11 Benefits of Swing Sets for Children

Most of us have beloved memories of playing on swings as children, and then pushing the swings for our own children! Swings are a simple staple to most playgrounds — they may seem like just fun and games, but they actually offer many unique benefits!

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Not only do swings provide fun and joy for children of all ages, they provide opportunities for physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.

• Many studies have found that children who partake in plenty of free play cultivate key skills that help them lead healthy, happy, and productive lives.
• Playing on the swings is a beloved during school recess. Recess essential for physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development that extends far beyond traditional education.
• Swing sets develop crucial motor skills. For example, kids must pump their legs (gross motor skill) and clutch the chain (fine motor skill) to build height. Swings also develop balance and coordination.
• Swing that can be used by more than one child, like tire swings, can encourage social development in children, especially those with intellectual disabilities, visual impairments, and autism. Play helps to bridge the gap in communication and promote empathy.
• The swaying motion of swinging feeds a child’s nervous system with visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive stimulation. By playing on swings, children innately learn how their bodies move and how to better control themselves.
• The back-and-forth motion that swings provide stimulates the cerebral cortex, boosting focus. This may explain why children who participate in recess perform better academically.
• Spinning, twisting tire swings tap into areas of the brain that are important for rhythm, muscle control, spatial awareness, spatial awareness,and balance.
• Swing sets provide healthy risk during playtime, which many child development professionals believe is crucial for boosting independence, self-esteem, and creativity.
• Outdoor play is an essential ingredient to healthy physical, emotional, cognitive, and mental development. As children glide through the air on swings, they take in fresh air and soak up immune-fortifying sunshine.

To learn more about the benefits of swings and proper swing set safety, check out the full guide here by AAAStateofPlay.