatible with.
A Teeter-totter type swing set
Some types of swing sets come with a teeter-totter attached to one of the sides. It is a great addition to the set as if you are spending so much space for a swing set, getting an additional teeter-totter is always a great option to have.
A Slide type Swing Set
If you are willing to spend a little more, you can get slides attached to the swing set along with teeter-totters for babies. You will get small slides that can be allowed for babies with a supervisor and with some precautions.
The bottom line is, a swing set can provide everything a baby would ever need. Also, it will remain an integral part of your house even when your kids grow up. Now let’s see how much a swing set will cost.
As we already know that this type of outdoor baby swings come in different combinations, their price also varies with each attachment. In general, a four swing set along with a teeter-totter on one side and a slide on another side can cost you anywhere between $140 to $200 depending upon the retailer.
A swing set with at least 3 slides is recommended, however, you can consider a four swing set if your baby always has the company of his/her friends with them. Overall, it’s a great package.
8. Tire Swing
So, you don’t have a big playground sized backyard or maybe you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars just for swings, I have a great deal for you too. You might have seen such a tire swing at some point in your life.
A tire swing is not at all recommended for a baby alone. But the reason we are including such swings in our list is its cheap cost. You can take your baby on your lap while swinging on this tire swing.
You can hang this type of swing to an existing swing set rod or even a strong branch of a tree. It is not necessary to purchase a professional well designed tire swing. If there is a DIY artist hidden inside some corner of your heart, you can make your own tire swing too.
If you are not really confident about your skills, you might not want to break your bones after falling off that swing. In that case, I would recommend buying an actual tire swing from an online store or your nearest offline retailer.
A professionally made tire swing can cost you around $120 and a DIY will be ready after spending a few bucks. These types of outdoor baby swings are made for rough usage and are a lot more durable than the rest of the types.
However, don’t get excited and take your baby for a ride of a tire swing. It might not be safe for a young baby. If you still wish to give it a try, make sure the swing is held to a firm and sturdy foundation.
9. Flat Seat Swing
We have seen some swings which are completely designed by keeping babies as primary users, whereas some were targeted for little older kids as well as adults too. The reason behind that is, swings aren’t really meant for babies. But still, there are ways they can enjoy swings too.
One such swing is a flat swing, even this type of outdoor baby swing is not ideal for a baby alone. But it can be a great comfortable option if you are going to sit in this swing with your baby in your lap.
A flat seat swing is not something you will get to see anywhere. Such swings are rarely used but that doesn’t mean that they are not good. In fact, a flat seat swing is 10 times more comfortable to sit on than a sling swing,
The flat base of the swing provides better balancing and allows your baby to be seated on it for a longer period without any discomfort which is unlikely to happen in the case of any common sling swing.
A flat seat swing will usually be made of plastic but better materials can be used to maximize comfort. If your baby is having tough times adjusting to the curved swings, a flat seat swing is an ideal option for you.
10. Disc And Rope Swing
A quite unique and different option from what we have seen so far. A disk and rope swing is a fun and entertaining type of outdoor swing. Sweet, small, fun, unique, and entertaining are some key traits of this disc and rope swing which are iconic and reserved for this type only.
If you have a small backyard, and still want to introduce your baby to a fun swing then there isn’t any other best option than a disc rope swing. There are some interesting positives about this swing.
The first one is, unlike the rest of the outdoor baby swings, this swing can be hung to single support whereas others require two supports to hand the swing. This saves a lot of space and might become the reason for you choosing this swing.
Also, it is not a heavy swing, it has a rope instead of chains and a plastic seat. Thus, it’s a lightweight swing. This means that you can hang this swing simply to a branch of a tree but make sure the branch is not weak.
However, letting your small baby ride this swing doesn’t seem like a good idea. Kids above 6 can have fun with this swing, they can even stand on the disk without an issue. Though a supervisor is always recommended.
11. Outdoor Porch Swing
We have already seen many different types of outdoor baby swings, from the most common sling swing to the most fun horse glider swings to the most unique ones like disc rope swing. Now, it’s time to check out some family swings where your babies can spend quality time with their parents and grandparents.
