10 Best Play Gyms Reviewed and Rated in 2024
BornCute
Angeline Mirenda
Kids aren’t always the easiest to entertain, and as parents, we can really struggle with figuring out the best choices when purchasing entertainment options. We all know how much most kids love to play outside, especially at the park! That’s exactly why getting your kids an awesome new play gym is such a fantastic idea! It’s guaranteed to keep your kiddos happy and entertained for hours at a time. Plus, you can sit back, relax and enjoy watching them have a blast! The best part is we took all of the hard work of researching and comparing out of it for you!
In a Hurry? The test winner after 39 hrs of research
Fort has plenty of room for children to move around and play
Rot-resistant wood helps preserve the play gym for many seasons
Beautiful design looks amazing in any backyard
Huge size and tons of features are ideal for multiple children
10 Best Play Gyms Reviewed
1. Backyard Discovery Sky Fort II
Fort has plenty of room for children to move around and play
Rot-resistant wood helps preserve the play gym for many seasons
Beautiful design looks amazing in any backyard
Huge size and tons of features are ideal for multiple children
Expensive
Assembly is somewhat complicated
Ranking number one on the list is the Skyfort II from Backyard Discovery!
It features a large fort with a crow’s nest, surrounded by swings, monkey bars, and a slide. It’s the huge list of features and flashy appearance that make this play gym a huge hit with the kiddos!
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This dazzling play gym features an extra roomy fort. The fort itself is full of features including a covered entryway, bay windows, and a roomy front porch with a sun balcony as well as a crow’s nest!
Capacity
While this is one of the more expensive play gyms, it’s for a good reason and also has one of the best values. This play gym really has it all and will not disappoint. Not to mention the beautiful edition it makes to your backyard.
Value
It completely makes sense that this play gym is a bit pricier. Even though it is pricier, it is one of the best values. This play gym is so full of different features and activity options as well as being beautifully designed with safety and longevity in mind. If you have multiple children to play, this is a wonderful set well worth the money.
2. Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber
Ten-foot diameter
Safe, weather-resistant construction
Great for group play
Option to add parachute canopy
HDPE climbing grips help little hands
Assembly is difficult and takes some time
Assembly is best executed with more than one adult present and helping
Do your little ones love to monkey around? If climbing walls and monkey bars are their favorite parts of any play structure, bring the people what they want! The Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber is a dome constructed entirely of crisscrossed monkey bars. Kids can climb upside down on the inside of the structure or up and over the peak on the outside of the structure. Once assembled, it measures ten feet in diameter and five feet high, making it roomy enough to allow for siblings and playdates to enjoy together!
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Recommended for children ages three to ten, this structure is brilliant in its simplicity. Children love swinging, hanging, and climbing--the prospect of adventure and the sense of autonomy they get with their accomplishments keep them coming back for more. This dome offers plenty of square footage for kids to explore any which way! It’s a workout and builds strong arm muscles, cores, and leg muscles! Plus it’s a great structure for social play given the sheer size of it.
Capacity
With a 600-pound total weight capacity, this dome can handle its fair share of exuberant kids. It’s constructed from weather-and-rust-resistant powder-coated steel. It’s durable and can be left outside without worrying about the elements dealing it severe damage. There are no lead-based materials involved in the making of this play gym, so it’s safe for the whole family. High-density polyethylene grips make it easier for little ones to grab as they go. It comes with one-year warranty protection.
Value
This item is priced similarly to its competition. It’s just a little bit more expensive than some similar products, but it also comes more widely recommended by those who have purchased it. With nearly 1,900 reviews and a rating well-over four stars, you’re getting a solid piece of equipment with this investment. And since it’s protected for a year, you can purchase with the peace of mind that Lifetime backs their quality-claims up with action!
3. Gorilla Playsets Chateau
Plenty of play options entertains multiple children for longer periods of time
Stunning design provides a lovely visual addition to your yard
Well-built out of beautiful cedar wood
10-year warranty on the lumber
Sturdy and designed to last for many years
Expensive
Complicated assembly
The play gym from Gorilla Playsets is truly magnificent. It’s got a ton of amazing features but manages to beautifully fit them into a slightly smaller footprint than many of the other large play gyms on the list. The deck designed, or treehouse, on this unbelievable wooden play gym is nice and roomy. It has plenty of space to move around and can easily accommodate multiple children at once. It also features two lovely windows that both have real working shutters that really add to the beauty of this play gym. Additionally, it has a sunburst, an adorable chimney, and even a tic-tac-toe panel!
