Children's outdoor swing for a summer residence: types, tips for choosing and making

For people who spend a lot of time in the country, the question of how to entertain a young family member when parents are busy with their own business often becomes relevant. The easiest way to diversify your leisure time and spend time on a suburban area with benefit is to install an outdoor swing for your child. And if you choose a solid structure, then it will be possible to use the garden swing not only for children, but also for adults. In addition, modern manufacturers offer ready-made and durable models at quite affordable prices. And if you have special skills and have a desire to build a playground in the country yourself, then it will not be difficult for you to assemble a street swing with your own hands.

A swing of even the simplest design will bring a lot of joy not only to children, but also to adults. And what is especially remarkable, they will not be empty in hot weather and even frosty winter. In addition, the choice of ready-made structures is quite large, ranging from ordinary swing for the street and ending with stationary developmental playgrounds for teenagers.

But first, you should still figure out what is the use of a swing and whether they can harm the health of the child.

• Rocking motion has a calming effect on babies.
• The swing strengthens the muscles of the arms, legs and body and teaches the child to control his own body.
• Rhythmic up and down movements have a beneficial effect not only on the nervous system, but also on the development of the vestibular apparatus, which is a kind of training that helps prepare the young body for travel in transport, as a result, the child is less sick on the road.
• Agility and coordination develops - the child learns to balance, keep balance and feel the rhythm.
• The positive emotions that appear after swinging on a swing are comparable to listening to relaxing music.
• This is a great way to spend excess energy without harming your health. When swinging a swing, a lot of energy is wasted, which is comparable to an easy short run in the fresh air.
• The child has the opportunity to entertain himself on his own without the participation of elders. A playground with a swing will keep the kid busy for a long time and allow adults to go about their business.

Any swing can also be divided into types, types and age restrictions. But the basic elements always remain the same: a strong and stable frame, protection system and comfortable seating.

The frame is the main element of any swing. It must be strong and reliable to withstand any stress. The frame also allows the suspension with the seat to be attached to the support bar. Most often, durable wood or metal is used for the frame. Plastic does not have particular strength and reliability, therefore, such models are designed only for children under the age of 5 years. A reliable frame should be held on two supports in the form of the letters "L" and "A" - this option is considered the most common and strong for outdoor swings. Supports in the form of the letter "P" need additional fixation and strengthening. For greater reliability, it is recommended to dig the supports into the ground to a depth of at least one meter and additionally cement them.

Swings on chains are suitable for swinging at a small amplitude, which makes such designs convenient for small children. But older children also like these swings - they have increased strength and reliability. On such a swing it will not be possible to unwind with the "sun". But when choosing a similar design, pay attention that the links of the metal chain have middle holes in order to protect the little fingers of the child. A finger can get stuck in small rings, but in large ones, on the contrary, they can be pinched.

For outdoor swings, solid materials are often used as a seat - plastic, wood, rubber. Iron is rarely used, because it freezes quickly in the cold, and instantly heats up during hot weather. A cushion with removable covers can be placed on top of the hard seat. Rubber can also be used as a seat, but in this case it will be possible to swing on a swing only in a sitting position. You can also make a spider web or nest seat with your own hands using thick ropes and textiles. But when it rains, such a structure will get wet and quickly lose its original appearance. The simplest seats are made from wood. The lacquered and protected seat will last for many years. You can also make a seat out of an old chair, skateboard, or an unnecessary sturdy plank.

A standard stationary swing with a solid frame can have a mirrored seat, which is very convenient if you have two children in your family, then the kids can sit opposite each other and swing at the same time. Younger children should still choose a swing with a locking back and a stopper in front, so that the child cannot fall during the swing.

A canopy over a swing is an additional and optional attribute in any design, although it has many functional advantages. Firstly, during a light rain or on a hot day under a canopy, you can continue to play. Secondly, during precipitation, metal fasteners of the structure may fail, and elements from textiles will get wet and become unusable. Polycarbonate is considered an excellent material for a canopy - it protects well from precipitation and at the same time allows light to pass through. Also, the canopy can be made of roofing materials or flooring.

