Comfortable, tastefully made and pleasing to the eye swings create a special coziness in the yard or at home, improve the mood of both children and adults. In addition, it is an excellent simulator for improving coordination, training all muscle groups and the vestibular apparatus. For installation in your suburban area, you can choose both simple structures and whole complexes with slides, stairs and ropes that will delight and keep the little inhabitants of the house entertained for a long time. While the child is busy with the machine, parents can afford to relax and unwind.
Features and Benefits
Installing a children's swing in your own summer cottage carries a number of very valuable advantages. The active use of this unit leads to a decrease in the child's hyperactivity (due to the waste of excess energy), an improvement in the ability to control his body and maintain balance, the development of dexterity and independence.
Using a swing not alone, but in the company of peers, improves communication skills, helps to establish contact with other children.
Types and models
Swings can be classified according to several criteria:
By installation method
According to the method of installation, there are suspended and floor swings. Suspended ones are relatively cheap, easy to operate and convenient (due to their mobility). Suspended structures can be constructed from scrap materials and suspended from any suitable tree branch or horizontal support.
The easiest and most affordable option is to fasten the seat on ropes, while it is important to pay special attention to the strength of the material. This type of swing is recommended for older children who are already able to control the position of their body in space.
Floor products are rigid and must weigh much heavier than the child (to avoid tip-over). It is advisable to supply such units with fixing parts and strengthen them with high quality on the base.
By construction type
- Chairs for newborns floor-mounted, equipped with fixing straps, easy to transport. Often these structures are electronically controlled. They are very susceptible to harmful environmental influences.
- Transformers combine several functions and can vary depending on the growth and development of the child. Often it is also a crib and a highchair at the same time.
According to the type of construction, children's swings can be divided into armchairs for newborns, transformers, balancers, carousels, spring.
- Balance weights are units for simultaneous use by two or more babies. They are supported in the middle. These products are installed in most public playgrounds. In addition, such a swing is easy to make on your own in your own summer cottage.
- On carousels children move in a circle, which helps to actively strengthen the vestibular apparatus.
- Spring swing usually represent a wooden base on a spring support. Gentle swinging and design in the form of animals or cars evoke vivid emotions in very young children and develop the ability to maintain balance. Such structures are distinguished by significant ergonomics and safety. The radius of movement of the spring is limited, and the child is not high above the ground and cannot be seriously injured.
- Paired. Suitable for families with several children of about the same age group who can ride together. They can be completed with a common seat or two, located opposite each other.
At the place of installation
At the place of installation, swings are indoor (located, for example, in the doorway) and outdoor. Street ones are installed in open areas and are often located there regardless of the season, therefore the requirements for fixing them to the ground and construction material are much stricter.
Parsing and moving to another location
In the presence of the possibility of parsing and transferring to another place, the swing can be stationary and removable.
Stationary structures They are heavy and bulky, they are rigidly fixed in the ground (often by concreting) and take up a lot of space.
Removable units suggest the possibility of partial or complete dismantling and the presence of a free room in which they can be stored.
In addition, there are also various original models. There are round nest swings, whole suspended podiums or single and double beds.
On single products, you can perfectly relax, immerse yourself in your thoughts, relax alone. In doubles, adults can even spend a romantic evening. Large suspended podiums contribute to a great time with a large company.
An interesting and non-trivial option is also a deck chair swing. Several people can fit on a chaise longue, and its design assumes anchoring at one point. Outwardly, the unit looks airy and fragile, but in fact it is able to withstand a heavy load.
Material
One of the most important features that determine the quality of a swing is the material. The constant development of technologies and the invention of new production techniques allows us to endlessly expand the product line and present the consumer with options for every taste and wallet. The most popular materials for a swing today are wood, metal, plastic, textiles, scrap materials and various combinations of these. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Wood
Wood is most often used for the construction of swings in country houses and on the territory of summer cottages.
Wooden products are considered the most environmentally friendly, in addition, it is a fairly affordable material. Simplicity, ease of processing and pleasant appearance are also indisputable advantages. The disadvantages of this type of raw material include a high degree of exposure to aggressive external factors - for example, moisture. This leads to complications in the operation of the product.
The tree needs regular touch-up and use of protective impregnations.
Metal
Metal is suitable for the manufacture of the entire structure of the swing or only part of it. In this case, the seat is still recommended to be made of wood or plastic. The advantages of this type of raw material include its reliability and durability. In addition, metal structures are able to withstand a very large weight, which makes them versatile - not only a child, but also an adult can relax and have fun.
