As a 5′ 9” guy who loves to play basketball, I can assure you that height is important! Few things are more annoying than executing a perfect box out only to have the 6′ 5” guy you are guarding casually reach over your head and grab the rebound. I was described as “having a lot of heart” when playing basketball, which means about what you think it means. S,o what in the world does this have to do with swing sets, playgrounds, and playhouses?
In basketball, being taller is generally better for certain positions. But how about swing sets or playhouses? Is a taller tower always better? How do you find the perfect height for your kids when picking out a playground or playset?
King Swings offers four main deck heights: 5′, 6′, 7′, and 9′. We also offer double decks with two heights built in. A good example of that is the [captain’s castle], which has a 5’ and a 7’ deck height combined into one tower. Some swing set towers, such as the [Galaxy], have three different heights.
The height of your swing set is an important part of laying out the perfect swing set design for your family. This guide will walk you through the standard heights we offer, explore the pros and cons, and help you craft the ultimate backyard swing set for your family.
5’ Deck Height: The Classic Height
Pros
- The classic swing set and playhouse tower height
- Great for younger kids or a mixture of ages
- Wide selection of slides and climbers
- Can have monkey bar swing beam
- Can’t attach 10′ high swing beam
- Headspace under the tower can be tight for taller kids
- Hammock swings can’t hang under the tower
The 5’ tower is the best all-around swing set height for most families. Our best-seller, the Sea King, stands 5’ tall. This height is ubiquitous with swing sets because it is the perfect middle ground between being tall enough but not too tall. Little ones won’t be afraid to climb to the stop and slide down, and the height will keep it relative for many years.
Why would you go taller? Let’s explore the next deck height.
6’ Deck Height: The Best Compromise
Pros
- A taller swing set means taller slides and climbers provide better challenges.
- More headspace under the tower
- Taller than 5′ but still a little kid-friendly
- Can have a high swing beam
- If you want a monkey bar swing beam, it must be a perpendicular style,
- not attached to the tower
- A limited selection of slides unless you have a playhouse
- Hammock swings can’t hang under the tower
Many of our most popular playhouse sets such as the Palace Playhouse are 6’ tall. This additional height when coupled with a playhouse allows you to attach a high beam and use taller climbers, and faster slides.
Another important 6’ deck height feature is the headspace below the tower. Picnic tables, ball pits, and all the other fun features under the swing set tower feel more spacious, especially for taller kids and parents who use the set.
A 6’ tall tower grows better with your kids. While it is only one additional foot taller, this makes a big difference for climbers and slides. The set feels more impressive, more “big kid,” and will stay relevant longer. This deck height is a great compromise for those who want something taller than 5’ but don’t want to go as high as 7’.
7’ Deck Height: Great for Older Kids
- Great for older kids and adventurous little ones
- Great selection of fast slides and soaring climbers
- Impressive to behold
- Lots of headspace under the tower
- No monkey bars unless you do the perpendicular kind
- Depending on the set, the overall height 13’ 2’’
- Not great for children under 3 years old
Backyard playsets like the Wave Rider or the Chateau utilize this height to great effect. The slides are fast, the climbers a challenge, and the set is visually appealing and screams fun. It is perfect for a family with multiple children in the range of 3-12 who need the set to be as exciting as possible. This is the height for adventurous kids: it will stay relevant for a very long time. Growing well with your children and being fun for older kids are the strongest features of 7’ tall towers.
With so much head space under the tower, you can add all kinds of fun, from clubhouses to lemonade stands to tire swings. Underneath the tower, it feels great even to an adult or tall child. Swing playsets like the
Younger children may find the 7’ deck height intimidating. We do not recommend most 7’ tall swing sets for children under 3 years of age.
9’ Deck Height: Rule and Reign
- Statement piece: be the talk of the neighborhood
- The tallest/fastest slides
- What a view from the top!
- Overall height can reach 15’ 2’’ or more.
- No climbers connecting to the 9’ deck.
The 9’ deck height is for the genuinely epic among us who want to be the tallest, go the fastest, and have the best. Swing sets like the Galaxy Swing Set make a statement, and there are a few more fun things than going down a slide that originates at 9’s height: they are fast, they are fun, they zip!
One of the big cautions about the 9’ deck height is that it is really tall. Make sure you researched your township's or local ordinances or what your HOA allows. There is no hiding this thing! It will draw eyes.
Because of the height, no climbers can attach to the 9’ deck height. We have great slide options, but when you reach that height, our chief concern is safe fun. We don’t allow the open spaces in the railing that climbers inherently create.
9’ deck heights must be combined with other towers to ensure stability.
Double-Deck Towers: A Simple Solution
- Extremely versatile
- Great for all age ranges
- Impressive
- Can have monkey bars or high beam depending on which double deck is used
- It can take up more space than a single tower.
Let’s define a double-deck tower. Simply put, it is one swing set tower with two different heights. Check out the Captain's Castle; it has a lower section at 5’ and a taller section at 7’.
This split height is perfect for families with older and younger children. The lower deck can be designed for the younger ones with age-appropriate slides and climbers, while the taller deck has faster slides and more challenging climbers.
For more examples of double-deck backyard playgrounds, explore the Overlook, the Launching Pad, and the Treasure Cove. Each does something uniquely different, and a combination of their designs may be perfect for your family.
Which segways beautifully into the next section.
Customize Your Height
With our customizing services (which is free, BTW), you can raise and lower deck heights on any standard set. For example, let’s say you love the Wave Rider but think it's a bit higher than you are comfortable with. That is no problem. We can lower it down to a 6’ height. Or, if the [cottage playhouse] feels a bit stubby, we can bump it up a foot or two.
Our customization options are endless, and we encourage you to work with our team to design the swing set that best fits your space, budget, and family needs.
Bring the Playground Home
King Swings builds swing sets, playgrounds, and playhouses and has been doing this for 30+ years. We understand that we craft a premium product, and with that comes the responsibility of creating a premium customer experience.
Go ahead and read through our 500 plus five-star reviews. Our dedicated team has set the bar high for a customer journey, and our install crews are loved by all who meet them.
So what are you waiting for? Get started by checking what is New for 2025 or explore our Family Favorites. Email us, call us, or even send a carrier pigeon. If you got questions, we would love to get them answered so you can bring the playground home!