Tired of taking your kids to the playground? Do you have a dacha or do you live with your family in a private house? Ask yourself: “Why not put a swing on the site?” The right decision will lead to a huge number of advantages. You will no longer have to waste precious time while the children are having fun on the playground. An attraction that will appeal not only to the younger generation, but also to the older generation.
A large assortment of consumables and patterns to choose the perfect option. Making a swing yourself is much cheaper and more reliable than a Chinese assembly. The design process will not take you much time and will not require a lot of effort.
Already interested? We will offer you the most ideal and simple options for constructing a swing with your own hands.
Swing with bench for several people
This type of family rocking chair will fit originally into the layout of a summer cottage. They are mass-produced in a large assortment. Portable or stationary are equipped with a canopy (awning) or with a hard shelter (wood, polycarbonate). A swing with a roof is more profitable, the metal elements do not get hot in the sun, and there is protection from rain. Additionally, mosquito curtains are installed.
A swing with a bench, designed for 2-3 people, is a typical model for garden plots.
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Basic design elements.
| A-frame design | Equipment |
| Frame |
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| Bench, seat |
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Dimensions are calculated taking into account the model.
There are 2 types of connecting parts. Welded is preferable, since the screw fastener unwinds under the influence of vibration when rocking. It is necessary to periodically tighten the bolts and nuts.
There are two types of connections of structural elements: welded and prefabricated
A hole is drilled in the crossbar, a bolt is inserted into it, to which a ring nut is attached. The bench is suspended using a connecting ring. The connection is periodically lubricated to avoid damage to the mechanism and creaking.
The bench is suspended from the crossbar on ropes, chains, metal cables
The construction of an iron swing begins with the installation of a frame. For portable structures, it is more correct to make a connecting frame from a metal profile along the lower perimeter of the frame. Stationary - dug into the ground to a depth of 50–60 cm, then concreted.
All metal structural elements are treated with compounds that prevent the formation of rust and painted.
U-shaped swing
They are structurally simpler and consist of side posts and a crossbar. Stability is provided by the upper corner strips connecting the supports.
The U-shaped structure is less stable, so such swings are buried in the ground, followed by concreting
When drawing up a plan or model diagram, you need to take into account some points. The seats are suspended at a height of 50–60 cm. A minimum distance of 30 cm is made from the side supports.
Types of structures
Manufacturers present a large selection of ready-made models from different materials. They differ:
- Material from which they are made: plastic, metal, forged, wood, rope.
- Size and shape.
- There are stationary, portable, collapsible, hanging.
- Covered with an awning, roof or without canopies.
Installation of portable wooden swings under a fabric awning
Conventionally, there are swings for adults and children. Large sofa-type models designed for several people are the most popular type. They are additionally equipped with an awning and soft pillows. Suspended structures with a spring attract attention. The seat is made in the shape of a basket-cocoon made of wicker or rattan. They are hung on thick tree branches.
Design and construction of a wicker garden swing in the form of a cocoon
Cabinet sofas attached on ropes to tree supports, beams of a country terrace, gazebos, pergolas will add romantic appeal to a corner of the garden.
For entertainment and active recreation, a Russian swing for several people is suitable. Designs with mosquito nets and a tent are practical and convenient for relaxation and recreation.
Children's ones are smaller in size, in accordance with the child's height. Additionally, they are equipped with safety elements and side supports.
Classic Russian swing made from logs using a chain
Main types:
- balancers;
- hanging;
- pendulum;
- carousel.
You can choose a model according to your wishes, idea of relaxation, and landscape style.
How to make a garden swing from a profile pipe
This material is optimal from the point of view of distributing loads on the frame. A simple welded structure made from a 50 mm profile pipe will become the basis for the manufacture of a children's swing.
Design dimensions: height 1.8 m; strut spacing 1.4 m; crossbar width 1.6 m. Seat width 0.5 m; depth 0.35 m; height from the ground 0.5 m.
You will need:
- 16 m of 50 mm profile pipe for racks;
- 2 meters of metal corner;
- board for making a seat;
- metal loops (“ears”), swings are attached to them;
- 2 bearings.
