How to Level a Swing Set

Excavation

Measure out a section of open space in your yard. Find a large, open section in your yard where you’d like your swing set to go. Mark the dimensions with rocks, or spray around the area with landscape paint to give yourself a reference point. Look for a naturally flat section of land in your yard. While it won’t be exactly flat, it’ll be easier to work with than a visibly sloped piece of land.

Mark where the swing set will go with 4 wooden stakes. Use your reference points to arrange a long, wooden stake along the corner of your swing set area. Tap the top of the stake with a hammer until it’s firmly planted in the ground. Repeat this process with the other 3 stakes to mark off the rest of your swing set. A set of thin, 1 by 2 in (2.5 by 5.1 cm) wooden stakes will work just fine for this.

Tie a long section of string around all 4 stakes. Loop the end of string around a stake several times. Tug the string over and wrap it around the next stake, keeping the twine taut as you go. Continue stretching and looping the twine around the other 2 stakes until you reach the first one again. Check that the string is taut along all sides, and then secure it in place.

Measure the string with a level to make sure it’s balanced. Place a level along the center of each string. If the twine is slightly unbalanced, adjust both sides of the string to make it level again. This process can be a little time-consuming, but having level strings will come in handy later on.

Remove the top layer of sod with a spade shovel. Stick the shovel about 3 in (7.6 cm) beneath the top of the sod—this will give you enough leverage to pull up the grass roots. Work in small sections, removing the sod in chunks around the marked-off section. Sod can be heavy and difficult to manage with just a shovel. Renting a sod cutter can make this process go a little faster.

Dig out the soil from the excavated area. After you’ve removed the sod, the underlying dirt probably looks a bit uneven—that’s okay! Focus on the sloped sections of dirt, scooping it out with a shovel. Work your way around the excavated area until the soil looks flat to the naked eye. You can also level the soil with a garden rake.

Measure between the string and the soil along all 4 sides. Place 1 end of your tape measure along the center of the string. Drag the tape down to the soil and jot down the measurement. Repeat this process with the other 3 strings—ideally, all 4 numbers will be the same. If the measurements are uneven, level out the dirt with your shovel or rake. It may take a bit of fine-tuning before your measurements are all the same.

Place a long wooden plank along each excavated edge. Pat down the soil along the edges of your excavated area so the dirt is nice and flat. Then, grab a 4 by 4 in (10 by 10 cm) plank of wood and set it flush against the edge of the sod. It might be easier to measure and trim 4 planks of wood that exactly match your swing set dimensions.

Check the soil on all 4 sides to see if it’s level. Place your level along the center of the wooden plank. If the level gives an unbalanced reading, remove the plank and adjust the soil with your shovel or rake. Repeat this process on all 4 sides until the level consistently reads as balanced. It can take a little trial and error before the dirt is level. Feel free to take a break if you need it!

Remove the stakes and string. Now that your yard is level, you don’t need the stakes and strings as reference points anymore. You’re now ready to set up and anchor your swing set!

Set-up and Installation

Roll and staple landscaping fabric over the excavated soil. Pick up a roll of landscaping fabric from your local home improvement or gardening store—this provides a barrier on top of the soil. As you unroll the material, hold the edges and corners in place with rocks. Then, staple the fabric into place with garden staples.

Install your swing set on top of the landscaping fabric. Consult the user’s manual for specific installation guidance. Start by setting up the base and frame of the swing set, securing everything in place with bolts, washers, nuts, and any other components included with your equipment. Then, assemble the swing set, along with any other sections of your playground, like a fort or slide. Setting up a swing set can be really tricky, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience. Call your local home improvement store or the equipment manufacturer and see if someone can help you set everything up.

Check that the equipment is level. Place a level all along the main swing set beam, where the swings are attached. Additionally, check the beams, bases, platforms, and any other play surfaces to see if they’re completely level. If anything looks uneven, consult your user’s guide on how to make specific adjustments.

Spread mulch on top of the landscaping fabric. Grab several bags of playground mulch—this is mulch specifically designed for playgrounds and swing sets, so your kids aren’t playing on the hard soil. Rake 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) of mulch around and beneath the equipment. Mulch blends in nicely with the rest of your lawn! Simply rake and spread it so it's flush with the excavated perimeter of soil and sod.