Are you Looking for the easiest and safest ways to hang a child swing from a tree?
You are most likely wondering; it requires plenty of kits to hang a baby swing from a tree. But to be honest, this is not the case at all.
Using a couple of things and some basic skills, you can assemble the swing set easily. But, to accomplish this, you need the necessary things. Several commonly used tools and accessories in swing hanging are rope, ladder, eye bolts, wrench, hammer, knife, measuring tape, level, and much more.
A good guideline and planning can make your DIY task easier to set up your outdoor baby swing.
Top 5 outdoor baby swings you can buy for your kids in this summer:
- Sorbus Saucer Tree Swing in Multi-Color Rainbow
- Jaketen 3-in-1 Toddler Swing
- HAPPY PIE PLAY&ADVENTURE
- High Back Full Bucket Toddler Swing
- Monkey & Mouse Secure Canvas and Wooden Hanging Swing Seat
Here are 5 easy ways so that you can install a safe swing set for kids. Read on and learn the basic things!
Table of Contents
Method 1: On An Angled Branch
This technique applies to the angled tree branch. So, how to hang a tree swing on an angled branch? The process is as follows.
Step 1
First of all, you have to find a strong angled branch that can endure the weight of the swing and baby. Usually, veterans recommend choosing 8 inches or more diameter branch. But, don’t go for fruit tree branches, as they tend to break easily.
Measure the swing’s thickness and identify two points of the tree branch where you can suspend the swing. However, it’s a good practice to add 4 inches more with the width of these points.
Take a long and required diameter drill bit with a cordless drill machine (you can buy from Amazon). Make a vertical hole in each point of the branch.
Step 2
Now, hold a level and set one side of the level under the lower hole branch. And extend the level until it reaches the upper hole of the angled branch. Then measure the distance between the top of the level and the lower hole.
This measurement will help you get the identical points where both ropes will bend to fix the swing at the same level. Without balancing two ropes, the swing can be crooked when it oscillates, which is risky.
Step 3
Now, cut a single piece of PVC pipe of one-inch. The pipe diameter will be the same width as the tree branch. Add one inch more for the pipe with the space of the offset between two holes. If a branch width is 12 inches and an offset is 6 inches, the pipe cut will be 19 inches.
Then make a 1/2 inch hole to the pipe across the top with a 3/8 inch bit. Take some long nuts and bolts that fit with the holes.
Step 4
After that drill out the upper hole of the branch with a one-inch bit. Then align the pipe under the hole. Also, push the pipe towards the branch.
Set the extended eye bolts across the lowermost hole. And fasten them with large washers and nuts snugly.
Feed a piece of rope across the pipe inside the branch. Tie the pipe with rope using a large knot. Then fasten the long nut and bolt through the upper portion of the pipe.
Finally, fasten all the ropes with the eye bolts besides leveling the swing bottom. Make sure the swing is at least one foot above the ground.
Note: You can also use carabiners between the rope and eye bolt for more safety.
Method 2: Hang A Swing From A Tree Without Branches
What happens if your backyard trees don’t have any strong branch or limb to hang the swing? No problem, a false trunk, and the branch will help you in this regard. But this false branch can’t hold heavyweight, so this system only allows kids to enjoy swinging. Let’s do it using some easy tricks!
Step 1
At first, find out a strong tree. It would be best if you also had a false branch with proper height. The artificial branch or plank should be flexible but strong enough that it can endure swing users’ weight.
Several commonly used plank materials are sturdy wood, pipe, or metal board. The length should be more than 1.8 meters.
Also, choose a good false trunk. This is usually built from oak, sycamore, maple, beech, etc, but oak is most favorable. Be sure the trunk is more than 8 to 10 feet high from the ground.
Step 2
Spot the tree and false trunk where you are going to add the false branch. Now, drill a hole (more than 4 inches) at one end of the middle of the timber plank and the false trunk’s top end.