Materials for creating a wooden swing for a garden plot for relaxation
First you need to prepare the pits for concreting the supports. Sand, cement, container in which the solution is prepared.
You will need: a welding machine; a grinder with an attachment or a metal saw; electric drill with a set of drills; roulette, level.
Assembly sequence:
- First, A-shaped side posts are welded with a step between them of 1.4 m. Remember that 50–60 cm of the posts will be buried in the ground and concreted.
- Then a crossbar with pre-welded metal loops is installed on the side supports.
- The seat frame is assembled from the corners by welding. A profile pipe is attached to it - seat suspensions.
- Mount the suspended structure to the crossbar on bearings.
You can learn more about assembling a swing from a profile pipe from the article on our website.
Ready-made drawings with dimensions and photos
A drawing of a swing seat will help you create your own version, which you can develop yourself or download from our website.
Design features of the Chistov-Pavlov sports complex for this case:
- Having a tree growing separately as a base for hanging projectiles is very different from most artificial projectiles. If artificial frames, be it a cube, trapezoid or hexagon (we don’t even consider linear degenerate frames), as a rule they have beams = faces and empty space in the center. It is not a problem to build a system of interacting projectiles in artificial complexes; the problem is to make sure that the projectiles do not interfere with each other. In the case of a tree, everything is exactly the opposite. A tree has an axis = trunk. Rays = branches emerge from the axis. Each of the branches can potentially hold a projectile (or two if the branch is long and strong enough). And this projectile will swing along its own line, practically without interfering with the others. That is, a tree (if the problem of hanging projectiles at a high altitude is solved) will make it possible to swing a lot in different directions. The difficulty is to come up with and make a system where it would be possible to switch . It is this problem that we strive to solve by creating our own improvised (or permanent) complex on a tree.
- Let us immediately note that a person who did not include thinking would hang one projectile on this tree (for example, a swing) on the most convenient branch and would calm down. We hung 10 of them and this is not the limit, it’s just that in isolation conditions not all the shells were available. And we could have hung at least two more.
- How to ensure this? The first, most obvious way is a paired suspension . Shells can be hung on large branches in pairs, so that the transition is carried out from the center to the periphery. At the same time, you need to think about couples who will help and not hinder each other.
Here, three shells are hung in a row on a thick and convenient horizontal branch. The first one is the “Flying Board” swing, which is closer to the trunk, because along it (along the side ladders) you can climb to the fork of the tree (it will be visible in other photos). Next there is a pair that I would like to talk about: a disc swing and rings. They hang at different heights. Disc swing - almost to the ground. The rings are at the level of the raised hands of an average height child. Please note that the child will tend to swing on two apparatuses at once, hanging on the rings and placing his feet on the disc swing. Children are prone to such combinations. If he uses the rings for their intended purpose, his head does not reach the disc swing while hanging upside down. Likewise, when he sits on a disc swing, the rings are higher than his head in the sitting position and he cannot crash into them. That is, the projectiles have different altitude levels, while they are combined and can be used together. Switching between them is also possible.
It is this principle of “close, but not in opposition” that we use when selecting nearby pairs. Rings and trapezoids combine well with a disc swing and a ball swing; a rope and a yoga hammock pose no threat to any of the equipment. The sailor's ladder (as well as the Skripalev ladder) make a good pair of vines. A flying board requires an advantageous location that eliminates the possibility of collisions. A traditional swing-board can be balanced due to the height of the suspension. Here and further we use our own terminology to refer to swings; you can get acquainted with their types here.
4. The following principle: on adjacent branches (radii) you can hang soft projectiles that are not traumatic in collisions. An example of a pair on which children like to spin or swing in antiphase is a yoga hammock and a swing ball. Sometimes they lie down on a hammock with their legs stretched out on the ball or swing on the hammock and kick the ball like a punching bag. That is, while swinging on these shells, they tend to interact.