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This set offers an impressive variety of fun activities to keep young children, happy, entertained and occupied. Watch the children as they enjoy the slide, the swings, the climbing frame, this is a perfect play environment for kids.
Capacity
The Gorilla Playsets Chateau Treehouse Tower is stunning, sturdy, roomy, innovative, and has a list of great features that seems to just go on and on. It is absolutely worth the money if you can afford it. This is a truly ideal option when you have plenty of kids to keep entertained.
Value
There is no doubt that this play gym has a truly wonderful value. It is one of the most expensive play gyms on the list but you can definitely see where that extra money goes, and it is definitely well worth every penny!
4. Gorilla Playsets Mountain Ridge
A massive amount of room and options for play
Can accommodate tons of kids playing at once
Absolutely beautiful design
Sturdy and well-built
10-year warranty on lumber
Most expensive play gym on the list
Complicated assembly
Another great choice from Gorilla playsets, this massive play gym has just about everything that the Chateau has AND more! Seriously, you could not want more out of a play gym. It’s got a massive list of features and is very well constructed. It should last many years of amazing play.
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This grand play gym features a super fun swing set off to the side. The swing set includes swings with belts as well as a trapeze one.
Capacity
If you can afford this incredible play gym, you will not regret it. The look on your kids’ faces when they first see it will be well worth it, and it will last for years to come.
Value
Even being the top of the list as far as cost goes, this play gym has incredible value with its long list of features and sturdy construction.
5. Step2 Clubhouse Climber
Perfect for outdoor or indoor use
The smaller size of features makes it ideal for little children
Multiple safety features give parents peace of mind
Room for several kids to all play together
One of the cheapest options on the list
Not good for older children
Not quite as durable as some of the other options on the list
This is an awesome play gym for little ones from Step2! It’s able to accommodate multiple children and can be used outdoors or indoors. It’s nice and sturdy, although it may not last as long as some of the other options on the list. The features are unique and fun; it’s a perfect choice for parents with younger kids!
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A unique feature of this play gym is its bridge! The bridge connects the play deck to the cool lookout tower! The bridge also has safety rails to help avoid falls.
Capacity
This is one great play gym that is absolutely perfect for parents with younger children, especially if you have a tighter budget and can’t afford some of the more expensive picks.
Value
Considering how affordable this play gym is and all the notable features it has, it definitely has a wonderful value.
6. Lifetime Big Stuff Adventure
Plenty of fun features to keep kids entertained for hours
Sturdy design helps preserve play gym for many years
Lead-free materials give parents peace of mind
Swing grips prevent painful pinching
Steel construction prevents warping, cracking, rotting, and splintering
Expensive
Can be difficult to assemble
This amazing play gym from Lifetime is built to last. It’s got a great design and is incredibly well made. There is no doubt that this play gym will be providing lots of fun entertainment for many years to come!
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This play gym features an exciting climbing wall! The wall has holes throughout to provide good placement for hands and feet as children climb up it. It leads to a nice clubhouse with a sturdy roof. After climbing the climbing wall, kids can go down the awesome 9’ wavy slide!
Capacity
Overall, this is an excellent choice for a play gym! It’s large, looks very nice, and has great construction! It’s also full of fun features that will thrill the kids for hours on end! If you’re able to afford this play gym, it really is a fantastic long-term investment, especially for families that have multiple children to entertain.
Value
This is one of the most expensive play gyms to make the list, but it is for good reason. This play gym has excellent construction guaranteed to last for many years. It’s also full of great features providing tons of entertainment for multiple children at once. It may be pricey, but it’s got a great value!
7. Backyard Discovery Prestige
Cheapest option to make it on the list
Simple but fun design provides multiple playing options
Rock climbing wall ladder is fun and unique
Wonderful beginner play gym
Works very well for a variety of ages
Less features as many of the other options
Not quite as durable as other options on the list
This play gym might not be quite as fancy as many of the options on the list, but it still has great features and is sure to be well-loved by the kids! Its simple design takes up less space than other choices but still provides good options for play.
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This basic play gym has a super fun rock climbing wall ladder combo! It allows for options when deciding how to get up to the play deck and slide. Kids can choose to either go up it like an ordinary ladder, or they can use the plastic rocks and go rock climbing up the wall!