A significant disadvantage is the complexity of self-production - for this, it is necessary to have both the skills of handling this material and a set of specific tools. In addition, the metal is susceptible to corrosion, which complicates its operation, and can be very hot from the sun's rays - this must be taken into account when choosing a place for installing a swing.
Plastic
Plastic swings for children are gaining popularity. When choosing this type of raw material, it is very important to focus on a high-quality, strong and durable option. In this case, the product will not be exposed to the harmful effects of the environment - burn out, deform, melt.
Usually, only a seat is made of plastic, and wood plays the role of supporting structures (there are other options - metal, ropes). The advantages of using plastic also include its cheapness, a wide range of colors and lightness.
Plastic structures have not only advantages, but also a number of disadvantages. Plastic is not a very durable material, so it is not versatile. Such products are not suitable for use by adults. It is very important to remember that when exposed to heat, polymeric materials release toxic substances. This could result in harm to the child's health.
An interesting option is also to use improvised materials for the manufacture of a swing: tires from a car, tied with ropes to a support, or textiles that resemble a soft hammock.
The latter option contributes to complete relaxation, harmonization of thoughts and feelings. Such a swing is fixed on a sturdy bar made of wood or metal; it is very easy to remove and transport them. This type of construction will be very interesting not only for a child, but also for adults - in addition, several people can fit on it.
Operating rules
Each product purchased from the manufacturer will almost certainly have its own operating instructions manual, but without it. there are several universal rules:
- It must be remembered: the swing is an excellent trainer for all muscle groups, but it is also a source of increased danger, so it is advisable not to leave the child unattended.
- When installing the structure, it is important to ensure that the supports are carefully fixed on a level surface.
- When choosing an installation site, it is important to make sure that there are no power lines in the swinging zone, there are no sources of danger (road, water body, cliff).
- Periodically, the unit must be checked for any malfunctions and everything must be repaired in time.
- It is recommended to provide a safety margin, because often teenagers, and sometimes adults, can also use a children's swing.
- The seat must be securely fixed to the restraining material.
Compliance with simple rules of care will help to extend the life of the product and prevent injury to the child due to breakage. Keeping the swing in good condition will avoid many negative aspects, and the pleasure of using this unit will not be overshadowed by anything.
How to choose?
The variety of assortment of children's swings in the modern market is so great that it will not be difficult to choose the best option for every taste and wallet. If desired, the simplest structure can be built independently, from available tools.
There are several main criteria for choosing a swing for a child:
- Safety: stability, strength. The structure should not sway in the wind or deform under the light weight of the child.
- Environmental friendliness. Even for the sake of economy, you should not buy a product made of a material that, at the slightest heating, will emit harmful substances.
- When choosing a model, you need to correctly evaluate place and method of installation, correctly calculate the appropriate size so that after assembly it does not turn out that it is impossible to operate the unit. A few meters behind and in front of the structure should be free from movement of people.
- Country of origin and brand. The quality of products depends on this.
- Important the presence of enclosing structures for the smallest users and an awning (in case of bad weather or scorching sun).
Interesting country models
A huge assortment of all kinds of swing can satisfy the needs of even the most demanding customer. If a decision is made to make the unit yourself, only your own imagination and level of skills can be limitations.
The youngest dacha dwellers will undoubtedly especially like the design in the form of cars, airplanes or animals.
If the swing is chosen with the expectation not only for the baby, but also for spending leisure time with the whole family, you should pay attention to swing beds, podiums and sun loungers. On such products you can doze, relax, read books and just enjoy nature.
Hanging chairs look very original. They are also quite comfortable.
The nest swing will appeal to both younger and older family members. They can be either just a suspended base made of woven ropes or plastic, or a whole nest, decorated with various materials. Both children and parents can be accommodated in such “cobwebs”.
Self-made swing, which is a special kind of applied art, deserve special mention. Looking at such masterpieces, one can only admire the talent or the imagination and originality of the masters who managed to create something completely new from unremarkable things.
Some people build whole hanging gazebos, which are very pleasant to be in.
We can draw the following conclusion: no matter what children's swing is chosen, they will add a feeling of comfort to the summer cottage. Such products will not only delight the child and allow parents to relax, but also significantly affect the health of the baby. The main thing is not to forget that swings are objects of increased danger, so you should not leave your child unattended.