Swings aren’t always about taking higher and higher swings, sometimes it’s about taking slow and short swings while listening to stories your grandmother has to share, making memories and even falling asleep in your mother’s lap.
All these things aren’t something your baby will ask for but you know it and I know it, they need all of these and they will love to do such activities as well. A porch swing is exactly what you need for your family if you have grandparents and their favorite grandchildren.
Such types of outdoor baby swings won’t go as high as other swings or won’t swing as fast as other types will do. But a porch swing will give you a large and comfortable place to sit along with decent swings.
A porch swing is not just for your baby but for your complete family. It is made up of wood and thus won’t give you a cheap feeling. However, you will need strong support to hang this swing. A tree or its branches are definitely not ideal for this swing to be hung on.
Coming to its varieties and costs, it can come in many creative and different designs, all intended to provide a maximum luxurious as well as comfortable experience. The porch swings are usually made from either wood or bamboo sticks.
The price of a porch swing depends upon the type of material used and the kind of features and customizations provided. Sometimes porch swing can offer features like hand rest, cup holders, or anything else you can ever imagine. In such a case, the price can go up to $300 or more.
12. Outdoor Canopy Swing
An outdoor canopy swing can be considered as a variation of a porch swing, but the design is quite different. It is usually larger than a porch swing. It is suitable for babies. In fact, your baby will be most comfortable on this swing.
Instead of wood, it can be made up of metal, and instead of a wooden seat, we get a super comfy bed. It will make sure your baby gets enough comfort to enjoy his/her swing. They can include blankets too.
It can be considered as an outdoor baby swing as it offers premium comfort to your baby’s experience on this swing. Also, this type of outdoor baby swing ensures maximum safety of your baby.
The prices are almost similar to the porch swing but can go even higher depending upon the features and quality offered by the manufacturer. You will find the outdoor canopy swing at around $300 to $350 on amazon.
Types Of Seats On Outdoor Baby Swings
Now that you know about the types of outdoor baby swings, it is time that we got to discussing the seat types in these swings. There are basically 5 types of seats that are used in baby swings that I am going to be talking about.
When it comes to the safety of the outdoor baby swing, one of the most important factors to consider is a seat, if the seat is not good and strong enough, it might easily break which will lead to the injury of your child and that will just kill the purpose of these swings being baby-friendly.
There are a lot of things that you should keep in mind while deciding the type of seat for an outdoor baby swing and those are the strength of the material, the quality, the comforts, etc. I am going to be talking about those things a bit later in this article, so stick around till then. Let me start with the types of seats in an outdoor baby swing.
1. Basket Seats
Like with the type of swings that were half basket and full basket outdoor baby swings, there is a type of seat that is called a basket as well. Amongst all types of seats in the swings, the basket seat can be considered the safest seat type. This type is the most secure and you will realize that when you just take a look at the seat.
Like the type of basket swings, these seats have holes in them at the bottom that are made so that the legs of your kid will fit through them. These holes are made so that the body of your child would be supported by the frame of the seat and the legs will have the freedom to move.
The basket seat of these outdoor baby swings will behave like a secure hold for the waist of your child as well as provide support to the backside and the front of the kid. This will make sure that your child will not tip and fall off from the swing when the swing is in motion and that will make you feel that your baby is safe.
You need to keep in mind that the child can’t use these types of outdoor baby swings by themselves because they would not be able to get in at all. So it becomes necessary for a parent or supervisor to be present when the child uses the swing, not because they might fall off but to safely get them in and out of the seat of the swing.
The material of these types of outdoor baby swings would be an important considering point. The swings are more costly and may have the seat made of a better quality material that might be a more rigid plastic and that will make sure that your kid is comfortable while they use the swing.
The swings that are made from a lower quality material might be cheap in the market. These materials might be filmy plastic or maybe a weak rubber material.