Capacity
This is an absolutely perfect beginner’s play gym. Construction is fairly simple and the price can’t be beat. It’s nice and simple but still offers good choices for playing while accommodating multiple children playing together.
Value
This play gym definitely has wonderful value! It is extremely affordable, coming in at the cheapest option on the list, but still has great choices for play and accommodates multiple children.
8. Swing-N-Slide Tremont Tower
1150 pound weight capacity
Two slides
Two swings and a multi-child glider
Ladder
Picnic table and telescope
Some customers noticed mold or mildew within the first few months
The Tremont Tower is double the fun in more ways than one! This play structure includes not one but two slides. Kids can enjoy a bumpy, wavy ride, or slide down the covered slide which twists and turns every which way. There are three swing attachments, including one that allows children to sit back to back and swing in tandem with a friend. Climbers will enjoy the ladder on the side and when everyone needs a break to refuel they can regroup at the picnic table located under the top deck. A telescope even allows them to play lookout and spot mom or dad coming with the snacks from a way off!
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There is tons to do with Tremont Towers! This little setup is perfect for kids who want to get up on top and keep lookout. Play in a lavish two-story castle. Or maybe your little ones are pirates in their secret hideout! The possibilities are endless and this design comes equipped with enough accessories to keep everyone entertained for hours on end.
Capacity
The weight capacity of this structure is 1150 pounds. It has plenty of room for friends and family to run around and enjoy together. Two slides and three hook-ups for swings mean less fighting over playtime as there are accessories for everyone to enjoy together simultaneously. Whether your little one loves to climb, jump, swing, slide, or play pretend, they’ll find something to pique their interest with the Tremont Tower structure!
Value
This structure is on the pricier end for outdoor gyms. It’s a quality make and high-functioning design. You will have to assemble it yourself but it comes with instructions and all lumber is pre-cut and guaranteed not to rot or break quickly. If you’re handy and willing to put a little elbow grease into this project, this might just be the playset for you and your family!
9. Swing-N-Slide Jamboree Fort
Multiple features provide plenty of play options
The slide comes with a lifetime warranty
Can accommodate up to 10 children at once
An awning provides shade for the picnic table
Assembly can be difficult
The Swing-N-Slide Jamboree Fort Playset is a great play gym for families that want a really nice play gym that doesn’t cost quite as much as some of the other options on the list. It includes plenty of playing options and accommodates multiple children at once.
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The cool wave slide on this play gym is made in the USA and can hold up to 250lbs. It also comes with a lifetime warranty against cracks and breaks.
Capacity
This play gym is less expensive without taking away from all of the great options for play. It’s an excellent, more affordable option for families looking for a good play gym with lots of features.
Value
This play gym is close to the middle of the list in terms of price. Considering all of its awesome features, it’s definitely a great buy.
10. Step2 Naturally Playful
Perfect play gym for smaller kids
Smaller size saves space
Durable and weather-resistant
Easy assembly
Won’t work for older kids
Another good option from Step2 that also includes a swing set! Taking up less space than most of the other play gyms, it’s great if you don’t have a big backyard but still want a fun way to entertain your little ones outdoors or it can even be used indoors.
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Another good option from Step2 that also includes a swing set! Taking up less space than most of the other play gyms, it’s great if you don’t have a big backyard but still want a fun way to entertain your little ones outdoors or it can even be used indoors.
Capacity
This play gym features a great dual-level playhouse. The playhouse includes a roomy upper balcony with railings for safety leading to the 5 ½’ slide. The lower level of the playhouse has a swinging door as well as portals to crawl through.
Value
This is a wonderful starter play gym. It’s good for families not looking for a long-term investment. It’s very cute and guaranteed to be well loved by little children.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Entertainment Value
If you want to get a good idea for the capacity for fun with these play sets, look at the features, the more features designed into these outdoor play sets, the larger the capacity for fun.
You should definitely consider is the number of features that you want, and which specific features are important to you and your kids. We thought about this and included play gyms with all sorts of different features and activities on the list. You may want something space saving and simple that might have fewer features.
However, if you have the money for it, and a lot of kids to entertain, you may want to consider one of the play gyms on the list that’s packed with all sorts of different options. There is everything from slides and monkey bars to play forts and flying saucers. Think about what your child’s favorite activity at the park is and make sure to snag a play gym that has that option for them!
