The swing went against all the ideals I’d had, like that my child would only play with wooden toys that were ethically manufactured, were neutral in color, and blended seamlessly with textures found in nature. But then, the price was right. The reviews were ecstatic. So, we got it — and never looked back. Our son and the other kids loved to kick their legs as they swerved and swiveled back and forth while suspended in the air. The thing was the breakout hit of the summer — and several more summers after that. Babies as young as 9 months can swing in it, but so can kids weighing up to 50 pounds, which means it gives you several years of play. The Little Tikes swing is no design showpiece. It is not an architectural statement for your yard: It’s bright red-and-blue plastic. What it is, however, is eminently practical and utterly indestructible. We got a version of this swing back in 2011. It hangs in the yard to this day, and my son’s 2-year-old cousin now merrily swings in it. It’s also smartly designed: adjustable straps and a T-bar, which rotates down for easy in-and-out, hold the baby in place. When the kid is bigger, the straps and bar can be removed and it converts into a toddler swing. The ropes (which can be attached to hooks or a swing set) can then be adjusted to make the swing recline more. And best of all, because it’s made of plastic, you hose the damn thing down and it’s clean. If only they made one for adults. Every product on Fatherly is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. If you click a link on our site and buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
