Trampoline vs. Swing Set | Which One Is Right for You?

Even in a world of screens, two options reign supreme for childhood entertainment: trampolines and swing sets.  

In this blog, we will use our expertise as both a trampoline (Springfree Trampoline) and swing set (gobaplay) manufacturer to cover: 

• The pros and cons of each product. 

• The costs associated with each product. 

• The best places to find each product.  

Is jumping or soaring your child’s playtime solution?   

Let’s find out! 

gobaplay is a sister brand of Springfree Trampoline.  

5 Pros of Trampolines   

We will list five pros and cons for trampolines and swing sets, noting the areas where each one stands out above the other.  

Let’s start with trampolines:  

1. Significant Health Benefits 

Jumping on a trampoline is one of the best forms of exercise – for kids and adults.  

Among the many benefits of jumping include:  

• Improves cardiovascular health.  

• Enhances balance and coordination. 

• Helps with weight loss and weight management. 

• Develops core strength and muscle tone. 

Numerous studies back up the advantages of trampoline jumping.  

One of them, by NASA, found that bouncing on a trampoline is 68% more effective than jogging and requires less effort.    

When it comes to trampolines vs. swing sets, the exercise benefits of jumping are more plentiful and diverse.  

2. Low-Impact Exercise 

Unlike running or lifting weights, trampoline jumping goes easy on your joints. 

Whether you’re a growing child or an adult looking for lighter exercise, trampolines are a worthy solution for protecting your joints while still achieving a burn.   

3. Mental Health Boon 

The fun factor of trampolines cannot be downplayed – they are built for joy after all!  

Jumping on a trampoline can help release endorphins (chemical signals in the brain associated with happiness) and relieve stress.   

4. Fosters Creativity and Imagination 

A common myth about trampolines is that they are just for jumping.   

This is far from the truth.  

Trampolines can be used for family movie nights, childhood sleepovers, talent shows, slam dunk contests and so much more.   

See how to create a DIY movie night on a trampoline below: 

   

5. Can Be Used by Older Kids and Adults 

A downside to swing sets is that they are primarily for younger children (more on this later).  

Trampolines, however, are more commonly used by all age groups (restrictions do apply, see “Cons” section).  

If you have a large family with kids of multiple ages, a trampoline will likely meet your needs better than a swing set.   

5 Cons of Trampolines   

Let’s now shift to the cons of trampolines:  

1. Heightened Safety Risk  

When compared to swing sets, trampolines are likely a little more risky – especially lower-cost trampolines.  

Approximately 100,000 trampoline injuries occur each year.   

While the data on swing set injuries are not as readily available, ailments like sprains, fractures and soft-tissue injuries are likely more common on trampolines than on swing sets.  

You can mitigate or eliminate trampoline injuries by investing in a safety-first trampoline and following basic jumping rules.   

Here is a breakdown of Springfree’s safety-first design: 

 2. Not the Most Visually Appealing  

The traditional spring-based trampoline design is not the most aesthetically pleasing addition to a backyard.  

While higher-end trampolines can be nice-looking, some may find that trampolines are a bit of an eyesore compared to a quality swing set.  

3. Weather/Seasonal Limitations  

Like many backyard products, trampolines are at the whims of the weather.  

Some higher-quality trampolines (like Springfree) can be used year-round. 

However, many low-to-average-quality trampolines can be damaged by heavy storms and may require you to store the trampoline during stormy seasons.  

Jumping may also be limited during cold-weather seasons. 

4. Age and Weight Restrictions Apply  

For children under six years old, trampolines are not recommended (per the American Academy for Orthopedic Surgeons).  

This means children under the age of six would be a better fit for a swing set. 

Every trampoline also has a single jumper weight limit that varies by brand.  

While you can technically still jump if you weigh over the weight limit, you increase your injury risk if doing so.  

5. Liability Risk  

Trampolines are considered an “attractive nuisance” by some insurers.  

If your trampoline is not covered by insurance, you could be liable for an injury if it were to occur on your property.   

Having a trampoline can also increase your homeowner’s insurance rate.  

(Swing sets also have liability risk and could increase your homeowner’s insurance. Since statistically speaking, more injuries occur on trampolines, this was listed as a bigger con for trampolines).  

5 Pros of Swing Sets  

You’ve seen the pros and cons of trampolines -- let’s now dive into swing sets so you can see how they compare. 

1. Multi-Dimensional Fun  

Swing sets/playsets generally come with multiple components. 

This could be different types of swings, monkey bars or embedded game features like Tic-Tac-Toe.  

For example, gobaplay’s large metal swing sets include three components (two unique swings and a trapeze bar).   

On the surface, swing sets are more multifaceted than trampolines.   

As mentioned previously, though, trampolines can also accommodate tons of activities – it just might take a little more work.  

