I firmly believe in the importance of getting kids outside to play.  A large portion of my own childhood was even spent outdoors.  In the summer, my sister and I could be found on our swing set, biking, petting cats, or playing cops and robbers.  And during our MN winters, we would venture out too!  So if you’re hoping to get your kiddos to take a break from screens, consider creating a fun outdoor space.  And today, I’m thrilled to partner with Backyard Discovery to share their Backyard Discovery Grand Escape play set with you!

Picking Out The Perfect Play Set

Backyard Discovery offers a variety of Swing Sets and Playhouses that are sure to bring hours of fun each day.  But be sure to consider these things as you choose the perfect one for your family.

Size Of Yard:

Making sure you’re purchasing a set that will fit your space is important.  First, decide where in your yard you plan to put your new swing set.  Get out your tape measure and map out your area.  Take into consideration that you want 6 feet of cleared space around your play set for safety.  Backyard Discovery offers a variety of different sized play houses and swing sets to accommodate almost any yard.

Is It Safe:

A really important aspect of adding a play structure is making sure it’s safe for your family to use.  Take time to inspect materials and make sure you purchase from a trusted company.  Backyard Discovery has been delivering high quality wooden swing sets, playhouses, and backyard leisure products for over 30 years now!

What Features Are Most Important:

Sit down with the family and talk about the features everyone feels are most important.  Is there a certain number of swings you need?  Do the kids want a built in playhouse?  Perhaps a set of monkey bars is a must have?  Make a list so you can refer back as you search the different play set options.

Backyard Discovery Grand Escape

We have a large yard and five bio children.  Plus, we also do foster care.  So when we were choosing the perfect play set for our yard, the Backyard Discovery Grand Escape was top on our list.  It has so many great features that we had been searching for including:

• Dual Play Towers
• Wooden Bridge
• Crows Nest Lookout
• Monkey Bars (This was a DREAM for our 7 year old!)
• Wooden Rock Climbing Wall
• Metal Tree Ladder
• 10 Foot Speed Slide
• Belt Swings
• Web Swing
• Picnic Table
• Bench
• Covered Play Area
• SPACIOUS DESIGN
• Measures In At 26′ 3″ x 23′ 10″
• Geared For Up To 9 Children
• Maximum Weight Limit Of 150# Per Child Recommended

The Process Of Getting Ready

Before our Backyard Discovery Grand Escape Playground was assembled, we had a little prep work to do.  My husband removed the grass and a layer of dirt.  We then hauled in a layer of gravel and packed it down so we had a level and sturdy place for the playground to go.

At this point, we placed garden liners down to help prevent any weeds sneaking through.  And finally, we added a wooden boarder.  (Once the playground was complete we also added rubber mulch inside the safe play zone.)

Because this swing set is already 26′ 3″ x 23′ 10″, we needed the safe play zone to be 38′ 3″ x 35′ 10″.  This is to ensure there are no obstructions and plenty of space for play.

The Backyard Discovery Grand Escape Assembly

I could hardly believe it but this entire playground came in just seven boxes.  And the boxes were not that big!  Our swing set was actually assembled by GoConfigure.  We figured it was probably best to leave this one up to the professionals and are glad that we did.  The gentleman that set up our Grand Escape has been assembling Backyard Discovery sets for over 10 years.  So while we had a little scheduling problems to get them out here, it was really nice to have a professional make sure this was done right.

With one man on the job, it took four days to get the playground completed.  He started out by organizing all the pieces and then just started building.

There were a LOT of pieces.  I was also really amazed as everything was accounted for and not one piece was broken!  So he was able to get right to work.  The kids loved watching as the set took shape.  And the worker was super friendly and didn’t mind the kids’ watching or asking questions along the way.

All Complete – Backyard Discovery Grand Escape Is Up And Running

The results are absolutely amazing!  This playground is exactly what we were looking for.  There are so many different play options that it offers everything the local parks do!  I love that we can now head out the front door for hours of fun this summer, right in our own yard.

An Up Close Look At The Grand Escape

With so many different features, all the kids have unique favorites.  And those change by the day as they just love everything.  As I first mentioned, Alex is so happy to FINALLY have a set of monkey bars.  He’s been asking for years as it’s his favorite thing at playgrounds.

The slide is always a hit for kids of all ages and I really like the edging on this one.  It offers enough side protection while being wide and spacious too.

There are actually several different way to get up and into the Grand Escape.  One is by way of a rock climbing wall.  The wall is at a slight angle for easier climbing and the green pieces are chunky enough to be fun for all ages.

Then there is the green metal switchback tree ladder.  This is a quick way up that the kids can scurry up fast but also enjoy just hanging out on in true playground fashion.

Another way up is the ladder steps off the back.  These lead to the play tower nearest to the slide.

Inside the towers, kids have a great view.  Plus, there is also access to the lookout nest.  To get into the lookout nest, there is just a simple metal ladder type steps that are attached to the wall.

Complete with a telescope, every kid that has played on this playground loves being high up in the nest.

But no playground would be complete without SWINGS!   I love that our Backyard Discovery Grand Escape comes with two belt swings as well as the ever popular web swing.

Web swings have become really popular lately and it’s not hard to see why.  Kids can sit or lay on them.  And I find it easier for younger children to use without worrying about them falling off.

With two built in picnic tables (one whole/one single bench), there’s always a seat available for resting.  The kids have enjoyed having snacks, chatting, and even reading in these areas.  They are a great addition to this playground!

Final Thoughts

I love the look of the Backyard Discovery Grand Escape Swing Set.  The two-tone wood colors really gives it a nice overall look.  And the roofs offer shade from the sun which is a must have during the hot summer days.

The bridge connecting the two towers is really neat and the kids love being able to get from one tower to the other quickly.   Truly, the overall design of the Grand Escape is fantastic.  We couldn’t be happier!

When I ask the kids if there was anything they would change, they have a hard time coming up with an answer.  The swings could be a few more inches apart, in my opinion, but that’s about all we can come up with.

This great playground that has already garnered lots of attention from family, friends, and neighbors!  It’s a head turner for sure but I really love that children are engaged in outdoor play for hours at at time with it.

Visit Backyard Discovery to learn more about what they offer and to see all their swing set options.  And don’t forget to like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram and Twitter for their latest news, specials, and announcements.