Though fun is the reason you are looking for a playset, SAFETY is the #1 priority. Will it hold up to repeated use as your kids swing, slide jump, and swing some more? Will they have a safety-first design that prevents kids from getting stuck between bars or cutting themselves on sharp bolts? Choosing a playset you know has been professionally engineered and rigorously tested may incur greater resources, but the peace of mind it provides is most important.

Consider the ages of the children, as well as the ages of your relatives and neighbors’ kids too. If you have a larger family or anticipate frequent young visitors, you’ll need to invest in a playset that has options for multiple children to play at the same time.

Do you have a large or small backyard? Is your yard made up of oddly shaped corners or have tree roots sticking up? Is your yard level for the all-important “Safety Zone”? All of these factors and more will go a long way in helping you choose the right premium cedar playset for your family.

What will your kids love most? Are they climbers who get onto all of your furniture and somersault off? Would they leap headfirst into new adventures, or would a ramp or steps help them get there with less stress? Thinking about how to customize wooden swing set equipment to your kid’s abilities and passions will help narrow down your options.

Invest in a modular cedar swing set that you can expand or modify as your kids grow up – by swapping out bucket swings for belt swings, for instance, or by adding on a tall spiral slide when that will seem appealing rather than scary. Even ad in a picnic table so the outdoor play never needs to stop.