You should know that the outdoor baby swings of these types do not offer much support to the whole body of the child but instead only to the lower part and that can make it a bit uncomfortable.
2. Belt Seats
The belt types of seats in an outdoor baby swing are the most common type of swing seats and you will see these almost everywhere. These seats are either made of plastic, rubber or wood, or other similar material and they are tied to the base with the help of ropes like any other swing.
That base could be anything like a swing set or just a tree or hooks on the ceiling. These seat types come in a lot of variety and that is done by changing their styles. When it comes to the belts that are made from soft plastics, these belts will morph to the form of the person sitting on them and support their weight from below.
When these seat belts of an outdoor baby swing are made from a rigid plastic material or even a plank of wood, they will obviously remain as they were and not morph their shapes. It does not matter that much what seat you choose but it will matter that the connection to the base of the swing, be it a tree or swing set, is very secure.
If the connection to the base is secure then these seat types would be a nice option for an outdoor baby swing, although, you should keep in mind that these are not suitable for kids below the age of 3-4 years. Both ends of the seat would be tied to the base and they will be safe if the connection is firm enough.
You should make sure that everything is in good condition before you let your kid mount these swings because if either chain or rope breaks, then the child will fall down and might seriously injure themselves as well.
3. Disc Seats
The negative point of the disc seat type is that it does not offer much support to your child other than the support it offers from below because it is a seat. But the safety issue will not discourage kids before even if this might not be the best outdoor baby swing, it still offers a lot of adventure.
Along with going up and down, if you want, you can install it in such a way that it can rotate along the axis from where it is tied to its post. You will just need to place a bearing hook on the post and then tie it in the rope or chain and that will allow the rotary motion for the swing.
Although, it should be kept in mind that these disc seats only have the ropes they are tied to the post from, as supports and that can be a safety concern for parents and that is the reason children below the age of 3 should not be allowed to mount this swing set.
These outdoor baby swings contain a seat that is made up of a flat disc and has a rope that runs through the centre of it that ties it to the post that could be a tree or swing set. When a kid mounts on the seat, they will put their legs around the rope and then hold themselves against the rope.
It becomes essential that their grip on the rope or chain is firm because if it is not, then they might fall off the swing and that could be a serious problem. To make this outdoor baby swing as safe as possible, you should keep the disc low enough that the kid can stop the movement of the swing using their legs.
It would be to keep something soft beneath the swing like pillows or other things in case your child does fall off from the swing. You also need to make sure that the rope is not slippery and that it can be easily gripped because that is the thing standing between safety and danger.
4. Web Seats
The web seats are flat and they are kind of similar to the disc type of seats. But that is the only thing that is common with the disc seats. Disc seats only allow one child at a time to mount and swing but the web seats in an outdoor baby swing have enough space so that they can have multiple kids swinging on it easily.
The web seats are a lot more comfortable and safer than the disc seats and that is because of a number of reasons. For one, these swings have a bigger area than the disc seats and the construction of the seats are such that they are not hard on the bum of your child.
When your kids will sit on it they will not feel a hard seat because the web seats are kind of webbed as in, they are made up of strings that form a web at the center.
The circumference is made of a solid and rigid material to support the form of the seat and when the kids sit on them, the web will support their weight and bend to the shape of your kid.
The web seats of the outdoor baby swings might look and feel like a hammock because of their construction. These seats are held by the post using at least 3 ropes or chains that provide it stability and make it more secure for the use of your child.
When you are buying or making a web seat for the swing, you should keep in mind that the circumference is made of a solid and rigid material like steel that will make it hard for the frame to snap. You should also make sure that the strings that form the web are made from strong material like synthetic fibers.
These strings should be hooked and looped so that the web is strong and would not easily give in under pressure that the weight of your child will put on it. You should make sure that the weaving is tight enough so that it won’t let the legs of your child go through them and loose enough to not snap because of the tension.
You can make these swings so that they aren’t just outdoor baby swings but also suitable to be used by adults. That will help you make sure that your kids enjoy the activity with safety and let you enjoy it a bit in the process as well.
