15 Best Baby To Toddler Swings For Indoor + Outdoor Use

Babies, toddlers, and big kids love swinging thanks to its calming effect and gentle refinement of motor skills. Aside from helping their bodies develop and grow, they also provide hours of engagement. Below you'll discover the best toddler swings (including those that grow from infant to toddlerhood!) for both indoor and outdoor use as well as the benefits and how to choose the best toddler swing for your kiddo!

NOTE: The hanging swing chairs below can be used indoors or outdoors, from trees or porches with simple adapters. Depending on the material though, you may want to bring it inside regularly. The plastic, metal, and wooden toddler swing sets listed below can also be adapted with a standalone baby swing seat to elongate the use!

Best Budget Buy (infant to toddler too!): Little Tikes 2-in-1 Snug ‘n Secure Blue Swing With Adjustable Strap

Little Tikes infant swing is the most affordable toddler swing chair on this list, and is also one of the best baby swings that grows into toddlerhood out there! It's recommended for use between ages 9 months and 48 months (50 lbs) and is definitely great for a budget buy (under $30).

NOTE: This swing is great if you have a child under 1 years old or if you have a daredevil toddler thanks to the over the shoulder straps. However, if your past the baby swing stage and your looks at swings for a 1 year old that can grow with your child a bit better, we suggest looking at the next pick…

Best Outdoor Toddler Swing: Jaketen 3-in-1 Toddler to Big Kid Swing

This outdoor toddler swing is wonderful because of its affordable price, sturdiness, and 3-in-1 design that grows with your children from toddler through adulthood as it can hold up to 300 lbs.

We like that this swing also has better ventilation at the bottom making it the best outdoor swing pick, compared to the previously mentioned Little Tikes 2-in-1 which has been known to pool water in the bottom. But again, if you're getting this for a baby, then we'd go with the Little Tikes 2-in-1.

Best Toddler Swing Set With Slide: Little Tikes Treehouse Swing Set (Plastic)

This Little Tikes toddler swing set is suitable for up to 4 children, approximately 80 pounds each.

Keep in mind with this swing set that it must be anchored with the included materials to provide full safety for your children.

Best Outdoor Wooden Frame Swing Set: Backyard Discovery Buckley Hill Wooden Swing Set

Backyard Discovery Buckley Hill Wooden Swing Set is one of the most popular outdoor swing sets thanks to it's affordable price tag, sun coverings, dual swings and slide.

One side has a rockwall ladder, the other a traditional ladder, which may be challenging for younger toddlers at first. In our experience with this cedar wood swing over the last several years, it really is durable and resistant to rot/mold. The stain color has held up well too in Florida.

Best Baby Swing With Fold Up Stand: Sportspower My First Toddler Swing

Sportspower toddler swing comes with a foldable stand AND fold flat swing. Making it a great option for indoor use or situations where you need to store a swing frame.

This light weight pick is easy to set up, and features a five point safety harness. The manufacturer recommends it for 8 to 36 months old.

Best Sensory Swing: Aokitec Therapy Swing For Kids

This toddler sensory swing is made from soft and silk nylon and is recommended for children ages 3 to 12 years old, and can support up to 220 pounds.

Best Tree Swing: SUPER DEAL Saucer Swing

This heavy duty tree swing can attach it to an existing playset or a tree and can hold up to 440 pounds.

Best Indoor Toddler Swing Set: Little Tikes Hide & Seek Climber and Swing

This Little Tikes Hide and Seek Climber and Slide is an indoor toddler swing set has fun colors and a cute appearance. Children 12 months to 3 years are able to climb, slide, and swing on this indoor toddler swing set.

Keep in mind that there is some adult assembly required.

Best Baby Bucket Swing: Squirrel Original High Back Full Bucket Swing Seat

This toddler swing from Squirrel Products is great because the bucket swing's sturdy design and classic style can hold children from 6 months to 4 years (supports up to 150 pounds).

NOTE: If you live in a hot and humid place, rubber coatings like this on chains can get sticky/gritty after some time.

Best Wooden Toddler Swing (+ Most Non Toxic): Ecotribe Wooden Horse Swing

Ecotribe's toddler swing is a playful horse shape made from birch wood with cotton ropes. This swing is meant for ages 6 months to 3 years old (44 pounds).

