Kids love swings, Daddy loves building them

Our plan was to get the kids a swingset this spring. We looked at Toys R' Us and Costco and one thing was clear...they are pricey. That alone made my brain click on and decide to design and build one myself.

Trevor and I starting sketching ideas of what we wanted. Here was our criteria:

1. Big enough that the kids wouldn't quickly outgrow it.
2. Strong enough so I could play on it. Duh.
3. Swings.
4. Slide.
5. Better than "crappy store bought" ones.
6. It must be super cool, rad, stellar, epic and awesome all at the same time.

 Here is the pictorial adventure:

Daddy's original sketch (left) & Trevor's sketch (right)
Trevor's sketch has a place for lightsabers, a Lego table and a TV.
It did have to be awesome, right?

This beast is built to last. Look at those beefy hex bolts. [grunt arr-arr-arr]

Phase I - structural framing, railing & slide. Done.

A-frame for the swingset. Allie says, "Is it done yet, Daddy."

View from our kitchen window with swing beam and a few rafters in place.

Not exactly sure what I'm doing here. My motto...when in doubt, just add more wood.

That's my head sticking out of the roof. Custom wavy rock wall installed. Final shingles going up...way up.

Success.

Glamour shots. Ka-chow.

After countless trips to Lowes and countless hours designing, measuring, cutting, MacGyvering and hauling tools around, this project is done. It was a 3-month project from start to finish with many, many days of rain in between. It turned out to be more expensive than just buying a crappy one from the store, but in my opinion, it was well worth it. The kids absolutely LOVE it and I found it to be very rewarding to build.

Trevor calls the swingset, "The Death Star". The girls call it, "The Clubhouse". I call it "Super cool, rad, stellar, epic and awesome"

Project materials:
4 x 4 - legs
2 x 6 - framing
4 x 6 - swing beam
1/2" and 3/8" galvanized bolts
5/4 x 4 cedar decking - railing
2 x 4 cedar - railing
5/4 x 6 cedar decking - floor
2 x 4 studs - rafters
3/8" sheathing
asphalt shingles