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How to Build a Wooden Swingset

Wooden swing sets are some of the best playground equipment you can put in your yard for your child to play with. The wooden swing sets are better because they are generally larger, and will last much longer than their metal counterparts. The most important thing to remember when building a swing set is that your children will be playing on it a lot. This means that safety is the foremost concern when building equipment. Be sure that everything you purchase for the swing set is safe for your child to play on.

Things You'll Need

Several 2 by 4 pressure-treated redwood planks
2 by 6 pressure-treated redwood planks
Electric saw
Carpenter’s angle
Power drill
Galvanized long bolts
Galvanized nuts to go along with the bolts
Galvanized washers
Cement
Swings
Chains to hang the swings
Bolts to attach the swings to the swing set

Instructions

- 1
  Go to a lumber yard and ask for several pieces of 2 by 4 and 2 by 6 pressure-treated redwood planks. You will need about 44 feet of 2 by 6 wood, and about 16 feet of 2 by 4 altogether. It varies, however, so be sure to get extra.
- 2
  Cut the 2 by 6 wood into four eight foot lengths. These are the sides of the swing set. Cut an additional 2 by 6 piece that is 12 feet long. This is the top of the swing set. Place the four side pieces of wood at angles with the top piece. Using the carpenter’s angle, cut the four bottom pieces so that they rest flush with the top piece. It helps to have an assistant aid with this.
- 3
  Drill holes into the wood so that the bottom pieces of wood can be attached to the top of the swing set. You will probably need a helper for this Step as well. After this has been done, screw the bolts and nuts together making sure that they are very tight.
- 4
  Turn the basic structure right side up once it is complete. Cut the 2 by 4s so that they reach across the open portion of the side pieces making it more stable. Bolt them in place. At this point it is necessary to cut off any wood that is hanging off the set at a weird angle. Use the electric saw to do this.
- 5
  Dig four holes for the bottom posts once the swing set is complete. Pour cement inside and place the swing set into the holes.
- 6
  Depending on the type of swings purchased, the way that they attach to the set will differ. Usually you will need to drill holes to bolt the swings in as well.

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