What’s So Swell About Swings?

Here at Play Mart, we’re with you and your children through the ups and downs of life. What better way to cope with those ups and downs than through the peaceful sway of a swing? The swings are a staple of any school playground for a good reason! Swinging is genuinely a form of therapy for mind and body, and we don’t just say that because we love to play—it’s proven science! At Play Mart, you’ll find commercial swing sets made with the same safety and durability you’ve come to expect from our playground equipment with a lot more to offer than pure entertainment. Let’s take a look at how bringing playground swings to your community play space can benefit your children’s brain development, mental health, and overall well-being while providing maximum fun for everyone.

Swinging to be Social

Swinging is more than just good fun—it’s a fantastic opportunity for multiple children to learn essential social skills! As they swing, kids can practice taking turns with their friends, pushing each other higher and higher while offering encouragement along the way. This gives them great physical development benefits and allows different kiddos of all ages to talk and make new friends as they push each other’s swing seats high in the sky. Our RSP A-Shaped Swing Frame Sets are perfect for bringing groups of 2-6 kids together for stimulating cooperative play.

Need proof that swing sets are the ultimate way to be social? In a fascinating study to gauge the impact of collaborative activities, researchers at the University of Washington created an innovative swing set that enabled two 4-year-olds who were strangers to one another to swing in unison in controlled cycles. They observed that synchronized swinging had positive effects on socialization between young participants. “Researchers found that the children who swung in unison completed the tasks faster, indicating better cooperation than those who swung out of sync, or not at all,” the study says. “Cooperation has both a social and cognitive side, because people can solve problems they couldn’t solve alone.”

Sense the Swing Set

Young children’s minds and bodies are constantly growing, making it important to help cultivate the right environment for their development. Swinging on a swing set can be a great way to do just that; encouraging them to hone in on their physical awareness. At the same time, swinging also strengthens their ability to adapt quickly when faced with unexpected stimuli—like an overly chaotic lunchroom or loud ticking clock they encounter in a school classroom. Such activities foster focus and self-control which is integral during times of learning, especially as they venture further into school settings and beyond.

Make it a Mood Swing

Commercial Grade Swing SetHave you ever seen a person frowning on playground swings? While there’s a chance you may have at one time overestimated your ability to fly and sustained an injury jumping off, most likely you associate childhood memories of the swing set with laughter and the carefree joy of being a kid. Swing sets at elementary schools, churches, parks, and daycare centers are a place where youngsters can pump out their frustrations while soaking up the sun and fresh air.

When the children in your care play on one of our recycled plastic swing sets, they will get more mood-stabilizing benefits besides pumping away stress. Swinging is a gentle, therapeutic motion that helps kids to relax and soothe their emotions. It releases endorphins into the body, promoting feelings of joy and serenity. Swinging is a secret weapon in helping children with high anxiety and special needs find balance. With just one motion, your little ones get back on track! Who knew commercial playground swing sets can double as therapy?

Swing Yourself Smart

Michigan State University says, “Spinning on a swing stimulates different parts of a child’s brain simultaneously. This is important for learning skills such as spatial awareness, rhythm and balance, and muscle control.” Playground swings, just like much of our other exciting RSP playground equipment, offer a mental exercise unlike any other. A complex coordination of body and mind that a child can’t be taught—it must be experienced through trial and error. Experimentation is key to learning how to swing properly. Different motions that use all body parts need to come together for a child (or even an adult!) to take flight. With practice, this helps stimulate neuronal pathways like never before—once a child figures out what works best, their brain is working overtime while continuously monitoring adjustments needed to keep themselves moving skyward!

Get Your Swing-ersize

Bucket Swing Seat from our Nature of Early Play line of products for early childhood.

Swings are the new black! Science is proving the physical benefits of swing sets for kids and kids-at-heart, which is why commercial swing sets are making their way into gyms across the nation. The exercise of a swing set provides children and adults with more than just a fun outdoor activity, it helps them to develop their coordination and build important muscle groups. For example, kids must engage their core abdominal muscles to stay balanced, their leg muscles for momentum-building propulsion, and their arm muscles to firmly hold onto the rope or chain for support.