The most common models work on the principle of a pendulum, that is, you can swing up and down on them. But some swings work a little differently. Structures are divided into the following types.

• Stationary models on a wireframe. Such a swing can be used not only for children, but also for adults. Supporting structures must be reliably dug into the ground for at least a meter and concreted for structural reliability.
• Seats suspended from a support with a rope or chain - this type includes bungee. The main thing is that the fastening device is strong and reliable. The easiest way to install such a swing on the street is if there is a larger tree with strong branches growing on the site. In this case, it is enough just to fasten a cable or a strong rope. But if there is no tree on the site, then it is necessary to put a U-shaped frame with strong supporting structures.

• Balance weights or pendulum models - such a swing is very easy to make with your own hands. This is a great option for families with two children.The construction will require a long, sturdy plank with seating on either side and a log or old tire to fit in the center. Rocking occurs when the legs are kicked off the ground. Such designs can be of interest to children of any age, but games on them will not last long, so it is worth installing such models only complete with a play area.
• On a spring - such a swing is suitable for very young family members. Children especially like bright models with a car or motorcycle frame. To install such an attraction on the site, a strong spring will be required, to which a seat with a solid frame will be fixed, the main function of which is not only to attract the baby's attention, but also to secure the game, since the structure balances on one spring installed in the center of the so-called "nest".
• Carousel has a more complex design, but several children will be able to play on it at once. This is a great option for large families. It is rather difficult to build such a structure from available tools, and the installation process is laborious. Therefore, the easiest way is to purchase a ready-made carousel for a summer cottage in a store.

Also, the swing differs in age restrictions.

• For children under 3 years old, the seat should have a high back and a limiter in front so that the baby does not fall off the swing. It is important that the seat is not fixed on two ropes, but on four. In this case, the little baby does not need to balance and can sit more comfortably.
• At the age of 3-4 years, children learn to be independent and it is very important if the baby can sit on the swing by himself, so the sitting level should be slightly lower than on models for older children. It is also worth choosing suspended rigid supports for the seat, and it is wiser to refuse rope structures until the right moment.
• At the age of 4 to 7 years, there are no special restrictions on the choice of a swing, the only thing is that for small children you should not choose suspended structures with large chains - a finger can get stuck between the links during games.
• From 7 years old and older, children love active and active games. You can diversify the platform with a swing using a bungee or rope ladder.

In the production of children's outdoor swings, various materials are used: wood, metal, plastic, textiles, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Plastic is an excellent material for playgrounds. The finished structures are lightweight and strong enough to support the weight of the child. But pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations before buying - each model has restrictions on weight and load. And choose designs with a load margin, since your baby will quickly grow and next year it may not be interesting or comfortable for him to play on the summer cottage due to the small size of the seats. In addition, older young guests will have to be limited to playing on the playground.

Bright plastic is considered a comfortable material not only in summer but also in winter. High-quality plastic does not fade from direct sunlight, does not change color due to rains. But plastic playgrounds for children have several drawbacks:

• the swing may not be suitable for older children and adults;
• plastic structures look less attractive than wooden swings;
• the strength of plastic is not comparable to wood or iron - under excessive load, the structure can quickly break or crack;
• fragility - even with careful use, a plastic swing will last an average of 3 years;
• a swing made of toxic plastic can, at best, lose its beautiful and vibrant color due to sunlight, and at worst, release harmful substances when heated in direct sunlight on a hot day.

A swing made of wood is considered an excellent option for a summer cottage.A strong and reliable swing can be made of wood, which can be used not only by children, but also by adults. Such designs have many advantages. First, it is an environmentally friendly material. Secondly, even a novice master can build a wooden structure with his own hands. And thirdly, wood lends itself well to processing.

