How much space do you need for a swing set?

Ever been excited to set up the wardrobe or table you’ve had your eye on for ages, only to find out it doesn’t quite fit the space? Nothing’s worse than that woeful trip back to the store and saying goodbye to your interior design dreams.

The same thing can happen with a swing set! Read our helpful guide to make sure you’re not left with a great piece of kit and nowhere to put it.

Why is it important to have enough space around a swing set?

How much space you need for a swing set isn’t just about whether it fits into your garden. It's about making sure there’s enough room for your child to enjoy their toy safely. 

Just like there’s no point putting up drawers that don’t have space to open, there’s no point in setting up a swing set without space to play. 

Having enough space around your swing set is essential for your child's safety. It reduces the chance of collisions with trees, furniture, and fences. It also means that your swing set and garden items are less likely to get damaged. 

Most of all, creating an uncrowded area for your child to play in will keep them playing for longer and make sure they get the most out of their swing set, helping them grow from the benefits of swings for kids!

Things which affect how much space you need for a swing set

How much space you need for a swing set depends on a few factors. Every garden and swing set is different, so consider the following things when planning your play area. 

The size and layout of your garden

The first thing to consider is the size of your garden. If you have a large garden with lots of space, you’ll have much more freedom when picking a swing set and a place to put it. 

If your garden is small to medium-sized or has many obstructions, such as trees, furniture, and uneven ground, you’ll need to be more strategic when choosing a swing set. Remember, as well as needing ‘enough’ room for your toy, you also need space for kids to play safely on and around it. 

The size and shape of your swing set

Swing sets come in many shapes and sizes. No one size fits all, so make sure your swing set is the appropriate height, length, and width for your garden. 

Typically, the larger the swing set, the more space you’ll need. However, if you have a rectangular swingset and a rectangular garden, you might get away with having a little less room.

The features of your swing set

Different features and accessories will also affect the space needed. For example, a swing and slide set usually needs more space than a single swing set.

Creating a safe landing zone is important if your swing set includes a slide. Swing sets with climbing walls, monkey bars, or additional swings are likely to be larger, and having safe landing spots around them is equally important in case of accidents. 

How much space do you generally need for a swing set?

As you’ve discovered, the space needed for a swing set depends on several factors. However, some general guidelines can help you determine which swing sets will work for your garden. 

As a general rule, you should plan for at least 2m of empty space on each side of the swing set: 2m to the left and 2m to the right of the toy. 

For example, if the swing is 3m wide, you’ll need 7m of spare land: 3m for the swing set, 2m to the left, and 2m to the right. 

Then, make sure there is enough space at the front and back of the swing. A guideline for this is to double the height of the swing set. 

If the swing is 2m tall, leave a 4m gap at the front of the swing and a 4m gap at the back. 

Here are some examples of the guidelines in practice: 

A Rebo Wooden Garden Swing Set is 177cm wide and 212 cm high. For this swing set, we’d need a 577cm patch to allow 2m on each side, 424cm at the front, and 424cm at the back. So, the total space should be a rectangle that is 577cm wide and 848cm long. 

The Rebo Wooden Triple Garden Swing Set is 360cm wide and 214cm high. For this set, we’d need a 760cm patch of spare land to allow 2m on each side, 428cm at the front, and 428cm at the back. The total space we’d need is a 760cm by 856cm piece of land.

This might seem excessive, but planning out ample space for your swing set is important for the safety of your child, your swings, and your garden. 

How to choose an appropriate swing set for your garden

Now that you know how much space you generally need for a swing set, you might be wondering where to start when choosing the perfect piece of kit for your garden. 

Here are our top tips for picking a swing set that will fit and thrive in your space!

Measure your space

Before you make any spur-of-the-moment decisions, grab your tools and get measuring. Follow these steps to ensure that your measurements are accurate and thorough. 

Grab a tape measure, notebook, pen, and something to mark with (cones, stakes, or toys will do the trick). A spare pair of hands will also come in handy if your little helper wants to get involved.

Stretch the tape to measure the width from one side of the garden to the other and note down the number. Then, measure out the length by stretching the tape across lengthways and noting down this number.

Identify potential obstacles. Look for trees, furniture, sheds or fences that could get in the way of a swing set. 