5. Let's say a few words again about the yoga hammock in the children's sports complex. We've tested different hammocks and found that cotton or linen are better for kids than polyester or nylon. We will not talk here about specialized springy hammocks for aerial yoga, which adults practice on. Manufacturers probably have their own reasons for making their hammocks exclusively in synthetics. For kids' climbing in hot climates, we were disappointed in them. They become highly electrified (after using such a hammock, children’s hair turns into a dandelion and stands on end), they are hot, they breathe worse, and are less environmentally friendly. Buying a ready-made supposedly cotton yoga hammock from a manufacturer that contains 20% cotton does not help. Almost everything in this genre that you can buy on Ozone or WB is synthetic and not of satisfactory quality. So sometimes you think, if you need a simple and strong yoga hammock for children, then why not sew it yourself from flax or semi-linen?
Natural fabrics are sent all over the country and are very affordable, among them there are wide ones (1.6 wide), which in the product will be a little more than 1.5 meters, which is quite enough for children. You need strong fabric, preferably with double-sided jacquard weaving (like a sling). But even if the fabric has a reverse side, it will be environmentally friendly. And yes, it survives the seasonal rains (you can hang it up at the beginning of summer and take it down at the end). Do you want something wider for adults? You can make the main panel of a yoga hammock stitched, some manufacturers do this, they simply make a longitudinal linen seam without open edges. Need pens? The pattern of their holders is extremely simple, and the handles themselves are sold in any bike shop.
In general, it probably won’t be very cheap, after all, a yoga hammock is a long fabric, 3.5-4 meters long in the finished product (depending on the height of the suspension). The pattern and method of hanging the main panel can be easily found on the Internet. And it's worth it. Children adore this hammock, it is more sporty than its Caribbean counterparts, which we also prefer to have (sitting and lying on them is much more comfortable), but not inside the sports complex, but nearby. And yes, colorful fabric is much better for children than plain fabric. Because it looks much neater.
6. And a few more words about the swing . Our favorite outdoor swing is the Flying Board. You can also make it yourself; the “ingredients” are available at any hardware store. For such a swing, a window sill board is used. It is thick, strong and already processed; it is enough to cut and sand only one edge, cutting such a board to length.
The flying board is made from a window sill board 30 cm wide (finished 29 cm plus two edges), 53 cm long. The sides are made of three round planks 29 cm long, 32 mm thick (the planks can be made from cuttings). The distance between the slats along the rope is about 30 cm. The “Flying Board” is one of the best swings both for adults (it is comfortable and stable) and for the smallest children, starting from about 1.5 years old. For the latter case, it is hung as low as possible. The baby climbs onto such a swing himself and holds on to the side bars with both hands. There is no need to rock him, it is enough that he sits - balances, then pushes off a little, and even later - climbs onto the sides on his own. Already for a child of 2-2.5 years old this turns into a real pleasure. Older children can climb on this swing together. Do you want to make it interesting for teenagers or adults? Increase the free ends and hang it not at a height of 2.5-3, but at a height of 5 meters. Increase the distance between the side bars slightly so that you can swing while standing. It's still an attraction.
By the way, older children manage to turn the “Flying Board” into a vertical path up a tree. This is not very simple and requires skill, but can be done for dexterous children. This swing is much more versatile, functional and, oddly enough, even safer than a swing with a side. Why? Because it leaves freedom for the child and does not provoke an adult to rock the baby in a way that he is not yet ready for. The low suspension makes it accessible from a young age, and the large board makes it stable.
7. Here we cannot help but say a few words of praise about the swing ball . This is one of the most popular attractions at the street complex. We rarely have the opportunity to hang something like this in a home complex, only if there is not a single piece of furniture within the radius of its hanging, that is, for example, in a hallway. But on the street he is simply irreplaceable.
They sit on a ball (and this is very comfortable even for an adult). They kick him, they spin around him. They fold their legs on it, swinging on a hammock. It is swung from one person to another. In general, they play with it and at the same time it is a swing. The most real one, working 360 degrees. It needs space, projectiles that can crash into must be safely removed (1.5 meters). But hammocks, ropes, and vines make a good neighborhood for the ball. Sooner or later, of course, the ball will fall apart, but for us it withstood the season, including rains (although you must understand that the walnut protects well from rain with its crown).