Most Comfortable Toddler Swing Chair: Hand-Knit Child Swing Seat

This comfortable toddler swing chair is made with a soft polyester hand-knitted seat and a frame that is padded with foam. It's safety rated for 3 year olds and up and can support up to 440 pounds.

The versions without a front bar come in a wide array of colors from pink, orange, green, blue, and red:

Best Looking Most Stylish Swing: Monkey & Mouse Swing

Monkey and Mouse Swing wins the best looking swing award for anyone looking to achieve the perfect minimalist aesthetic. It's double-sided cotton canvas, light beech wood accents, and marine grade white rope make it totally Instagram worthy.

Due to the nature of the fabric, it's best used primarily as an indoor swing. Though you can temporarily use it outside. The canvas is made of cotton and is machine washable. The front bar and strap makes it safe and secure for the littles.

Best Outdoor Children's Swing Set Playground: Little Tikes Real Wood Adventures Wildcat Falls

Little Tikes Real Wood Adventures Wildcat Falls is the ultimate wooden outdoor playset playground with a slide and swing set plus some other amazing features. It's rated safe for 36 months to 10 years old and can support up to 10 kids playing at once.

The clubhouse can be accessed via a ladder or rope bridge where children can access the slide or hang out under the shaded overhang. Underneath the clubhouse is another shaded area with a creative porthole for imaginative play.

How to Choose an Indoor or Outdoor Toddler Swing:

Safety

Depending on the age and risk tolerance of your child, you'll want to keep certain safety features in mind. Infants are likely best suited for five point harness swings or swings with a T bar. Additionally, for infants you may want to consider a bucket seat with a high back, or a full back swing seat to support their heads.

Young toddlers are probably okay with just a safety belt or bucket type of seat, while moderate and older toddler with low risk tolerance will likely do well in a regular seat.

Additionally, some swings with metal chains or metal closures can pinch of cut little fingers; and for this reason you may opt for a rope instead.

Fit & style

Finding a swing that fits both your child's needs physically and sensorially can be the difference between hours of fun or wasted money.

Depending on the investment you want to make, you could opt for a swing that grows with your child. However as kids get older, they may want a more adventurous swing like a saucer or have greater needs where a full playset makes more sense.

Keep in mind the height of the swing seat to the ground compared to your toddler if you want them to access it independently; and ensure you'll be able to shorten the rope it hangs from as they grow.

Additionally, understanding your child's sensory needs and sensitivity to certain materials is important in choosing whether you want one made from hard plastics, mesh, or canvas.

Lastly, if the toddler swing is for indoor or porch/patio use, choosing one that matches your aesthetic may be a top consideration.

Age & weight limit of the swing

Double check the manufacturer's listing to ensure the swing is rated safe for your child's age and weight – with room to grow into it!

Cost

While some toddler swings come in at under $50, you'll often times needs somewhere to hang this budget friendly swing. This can be done cheaply with a tree swing adapter kit, or more expensively onto a separate frame.

Pricier swings tend to include a frame, or additional features like a slide, which can justify the higher price tag.

Size + maneuverability

Determine where you plan to put the swing, and whether or not you plan to move it around can guide you in choosing the best toddler swing.

If you plan to hang a swing from an existing playset frame, make sure it's width is suitable. For instance, a 40” saucer swing may not work well on a 3-swing playset.

If you plan to use set the swing up and keep it in that one spot, definitely measure out the footprint to ensure it'll fit well into the space.

Additionally, if you plan to use it indoors, you may want one that folds up like this. On the flip side, if you plan to use a canvas indoor swing outside, you'll want to make sure you can easily take it off and bring it back in to store after each use.

Weather resistance and maintenance for outdoor swings

If you live somewhere with harsh or extreme weather conditions, you likely won't be able to cut corners on purchasing a quality swing. For wooden swings you'll need ones that are well sealed to combat mold and splintering. For plastic swings, you'll need something high quality that won't crack or pool water and mildew.

And while some color fading is inevitable with outdoor swings, you'll want to choose one from a trusted, reputable brand ideally with the least likelihood that occurs prematurely.

FAQS About Toddler Swings:

Is swinging good for toddlers? 

Yes! Swinging provides a wide array of sensory inputs for toddlers growth and overall wellbeing.