While children too young for the traditional swing seat or children with special needs may be unable to pump their legs in the air, simply sitting down and holding onto the sides of any kind of swing still offers great muscle-strengthening advantages. Our Adaptive Swing Seats are perfect for kids with different abilities to get the physical benefits of the swing. And of course we can’t forget the titillating Tire Swing Seat! A commercial swing set with a tire seat offers extra coordination opportunities for kids playing together since more muscles need to be used to maneuver around other kids’ bodies for everyone to stay aboard!

A Dizzying Amount of Benefits

Tire Swing SeatSpeaking of tire swings, why do kids love to spin so much? There’s a reason that kids love making themselves dizzy on tire swings. Spinning may seem silly, but it’s an incredibly effective way to help children develop body awareness and coordination. It plays on the different sensory systems of humans—vestibular, proprioceptive, auditory, and visual—working in tandem so that kids can become more aware of their “center.” This increased sense of balance has been proven to improve concentration when they are back in school, too!

A child’s vestibular system is an essential part of their body that governs balance, posture, and gaze stabilization, all vital capabilities for daily life tasks. When sensory integration is difficult for children, occupational therapists channel the park playground and provide activities like a tire swing to stimulate the fluid cavities in the inner ear. These are essential sensors that inform children how they are oriented in space.

Of course, at Play Mart, we go above and beyond in everything we do, and our Tire Swing is no exception! Ours is crafted from strong, clean polypropylene instead of rubber, so it won’t leave stains on clothes. Plus, it’s lightweight enough so unexpected bumps won’t knock them off their feet—and its fully enclosed circle also keeps out standing water and bugs!

Swinging for Everyone

ADA Adaptive Swing Seat for the PlaygroundAt Play Mart, we don’t want to leave any of your children out of our beautiful bouquet! That’s why we make a handicap Adaptive Swing Seat as part of our ADA Accessible playground equipment. This seat makes it possible for young ones to get the same enjoyment from a beautiful day on the playground as their friends in their own safe way. Our ADA-inclusive style kids swing seat can be used on our regular RSP A-Shaped Swing Frame to integrate seamlessly with the swing set at school playgrounds and community play areas everywhere.

Playground Swings We Offer:

Take a look at the wide selection of commercial playground swing sets for sale at Play Mart:

7′ or 8′ A-Swing Frames

Available Options:

  • 1-BAY
  • 2-BAY
  • 3-BAY

Choose from many styles of swing seats (sold separately).

You can customize your playground swing sets with the seat styles and frame combination that works best for your play area.

Why Play Mart?

What makes our commercial swing sets stand out from the rest? Play Mart’s heavy-duty swingsets are constructed from RSP (Recycled Structural Plastic) with corrosion-resistant metal beams, which has many advantages over the traditional metal swing set. The innovative recycled plastic formula we use in our playground equipment is durable and weather-resistant, so it won’t rot, chip, or fade. Our helpful staff will guide you in choosing the right commercial swing set to fit your play area perfectly.

What are you waiting for? Swing up, up, and away with the thrill of Play Mart RSP Swing Sets for kids!

 

References

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/just-a-swinging-sliding-and-climbing

https://extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare/news/2017/spinning

University of Washington. “More than recess: How playing on the swings helps kids learn to cooperate.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 April 2017.

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Testimonials

"Play Mart Inc. is truly the company you want to do business with when looking for commercial grade playground equipment.

Lesson learned: not all playground equipment is compatible with other equipment. Our HOA had a Play Mart set that was purchased in 2005 it was needing to be refurbished. Ryan Williams contacted me right away asking what he could do to help. Records hadn’t been kept so I was having difficulty finding what we had and what we could do. After sending pictures from my phone, Ryan took over giving us the original design blueprint! A detailed report on what we had and what needed to be replaced was soon in my hands.

We were elated to learn that some of our stuff was still under warranty! Options of what could be done and what must be done to ensure the safety of our children were outstanding! We were so pleased that the nightmare of searching for playground equipment was now over! The equipment is made in the USA too.

While we wait for delivery we can’t thank Ryan Williams enough for the care he took in making sure that our playground is safe! They also offer installation if you need that! Everything ships with detailed installation instructions like a picture book! Thank You Play Mart and Ryan for all of your professional help!"