2. Highly Customizable   

Swings sets are highly modular, allowing you to customize components to your family’s preferences.   

Some swing set brands (like Rainbow Play Systems) allow you to build your own design from scratch.  

Others, like gobaplay, include fasteners with carabiners that allow for seamless mixing and matching of accessories.  

3. Excellent for Social Interaction 

A big advantage of swing sets over trampolines is they can accommodate multiple people simultaneously.  

While multiple people can jump on a trampoline at one time, it’s not recommended -- the injury risk increases substantially with multiple people jumping at a time.   

For large families or friend groups, swing sets are a place to engage and play with others.  

For younger children, this can teach important social skills like learning how to take turns and negotiating with others on which play features to use.

4. Creative Thinking May Arise More Naturally  

Swing sets, much like trampolines, can be an imaginative haven for children to develop a creative mindset.  

Since swing sets are already equipped with multiple play features, that creativity might come more naturally than it would on a trampoline.     

5. More Readily Accessible Than Trampolines  

Swing sets are commonly found at local parks that are free to attend.  

Other than trampoline parks (which have a host of issues), trampoline jumping is not as publicly accessible.   

Tip: For the best of both worlds, consider buying a backyard trampoline and going to a local park with a swing set whenever your child wants to change up the playtime routine!  

5 Cons of Swing Sets 

Let’s flip it over and cover the main cons of backyard swing sets:  

1. Not as Many Health Benefits as Trampolines  

While swing sets do have health benefits – such as developing motor skills – they do not require the same exertion as trampoline jumping does.  

Thus, the health benefits of swing sets won’t be as vast.   

2. Potentially Quicker Product Fatigue 

Unlike trampolines, swing sets may not age as well for your child.  

Swing sets are generally built for younger children, so they may not retain the same long-term value as a trampoline.    

3. More Backyard Space Could Be Needed  

Both swing sets and trampolines require a good amount of backyard space. 

Large swing set/playset structures with multiple dimensions might require more space than a simple trampoline would. This could be an important consideration for families with smaller backyards. 

See an example from Eastern Jungle Gym below:   

4. Weather May Limit Product Use  

Like trampolines, swing sets are also impacted by Mother Nature.  

A wet swing set is unsafe, and the cold weather might deter some children from using it during the winter.  

Less sturdy swing sets also might need to be stored during heavy storms.  

5. Maintenance Requirements Could Increase 

Trampolines – especially cheaper spring-based models – do require maintenance, like changing parts and the occasional mat cleaning.   

But swing sets often come with more maintenance requirements, especially if you’re putting a soft material – like mulch – under the swing set.   

Along with taking care of the surfacing, maintenance tasks could include replacing components and lubricating metal parts.   

Trampoline vs. Swing Set Costs 

We didn’t mention costs as a pro or con for trampolines or swing sets because it will vary drastically depending on the quality, size and brand of the product.   

For example, you can buy a cheap trampoline for $200-$400, or a Springfree Trampoline for over $1,000.   

Same with swing sets: You can buy a gobaplay Single Swing Set for $400, or a Backyard Discovery Wooden Swing Set for over $2,500.  

For cost, it really comes down to how much you want to pay. 

High-quality trampolines and swing sets will cost more – usually over $1,000 and sometimes up to $5,000 or more.   

If you have a tight budget, you can still find quality options for both product types in the $500-$800 range – it just might not be the best-of-the-best.   

So…Trampoline or Swing Set? 

You’ve seen the pros and cons of trampolines and swing sets – now it’s time to decide which is best for your backyard.  

Below is our assessment of who’s a fit for each product. 

You’re a fit for a trampoline if… 

• You’re looking for an exercise solution for the whole family. 

• You want a playtime product to grow with your kids as they get older.   

You’re a fit for a swing set if…  

• You’re looking for a playtime solution for a toddler or younger children. 

• You have multiple kids and want them to be able to play safely together. 

What About a Trampoline and Swing Set Combo? 

If you’re struggling to decide between a trampoline and a swing set, there is a way to get both without breaking the bank.   

We mentioned earlier that you could buy a backyard trampoline and use a local park’s swing set whenever your child wants to change up the playtime routine.   

However, if you have a bigger backyard, you could invest in both. We’ll explain the best way to do this below.  

We recommend investing more in a trampoline since cheaper trampolines have more safety concerns.   

You could buy a good-quality gobaplay Single Swing Set for an affordable price ($400-$500)… 

AND  

Purchase the World’s Safest Trampoline (Springfree Trampoline) and choose which of the nine sizes (mini-to-jumbo, $799-$3,999) fits best in your backyard and for your budget. 

For families with multiple kids and big backyards, this could be your children’s dream come true!  

Check out our range of Springfree Trampolines today. 

Check out gobaplay’s range of Swing Sets today.