DIY Disc Swing: How to Make Your Own Disc Swing

Disc swings are far more than just a unique twist on classic belt swing designs. They help children use the power of gravity to experience weightlessness and unbridled joy for hours on end.

One of the best parts about disc swings is their streamlined design, which makes them ripe for DIY projects. With just a few simple tools and a little knowledge, you can bring a DIY disc swing to life, allowing you to craft the perfect play experience for your backyard or playground.

We’ll cover everything you need to create enjoyable disc swings, including the installation process, how to customize your new swings and cost-saving tricks.

If you want to simplify the DIY process, our disc swing selection at Swing Set Mall is the perfect way to achieve a stress-free installation. You’ll find plenty of DIY kits from reputable brands known for their premium quality, affordable prices, and smooth setup.

For now, let’s dive right in to discuss why disc swings are a fantastic addition to your outdoor play area that will create lasting memories for your children.

Why Make Your Own Disc Swing?

With their classic design and versatile functionality allowing them to fit into every outdoor play area easily, it’s no surprise that disc swings are some of the best swing set accessories in existence.

When you embark on the journey to create a DIY disc swing, you’ll have the potential for plenty of customizations that will let you perfectly encompass the aesthetic and theme of your existing outdoor play area. You’ll even be saving money compared to buying a completed swing outright.

Overview of the Disc Swing Style

While there are several types of swings on the market, the disc swing stands out on its own.

At its core, the disc swing is a simple concept. It features a circular seat suspended in the air by a rope. Disc swings move with the help of gravity, just like other swing styles. They are made of various materials, from maple wood swings with twisted rope to pogo-style disc swings with PVC.

From its simple foundation, disc swings provide plenty of fun play experiences. Whether your child prefers to sit and sway gently or stand and spin, the disc swing adapts to their every whim. Plus, the motions of disc swings help children develop their sense of balance and position within spaces, acting as an excellent developmental tool.

Customization and Personal Touch

Building a DIY disc swing allows you to tailor the design perfectly to your needs. Perhaps you envision a classic natural-wood aesthetic, or maybe you're drawn to a vibrant, eye-catching palette that will match the overall theme of your existing playset. Either way, you can tap into your preferred aesthetic with DIY.

In addition to aesthetics, creating your own disc swing gives you the freedom to choose the functionality you need. You can hang disc swings from an existing playset, use a tree swing straps to attach it to a tree, and even use a steel frame to replicate a tree, like the Slackers build-a-branch.

Cost Savings

Building a disc swing is a fantastic way to free up extra space in your budget. You can provide children with fun experiences and memories without investing in a full pre-built playset.

All the tools and materials you need to build a DIY disc swing are reasonably affordable and readily available. A complete setup with a steel frame branch replacement will only run you a few hundred dollars, letting your children harness the benefits of outdoor play for a tiny investment.

And because you are doing all the installation yourself, you won’t even have to budget to have a professional install your swing. With the information in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to getting a brand-new disc swing set up in your outdoor play area.

DIY Disc Swing Guide

So, how does the installation process work for a DIY disc swing?

There are a few steps in the process, but we’ll guide you through all the intricacies individually.

We’ll gather all our necessary tools and materials, then build the swing from the seat upwards. We'll finish with a final safety check before we let the children enjoy the fun of the swing!

Materials Needed

Before drilling a single hole, we’ll need to ensure we have the right tools for the job.

It’s best to divide our shopping list into a few parts: the seat, the rope or chain, the mounting hardware, and the tools.

Your seat will be made of sturdy wood or dense plastic like PVC. You can pre-purchase it or create it yourself.

You'll usually buy the rope and chain, so choose whichever material best fits your intended theme. Look for rope or chain at least ½” in diameter, with thicker values preferred for extra stability.

Mounting hardware will vary based on where you plan to attach the swing. If you are attaching to a playset, you may already have the necessary hardware and simply need an extra loop or hook to attach your rope.

Conversely, if you are attaching to a tree or beam, you’ll need a sturdy composite swing hanger.

As for your tools, most of them include everyday tools you likely already have around your home. You’ll need a drill, nuts and bolts, and possibly a saw or sander for woodwork.

Building the Seat Foundation

Once you have everything you need, we’ll start with the centerpiece of your disc swing: the seat!

You’ll need a sturdy platform to support your children's weight as they soar.

Cut two identical discs out of your wood. We recommend at least 18 inches to provide enough seating space, and you’ll need more if you want to create a standing disc swing. Smooth out the edges with your sandpaper to ensure they are completely smooth.

You’ll then need to drill multiple holes to create a base for your rope or chain. Space them a few inches apart for optimal balance. From there, connect your two discs with bolts. This unified base will give you extra weight capacity and form a strong foundation for the rest of your design.

