4 Most Popular Jungle Gym Add-ons

The playground just keeps getting better and better, and while jungle gyms keep their essence of providing unlimited fun for kids, they have gotten a few upgrades here and there. When you’re spending your money on something like a jungle gym, you want to ensure that your kids will use it to its full potential and not just play with it once or twice. So, we've ranked the add-ons that will keep your kids entertained throughout the years right for you here!

What are the criteria for ranking the playground equipment?

Of course, every kid will have their preference when it comes to playground equipment. One will take to the slides while the other spends all their time on the swing. But  when it comes to ranking the different playground essentials, here is what we assess its popularity: 

• Its fun factor 

• Safety features 

• Versatility 

• Educational and developmental value

• Accessibility 

We take all these factors into consideration to rank our list well. If a piece of equipment is as fun as it is safe and beneficial for your child, it’s going to feature high up on the list. 

How to keep kids safe on the jungle gym

Jungle gyms are tons of fun, but being that they are an elevated structure with multiple components that have big gaps, there’s always a possibility that kids could get hurt while on them. Here are some of the best safety practices to adhere to while kids are playing on any jungle gym: 

What are the top-ranked pieces of playground equipment?

Based on the criteria, let’s get straight into it and look at the best pieces of playground equipment that you can add to your backyard. VulyPlay offers some of the best jungle gyms you’ll find, offering all of the best add ons like:

Monkey bars

Starting off on the list at number four is the monkey bars. These horizontal bars give kids a fun and challenging way to get from one side of the jungle gym to the other. Whether kids prefer to climb along them or swing, they will be building their upper-body strength, strengthening their core, boosting their flexibility and motion, enhancing their hand-eye coordination, and so much more. While this is a relatively safe activity for kids to do, there is a slight risk that comes with using this structure, but essentially, it encourages kids to take safe risks in a controlled environment. 

Climbing structures

The beautiful thing about climbing structures is that there are just so many to choose from. Your kids could have anything from a climbing rope to a climbing ladder or wall; there’s just so much versatility when it comes to this jungle gym add-on. Another wonderful aspect of adding a climbing structure is that it can also vary in difficulty level to accommodate your kid's developmental needs. Climbing structures are particularly good for improving your kid’s strength and sensory awareness. Some of the most popular climbing structures you can add to your jungle gym include: 

• Rock walls

• Climbing ladders

• Rope nets

• Overhead climbers

Slides

A classic jungle gym add-on that will always get your kid’s adrenaline pumping is the slide — but that’s not all they’re good for. Slides offer a wonderful way to help your kid develop their balance, coordination, motor skills, and social skills, so it’s not just about speed. For those who worry about the safety of their kids due to the potential of them falling off, what makes slides so great is that there are so many different designs available so they can accommodate kids of all ages and abilities. Here are some types of slides you may want to add to your jungle gym at home: 

• Double slides

• Spiral slides

• Wave slides

• Tube slides 

Swings

Swings are by far one of the best jungle gym add-ons and are number one on this list due to their popularity among both kids and adults and because of all the benefits they boast. Swings are beneficial for the development of both gross and fine motor skills, as well as spatial awareness, and they even help kids build their social skills. On top of all these developmental bonuses, they’re also an activity that can be relaxing or invigorating — it all depends on how fast or slow you want to go, and you can either swing with friends or have a peaceful moment with yourself. And have you seen the variety of different swings you can choose from nowadays? There is a swing for everyone of every age and capability. Some of the most popular types of swings available are: 

• Tire swings

• Saucer swings

• Bucket swings

• Disc swings 

• Belt swings

• Toddler swings

When you’re putting together your kid's very own playground but only have limited space or a smaller budget, you’ve got to prioritize what you think would be best for them. These top-ranking pieces of jungle gym equipment are sure to keep your kid entertained and well-exercised, but remember to think about their personal preferences, too. 

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