Different Types of Monkey Bars

As children navigate the twists and turns of monkey bars, they grow their physical strength and transport themselves to imaginary worlds, creating lifelong memories.

Whether children see a set of monkey bars as a ladder across a pit of lava or a pirate ship, adding one of the many different types of monkey bars to your playset is sure to be an instant favorite.

But which style of monkey bar should you choose?

We’ll cover everything you need to know to find suitable monkey bars for your playground or backyard. We’ll dive into all the types to give you criteria to follow while shopping.

The best way to find a fantastic set of monkey bars to add to your outdoor space, though, is by shopping at Swing Set Mall! You will find a diverse selection of monkey bars and DIY kits curated by our expert team and backed by our 30-day lowest-price guarantee.

Why Your Playground Needs Monkey Bars

When you picture a playground, plenty of accessories and features come to mind, including slides, swings, and, of course, monkey bars.

Any high-quality and well-designed play area will have at least one set of monkey bars. These nifty play features provide unique benefits, helping children develop physical, cognitive, and emotional skills. And we can’t forget that monkey bars are just plain fun for kids.

Swinging from bar to bar offers children an exciting challenge that helps them grow. Every motion helps kids engage critical muscle groups, including their core, arms, grip strength, and legs. With each traversal, they will build their endurance and cardiovascular health to serve them well later in life.

Beyond physical growth, all of the various types of monkey bars play a crucial role in cognitive development. Kids must calculate each movement, helping them flex their problem-solving muscles. By developing strategies and figuring out creative ways to traverse the bars, they will even grow their confidence.

Plus, monkey bars are a fun social hotspot on any playground. Children can work together to create any number of exciting scenarios, whether crossing the bars to slay a dragon or using them as a superhero training gym. As kids work together to get across the monkey bars, they will create lasting memories and grow friendships.

What are the Different Types of Monkey Bars?

Every set of monkey bars has a unique twist. There are classic setups like straight-across ladder designs and complex configurations, including trapeze rings, loop rungs, and overhead gliding bars.

Plus, monkey bars can contain different types of material, like plastic and metal, each with various use cases.

Straight-Line Bars

One of the most iconic monkey bar styles is a set of straight overhead ladder bars. This setup allows children to swing from bar to bar, challenging their sense of balance and grip strength.

Because the bars in this setup are suitably thick, they also provide a stable base for kids to hang from, letting them stretch and engage their core even if they aren’t comfortable swinging across bars. You can check out our Classic Monkey Bars Climber to learn more about this traditional style!

Single-Ring/Rung Bars

Trapeze ring monkey bars are another classic iteration that is prevalent across playgrounds. These monkey bars utilize a single rung in the center of the bar, with appropriately spaced trapeze rings to provide a more significant challenge.

Unlike straight-line bars, trapeze rings must be traversed one arm at a time. This means kids will require extra strength to maintain balance at each ring, providing extra physical development.

Tri-Rung Bars

If you want to provide a challenge that is right between straight-line bars and single-rung trapeze rings, tri-rung ladder bars are an excellent choice. They are simple to grip like straight-line bars while requiring extra balance, like trapeze rings.

The triangular shape of each rung is unique and will undoubtedly serve as the launching pad for any number of creative scenarios children can dream up.

Circular Turning Bars

While the core challenge of monkey bars involves traversing across a ladder-like setup, a set of turning bars can add an extra layer of difficulty. These are commonly seen with 3-wheel turning monkey bars, where each rung spins 360 degrees.

Kids will grow their grip strength as they must balance their rotation with the location of the next rung. This ensures that every trip across these monkey bars is unique, providing novelty and a massive boost of confidence after each successful traversal.

Loop Rung Bars

While triangular rungs, trapeze rings, and turning bars hang vertically, loop rung monkey bars offer a unique challenge. These bars feature semi-circle ‘loops’ that jut horizontally from the top of the rung.

Loop rungs are challenging to traverse compared to straight bars, but they also provide plenty of opportunities for kids to strategize as they navigate them. Children can choose to focus on the inner parts of the bars, use the outer arcs, only stick to one side of the single bar, and have plenty of fun options to keep them engaged.

Gliding Monkey Bars

One of the newest innovations is track gliding overhead bars. These unique designs feature a singular metal rung with a handle on the underside. Children can grip the handle and glide across, offering an exceptional experience.

Kids will need plenty of grip strength and coordination to get across. These types of monkey bars do feature a self-braking feature and are entirely safe when properly installed.

Metal Bars

Metal is common in all types of playground equipment, and monkey bars are no exception. Monkey bars made with metal often feature extremely sturdy materials like steel and aluminum, which allows them to resist rust, harsh weather conditions, and other types of wear and tear.

Metal bars can also require a bit of extra grip strength to traverse, posing an engaging but manageable challenge to children that helps their self-esteem grow.

Plastic-Coated Bars

The other most common material found in monkey bars is plastic. Plastic climbing structures often feature smooth surfaces that are gentler on small hands, making them an excellent choice for smaller and less experienced kids.

