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Jungle Gym, Monkey Bars or Playground: Which Should You Buy?
Most families end up choosing between three things for the backyard: a set of monkey bars, a jungle gym, or a full play centre. They overlap enough to be confusing, and the price gap between them is large, so it is worth understanding what you actually get for the money.
This guide compares all three on the things that decide it: what they cost, how much yard they take, and what your child gets out of them.
The Short Version
| What it is | Price here | Space needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standalone monkey bars | From $299 | Smallest | Upper body strength, a child who already loves hanging and swinging |
| Jungle gym | $899 to $1,749 | Medium | Climbing with some variety, older children who have outgrown a swing set |
| Play centre or playground | $649 to $2,999 | Largest | Several children of different ages, all day play |
| Swing set | From $199 | Small to medium | The cheapest way in, and it grows with add on seats |
Those are our current prices for stock we have on hand, not recommended retail.
Standalone Monkey Bars
A horizontal ladder on two upright frames. That is the whole thing, and that simplicity is the point.
What they are good at
- Upper body strength and grip. Nothing else in a backyard builds it the same way. Hanging, swinging hand over hand and holding body weight are hard to replicate on a slide.
- Small footprint. A set of bars fits down the side of a house or along a fence line where a play centre never would.
- Price. Freestanding metal monkey bars start at $299 here, which is a fraction of a play centre.
- Low upkeep. Fewer moving parts, fewer things to tighten each season.
Where they fall down
- One activity. Some children use them every day for years. Others lose interest once they can cross them easily.
- They need strength. Younger or smaller children often cannot reach or hold on yet, so the bars sit unused for a while.
- Surface matters. Falls happen. Never install them over concrete, and put soft fall underneath.
Browse the range in monkey bars.
Jungle Gyms
A jungle gym is built around climbing. Bars, ladders and climbing walls, often with monkey bars along the top and sometimes a slide.
What they are good at
- Climbing variety in one structure. Several ways up and across, so it stays interesting longer than a single feature.
- They suit older kids. This is usually the next step for a child who has outgrown a toddler swing set but does not need a full play centre.
- Middle ground on price. Our Lifespan Kids Junior Jungle range runs from $899 for the Daylesford up to $1,749 for the Kakadu, with the Orangutan at $1,599 or $1,699 with a slide.
Where they fall down
- Less for little ones. A two year old cannot do much on a climbing frame built for a seven year old.
- Fixed footprint. They are smaller than a play centre but still need clear space on every side.
Browse the range in jungle gyms.
Play Centres and Backyard Playgrounds
The full structure. A raised fort or tower, a slide, swings, and often monkey bars off the side. This is the one that replaces the trip to the park.
What they are good at
- Everything in one place. A toddler on the swings and an eight year old on the monkey bars can use the same structure at the same time.
- Long life. A play centre bought for a four year old still gets used at nine, because different parts suit different ages.
- Playdates. Several children at once without queueing for one feature.
Where they fall down
- Space. This is the real limit for most Australian backyards, not money. Measure before you shop.
- Price and assembly. Our play centres run from $649 for the Plum Barbary climbing frame up to $2,999 for the Lifespan Claremont. Assembly is a weekend job for two people, or we can organise it for you.
Browse the range in backyard playgrounds.
How to Decide in Five Minutes
Work through these in order and the answer usually falls out.
- Measure the flat area you have, then subtract a metre of clear space on every side. That number rules options in or out before anything else.
- Count the children and their ages. One older child who loves climbing points to monkey bars or a jungle gym. A spread of ages points to a play centre.
- Ask what they actually do at the park. If they head straight for the monkey bars every time, believe them.
- Decide who is building it. A play centre is a two person weekend. If that is not happening, factor in assembly.
- Check the budget honestly. A swing set at $199 that gets used daily beats a $2,000 play centre that does not fit.
A Cheaper Way In
If none of the three fits the budget yet, a swing set starts at $199 and takes a nest swing, a toddler seat or a trapeze later, so it changes as your child grows. Plenty of families start there and add a climbing frame a year or two on.
Before You Buy
Whichever you choose, three things are worth knowing. Interest free layby spreads the cost over weeks rather than putting it on a card. We can organise assembly in most areas. And if you find the same item cheaper elsewhere in Australia, our Price Match Guarantee covers it.
Still weighing it up? Compare monkey bars, jungle gyms, backyard playgrounds and swing sets side by side.