8. Of course, there should be room on your tree for trapezoid type projectiles. We will not describe in detail all the advantages of Pavlov’s double trapezoid here; this has already been done in a separate article. This is a simple projectile that is difficult to buy, but easy to make yourself, and it is one of the most popular in any complex, especially street ones, where there is usually enough amplitude for it. Here it is important to talk about choosing the height of its suspension.
For a small child, a double trapeze (and indeed a trapeze in general) is hung under the hangers - at arm's length. For a teenage child or adult, on the other hand, the double trapeze can be hung low and used while sitting as a swing. For a child of senior preschool and primary school age, an intermediate suspension is suitable. High enough that you can climb onto the double trapeze by throwing your legs over and pulling yourself up from the ground. And so that you can swing upside down, catching your feet not only on the upper, but also on the lower bar. If you have many children, then choose in favor of the one who needs the trapeze most now (for whom other equipment works less). And bring the trapeze to the other edge of the complex from the ball and yoga hammock so that children can use these amplitude equipment in parallel.
9. Let us comment on a typical forest projectile - a bungee . We tried it on our tree mid-season and it was definitely in demand, but we didn't think it was ideal for a sports complex. A bungee is the same trapeze, but with a single suspension in the middle. It is very unstable and it is quite difficult to stay on it for a long time. Ideally, hang and jump. Therefore, the bungee is not very suitable for transitions between projectiles. It should hang quite high, at least at arm's length or even higher from the ground. And the height of all children, of course, is different. It is best if the bungee hangs a little higher than the child’s height with outstretched arms so that he can jump, holding the bungee, from a stump, platform or ledge. The height of the platform and suspension is determined so that he can then land safely by jumping when his arms get tired. Of course, this is rock and roll and, of course, in the classics they jump from a bungee into the river. As a result, we came to the conclusion that the optimal place for the bungee is on a separate tree with a platform that provides the required height and trajectory, absolutely excluding other projectiles.
10. The next important feature of the tree is that it itself provokes climbing, that is, it can itself be considered a kind of “projectile,” especially if it has a fork in its branches where you can climb. If there is such a destination, and the tree trunk is very thick to climb, then you can tie a rope a little above the fork in the trunk and throw it down to the ground, children can climb the tree along it, walking with their feet along the trunk and holding onto the rope with their hands .
The top picture illustrates the method of lifting, the bottom picture illustrates the point of suspension of the rope (60-80 cm above the fork where the lift is carried out). This rope became the most popular among older children in combination with a vine hanging just below the fork, onto which one could jump from this fork (sitting and holding the vine with your hands), then sliding down the vine to hang and to the ground. This was a challenge for children aged 7-12 who came to visit our improvised sports complex. Other (alternative to the rope) ways to the top - a sailor's ladder and the sides of a flying board - were used much less frequently because they were much more difficult. Nevertheless, the fork of the tree was constantly inhabited. This gave us the idea to strengthen it by braiding it with a thick climbing cord. Unfortunately, this idea was not implemented; the necessary cord was not available to us during the isolation period.
Liana and Skripalev's ladder, classic diagonal projectiles that can solve the problem of horizontal transitions between projectiles hanging on adjacent branches of such a complex. In the case of a tree, the Skripalev ladder must be of sufficient length, longer than the standard one. Also, a rope or a rope with knots can be suspended with a free loop. The function of diagonal projectiles is an intermediate horizontal reference point for movements within the complex. Not simple and requiring skill, but doable.
Varieties of swings
In modern design, the main rule is practicality. Therefore, in photos of areas equipped by professionals, you can often see garden swings.
Such devices are divided into two main types:
- pendulum;
- balancing
The balanced type swing is the simplest. But they are intended primarily for children.
Pendulum designs are more universal. They are most often used as a substitute for boring benches, since swings are also suitable for adults.
Such designs are also divided according to their main characteristics. First of all, the classification is carried out regarding the material used to make the product; it can be wood, wicker, metal, plastic, textile.