Cushioning and Style Enhancements

While the foundation is all you need to start swinging, comfort and style are vital to providing your children with a lasting and fun experience.

Here is where you will get creative. You can upholster a soft material to the seat for comfort, paint the wood in any number of hues for a unique style, or just go with a wood stain for a timeless look.

For an even more seamless aesthetic, consider the rope or chain you will use. Choosing a complementary color for your seat will tie everything together perfectly.

Attaching the Rope

The rope or chain you use to suspend your seat is vital to the swinging experience. It will transform your round seat into a reliable and stable vessel for gravity, taking your children soaring to new heights.

Start by considering the height of your rope. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has set a standard stating that swing seats must be at least 12 inches above the ground.

You’ll need a rope that extends the entire distance to your attachment point, which can be anywhere from 8 to 13 feet on average.

For safety purposes, ensure that the rope (and swing) have 6 feet of clearance in a 360-degree radius. You should also fill this landing zone with a shock-absorbing material like rubber mulch in case of jumps or falls from the swing.

Hanging the Swing

With your rope or chain attached to the seat, it’s time to cover how to hang a disc swing. This is our penultimate step, where your hard work building and gathering materials is about to pay off.

You will start with your attachment points. This will either be on a cross beam on an existing playset, a tree branch, or a metal frame attached to a tree. You’ll thread your rope or chain through these attachment points, creating a reliable base for years.

Once you’ve drilled in your bolts or screws to the attachment points and have the rope or chain in place, you’ll slowly lower the rope and seat. You’ll know you’re in the clear when the seat is completely level and balanced while passing all your safety checks.

Safety Checks and Adjustments

Your children may be itching to start playing–but you’re not done yet!

To ensure a stable and safe final design, you need to perform a few safety checks. Double-check the tightness of all of your attachment points, making adjustments as needed.

From there, you’ll be testing out the swing yourself! If everything is clear, you’re ready to let your children start playing–with your supervision.

You now have everything you need to create your own disc swing. While going through the entire process yourself could be fulfilling, it can also be stressful.

What if you want an easier way to hang a disc swing in your backyard while still having creative freedom?

Thankfully, there are plenty of fantastic DIY kits available, and we know where to find them.

Save Time and Stress With a Professional Disc Swing at Swing Set Mall!

The promise of a personalized, custom-built swing can be exciting. However, transforming your vision into sturdy, safe, visually stunning backyard equipment can be fraught with challenges and potential mistakes.

That’s where our team at Swing Set Mall comes in to help! We have an expertly curated section of DIY disc swings and pre-made kits featuring brands noted for their reliability, durability, safety, and aesthetic value.

With our high-quality seats and sturdy screws and bolts, you won’t have to trudge through hardware stores, valiantly searching for the perfect tools for the job. Instead, you can quickly set up your new swing and set your little ones off on a swinging adventure without any stress.

We’ve been in this business for over 30 years, and our family-owned team has helped thousands of homeowners and park managers upgrade their outdoor play areas. We know what it takes to curate excellent hardware and build high-quality projects, and we will pass on all our knowledge to you.

You'll find everything you need to transform your backyard or playground between the best playground sets and individual swing set swings like swing belt seats.

When you contact our team, we’ll point you in the right direction. Based on your needs, we can point you to the best swing sets for older kids, including heavy-duty swing sets, playground swing sets, or metal swing sets.

We’ll also help answer your burning questions, like how to add a slide to a swing set, where to put a swing set in a yard, or how to add monkey bars to a playset.

And if you’re worried about swing set costs, you’re in the right place! We provide a 30-day money-back and price-matching guarantee to get you the best deals possible.

Bringing Our DIY Disc Swing Guide to a Close

Every step in the DIY swing process requires careful consideration. You need to balance your aesthetic goals with a sturdy and safe design.

While it’s possible to do everything from scratch, you can save plenty of time and energy when you shop at Swing Set Mall! You’ll be able to get your new swing up and running quickly without the need for endless hours of research, planning, and hands-on work.

At our store, you’ll also find premium backyard swing sets and the best swing set accessories. We carry everything, including glider swings, playground tire swings, flat swing seats, Trapeze swing bars, net swings, baby swing seats, ADA swings, and several types of slides.

If you enjoyed our DIY disc swing guide, check out our blog for more helpful articles! Other topics you’ll encounter include DIY heavy-duty swing sets for adults, how to hang a tree swing, DIY spider web swings, DIY swing set canopies, DIY climbing structures, DIY monkey bars, and tire swing DIY.

Otherwise, if you’re ready to take the guesswork out of adding a swing to your property, look no further than Swing Set Mall. Talk to our friendly team today to get set up with all the equipment you need to transform your outdoor play areas!