DIY Monkey Bars: How to Make Monkey Bars Out of a Ladder, Wood, Rope, and More!

Outdoor play areas often feel incomplete without a set of monkey bars. The exhilarating joy of swinging from bar to bar encourages children to get outside and play while aiding in their physical development.

Whether you want to add to an existing swing set or prefer building a freestanding structure, learning how to make monkey bars at home can be rewarding. That said, there’s a lot to learn when creating monkey bars DIY, including figuring out how to use tools, ensuring a safe installation with proper spacing, and which materials to use.

We will explore everything you need to know about how to make monkey bars at home. However, if you want to bypass the hassle, you can find individual DIY monkey bars and complete kits at Swing Set Mall.

Let’s jump into our guide on DIY monkey bars for backyards and playgrounds.

Why Monkey Bars are a Great Addition to Any Playground

Monkey bars play a crucial role in any outdoor playset. They can be added to an existing set or crafted as a freestanding structure, giving you plenty of versatility even with a smaller yard.

Additionally, monkey bars are critical for physical development in children. Swinging from bar to bar will help enhance motor skills, hand-eye coordination, strength, and social skills when playing with others.

Enhancing Motor Skills and Coordination

As early as preschool, children can begin playing on monkey bars. This age range is a pivotal time in a child’s cognitive and physical development, and thankfully, monkey bars offer a fun way to help children grow.

By swinging and navigating across monkey bars, children develop hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness, which will, in turn, help their physical growth.

Building Strength and Confidence

In addition to cognitive growth and motor skills, monkey bars can help children develop strength, flexibility, and confidence. As kids swing between bars, they strengthen their grip and core muscles.

Monkey bars also allow children to stretch vertically by holding on to a bar, which can be especially useful in mitigating growing pains. Beyond that, successfully traversing monkey bars helps kids develop confidence in their physical abilities, inspiring further physical activity.

Encouraging Active Play and Social Interaction

Monkey bars also do a fantastic job of sparking social play. Whether children learn to take turns politely, race one another to spark physical growth, or work together to navigate the bars, they will learn valuable social skills.

Can You Make Monkey Bars DIY?

Before you learn how to make rope monkey bars or ladder bars, it is essential to ask if DIY is even possible.

Whether or not you can make monkey bars DIY will depend significantly on your experience and skills in similar projects. For example, if you are a skilled carpenter, learning how to make monkey bars out of wood will be simple.

However, creating monkey bars that are safe for children to use without prerequisite skills will be challenging.

Assessing the DIY Skill Level and Tool Requirements

You must know a few different skills to learn how to make monkey bars out of a ladder, wood, or rope.

First, you need to be able to create each bar or ring out of your base material. This will require crafting tools like saws, drills, and wrenches. Without knowing how to modify your material and suitable tools, you won’t be able to mold it into a usable bar.

After creating the base material, you must know how to attach each bar to an existing swing set or create an entire freestanding structure. For example, if you are learning how to make rope monkey bars, you must tie the rope together and attach it to your existing swing set.

Evaluating the Pros and Cons of DIY vs Pre-Made Kits

Because of the inherent difficulties of tackling every aspect of adding monkey bars to an existing swing set, monkey bar kits created by professional manufacturers are an ideal option for many homeowners and park managers.

Pre-made kits come with materials that are already cut and feature detailed instructions to take a lot of mental pressure off you. While DIY monkey bars are lauded for their flexibility, many homeowners can’t take advantage of this flexibility due to their inability to create a safe design for children.

Additionally, pre-made kits are often less expensive than the DIY route. You won’t have to source your lumber, ladder, or rope and don’t need to shape the material yourself. This will prevent waste, which is common in DIY projects if you don’t have experience shaping the material.

Why Shop at Swing Set Mall?

If the DIY route is too burdensome for you, you can find the best selection of monkey bars at Swing Set Mall. As the #1 online store for backyard and playground swing sets, we carry individual monkey bars and complete kits to make installation easy.

We also provide best-in-class customer support at every step, including guaranteed lowest prices and advice on installing your monkey bar kits onto an existing set. Not sure which monkey bars are right for you? Here are the four we recommend choosing among:

Ultimate Monkey Bar Set:

Perfect for the DIY enthusiast. It includes 10 heavy-duty steel bars and all the necessary lag bolts and washers for installation. If you're aiming to create a durable, commercial-grade monkey bar set in your backyard, this is the ideal choice.