According to the method of fastening, swings are divided into suspended and free-standing structures. Products also differ in design style (traditional, modern, beach) or overall dimensions.
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It is worth noting that some types require year-round use. At the same time, certain types of swings can only be used indoors or outdoors in dry weather.
Getting ready to install products
If you decide to purchase or make your own swing for your dacha, you first need to decide where to install it.
In families with small children, swings are placed on the playground. Structures intended for use by adults should be located in a common recreation area.
In areas not divided into functional zones, it is recommended to install structures as close as possible to the house.
The simplest version of a swing is a round seat of small diameter, secured with a rope. This design is suspended on trees with strong branches located relatively low from the ground.
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Features of working in open ground
Installing a swing in open ground will require more effort than placing the structure on a solid base.
In this case, you first need to dig a hole, the depth of which will be about a meter. The bottom of the prepared pit must be filled with fine crushed stone or sand. The thickness of this pillow is approximately 30 centimeters.
Before installing the racks in the ground, the wood is treated with antiseptic and waterproofing agents. Thanks to the treatment, the swing will last for many years.
Next, install the structure on the prepared place, level it and tie it with a crossbar. Prepare a mixture of crushed stone and cement and carefully pour it into the hole.
It is worth remembering that outdoor swings are exposed to atmospheric factors (wind, sun, rain). Therefore, it is recommended to build a canopy from an awning for a garden swing.
This design will not only extend the life of the product, but will also make your stay more comfortable.
Model selection
Once you have decided on a location, you can begin choosing a design model. It is worth noting that all pendulum swings have the same operating principle. They differ in the material of manufacture, methods of fastening, as well as the design of the seat.
Most often, for summer cottages, structures on single support posts, having an L-shape, are chosen. When installing a product of this type, you need to take into account the texture of the soil. If the covering is wooden or stone, it is worth strengthening the rigidity of the structure. When installing a garden swing with your own hands on open ground, you need to deepen the posts into the soil.
Mounting the fastening mechanism
Varies depending on the type of structure.
Hanging swing
They can be attached in two ways:
- on the eye - nuts;
- to nodes.
In the first option, through holes are made in a horizontal beam up to 5 mm.
Bolts with washers are used, and the eye-nuts are screwed on top.
Attach carabiners and ropes to the rack.
The second option is done:
- The rope is thrown over the crossbar.
- A sea knot is tied.
- Attach the lower ends of the rope to the seat.
Chains can be used for hanging swings Source crocus-opt74.ru
Stationary
For this swing we use:
Mounted on a spring, it acts as a shock absorber. For a strong structure, the spring must be well secured. To do this, the eye is welded to the cross beam.
Install an anchor with a ring. The fastening is carried out in the central bank, the bolts are tightened.
Useful tips
To create a durable and maximally safe product, you need to follow the right steps:
- Use metal chains for hanging. They are more aesthetically pleasing and much stronger than rope.
- The dimensions of the support are no less than 250 x 150 cm.
- The most stable supports are made in the form of the letter A.
- If you weld crossbars at the bottom of such racks, they are not concreted and can be moved to another place.
- A swing with one seat is made for children. Chains should have fine grain for the safety of the child.
- It is necessary to treat such a structure before painting.
- The best option for painting is auto enamel; it reliably protects against rust.
- Plugs are placed on the holes to protect them from water.
- Concreting is best done with M400 cement.
After complete readiness, the swing is covered with protective agents: paint or varnish Source novinkimebeli.ru
How to choose the right option
Unfinished construction
The main selection criterion is the personal taste of the master, the availability of a particular material and the possibility of processing it. Sometimes they use ready-made structures or supports - they leave old dried trees, attach horizontal beams to other structures or walls. An important factor is the cost of a particular option - assembly costs may be prohibitive.
Sometimes after construction there are surplus materials left that can be put to use. In addition, the age of the users must be taken into account. The best option is to make swings suitable for all age categories.
When choosing a suitable model, you must immediately take into account the possibility of storage, repair, complexity of installation and maintenance. No one needs unnecessary worries, so it is recommended to exclude complex and heavy work in advance.