5. Glider Seats
Glider seats are somewhat safer than most of the other options like disc seats because they allow the kids to swing without them having to go too fast or even too high. These seats are often made in such a way that two kids can ride on the swing at the same time. These could be a good choice for an outdoor baby swing.
These seats are a good option for families that have more than one kid because they can use this swing at the same time. You can even install these seats on the swings that are in a local park so that the kids from the neighborhood can all share it and enjoy it at the same time. This will help in keeping multiple kids entertained at the same time.
The glider seats should be constructed in such a way that they are solid enough to support the weights of multiple kids at the same time and they should also have fluid but gentle motion. The construction of the seats becomes essential because they should not break when being used for a long time.
If your kids have outgrown the basket swings but they are not yet ready for the more adventurous options like the disc seats, these could be a good option. These swings provide a lot more safety than the disc types of seats.
Now that you know about the different types of outdoor baby swings as well as types of seats that they could have, it is time we talked about things like extra features in a swing. These features could help you make the swing more secure and long-lasting or comfortable.
Additional Features In An Outdoor Baby Swing
There are a lot of additional features that you can add to your outdoor baby swing sets or which you can have installed when you are out to buy a swing set. These features might be to improve the durability of the swing set or it could be to make it more long-lasting, it all depends on the things that you want from your swing set.
Once you have decided what things you or your baby needs from the swing sets, you can set out to buy the perfect outdoor baby swing set. Let me list all these features of a swing set.
1. Adaptability
A lot of outdoor baby swing sets can be a bit adaptable. Adaptable in the sense that they could have certain things that will make them friendly for all kids, small or big or with certain physical disabilities.
If a kid has a certain disability like not being able to put its whole weight on the leg or not being able to grip the ropes or chains of the swing securely then you could put straps in place to make the swing set friendly for their use.
The adaptive swing sets that are made commercially have to have been certified by ADA standards that make sure that these outdoor baby swing sets are following all the regulations and standards set in place. All that is done to make sure that the safety of any child is not compromised.
The commercial adaptive swings are made from a material that can last long even if it has to endure a lot of stress. The material of the seat or the whole swing set will determine the durability of the swing set and make it safe for child use for a long time.
When you set out to buy an adaptive swing set for your child, make sure that the seller you are buying from has a good reputation and that the quality of the swing is good. It should be able to ensure the safety of your child because they should not come under any type of harm.
2. Buckles And Straps
Buckles and straps can be a good feature to have in your outdoor baby swing set if your child is very active or refuses to listen to you and performs stunts on the swing that could be dangerous for them.
Not only kids that refuse to listen to your safety concerns will need straps or buckles, but certain kids that have disabilities might also require to be buckled and strapped to the swing so that they can enjoy the swinging sensation and feel happy through it.
These buckles and straps will provide an extra level of safety for your child. When you are out to buy a swing set, you can make sure that the swing seats have buckles or straps in them or at least allow additional buckles to be installed in them. Even when you are making these swings at home, you can make sure that they have this feature.
Also, keep in mind that these buckles and straps need to be adjustable so that kids of any size can fit into them even if they grow up a bit. You would not want your child to feel suffocated or have the buckles be loose as that will just kill the reason these buckles are needed.
3. Rust Resistant Swing Set
Most of the chains of the outdoor baby swings are made from a metal that can easily get rusty especially when the swing is going to be experiencing all kinds of weather because it is going to be installed outdoors.
If the metal in the swing is going to be exposed to all kinds of weather then it becomes essential that you use a metal that is of good quality and make sure it has a rust-resistant coating over it.
If the swing set is not made from anti-rust metal then it can easily break and that would be a serious safety concern. It will also cost you money to repair the damage once the chains or other metal parts break.
The outdoor baby swings that are made from plastic will be rust-resistant but if you are going to be buying or making a swing that will have metal parts, then make sure it has a rust-resistant coating, and if it does not then make sure you get it coated.
Having a rust-resistant coating on the metal of the outdoor baby swing set will increase the life of the swing set and also be a lot safer for the use of your child.