The bars are powder-coated in an attractive green, ensuring longevity and resistance to the elements. The two different lengths of bars allow for customization based on the width of your playground setup, making it versatile for any space.

Swing Set Monkey Bar Rungs Kit:

This 8-Pack DIY Kit is perfect for families looking to add a splash of fun to their backyard playground. The 15” rungs are powder-coated in a bright yellow for a cheerful look and are constructed with steel for durability.

The kit is incredibly user-friendly, complete with all the necessary hardware and instructions to build your own monkey bars or ladder. It's an excellent choice for those who prefer a customizable approach to their playground design and for residential use where space might be limited.

Metal Safety Handle / Monkey Bar:

Our Metal Safety Handles double as monkey bars and are a fantastic addition to any playground where extra support and safety are needed.

Available in blue or green, these powder-coated handles are made from commercial-grade steel, offering both sturdiness and a pop of color. They are versatile enough to be used as safety handles in tricky transition spots or as additional monkey bars for a custom setup.

While the mounting hardware isn't included, these bars are perfect for those who want a quality, multi-use product that can be adapted to various playground designs.

Classic Backyard Metal Monkey Bars Climber:

The Classic Backyard Metal Monkey Bars Climber is a timeless choice for children and adults alike, boasting a 300 lb weight limit and a structure warranty for as long as you own it.

The galvanized steel construction is designed for durability, and the option for powder-coated colors adds a personalized touch. With 12 rungs and a generous 14-foot length, this set is ideal for larger backyards and is sure to be a hit for all age groups.

If you're looking for a stand-alone, traditional monkey bar setup that's made in the USA and built to last, this climber is the way to go.

Now, let’s talk about how to prepare your yard for a new installation of monkey bars, regardless of which path you choose.

Design Considerations for Integrating Monkey Bars into Your Play Area

Safety is your top priority when adding monkey bars to your backyard. You’ll need to provide enough clearance, a safe landing area, and durable materials that will stand the test of time.

Assessing Space and Safety Requirements

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, also known as the CPSC, nearly 80% of injuries from monkey bars are from falls. Providing sufficient clearance and a safe landing area with soft material is crucial to ensure a secure play experience.

The CPSC recommends a safe clearance and landing area within 6 feet in every direction from your equipment. Wood or rubber mulch is the most suitable material for safe landing for equipment over 8 feet high, which most monkey bars will clear.

Choosing the Right Materials for Durability and Aesthetics

According to the CPSC, an alarming 63% of playground injuries from 2009 to 2014 were due to equipment or material failure. Choosing a material that won’t fail due to wear and tear, like high-quality lumber, metal, or plastic from a reliable manufacturer, is the best way to ensure safety.

As a bonus, these materials are often aesthetically pleasing, giving you a design that checks every box!

Adhering to Safety Standards and Best Practices

Beyond the 6-foot clearance requirement, there are other steps you must take to ensure safety, especially with a DIY build.

We recommend keeping your monkey bars out of direct sunlight, especially when working with metal, as repeated exposure can overheat the bars, posing a serious risk of burns.

Be sure your play area is entirely free of obstacles, including trees and branches, outdoor furniture, and sheds. You also want to test your surface to ensure it is level, which will help prevent the structure from tipping over during inclement weather.

How to Make Monkey Bars at Home: Step-by-Step Guide to Various Ways to Make DIY Monkey Bars

With safety at the forefront of your mind, let’s look at how each material can be turned into monkey bars. While you can also make monkey bars out of metal, we only recommend doing so if you have experience as a metalworker due to the difficulty of working with the material.

A critical note to consider is that all DIY monkey bars must be tested for safety by an adult before allowing children to use them.

How to Make Monkey Bars Out of a Ladder

• Choose a Ladder: Weight requirements are critical when using a ladder. Be sure the ladder is inherently stable and capable of withstanding the vertical weight of multiple children.
• Stability & Spacing: You must ensure proper spacing between each rung. Being too close could pose a danger of pinching or children getting stuck, while too far increases the risk of falls. If the existing rungs are unsuitable, replace them with enough wooden or metal ones for proper spacing.

How to Make Monkey Bars Out of Wood

• Carpentry: You will need a detailed plan to craft your monkey bars. Acquire enough lumber for support beams and rungs. Cut your lumber into these pieces, saving enough for each rung.
• Drilling & Assembly: Space your rungs properly once your wood beams are assembled. After making marks to assist with drilling, you will make evenly-spaced holes to fit each rung.

