How to Build a Lawn Swing

Mount a swing on a tree in your lawn.

A lawn swing is a common term for a swing that is suspended and set in a garden or a backyard. A swing is basically just a hanging seat attached to a pair of ropes or metal chains. Swings are used in children's playgrounds and parks, but private settings as well. While swings can move back and forth a lot as a form of recreation, they also can oscillate just a little, providing relaxation. If you want to improve the quality and the enjoyment factor of your garden, consider making a lawn swing.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• 2-inch thick lumber
• Power saw
• Hammer
• 1-inch nails
• Wood putty
• Sandpaper
• Power drill
• Screws
• Chain
• Rope
• Lighter
• Heavy-duty eyehook

Instructions

1. Measure the needed size of the seat using a pencil and a ruler. Use mark these measurements onto the lumber pieces.

2. Cut the wood to the exact length you marked, using a power saw. You can use lumber pieces that are at least 2 inches thick. For a one person seat, is it usually enough to make four 2-inch wide pieces of about 15 to 25 inches long. The final dimensions of the seat should be somewhere between 7 to 12 inches wide and 15 to 25 inches long. You can also use a solid board instead of a few planks.

3. Place the four or five pieces on a flat working surface and attach them together with two perpendicular pieces on both ends. The two pieces will be on the bottom part of the seat. Use a hammer and nails for this part of the job. Make sure to drive the 1-inch nails all the way into the wood. Use wood putty to cap the small hole at the top of the nails. If you are using one solid board, attach the two pieces in the same place.

4. Treat all the surfaces, edges and corners with sandpaper until they become absolutely smooth.

5. Drill four holes through the two wood pieces on the side ends of the seat for the rope. Use a power drill and make sure the holes are wide enough for the thick rope you will use to hang the swing.

6. Pull a strong, thick rope through the holes and secure it on the bottom with a secure knot. If the knot unties, the swing could seriously hurt the person using it, so make sure to make a really strong and safe knot and finish it off with a flame using a lighter. This will seal the rope.

7. Attach heavy-duty eye hooks on a strong branch of a tree in your backyard. Make sure that the branch you use is at least 3 to 4 inches in diameter. The hooks should be at least 15 inches apart, or base the measurement on the width of the swing seat that you made.

8. Hang the swing seat on the eye hooks on the tree branch. Be extra careful when making a knot and attaching the swing to the tree.

References

• My Great Home: Creative Playgrounds for Small Spaces
• Chest of Books: How to Make a Swing
• Prairie Rose House: How to Build a Tree Swing