Picking outdoor play equipment for your backyard can feel exciting, but also a little overwhelming. An outdoor playset / playground, a cubby house and a swing set can all be fantastic additions, but they each suit different families, spaces and play styles. The “best” pick isn’t necessarily the biggest or the one loaded with every feature; it’s the one that actually fits your space nicely and gives your children the kind of fun they love and won’t tire of quickly.
If you are comparing options at The Best Backyard, this guide will help you sort through the differences and decide what makes the most sense for your home.
Outdoor Playsets: Best for Variety & Play Value
Outdoor playsets are packed with features. They usually bundle lots of activities into one big structure - often a slide, swings, climbing frames, monkey bars, climbing domes and more - so it’s perfect if you’re after that single standout feature in the backyard to keep kids of all ages entertained for hours! It's like having your very own adventure playground in your garden & will make your backyard the envy of all the kids in the neighbourhood!
They’re perfect for extra active kids who get bored doing the same thing over and over. Instead, they can hop from climbing to swinging to sliding, and switch it up as they go. Plus, if you’ve got siblings, everyone can usually find a spot to play at the same time without too much waiting around.
If this sounds like it could work for your backyard, it is worth exploring The Best Backyard’s range of swing sets, playgrounds and outdoor play centres, as well as playsets and cubby houses with slides or swings. If you’re looking for more climbing and variety, we also recommend browsing our jungle gym playgrounds depending on the size and style of your backyard.
A larger multi-activity option can work perfectly if you want one standout feature that keeps children engaged for longer. For example, products such as the Walton Play Centre by Lifespan Kids or a more feature-led cubby and playset combination can offer a good mix of activities in one setup.
Shop Walton Play Centre by Lifespan Kids >
The main thing to keep in mind is space. A large playsets or outdoor playground generally needs a larger footprint and enough clearance around them to be used safely.
What our team think...
"Outdoor playsets are heaps of fun for larger backyards & keep kids entertained for hours. The Darlington Play Centre has been one of our top sellers this last summer. The Darlington is an all-in-1 playground offers all the benefits of a cubby house, along with a fort, swings, slide & a trapeze"
Cubby Houses: Best for Imaginative Play
A cubby house offers a different kind of outdoor play. Rather than focusing purely on climbing or physical activity, it creates a space for imagination, role play and quieter backyard fun. For many children, that can mean hours of creative play, whether the cubby becomes a café, a shop, a hideout or a little home of their own.
That is what makes cubby houses a perfect option for those wanting something versatile and inviting. If you are looking for extra adventure, elevated cubby houses can add slides, climbing features and useful under-house play space, while cubbies and playsets offer a more active all-in-one setup, similar to an outdoor playground.
For example, the Kingston Elevated Cubby House with Slide is a good fit for households wanting imaginative play with extra climbing and sliding built in, while the Archie Elevated Cubby House with Green Slide is another great example of a cubby design that blends creativity with active outdoor fun.
If your child enjoys pretend play and you want something that feels charming, flexible and easy to picture in a family backyard, a cubby house can be a brilliant choice.
“The beauty of a cubby house is that it grows with a child’s imagination.”
Shop Archie Elevated Cubby House with Green Slide >
What our team think...
"The Camira Cubby House continues to be one of our customer favourites. It offers that classic style with white picket fence & covered veranda area, as well as a serving hatch and letterbox. Customers tell us their kids use their cubby house for hours on end lost in creative and imaginative play"
Swing Sets: Best for Simplicity (& value for money)
A swing set is the classic backyard choice, and for many families that is exactly the appeal. It is simple, familiar and often easier to fit into an outdoor space than a larger playset, while still giving children plenty of reason to get outside and stay active. Our Swing Sets collection includes a wide mix of styles, while the Wooden Swing Sets collection is particularly useful if you want something that feels sturdy, timeless and well suited to a family backyard.
Swing sets are a great option when you want to add outdoor fun without taking over the entire backyard. They can work seamlessly alongside other features too, whether that is an open lawn, a sandpit or even a cubby house. If you are after something compact and practical, the Hazelbrook Swing Set & Playground with 1.8m Slide is a great example of a smaller play-focused setup, while the Plum Tamarin Swing Set is an ideal choice for those looking for a classic timber swing set with a little more presence.
That said, if your priority is imaginative, open-ended play, a playset or cubby house will usually offer much more scope than a swing set alone.
If you want something straightforward, active and easy to add to your space, a swing set is often a smart choice. It gives children a reason to head outdoors, does not require as much room as a full play centre, and can be one of the easiest ways to create a fun backyard setup that gets used regularly.
Shop Hazelbrook Swing Set & Playground with 1.8m Slide >
What our team think...
"The Plum Tamarin or Plum Barbary Swing Set are two popular products that are classic wooden swing sets with the extra addition of a slide and other features all in a small footprint at a really competitive price point"
How to Decide
The easiest way to choose which one is right for you is to think about three things: space, play style and budget.
- If you have a larger backyard and want one standout feature with lots of variety, a playset may be the best fit.
- If your children love pretend play and you want a space they can use in different ways, a cubby house may be the better option.
- If you want something simpler, more compact and often more budget-friendly, a swing set could be the right call.
|
Option |
Best for |
Space needed |
Play style |
Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Outdoor Playset |
Families wanting variety in one setup |
Larger backyards |
Active, mixed play |
Usually higher |
|
Cubby House |
Children who enjoy imaginative play |
Small to medium backyards |
Pretend, creative, open-ended play |
Mid-range, depending on size and features |
|
Swing Set |
Families wanting a simple, classic option |
Smaller to medium backyards |
Active, straightforward play |
Often more budget-friendly |
“Sometimes the best choice is not about getting the biggest setup, but about choosing the one that fits your space and your family best. A larger option may offer more variety over time, while a simpler one can still be used and loved just as much.”
Final Thoughts
Outdoor playsets, cubby houses and swing sets all bring something valuable to a family backyard.
- A playset is ideal for variety and active play
- A cubby house is brilliant for creativity and role play
- A swing set is a simple, classic option that works well in many homes
The right choice comes down to your backyard, your budget and the way your children love to play. If you match the equipment to those three things, you are much more likely to create an outdoor space that gets used and enjoyed for years to come.
If you are still weighing up the choices, or have questions about any of our outdoor play products, please do not hesitate to reach out to our friendly Aussie team at hello@thebestbackyard.com.au. We are always happy to help you choose the right fit for your backyard and your family.
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