What to Do with an Old Wooden Swing Set: Creative Ideas for Repurposing

Playsets are reminders of fun-filled days and childhood innocence. It’s a pity when they start gathering cobwebs in the backyard once the kids have grown up.

If you’re wondering what to do with an old wooden swing set, here are some creative ways to repurpose it.

Make the most of sunny days and transform your swing set into a drying rack. Run several clotheslines along the legs of your swing set for air-drying towels, sheets, and curtains.

For this project, you’ll need several pairs of heavy-duty hook screws or screw eyes and nylon cord.

Deck the A-frame with chicken wire, pop in nesting boxes, and set up roosting perches.

Got some metal roofing scraps? Attach a couple of sheets to one end to create a shady spot for your chooks.

How about flipping that swing set into an outdoor kitchen setup?

Slap on some shelves and hooks for all your cooking gear. And don’t forget a solid countertop and barbecue grill for epic cookouts.

Swap the old swing seats for a swing-style bench or a pair ofmacramé hanging chairs for relaxing on lazy afternoons.

Toss in some cushions and wrap the frame in fairy lights for a dreamy backyard retreat.

Use the swing set’s bones to make a smart vertical garden. Hang planters and pots to grow herbs, flowers, and mini veggies.

Pick fresh flowers for your vases and enjoy fresh produce at harvest time!

Take apart the swing set and salvage all the wood to build a sturdy frame for a picnic table or bench. You can get old pallets from your local salvage yard to use as a tabletop or seating.

Sand everything down for a smooth finish, and apply a weather-resistant stain or paint.

Repurpose any unique or decorative hardware (e.g., chains, hooks, or brackets) for added visual interest. 

Give your backyard a blockbuster makeover with an open-air movie theater.

Spread a big white sheet across the swing set frame and set up a projector. Then, throw in some seats or blankets and bring out some snacks for movie nights under the stars.

Attach robust hooks to the frame’s support as anchor points.

Then, string up a comfy hammock between them, and boom—a chill spot for zoning out and soaking up some vitamin D.

Spruce up the swing set’s bare frame with climbing vines like ivy or wisteria. You can also fix a trellis to the beam and train a few pots ofroses to climb the latticework.

This trick adds a splash of color to a boring backyard.

Create a haven for your feathered visitors by hanging bird feeders at various heights.

Then, hoist a plastic basin or an old galvanized garbage lid from the center of the support beam using chains or ropes from the old swing seats.

Wrapping Up

With all these ideas on what to do with an old wooden swing set, you can hang onto some fond memories in creative ways.

Plus, you’re doing the environment a favor by reducing your waste and carbon footprint.