You’ve got to admit, it helps motivate the kids to get outside and active when you have cool backyard swings for them to play with. My own kids have all enjoyed hanging out on some new swings we’ve installed to update the old swing set. My four-year-old daughter squeals as she glides back and forth, and my tween lounges with a book for a while. As for me, I love that they’re out of the house, giving me a few blessed minutes of quiet before the fun chaos of four kids heads back inside.

So, if you’re looking for an extra draw to the great outdoors too, here are some cool swings for kids that you might want to consider upgrading to this year.

Most of these can be installed to a swing set or even hung from a tree, which may require a special kit, sometimes sold separately, so be sure to check the fine print when ordering. Happy swinging!

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Updated for 2024

If you have multiple kids wanting to swing together, definitely check out the Tarzan Tire Spider Web Swing. I love that kids can put their legs through the hole in the middle and face each other while they swing. Because laughing together is half the fun, right?

If your kid is a daredevil — and you’ve got the zen-like calm to handle it — then this unbelievably cool Swurfer swing will be a favorite for your backyard swing set. Standing while kids swing gives them a lot of momentum, so they can really get going with this one.

Related: Cool toys that get kids outside and help the planet too

Calling all pirates! This Regatta Backyard Swing I found at Hearthsong will seriously spark your kids’ imagination. I can picture my own children even climbing in here with their books or art journals and hanging (hehe) out for hours. Kind of like a kids’ hammock — but with more possibilities.

We’re not over unicorns yet, and this unicorn swing made from recycled tires from indie NYC company Sparkling Line is a delight. It comes black, gray and yellow at Wayfair, but I think you generally can’t beat pink for a unicorn-loving kid.

The Saucer Swing for Kids is like everything kids love about tire swings, but without their bums falling into the hole in the middle so they need your help to get unstuck. We tried a similar one earlier that’s no longer available, but this is a great substitute.

If you have an outdoorsy child who’d rather sit in the shade and read than lounge inside on the couch — or hey, maybe you’d prefer it! –then this new SkyNook is for you. It’s a new exclusive to FatBrain Toys and it’s super popular already. It’s a hammock-style swing for kids, and it doubles as cozy reading nook to get kids outdoors. My tweens would love this, and since it holds up to 220 pounds, I’m thinking about taking it over myself — and having the kids run a fresh La Croix to me while I catch up on a good novel. Ah, summer.