Best Swing Sets for Older Kids: How to Customize

Designing a swing set for older kids can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can create a play space that keeps them engaged and active. In this post, we’ll cover the key factors to consider when designing a swing set or playhouse that truly works for older children. These insights apply to any swing set—not just King Swings—helping you feel confident in your choices.

In this discussion, we assume the youngest child in the home is around six years old and up. What makes a great swing set for older kids, and how can you customize a playset to suit their needs? (If you are looking for options for younger kids, check out our Best Swing Sets for a Toddlers blog post!)

While every family’s needs are different, a few core principles apply to designing playsets for older kids. Let’s explore those.

Space

Older kids need space to move, climb, and play freely. If a swing set or playhouse feels cramped, they may see it as something designed for “little kids” and lose interest. To keep them engaged, focus on designs that offer open layouts and higher decks.

Space can mean the size of the tower and also how much head space the child has. Using towers that are 6’x6′ and bigger, plus raising the roof an additional foot, can do a lot to make the older children feel like this is a space made for them.

Headspace is important when adding items below the tower. For example, a 5′ tower with a decked bottom only has 4′ between the 2’x6’s. That is not a lot of head space for a growing child.

As you increase the tower height, the head space grows. If you consider putting a coffee bar or clubhouse under your tower for older kids, I suggest making the tower at least 6′ tall. This will give them 5′ of head space under the tower.

Space can also mean the size of the swing set. Older kids generally play more advanced and active games than younger kids, so it’s important for them to have more towers, climbers, and bridges to play tag, have Nerf blaster fights, or run obstacle courses.

Pictured here is a 7′ Deck Height with an 8′ x 11′ playdeck on the Flannick Custom Playhouse Swing Set.

Height

A 5’ tower is a fantastic starting height—it’s accessible for younger kids while also engaging for older kids. After the 5′ height, the next option is a 7′ tall tower, which not only makes your playset visually impressive but will grow with your children

Height also plays a crucial role in the slide experience—the taller the tower, the faster and more exciting the slide!

It also impacts your swing beam options. For older kids, I recommend a 10’ high beam, which allows for a much higher, more thrilling swing compared to the standard 8’ beam.

Pictured here is a 7′ Deck Height with a play deck on the Flannick Custom Playhouse Swing Set.

Check out two new designs for 2025 with 10″ swing beams Laurel Playhouse Swing Set and Hazel Playhouse Swing Set.

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And a best seller with 8′ swing beams  Cubby’s Fort Swing Set.

Swings

I’ve noticed that my kids, ages 9 and 10, are big fans of swings with wild, circular motion. While they all love classic belt swings, the real excitement comes from a swing they can pile onto together and get moving—that’s when the fun happens!

Consider having our team install a swivel hook in the center of your swing beam to add more dynamic play. You may want to remove other swings from the beam to prevent collisions when using free-range motion swings like these.

The swivel hook will allow you to attach a 3-rope tire swing. Another great option that uses two swing positions is our heavy-duty web swing. These swings can hold multiple kids at once or provide a cozy spot for a child to lie down and gently swing while reading.

If you have a bookworm in the family, adding a hammock swing in a fourth position creates the perfect relaxation spot.

Put it in Practice

Now that we have explored a few important concepts when designing a playset for older children let’s examine a few standard models and why they are good for older kids.

Wave Rider

The Wave Rider is a great set for older kids. It is 7’ tall and spacious, with that high beam, tall climber, and slide built right into it. My suggestion for this set is to change the super spiral slide to either a turbo tube or a tunnel express slide. Those slides are more big kid-friendly.

The Chateau

The Chateau is another great set for older kids right out of the package. It is 7’ tall and has lots of space for all kinds of games. My suggestion here is to increase the size of the towers to give a bit more space.

Launching Pad

The Launching Pad is unique to this list as the only one with a double-deck tower. This means if you have younger children, this set is great for them, too! The Launching pad has a 7’ tall tower, a high swing beam, and a clubhouse with lots of head space. I suggest increasing the back tower to 6’x6’ to give that upper tower a bit more space, which will also increase the space of the clubhouse below.

Conclusion

When shopping for or designing the best swing set for older kids, remember to look for tall towers with lots of head space under the roof and the tower itself. Choose taller swing beams, faster slides, and more challenging climbers. All playsets at King Swings are made-to-order, so they can be customized to your family’s needs. To learn more about customization, visit our Ultimate Guide to Customization Blog.

Remember that you know your child the best. If your child is a reader, design a little nook with a hammock swing to provide a comfy place to read outside. Or, quite the opposite, if your children are adventurous and turn everything into an obstacle course, add in lots of tunnels, slides, and climbers to keep it exciting!

King Swings crafts high-quality, durable, made-to-order swing sets. We build fully customizable premium swing sets and playhouses with the highest craftsmanship and safety standards. Our modern designs and imaginative accessories will inspire backyard play and discovery for the whole family.

A swing set or playhouse is an investment that requires careful consideration, and every detail matters. Check out our Google reviews, and when you’re ready, contact us to bring the playground home!