What To Do With An Old Swing Set (5 Things To Do!)
There is something insanely poetic about an old swing set. There’s a childhood lost, or maybe a childhood that no longer will be. Or something. Either way, when you have an old swing set you probably are wondering what you can do with it. I mean, it’s not like most other parts of your backyard. So…what can you do with this thing?
You can repurpose old swingsets into a wide range of different yard accessories. Donation and recycling can also be viable options. If that doesn’t work, disassemble your swingset and request a large junk pickup from your local trash collector.
Old swingsets aren’t just for poets, you know. This guide to swingset repurposing and removal will help you determine what you can do with yours.
Do You Need Deck, Porch, or Gazebo Installers?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
What Can You Do With An Old Swingset?
For the sake of this article, we’re going to assume that you’re looking to get rid of it or otherwise remove the swing part of it. Let’s look at your options.
1. Repurpose It
The easiest way to work with an old swingset is to repurpose it. To do this, you can usually remove the swings and use the swingset structure as a base for something else. Some of the more common ways to use it include:
- Backyard Cabana/Wooden Tent. Can you say Pinterest-ready? We can. Add string lights for extra ambiance.
- Chicken Coop. This is particularly popular among suburban farmers and people who are very “woodsy-outdoorsy.”
- Greenhouse. Plant life is best life, am I right?
- A Trellis. A trellis or a pergola can also be an option, if you’re big on growing a green thumb.
There are a lot of different ways to work with the structure you have in your background. If you want to have a new hangout area, or wooden tent, then you already have a lot of options. You can check on Pinterest for conversion ideas. Your backyard will look beautiful!
2. Donate It
Donating a swingset is not always doable. Even Goodwill will not have much use for them in most cases. However, if you have a swingset that is in good shape and is made from metal or plastic, you might have a shot. Calling up your local schools, Habitat for Humanity chapter, and Goodwill services will give you a better idea of where you can give your swing new life.
Of course, you don’t have to go through an organizational route in order to donate an old swingset. If you are worried about being unable to find a place to give it, offer it as a freebie to local families who are down on their luck. Ask friends to spread the word, or just post a “free for pickup” option on Facebook Marketplace.
Note: Please make sure that your swingset is usable. If your swingset looks like a rickety mess, no one will want it. Besides, it’s kind of insulting that you would give something that is trash-ready to others. You wouldn’t feel good if it happened to you, right?
3. Recycle It
Recycling is not an option for all swingsets, especially if you have a special plastic type that doesn’t have the “recycle” symbol stamped on it. However, most metal swingsets can be recycled if they’re brought to a scrap yard. Even municipal recycling centers will be happy to pick up your swingset in some cases.
When you are looking for a way to recycle your swingset, it’s best to do the following:
- Take apart your swingset. You will need a lot of different tools for this, including a series of wrenches and screwdrivers.
- Clean the swingset. A lot of recycling plants won’t take items that are too grody. If you have rust, you might not be able to get much use out of it at all.
- Call up your local scrapyard and recycling centers. Ask them if they accept swingset parts. If you have a plastic swingset, ask the recycling center if they accept plastic. Some won’t.
- Make arrangements for the pickup or drop-off. If they do not accept your swing type, you might need to look for another option. Otherwise, you will be able to arrange a day to have them pick up your gear.
4. Sell Your Old Swingset
If your swingset is still in decent shape, you have another option that you can pursue: selling it. This is one of the easier ways to give your swingset a new life and also make a nice chunk of change. Here’s how you can sell it for maximum profit:
- Take a good photo of your swingset. You want to make sure that it is in good condition, clean, and shot in a way that would look Insta-worthy.
- Post it on several sites with a brief description. We suggest that you use Facebook Marketplace, Craiglist, LetGo, as well as eBay. Explain the minimum price that you want, and that you will remove the ad once the swingset is sold.
- Wait until someone buys it. You might have two clients who want to pay more. Make sure they’re legit before they actually “buy” it.
- Arrange a pickup near your home, or at the outside of your home. Since swingsets are bulky, the burden of picking it up is going to be on your buyer. You should probably mention that in the ad.
- Receive the money and take down the ads. Make sure that you have a record of the sale if you got a good sum of money on it.
Author’s Note: I want to stress that selling a swingset (or anything) in person carries an inherent risk. If you want to sell your swingset, make sure that you use proper precautions when you do so. Don’t do it alone, and if someone gets aggressive, make sure you have more than one person nearby. Ideally, you will ask a police officer to be there.
5. Junk It
Junking your swingset isn’t the greenest option, but it sometimes is not avoidable. There are several ways to do this. The easiest and cheapest way is to take apart the swingset and call up your sanitation department. Ask for a large pickup, then place the remains of the set on your curb on your next trash day.
Don’t have the strength or time to haul stuff away? I don’t blame you. The other option that you can choose is a junk hauling service. You can use them to get rid of the swingset alone, or you can do a full home cleanout. If you’re moving, then this is probably the best option too.
Do You Need Deck, Porch, or Gazebo Installers?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
Related Questions
How long should a swingset last?
A swingset is far more durable than most people will give it credit for. Most swingsets will be able to last for at least 15 to 20 years, provided that you don’t ignore maintenance. If you are open to repairing it, then it could last for more than 30 years without needing to be replaced.
What is the safest material to put underneath a swingset?
Many people might think that sand or soft gravel is the best option, but it’s not. The safest material is vinyl mulch. This rubber-like substance has none of the roughness of sand or gravel. It also acts like the foam cushions that you might find in indoor jungle gyms.This material offers gentle cushioning and won’t scratch if your kids throw it around. In fact, it can’t even be tossed that far, anyway. It just floats down to the ground.
How much gravel and filler do you need to put underneath a swingset’s legs?
If you want to keep your swingset locked into place, you will need at least three to six inches of gravel. If you want to use foam mulch, you may need additional filler before you can say your swingset is properly padded. You may also need to hook your swingset into the ground to ensure that it stays in place.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
More by Ossiana Tepfenhart
![How To Reset A Whirlpool Cabrio Washer [In 5 Easy Steps!]](https://cdn-fastly.upgradedhome.com/media/2023/07/31/9076531/how-to-reset-a-whirlpool-cabrio-washer-in-5-easy-steps.jpg?size=350x220)
