The Best Playground Accessories

Jungle Gym Kingdom Pirate Ship Wheel

Captain the ship

Grab the wheel and steer a ship of endless possibilities with this fun accessory.

Best Steering Wheel

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Stir your kids’ imaginations with Jungle Gym Kingdom’s pirate ship wheel. Easily set up with a simple screw and washer, this wheel is perfect for any wooden swing set, fence, or post in your backyard. It quietly and smoothly spins once mounted and is made to hold up in any weather. This 12-inch wheel will make a fantastic addition to any backyard, instantly turning a simple space into a magical pirate ship for your kids to command.

Pros:

• Durable enough to withstand rough weather
• Easy setup
• Multiple colors to choose from

Cons: 

• Not meant to be used indoors on drywall
• A bit expensive, but made with quality materials

Fofana Ninja Slider Pulley

Take to the sky

Your kids will be able to climb, slide, and glide with this adventurous addition to your family’s obstacle course.

Best Zipline

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This heavy-duty pulley and triangle carabiner is capable of holding 6,000 pounds without failing. Its sealed ball bearings smoothly glide over two-inch wide slacklines, while its stainless steel axle comfortably supports a heavy load. This slider pulley can act as an adrenaline-inducing zipline or as part of an obstacle course from which your kids can hang, slide, or maneuver around. For a reliable, heavy-duty pulley that’s the perfect playground accessory for your backyard, trust Fofana’s Ninja slider pulley.

Pros:

• Extremely smooth ball bearings
• Aerospace-grade aluminum alloy is lightweight but incredibly strong
• Compatible with other two-inch wide slacklines

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with a slackline included

AusKit Swing Swivel

Swing and spin

A heavy-duty swivel improves the strength and smoothness of your yard swing.

Best Swing Swivel

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If you’re searching for a high-quality swivel that can reliably support your home’s swing or hammock, look no further than AusKit. This durable swing swivel is made with a strong aluminum-magnesium alloy capable of handling weights of over 1,000 pounds without breaking. It features a stainless steel ball-bearing that offers incredibly smooth 360-degree rotation that prevents tangling and two carabiners rated for loads of up to 600 pounds each.

Pros:

• Industrial-grade swivel design
• Frictionless 360-degree rotation
• Includes two high-quality carabiners

Cons:

• Cannot be disassembled for cleaning or maintenance

Trekassy Giant Platform Tree Swing

Hanging around together

Large and sturdy enough to carry several kids, this swing is a fantastic way for your family to hang out together.

Best Swing

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If you’re trying to get your family to spend more quality time outdoors, Trekassy’s giant platform tree swing is a great option. With a large frame and strong Oxford fabric seat, this swing easily fits up to five kids at once. It comes with two durable nylon straps capable of holding over 2,000 pounds that can be quickly wrapped around a tree branch or playset and thick, adjustable hanging ropes that connect to the seat. Encourage your kids to get some fresh air while they chat, read, or relax with Trekassy’s giant platform tree swing.

Pros:

• Large swing that can hold multiple children
• Extremely strong swing straps and hanging ropes
• Oxford fabric seat is wear-resistant and waterproof

Cons:

• Needs two connection points for stability

Ogrmar Rock Climbing Holds Set

Climbing new heights

This set of rock climbing holds is a great addition for kids who love a good challenge.

Best For Climbing

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Ogrmar’s 25-piece set of rock climbing holds creates an exciting physical challenge for your backyard playground. Coming in five cool colors and a variety of shapes and sizes, these holds are made of durable, weather-resistant plastic that makes it easy for your kids to get a solid grip. Each hold can be firmly mounted with two screws, ensuring their safety and reliability once they’ve been installed. Help teach your kids to persevere and climb to new heights with this fun rock climbing set.

Pros:

• Weather-resistant, easy-grip holds
• Simple installation
• Capable of holding a decent amount of weight

Cons:

• Requires a two-inch board for mounting that’s not included with the holds

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of swings would benefit from a swing swivel?

If you have a swing that is hung from a single connection point and you’d like it to be able to rotate, a swing swivel would be perfect for it. Swings that require two connection points — meaning they are hung from two straps to a pole, tree branch, or other horizontal bar — would not work with a swing swivel because the second attachment point would hinder their ability to rotate.

Why do different parts of playground accessories have different weight ratings?

Weight ratings vary because each part can handle a different amount of stress or load. For example, swing seats themselves have a weight rating, and the straps that connect to the bar or tree branch have their own rating. When looking through the different numbers as you purchase a new playground accessory, consider the part that has the lowest weight rating, as that will be the first part that will fail if you exceed that amount.