7 Benefits of swinging for toddlers:

• Brain development
• Reduces stress
• Promotes healthy nervous system regulation
• Strengthens core and muscles
• Improves coordination and balance
• Increases focus and concentration
• Vestibular and proprioceptive input

What age can a child use a swing?

Depending on the swing (make sure you check before you purchase), your children can begin using swings once they are capable of sitting up and supporting their heads.

It is great to know that after an infant swing (you know the one- that plays music and plugs in/uses batteries), that your child can still reap the benefits and get the enjoyment that comes from swinging. Just opt for one that provides head support and a good safety harness like this one.

Which is better: a plastic, metal or wood swing set?

It truly depends on your preference on maintenance, features, and toxicity. Personally, I feel most comfortable with a wood swing set; but each type has it's pros and cons.

Generally speaking, plastic swing sets have the lowest level of upkeep but the highest level of toxicity leaching off. Plastic swing sets often have an easy set up and can come with some fun features like a slide of climbing wall.

Wooden swing sets can also come with some fun features, like a slide, climbing walls, and even see saws. However some wooden swing sets may need to be refinished once a year or so to prevent splintering or molding. While some wooden playsets have been treated with toxic preservatives, many brands today are moving towards water based of non-toxic finishes and are generally considered less toxic than plastic.

Metal swing sets typically have the fewest features – generally just the swings – and are pretty low upkeep. Metal gets into an interesting conversation in terms of toxicity and I'd suggest looking up Lead Safe Mama's work to get a better understanding of the nuance in that space.

All three types may need to be anchored in some way for safety, additionally the remaining features, maintenance, and toxicity wil be unique to each swing set and manufacturer.

Are indoor swings safe?

Indoor swings can be safe as long as all of the proper precautions are taken like properly anchoring it into the ceiling. You can use small toddler swings with frames, remove the swing (when possible), and replace it with a swing of your choice.

How do you hang a toddler swing indoors? 

If you choose to hang the toddler swing indoors, you must find a spot that will allow all the space you need (on the sides, in the front, and the back). Then, you need to find the ceiling joist for proper support, so your swing will be supported.

Ceiling joists are wooden beams that run across your ceiling. You can use a stud finder, knocking method, or tape measure to find one. Mount the swing- and check that it’s installed well.

Consider hiring a professional to ensure you've done it properly, and you may still want to lay a cushioned mat under the area as an added precaution.

Finally, let your child swing away!

What is a sensory swing? 

A sensory swing is a fabric swing that “cocoons” your child. At the same time, it offers calming effects and stress relief. These are wonderful for children on the autism spectrum, but can benefit any child, as well.

Do sensory swings work?

Yes, sensory swings have been shown to provide vestibular and proprioceptive input, as well as fulfill compression needs.  

Where do you hang a sensory swing?

You can hang a sensory swing indoors or outdoors; however given that these are material we wouldn't recommend leaving them outside uncovered permanently. If opting for outside, we recommend under a porch or other covered area.

What's the best swing set for toddlers?

Little Tikes tends to make the best swing sets for toddlers in our experience at a wide variety of price points and a mix of plastic or wood depending on your desires.

Final thoughts on toddler swings

While there are endless options for toddler swings, there's no denying they are amazing for children's growth. Consider your child's current age, how long you want them to enjoy it, and if you have other kids who will want to play too.

If searching for a stand alone swing for an infant closer to 6 months, we suggest starting with Little Tikes infant swing. If you're looking for the best toddler swing for closer to a year old or two old then we like Jaketen 3-in-1 Toddler to Big Kid Swing. For older toddlers (3 or 4 years old) we think the SUPER DEAL Saucer Swing is a blast!

If searching for an indoor swing set, Little Tikes Hide & Seek Climber and Swing is a fantastic option for littles.

The Backyard Discovery Buckley Hill Wooden Swing Set is a top notch choice for outdoor swing sets in terms of price, durability, and versatility. It's great for small backyards and will likely hold a child's engagement until about 6 or 7 years old. If you have a younger infant around, you can also swap the swings out for the Little Tikes infant swing. If you're looking for a splurge or have multiple kids, then your inner child's clubhouse dreams will definitely come true with Little Tikes Real Wood Adventures Wildcat Falls!