4. Canopy Swing Sets
If you are going to install the outdoor baby swing set under a tree or someplace where it will be protected from the weather, then it should be okay. But if you are not going to be doing that, then it would be a good idea to have a canopy for the swing set so that your child could be protected from the sun.
Having a canopy over the swing set will allow a shady place for your child to spend their time and they can use the swing even during the afternoons when the sun is shining very brightly and can cause problems to the sweet skin of your child.
A canopy might not be able to cover the whole of the swing set but it will cover the area that matters and keep your child under its shade. A canopy over the outdoor baby swing set can be a great idea so that your kid would be protected from harmful UV rays.
5. Other Features
There are a lot of other features that you can install on or around the outdoor baby swing set. One of these options could be a play deck that can be part of the swing set as that will give your child some extra space to play.
If you are going to be making the swing set yourself, then you can easily do this or you could buy commercial products if your budget is on the higher side. Something else that could be installed along with the play deck could be a trapeze bar which your child can use to hang from and swing.
If you are building a big swing set, you can even install a slide on the side of the outdoor baby swing and just make a mini-play area for your kid. If you do that, your kid is definitely going to love you for it.
There are a lot of things that you can do when it comes to making an outdoor baby swing set yourself. You can take some ideas from the commercially made swing sets and make the best swing on a small budget.
Now that you know about the types of outdoor baby swings, types of seats as well as about some additional features, let me talk about things like the age of your baby at which they can use the swings or the safety precautions that you need to take.
At What Age Can Your Baby Use Swings?
When you are out to buy an outdoor baby swing set, it becomes essential that you buy a swing set that is appropriate for the age of your baby. You can’t be buying a disc swing for a one-year-old kid and you can’t buy a basket swing for a 6-year-old kid.
The age appropriateness of the swing should be the first thing you consider when making or buying an outdoor baby swing set. As I have mentioned above, there are a lot of options available to you when you are buying a swing set and these options might confuse you, so that is the reason it is essential that you know what you need.
The age of your child can be the deciding factor when buying an outdoor baby swing. If you have a small kid, then you should opt for a basket swing because that would keep your baby safe and the chances of them falling off would become 0.
You can even install another layer of protection on the swing set by making a strap kind of thing at the front and the back of the basket swing to support the upper body of your kid. Belt swings could be a good option for kids around the age of 3 years as they can hold on to the chain or ropes and keep themselves from falling off.
One of the main questions that arise would be, what is the appropriate age for a baby to start using outdoor baby swings. That would mostly depend on when your baby learns to sit and balance itself. But in any case, you should not take your baby for a swing if they are younger than 6 months.
Safety Precautions You Need To Take When Considering Outdoor Baby Swings
Like I have been saying, the safety of your child is the most important thing and that should come before anything else. If your child wants to swing on an outdoor baby swing then you should make sure that the swing you build or buy is very safe for the use of your child.
To do that, you can start with seeing if the swing set is appropriate for the age of your child and then consider things like the weight of your child and the strength of the swing set. It would wound you to know that between the years 2009 and 2012, more than 350 incidents happened that involved a baby falling from the swings and 2 babies even died.
That tells you how dangerous these outdoor baby swing sets can be if they are not safe enough. There are a lot of things that you should keep in mind when you are building or buying a swing set or when you are letting your child swing on it.
Safety Precautions:
- If your child is small then you should consider a nursery seat that has a safety harness in it which will keep your child secure when they are swinging.
- It is dangerous for your child to be standing or kneeling on a swing seat, so you should tell them not to do it.
- If the outdoor baby swing has an S-hook then ensure that the hooks are closed nicely before you let your kid on the swing.
- When the child is using the swing, make sure that either you or someone old enough is present to take care of the kid in case of a mishap.
- Be sure to tell your child how dangerous it can be if they try to perform stunts like leaping off the swing while it is in motion or trying to go higher than what is safe.
- You can install t-bars on the swings to make them extra-safe.