Capacity
A good way to know how good a product is will be to look at reviews from parents who gave this to their children. Nothing is a clearer picture than those who have tried a product. Nobody knows better than the consumers about which products are best. We searched through a huge volume of reviews for every product before deciding if it makes the list or not.
We took into consideration the bad and the good and chose products that were well loved by the adults who make the purchases and the children who use the play gyms. This gives us the most confidence that we can provide a list of play gyms that is guaranteed to be loved by all.
Value
We know that not everybody is made of money, and were careful to take that into consideration when putting together this list. We included play gyms that would work for a range of budgets, but most importantly, we made sure that each and every play gym that made the list had a good value for the cost.
With an investment like this, we want to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting. We are confident that there is a good play gym for families of all budgets on our list.
Entertainment Value Capacity 
Materials 
Safety Value 
One of the most important things you want to consider when choosing a play gym for your children is safety! Nothing could be more important than protecting our children from harm. There are some universal things to keep in mind no matter which play gym you pick though. You should always buy your play gym new so that you know that it meets the current safety regulations and can register it in case of recalls.
In order to ensure that your play gym is properly installed, follow the instructions very carefully and don’t skip over anything. The last thing you want is an accident to be caused by unsafe or improper assembly. One thing that a lot of people tend to forget about is how much space around the play gym will be needed to keep everyone safe. The play gym doesn’t just need to fit into space it’s going in, but it needs to have an adequate amount of room around it as well. Most play gyms will come with recommendations for placement in the instructions.
Other Factors to Consider
Materials
What a play gym is made out of makes a huge difference in attractiveness, durability, and longevity. We made sure to include this in our evaluation criteria when putting this list together. Steel and wood are what most play gyms are made out of and you want to make sure to consider which one is better for your family when choosing which set to purchase.
Steel has the advantage of no chance of peeling or rotting as some wood products will. However, high-quality wood products like the ones on our list will stand up against these risks as well, especially if properly maintained.
One of the cool things about the wooden play gyms is that they often are able to be customized and they always have a stunning appearance adding a nice effect in any backyard.
Safety
Something else you should consider is what your play gym is on top of. Ideally, you want something under the play gym that will protect your child and minimize the impact. There are several options of what you can use for this.
Sand or pea gravel will work and are relatively inexpensive, but there are safer options. Mulch and wood chips are fairly good options that should last a little longer and won’t blow away in the wind. An added benefit is that they won’t invite in unwanted cats and therefore are more sanitary.
The safest option though would probably be some form of rubber. From shredded rubber to rubber mats or poured rubber, you have plenty of options that can aid in keeping your precious little ones from harm. If you choose a loose fill material, you’ll want to make sure that it is a minimum of 6” deep, but depending on the material and height of equipment, you may want it deeper than that.
Make sure your kids know how to be safe. Don’t allow them to push or grab and make sure they are old enough and mature enough to use the equipment safely. If your play gym includes swings, make sure your children know that they should never kneel or stand on swings and that they should be holding on with both hands while swinging.
They should also get off of swings only once the swing is no longer moving. Children should also maintain a safe distance from the swings when other children are using them. It would be very unfortunate to have a child hit by another child swinging and could cause serious injury to both children.
Check for Hazards
You should always check your child’s play space for potential hazards. This could be anything from fallen sticks to insects. Common things to look out for are wasp nests and ant hills. You’ll also want to look over the play gym for any loose pieces or rust. Just keep your eyes out for anything that could pose a potential risk for your children.
As long as you follow these simple guidelines, you should have no issues in keeping your little ones safe while they use their awesome new play gym!
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Are play gyms safe for toddlers?
Whether or not a play gym is safe for a younger child such as a toddler depends on the play gym. There are many play gyms that are perfectly safe for even very small children. Just make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations as well as the safety guidelines listed above. You know your child better than anyone, so if anything makes you feel uneasy or unsafe, listen to your gut.
q: How long will assembly take?
The amount of time that assembly takes will greatly vary from play gym to play gym. The smaller, simpler play gyms may only take a few hours. However, the bigger, more complex play gyms will certainly take longer. Some play gyms may even take many hours split up over several days to complete. Think about this ahead of time when purchasing play gyms for special occasions such as birthdays or holidays. You don’t want to give a 4-year-old a play gym on their birthday that won’t be ready for another week. That could be very disappointing for children, so it’s a good idea to purchase the play gym well in advance if giving it as a gift.
q: Can I assemble the play gym on my own?
