Swingset Placement

• Choose a place in the yard for the swing set where it will be out of the way of any other activity, such as in a far corner. This type of placement creates more space for children to run and for other things such as a vegetable garden. Make sure the ground is level where you plan to place the swing set. You may need to dig up the sod and use a mix of dirt and gravel to level the area.
  
  

Swing Set Border

• To set apart the swing set area from the rest of the yard, create a border around the area. A border will also help keep in any mulch, gravel or other ground cover you decide to use underneath the swing set. Make the border using recycled railroad ties, pressure-treated wood or stones, all sold at local hardware and home improvement stores. A stone border may provide a more natural look for your yard but may be less safe for children if they fall.
  
  

Ground Cover

• If you place a swing set on grass, the grass under any covered areas will likely turn brown and the grass under swings will face a lot of wear and tear. Instead of placing the swing set on grass, replace the grass with a material that will stand up to wear and tear and help cushion a child's fall. Materials such as wood mulch and sand are often the cheapest options but may stick to children's clothing and be tracked throughout the yard. Materials such as small pebbles and rubber mulch provide are less messy but more expensive alternatives.
  
  

Plants

• Choose hardy plants that do not require a lot of pruning or watering and are strong enough to withstand the occasional trampling or playground accident. Stick with child-friendly plants that do not contain prickly leaves, potentially poisonous berries or flowers that attract a lot of bees. If you want to include flowers in your backyard, place them around the perimeter where they will not be stepped on. For flowers directly around the swing set, consider sunflowers as a hardy option.
  
  

Fencing

• Fencing in a backyard with a swing set provides an additional measure of safety. If you do not want to fence in the entire backyard, use a decorative picket fence around the swing set area to keep children contained. To provide additional privacy in your backyard as your children play, put up a wooden privacy fence or use a chain-link fence and plant tall trees or shrubs around the perimeter of the yard.