Jeanette Bowen

"I'm not sure whether the kids would have caused damage to the playset at some point, but the playground survived the hurricane. Your RSP™ is amazing."

Tim H. Gateway Services Community Development District

Ft Myers, FL

“I would just like to let you know Play Mart did a wonderful job on the packing/shipping and installation instructions. We have installed almost every manufacturer in the market and your company is the most installation friendly we have done in years.”

Playground Installation Crew

Kansas

“The contractor who assembled the set told me it was his first experience with recycled material in play sets and he was very impressed. He also told me it was very well packaged and user friendly for assembly.

It looks first class and blends in well with the wooded area surrounding our church. We like the fact we can accommodate so many kids with a set this size.”

Bruce P.

Topeka, KS

“This is cooler than big kids stuff!”

5 Year Old Child

Topeka, KS

“Congratulations on your extensive and impressive exhibit of your playground products. I was most impressed. If I were a child, I would spend a lot of time in the music section of your marvelous array of enticing things to do. But on the other hand, I could easily be enticed to the many other play opportunities for play and learning.

It is blatantly obvious that you have put a lot of careful thought into developing your engaging products for children. Congratulations and thank you for the tour of your exhibit at the trade show.”

Matthew Evans, FASLA Senior Landscape Architect & Horticulturist

US Capitol, Washington, DC

“It gives me great pleasure to be able to write a letter on behalf of Play Mart, Inc. On two different occasions in recent years, Play Mart constructed playground equipment on our school property. Play Mart representatives went out of their way to meet with the school playground committee so that we fully understand our options and the cost. We have been delighted with the equipment that Play Mart representatives recommended for our students. It is age appropriate and safe. We have had to make two minor repairs, which were quickly taken care of by the company.
In the process building the playground, we were very interested in using recycled materials. Availability of this via Play Mart was a big reason why we choose this company. Play Mart worked with us in obtaining exactly what we wanted. We were very pleased with the construction timeline and the value for the price. When we wanted to add more equipment, Play Mart was most helpful and made the changes cost effective for us. Our students spend many happy hours enjoying the playground.

We have been very happy with the entire project. It is with great satisfaction I write this letter on behalf of the company and their employees.”

Sister Laverne K., School Principal

Newark, DE

“We continue to be so pleased with our playscape! As soon as we open the door in preparation for outside play, the children head straight for the playscape. The teachers so enjoy watching the students play some of their favorite games which include: Pirate Ship (they all crowd on top of the playscape sailing off for adventure of the high seas), Shark! (similar to pirate ship but they all stand on top screaming “shark”), and Ice cream shop (sellers stand under the playscape and deliver ice cream cones to customers on the other side of the ‘counter’).
We thank you again for working so closely with us as we designed this safe and sturdy play area to fit the needs of our Nursery School. It has been one year and it still looks great, blending beautifully into our historic town green. Both our school and our community look forward to many, many more years of fun!”

Laurie H., Daycare Director

Washington, CT

“Our entire church is excited with the equipment and especially glad we saved 32,226 milk jugs from a landfill. We love the look of wood without the problems of termites and splintering.”

Joyce W.

Jacksonville, AR

“I wanted to drop you a quick note to commend you on your subcontractor’s performance…The combination of your quality equipment and the installation by Hammer Down has provided the staff, children and Marine Corp with an excellent play facility. The installation and application of the equipment has turned out superbly.  Hammer Down, Paul and his entire crew were pleasant to work with, knowledgeable of the equipment and codes and had an uncommon willingness to work well with us and other contractors. I commend them for an excellent install and terrific attitude.

As for the poured in place rubber; again a superb product paired with a great subcontractor. Clean Play, Allen and his crew provided a level of work that would be hard to surpass. The installation went smoothly and quickly. I appreciate their attention to detail and cleanliness. Though we may have stayed late, I never have an issue doing that for a contractor that works as hard and diligently as they did each and every day. There performance was outstanding and one I would look forward to seeing again.

I appreciate all of your help and you providing us with such high quality subcontractors. Thank you.”

Mike R., Superintendent

Sauer, Inc.