Choose a spacious area and measure the distance to it from garden boundaries and obstacles. 

Pick a few prospective swing set options and note down their dimensions.

Once you’ve chosen an area that fits the guidelines we outlined above for your swing set, use markers to map out where the corners of the swing set would be. This will help you visualise how much space the toy will occupy. 

Measure the space on each side of the markers to make sure they follow the 2m each and 2 x height rule.

Double-check all of your measurements: measuring twice and assembling once can save you from a lot of swinging headaches!

Think ahead

A swing set is an investment. You’ll want to make sure that your kids keep enjoying the benefits of outdoor play for as long as possible. 

If you have younger children, instead of buying a baby play area, consider choosing a swing set that can grow with them and keep them interested. A full-size swing set with a baby or toddler swing attachment is perfect, as you can switch the attachment for a standard swing after a few years.

Add-on toys like slides or basketball hoops can expand your swing set and ensure your kids never get bored. 

It’s better to be safe than sorry; mapping out extra space for your swing set means freedom to upgrade it and keep your kids playing out for years to come. 

Know who it’s for

Knowing how many little monkeys will be climbing on your swing set is important. A single swing set might be enough for one kid, but swing sets with multiple seats or extras like climbing frames are better investments for larger families. 

Typically, those swing sets with extra features or more swings are a bit wider, so you’ll have to factor this in when planning out your space.

Choosing the right spot for your swing set

1. Location, location, location! When choosing a spot for your swing set, follow our guidelines and avoid placing it near walls, fences, or trees. 
2. Look for a flat area to ensure the swing set is stable, and consider how the sun moves across your garden – a shaded area can keep the swing sets cool during hot days.
3. Make sure the ground is soft in case of accidents. Grass is ideal, but if that’s not possible, consider adding rubber matting to create a safe landing area.

Once you’ve chosen a swing set and found a place for it to live, find out how to secure a swing set to the ground. 

Find swing sets for every space at Outdoor Toys 

Here at Outdoor Toys, we have swing sets to suit every space. To save you from going back and forth between websites and get your kids swinging back and forth sooner, we’ve put together a few top picks for gardens of all sizes: 

Best for small gardens: 

Rebo Wooden Single Garden Swing Set 

Rebo Wooden Swing Set plus Deck & Slide

Rebo Wooden Swing Set with Up and Over Climbing Wall 

Best for large gardens:

Rebo Double Tower Climbing Frame with Flexible Bridge, Swing & Slide

Rebo Challenge Wooden Climbing Frame with Swings, Slide and Up & over Climbing wall 

Rebo Wooden Swing Set with Monkey Bars plus Deck & 6ft Slide 

Best for growing with your child:

Rebo Wooden Single Garden Swing Set - Baby Seat

Rebo Cassini Wooden Swing Set with Platform and Slide

Best for building out:

Rebo Wooden Garden Double Swing Sets

Rebo Wooden Triple Garden Swing Sets

Best for multiple-child families with a bit more space: 

Rebo Adventure Wooden Climbing Frame with Monkey Bar, Swings & Slide

Check out our unbeatable range of swings, swings with monkey bars, swing and slide sets, and climbing frames with swings today. 

With 48-hour delivery and 0% finance on orders over £99 through PayPal Credit, there’s never been a better time to swing into summer! 

FAQs about swing sets 

How far apart should two swings be?

Swings should always be at least 2ft apart from each other. Any well-manufactured swing, such as the Rebo models featured on our website, should adhere to this guideline. 

What are the best swing sets for a small garden?

The best swing sets for small gardens are single swing sets. They provide all the fun and benefits of swinging without taking up a lot of space.

How close to a fence can I set up a swing set?

We advise setting up your swing at least 2m away from the boundaries of your garden. Make sure the front and back of your swing set are more than double its height away from fences. 

How do I safely install a swing set? 

To set up a swingset safely, first, make sure you’ve chosen a good location, then carefully follow the instructions outlined by the manufacturer. Read our tips on how to secure a swing set to the ground for an extra level of safety.

How can I keep my kids safe on swings?

You can keep your kids safe on swings by choosing an appropriate swing, assembling it according to instructions, teaching swing safety rules, and properly maintaining your swing set. For a deep dive into swing safety, check out our blog post on how to keep kids safe on swings.