8 Free Wooden Swing Set Plans

By
Stacy Fisher
Stacy Fisher, Writer
Stacy Fisher

Stacy Fisher is an expert on crafting, sewing, and frugal finds, sharing her knowledge of hands-on DIY creations, finding freebies, and budgeting. Stacy was a guest on "The Dr. Oz Show" and featured in Woman's World Magazine. She has nearly two decades of writing and editing experience.

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Updated on 02/17/22
Illustration of swing set

The Spruce / Colleen Tighe

These free swing set plans will give you everything you need to build your children or grandchildren a swing set that they'll have fun playing on for years to come. Since you're building it yourself, you can control the cost and quality, making it likely to last for generations.

These are full plans for building a swing set so they include building instructions, color photos, diagrams, materials and supplies lists, and sometimes even videos and user tips.

The swing set plans below vary in skill level and lumber cost. Check each plan carefully to make sure that it's right for your yard and skill level before getting started. A simple swing set will only take a weekend to build and will be fairly gentle on the budget.

After you've taken a look at these free swing set plans, check out free plans for playhouses and treehouses. The kids will love them!

  • 01 of 08

    Modern A-Frame Swing Set Plan

    A modern a-frame swing set

    HGTV

    Here's an HGTV plan for a swing set that will make quite a statement in your backyard with its A-frame shape. Paint it a bright color like this blue and it will really pop. It's a throwback design that's high on style. A materials list, written directions, finishing directions, and color photos are all included in this free swing set plan from HGTV.

    Modern A-Frame Swing Set Plan from HGTV

  • 02 of 08

    How to Build Your Own Playground

    A wooden DIY playground

    View Along the Way

    View Along the Way set out to make a playset for their kids based on a popular style you can buy for thousands at the store. Their blogs take you through each part of building the playset including full plans for an attached swing set. There are diagrams, photos, and more to help you along the way.

    How to Build Your Own Playground from View Along the Way

  • 03 of 08

    How to Build a Swing Set

    A playhouse with an attached swing set

    Ana White

    Here's a free swing set plan from Ana White that's meant to be attached to an existing playhouse but would be easy to modify for a stand-alone swing set. The free swing set plans include a materials and tools list, diagrams, and step-by-step directions.

    How to Build a Swing Set from Ana White

  • 04 of 08

    DIY Clubhouse Play Set

    A club house with an attached swing set

    RYOBI Nation

    The kids are going to love this! This free swing set plan from RYOBI Nation will build you a cute little clubhouse complete with swings, slides, a climbing wall, and a play area. What more could they want? The plans make it easy to customize if you want to make any changes, such as removing an accessory. All steps and blueprints are available as downloadable PDF files making it super easy to get started.

    DIY Clubhouse Play Set from RYOBI Nation

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.
  • 05 of 08

    Freestanding Swing Set Plan

    A wooden swing set with a playhouse and slide

    All Thumbs DIY

    Here's a 3-part swing set plan from All Thumbs DIY that goes into lots of details on how to build this freestanding swing set and make it safe and look great for the kids. This set is built from all pressure-treated wood and is done for under $500. Each part of the process is detailed including the design plan, construction, and then installing accessories. You'll find photos, diagrams, tools, and a cutting list as well as written instructions.

    Freestanding Swing Set Plan from All Thumbs DIY

  • 06 of 08

    Homemade Backyard Swing Set Plan

    A diagram of a wooden swing set plan

    Mother Earth News

    Build the kids a homemade backyard swing set with these free plans from Mother Earth News. This is a huge swing set, coming in at 12 feet tall and taking up a 16 feet by 20 feet space. Part of the free plan includes diagrams, photos, a materials list, and written directions. Lots of details are shown on how to connect the playset hardware.

    Homemade Backyard Swing Set Plan from Mother Earth News

  • 07 of 08

    Homemade Playset

    homemade playset

    Instructables

    Over at Instructables, you can find a homemade playset plan from user Nick70587 that includes two swings, a slide, and some elevated areas to play on. From planning to adding the finishing touches, this homemade playset plan will walk you through the building process.

    Homemade Playset from Instructables

  • 08 of 08

    Tree Swing Plan

    Young girl on wooden swing
    Katrina Wittkamp / Getty Images

    If building a swing set sounds like too much of a project, consider building an old-fashioned tree swing. Another free plan from Mother Earth News will step you through how to build one with written directions and diagrams. It will take you through building the seat, attaching the rope, and finally attaching the swing to a tree. It may not be a full swing set, but this single swing would provide a lot of fun.

    Tree Swing Plan from Mother Earth News