How to Make Rope Monkey Bars

• Materials: Rope monkey bars are created using sturdy rope and complementary materials like PVC pipes. Cut the pipes uniform for each rung, allowing the ropes to pass through.
• Shaping Rungs: You will also need to tie each rope securely into the shape of a rung. As with the other materials, ensure even spacing and a stable assembly before adding it to your play structure.

Attaching Your Monkey Bars to the Play Structure or Setting Up Free Standing Monkey Bars

Regardless of your chosen material, once your monkey bars are assembled, it is time to install them onto your play set.

Methods for Securing Monkey Bars to Existing Structures

Existing structures that have room for expansion are the easiest to install. You may be able to drill holes or use pre-drilled holes to bolt on your monkey bars. While this is easier with retail kits, it is still possible with DIY if you have performed that assembly process correctly.

Note that this method only works for ladder or wood rung designs. As the CPSC warns, you should never attach loop-forming materials like rope to an existing playset, as they can cause strangulation hazards.

Constructing Supportive Frames for Free Standing Monkey Bars

Free-standing monkey bars can be trickier depending on your base material. You will need an extremely durable and stable base material, like galvanized steel or pressure-treated lumber, to make a suitable frame.

Ensuring Stability and Safety for Free Standing Designs

You must install impact-absorbing material like wood or rubber mulch to provide a safe landing area. Be sure the frame is on level ground and securely fastened with bolts and screws to maximize safety.

Regularly inspect your new monkey bars for any signs of wear and tear, loose bolts and screws, or structural damage. Remember to test your structure vigorously before allowing children to use it.

Now that you have learned everything you need to create and install DIY monkey bars, it is time to start creating! However, purchasing individual bars or a complete kit will be a better choice for most homeowners, making adding monkey bars to your backyard or playground a breeze.

So, where can you find those products if you want to skip the DIY hassle?

Simplify the DIY Monkey Bars Process at Swing Set Mall!

Swing Set Mall is the internet’s #1 home for outdoor playsets and equipment. We live up to the “Mall” name, carrying over 1000 products, from backyard swing sets to all of the swing set accessories you need to revitalize your backyard or playground.

Our inventory of monkey bars and installation kits has everything you could dream of in a DIY project. You will find lumber, rope, and metal ladder designs that can fit onto an existing set and even a few freestanding structures for a simple installation.

We also carry several types of slides if you want to add a slide to a swing set. You will find classic playground slide designs like spiral, wave, and tube slides that provide hours of fun play.

At Swing Set Mall, you will also find one of the largest selections of swings online, with many types of swings from reputable playset brands, swing replacement seats to revitalize your current set, and even heavy duty outdoor swings for adults!

We pair our diverse inventory with a seamless customer support experience. We have been in business for over thirty years, maintaining our family-owned charm to help thousands of customers craft memorable and fun play experiences for their children and grandchildren.

Our friendly team is here to help at every step of the way. Whether you want to know if a particular set of playground stairs will fit onto your current set, or you need to know what the best swing sets for older kids are, we’ve got you covered.

Final Thoughts on DIY Monkey Bars for Backyards & Playgrounds

Overall, there is much to consider when learning how to make monkey bars out of wood, ladders, or rope. You need to craft and install DIY monkey bars with optimal clearance space, sturdy materials, and structural integrity for each bar to ensure children a safe play experience.

Alternatively, you can skip a lot of the hassle of learning how to make monkey bars at home by purchasing monkey bars from a reputable retailer! Our shop at Swing Set Mall will have everything you need, from individual pieces to complete kits made of various materials.

If you enjoyed our in-depth look at DIY monkey bars for backyards, check out our blog! Other playground equipment guides we have released include how to hang a tree swing, DIY heavy-duty swing sets for adults, DIY spider web swings, DIY swing set canopies, where to put a swing set in a yard, climbing ropes for playgrounds, and swing set costs.

Otherwise, if you’re searching for the best playground sets, tire swing DIY kits, or anything else you need to add fun to your backyard, Swing Set Mall is right by your side! You will find everything you need to keep your family enjoying the outdoors together for years, all at guaranteed lowest prices.

Browse our inventory or contact our friendly customer support team for specific recommendations on the best swing set accessories for your family!