Plastic monkey bars are also generally lighter, making them easier to ship. However, you must choose bars made of high-quality plastics like HDPE, as some lower-quality plastics can be prone to damage over time.

Which Style is Right For Your Playground?

Monkey bars are extraordinarily versatile play accessories, so the perfect type for your play space will vary based on your needs. You will have to consider the layout of your play area, including the presence of any playsets, the age and skill level of the kids who will use them, and more.

We’ll cover these factors in detail, but feel free to contact our team for more information on your specific situation!

Considering Space and Layout

Safety is the most important factor to consider when choosing a new set of monkey bars. The safety of your monkey bars will depend mainly on how and where you install them.

You must measure your play area, including the dimensions and the surrounding landing area. The US-based Consumer Product Safety Commission has a standard requiring at least 6 feet of clearance in a 360-degree radius around the monkey bars. This ensures kids have enough room to safely dismount or fall from the bars without colliding with other structures.

Similarly, the CPSC recommends that the landing area around the monkey bars contains shock-absorbing material like rubber mulch within that 6-foot radius in all directions.

All sets of monkey bars come with manufacturer-recommended height maximums. This is usually anywhere from 5 to 7 feet in the air, depending on the age group. This ensures there is enough space for kids to use the bars while still avoiding falls from excessively high heights.

Assessing Age Group and Skill Level

Consider the skill level and average age of kids using a set of monkey bars. Younger children who do not have much experience with outdoor climbing structures will benefit from simpler designs, like a set of straight-line monkey bars at a lower height.

Conversely, skilled climbers closer to their teenage years will benefit from taller, more challenging sets like loop-rung or turning bars. This will ensure they can still have fun and be engaged while playing.

This also applies to how far apart your monkey bars are. While some monkey bars come pre-spaced, DIY kits offer some flexibility. The CPSC recommends 9 to 12 inches between each bar, depending on users' skill levels.

Integrating with Other Playground Equipment

When shopping for a new set of monkey bars, consider how they will integrate with the rest of your play area. Some playsets come pre-installed with monkey bars, while others are freestanding structures.

Consider how children will get to the start and finish of the monkey bars. For example, a ladder or a bunch of playset climbing rocks can get kids climbing even before they reach the monkey bars, creating a fun experience.

You should also consider the overall aesthetic of your playset. Monkey bars, especially those made of metal, can be customized in various colors, allowing you to seamlessly integrate them into an existing set.

When in Doubt, Reach Out!

With so much to consider when shopping for a set of monkey bars, keeping track of it all can be overwhelming. Plus, you may have specialized concerns with your outdoor play area that we didn’t touch on here.

Thankfully, if you need help, our team at Swing Set Mall is here to help! Whether you need a crash course on how to add monkey bars to a playset using DIY monkey bar kits or are having trouble deciding between loop-rung and turning bars, we will provide the expertise you seek.

Speaking of Swing Set Mall, there is one more thing to remember while shopping: where to buy your monkey bars!

Enhance Playtime For the Kids With All the Different Types of Monkey Bars at Swing Set Mall!

The best selection of monkey bars, outdoor climbing playsets, and so much more is right here at our online store! Swing Set Mall was founded as a family-owned business over 30 years ago. Since then, we have helped thousands of homeowners and park managers create outdoor play areas that lead to lifelong memories.

We take the ‘mall’ part of our name to heart. We carry over a thousand expert-vetted products from trusted brands. You can find various play accessories, including climbing rope playgrounds, outdoor climbing domes, playground stairs, several types of slides, and DIY climbing structure kits.

You will even find the best playground sets for commercial or home use to help you create a brand-new outdoor play area!

The best part is that our products are backed by two excellent policies that make shopping a breeze! We provide a 30-day money-back guarantee and a price-matching guarantee within that same timeframe to ensure you get the best deal possible.

Plus, our friendly and knowledgeable customer support team is here to help you every step of the way. From assistance with how to hang a tree swing to helping you choose the best swing sets for older kids, our mission is to make shopping simple for you.

Parting Thoughts on the Different Types of Monkey Bars

Overall, monkey bars are among the best swing set accessories or standalone structures you will find in any outdoor play area. They offer several benefits, from skill development to old-fashioned fun, and are a must-add.

You will find everything from classic straight-line bars to complex turning bars at Swing Set Mall! With thousands of products, including several types of swings, monkey bars, and slides, along with a lowest-price policy to help you save on swing set costs, there is no better place to shop.

If you enjoyed learning about the many types of monkey bars to choose from, check out our blog for more helpful tips!

We cover everything, including adding a slide to a swing set, DIY heavy-duty swing sets for adults, where to put a swing set in a yard, DIY spider web swings, are climbing domes safe, DIY swing set canopies, and tire swing DIY.

Otherwise, Swing Set Mall has it all if you are ready to start shopping. Browse our store or talk to our team to get started!