But it should be understood that wood is a capricious material that requires proper care. Every year, a wooden structure will need to be treated with special solutions to protect it from moisture and various pests. Wood structures, as a rule, are massive and have a lot of weight, which makes it impossible for any transportation or movement around the site, so you need to take care in advance of creating a special canopy that will protect the site from rain and snow. In the cold season, the wooden structure must be covered from rain and snow with a canopy, and with the onset of spring, dry it thoroughly, and then treat it with protective equipment.

Metal swing can have beautiful carvings and patterns and will last for decades for your family. But it is impossible to build a metal structure without experience and special equipment. Also, the iron swing has certain features:

• in order to extend their service life, it is necessary to treat the metal with protective sprays against rust and corrosion;
• using a swing in winter is uncomfortable, and in summer metal elements can get very hot in the sun;
• the seat of a metal swing should be made of wood or soft pillows with replaceable covers should be laid on top so that it is comfortable to swing on them;
• solid construction poses a particular hazard;
• the beautiful appearance of the metal structure will perfectly fit into any landscape design.

When choosing a suitable design, you need to make sure that the given swing is absolutely safe for the child. For the smallest, it is necessary to secure the seat and purchase models with a backrest and a horizontal bar in front.

It is desirable that the structure has a small canopy or it is possible, if necessary, to close the playground for children from the rain or move it under the roof. Pay attention also to the mobile swing, which can be installed not only in an open area, but also on a covered veranda if it rains.

An important point when choosing a suitable model is the dimensions of the structure. There should be enough space in the swing radius so that the swing seat is away from fences and walls of structures, as well as trees and flowers. But at the same time, the swing should be visible from the window of the house. In addition, the swing should not cause problems and restrict movement around the site.

The place for the installation of the structure must be well lit, and the site itself must have an even relief, otherwise, due to irregularities, the process of installing the structure may be complicated. And at the same time, it is undesirable to place the children's area in direct sunlight - on a hot day it will be uncomfortable to be on the site, because the elements will quickly heat up, and a large amount of ultraviolet radiation can adversely affect health. The absence of drafts and strong gusts of wind is also very important for the children's area.

When choosing a swing with soft seats, take care of removable covers. Outdoor pillows will need to be cleaned and washed more than once throughout the season. Some soft textiles can be cleaned as they become dirty with liquid detergents.

Buying a finished structure will undoubtedly save time. But it is not at all necessary to purchase expensive models in the store. You can make an outdoor swing for a summer residence from almost any available materials and in one day. The base can be leftover boards, old tires, wooden pallets, ropes, and so on.

Wood craftsmen can create a real masterpiece that will harmoniously fit into the natural landscape design of an open area. Natural wood elements look harmonious in the garden. In addition, instead of a compact seat, you can make a large bench out of wood for children and adults to sit on.

If you decide to make a small playground with your own hands, then consider the design options that are suitable for you. In addition, any structures made of wood are easy to install. The swing frame must be securely fixed and secured with slopes. And the base itself, that is, the supporting structures, must be installed in the ground and cemented.

From the remaining unnecessary wooden pallets, you can build a large swing, on which you can not only sit, but also lie. Attach the pallet with strong ropes and hang it from the support beam. But to make it comfortable to use such a swing without fear of splinters, put soft pillows with replaceable covers on top of the wooden seat. If you fasten two or three pallets, then such a swing will look like a classic hammock. For a recreation area, it is worth choosing a place in the shade of trees so that, looking at the clouds, you can enjoy peace and quiet.

You can also easily build a playground from scrap materials. Old car tires are great for this. With a little skill and imagination, a worn wheel can be turned into an intricate figure that will act as a seat.

The street swing "Nest" looks original and stylish - it has one large wicker seat on which you can lie and look at the sky. Suspension elements are fixed at one point, and you can swing on such a swing in all directions. The same category includes a swing with a wicker seat, a cocoon and a comfortable back. The suspension is also located at one point, and reliability is provided by a strong spring that can withstand a load of up to 200 kg.

You can watch how to make a children's wooden swing with your own hands in this video.