Sure! You can certainly put most play gyms together on your own without any help. However, that is going to be highly dependent on you. If you are not in good shape or have anything that limits your physical ability, you will definitely want to get some help. You may want to consider getting some help anyways, as assembling alone will definitely increase the time the project takes. Doing this alone can be very time-consuming and tedious. You also have the option of hiring a professional to assemble your play gym. This should cut down on time and stress. It will, of course, be more expensive to have a professional do it. However, many people agree that it is well worth the extra cost to have peace of mind that the play gym is built properly and efficiently. Some of the play gyms on our list offer the option to pay for professional assembly at purchase.
q: Will I need tools to put my play gym together?
It will, again, depend on which play gym you purchase. Most play gyms will require you to have at least some basic tools, with some requiring you to even have a drill. Take that into consideration when you choose your play gym and make sure you are prepared when it arrives. Another benefit to having a professional assemble your play gym would be that they would have their own tools giving you one less thing to worry about.
q: Can I customize my play gym?
Depending on which play gym you choose, you will likely be able to customize it to some extent. Often times, you can switch out the placement of certain features or leave a feature off if you don’t like it or don’t have space for it. For example, some of the play gyms come with a swing set extension located at the end of the set that you have the option of leaving off. Wooden playsets could be stained or painted the color of your choice as well. Just make sure that if you decide to deviate from the original design that you know what you are doing and don’t take any unnecessary risks. Safety is the most important thing to consider.
q: What kind of care does it require?
Check with your play gym manufacturer to determine what kind of care is needed for your particular play gym. Some play gyms take practically no maintenance at all, while others will require special care. Some wooden play gyms will need to be stained and/or coated every so often. It’s a good idea to do that once a year. You should always regularly look over your play gym for signs of damage or wear. Sand down any rough or sharp edges on wooden pieces, and consider tightening bolts every so often to prevent them from loosening after lots of use. If you do not care for your play gym properly, it can increase the risk of accidents and injuries as well as shorten the amount of time you are able to use your play gym.
q: Do I have to anchor it to the ground?
This is something you will need to check with your specific play gym manufacturer. Most of these play gyms do not require anchoring them to the ground. However, many of them may benefit from it. Anchoring can increase safety, stability, and durability. Some play gyms come with anchors, while some do not. If your play gym does not come with anchors, you can purchase them separately if you want to or need to anchor your play gym.
q: What if I need replacement parts?
Almost all play gym manufacturers sell individual replacement parts for their play gyms. If you should need something, just call the manufacturer and let them know.
q: Is it worth the investment if my children are already older?
Absolutely! There are all sorts of play gyms to meet all sorts of needs. We have several play gyms on the list that can appropriately accommodate older children and even adults. It’s never too late to invest in a great play gym.
q: Can it be moved to a new location after installation?
This will really depend on the size and construction of your play gym. Most of the large play gyms would be very difficult, almost impossible, to deconstruct, move and reconstruct. You’ll want to think about how long you plan to be at your current residence when deciding which set may be best for you and your family. However, there are some play gyms that it would be completely reasonable and doable to deconstruct and then reconstruct in a new location.
q: What is the best age to buy my child their first play gym?
Really, any age is a great age to buy a play gym. Even if you only have an infant, they will grow into the play gym and any of its features. If your play gym has swings included, you could even replace one with an infant/toddler swing temporarily. The younger your children are when you first buy, the longer they will be able to use and enjoy your purchase.
q: Can I use the play gym with my children?
To find the answer to this question, please refer to your particular play gym’s recommendations. Many play gyms can safely accommodate most adults. However, there are also lots of play gyms made for only children to use safely. Be smart and safe and if you aren’t sure, you can always call and ask the play gym’s manufacturer.
q: Do I have to use something such as sand underneath my play gym?
Well, no, technically it is not a requirement. However, it is best practice and much safer to put something underneath the play gym to help minimize fall impacts. Your child is much less likely to be seriously injured if they have something to land on that will help absorb their fall.
Sources
- , Kids Outdoor Playsets : Target, Guide
- , 11 Best Outdoor Playsets & Swingsets for Kids, 2019 Review, Buying Guide
- , Outdoor Playsets & Swing Sets, Shopping Guide