- If you are buying a basket swing, you can ask for the feature of a higher back so that your child feels comfortable while using it.
Now that you know about the safety precautions concerning an outdoor swing set, let us move on to the things that you should keep in mind when building or buying a swing set.
Things To Consider When Buying An Outdoor Baby Swing Set
I have told you about the types of outdoor baby swing sets and the safety precautions you should be observing. What is left to discuss are the things that you should be considering when you set out to buy or build a swing set.
There are a number of things that make the swing set safe to use and long-lasting and those things are :
1. Safety
Like I already mentioned, it is essential that you make sure that the safety of your child is not compromised when you are buying or building an outdoor baby swing set. You can add some extra safety features like harnesses or buckles.
2. Installation
Make sure that the swing set you buy can be installed easily and that you will not have to face any difficulties to have to ask for help from another person and have to pay for it too. Make sure that the installation is done properly and the safety isn’t compromised.
3. Comfort
The Comfort level of the seat or the rope or just the swing overall could be a big deciding factor when you buy a swing. You should make sure that the seat of the swing is not too hard to sit on.
If the seat is hard, you can either use some cushioning or take go for another product. There are a lot of seats that have padding in them as well, if you can find those seats, buy them.
4. Weight Limit
Weight limit is something that becomes in deciding what product you will buy because it will need to be strong enough to support all the weight of your child and not break easily. Make sure that the weight limit is more than your child’s weight because it needs to be able to support them even if they grow a bit.
5. Price
The price of the product you are buying will be important because it has to be within your budget and it should not exceed it because that might put a strain on your finances and that would just be bad.
6. Durability
The durability and strength of the swing set should be an important deciding factor as that will tell you if your child can use the outdoor baby swing set for a long time or not.
7. Material
The material a swing is made from, be it its seat, the post, the chain/ rope, or anything else, plays an important role in determining the durability of the outdoor baby swing. The better the quality of the material, the better it would be for you and your child.
8. Plastic
A lot of outdoor baby swing seats are made from plastic. These seats are a good option for the younger kids and they can work for the older ones too but for that, they have to be a bit more durable.
9. Rubber
Rubber is again something that is used to make the seats of the outdoor baby swings and they make the seat a bit more comfortable than the plastic seats and they can be of a very good quality of durability.
10. Wood
A lot of outdoor baby swings can be made from wood, either entirely, just their frames, or just their seats. The swings made from wood look great and very traditional as well. You can make carvings in them and make them look a lot more expensive as well. It is good to show off sometimes.
11. Metal
Like wood, the outdoor baby swings can be made from metal entirely or just the chains, or the frame can be made from metal. These swings are very durable and you can make them even safer if you coat them with an anti-rust layer.
The material of the chain can be either metal of a simple rope as well, it should just be strong enough to support the weight of your child.
Cessation | Outdoor Baby Swing
An outdoor baby swing set is something that gives your child something to play with and gain an experience that is not less than an actual adventure. The best thing about childhood is that it is innocent and carefree.
So when these carefree children enjoy their time on the outdoor baby swings, it becomes essential that we make sure that they are safe when they are on these swings because if their safety is not ensured, it could lead to some severe accidents happening and we absolutely do not want our children to get hurt.
There are certain things you can follow to make sure that the safety of your child is not compromised and you can start by choosing the best swing suitable for the needs of your child.
There are a lot of types of swings like the tire swing which is basically a tire hung from a post or bucket swings that keep your child securely in it and do not let them fall or the disc swings that give your kid a feeling of adventure or a porch swing on which you can enjoy swinging with your family or the bed swing to make you fall asleep peacefully.
Consider these types as well as the durability of the swing, the material of the swing, the price, the weight limit, comfort level, etc and you will have a swing that ticks all the boxes and is very suitable for your kid.
The outdoor baby swings are made to keep your baby entertained and expend some energy while giving them a feeling of thrill and adventure. When a baby feels these things along with the feeling of safety and love that they get from you being present with them, well I will just say that these memories will be happy enough for a Patronus to be created.
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