With the help of an assistant, join the trunk and false branch using an eye-bolt. You can also tie them with a durable cord to increase their stiffness.
Step 3
Now drill the tree and false branch 3 to 5 times so that both of them can be joined firmly. After making the holes attach the false branch with the tree using some nuts and bolts. Tighten all the bolts snugly until the plank gets stable. If needed, install more nuts and bolts. If you want you can also ground the artificial trunk to the earth for more safety.
Finally, attach the swing kit with the artificial branch in its extended end. To avoid collision between swing user and tree, maintain 3 feet minimum distance.
Note: After completing the process, check whether the system withstands the load safely or not. Never allow adults or several kids to swing together in this artificial system.
Method 3: Swing From Tree To Tree
Hanging a swing between two trees is easier than the no branch method. You can do it simply using the following steps.
Step 1
Measure the space between the outer portions of the two adjacent trees you desire to hang the swing. Add extra two feet on both ends for safety reasons.
A wooden beam or metal rod can be used as a connector of the trees.
Step 2
Spot the tree where you want to attach the crossbeam. Now drill both trees and beam to fix them with nuts and bolts. You can also tie the beam with trees using strong rope especially if trees have a parallel branch.
After fastening the beam with trees, you can hang the kid swing like the earlier methods.
Note: Alternately, you can attach the swing directly with the tree branches using the strong rope. Some swing manufacturers provide such ropes with swing sets.
Method 4: Using A Bowline Knot
The bowline knot is a commonly used method for hanging a child’s swing. It gives stronghold support to your swing rope hence the swing set.
This convenient method allows you to add the knot directly with the flat tree branch. The bowling knot is done in the middle of a rope to fasten it with the tree branch.
Besides, the chain or rope of the swing can be joined with the knot. At the same time, you should add the knot based on your swing seat or hanging things like straps, chains, or rope.
However, it’s necessary to adjust the swing height from the ground according to your child’s height and a swing seat. Besides, ensure 3 feet minimum space between the cord knot and tree trunk. Follow the steps!
Step 1
Begin with putting one side of the swing rope above the tree branch. Make a double ring or loop moving the second end. After that move the second edge back to the upright rope. Again, travel the second rope edge from the ring.
Step 2
Tightly hold the standing end and fasten it by dragging from the second edge of the rope. The process is done by passing the second rope end across the rope. So, the bowline knot process is completed within a short time.
Method 5: Attach A Swing From A Tall Tree
Usually, swing power rises with swing rope or chain length. Kids who are more than 5 years old love higher swing. Anchoring the swing in the tall tree is convenient for them. But, this type of swing installation is comparatively difficult.
So, how to hang a swing from a tall tree? You can do it following these steps.
Step 1
Start with inspecting the tree. When kids play in an elevated swing, it might cause a lot of tension. So, the branch should be free from fungus, dry rot, mold, and other structural damage. The oaks tree is quite good for this.
Step 2
Now, tie a stone, throwball, or any other weighted object to a string, twine, or throwline. Ensure the string’s length is twice the distance from the ground to the desired branch where we are planning to hang the swing.
Step 3
Throw the stone over the branch, so the string also goes over the branch. Then tie the swing rope with the string and pull the other end until it reaches the ground overpass the branch. Afterward, make a bowline knot and tighten it into the branch using the rope pulling technique.
While one end of the rope is attached with the branch leaving the other end to your hand, now, attach the swing to this end and let the kids playing.
Note: If you can’t do this, take help from a pro swing assembler. While doing this don’t allow kids to stay near the tree.
Conclusion
A good baby swing is a handy item to spend a productive time in the whole family’s backyard. Swing safety starts from knowing the swing installation tricks. Without the proper knowledge, a baby swing can be hazardous for kids. Hopefully, you know now how to hang a baby swing from a tree.
It’s time to install the swing according to my guidelines!
If you find this article informative, please share it with others and let us know which method you love most.
This post was last updated on 09.03.2022
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