Play Equipment
Timber monkey bars and a flying fox kit from Lifespan Kids for the backyard. The monkey bars are for children aged 3 and over, and every bar is rated to 50kg. The two Amazon sets are monkey bars only, and the Daintree adds two belt swings and a trapeze bar under the bars. The Woomera flying fox runs on a 29m steel cable between two trees, is rated to 113kg and is not recommended for children under 8.
Measure the yard before you choose monkey bars. The Amazon 2.5m is 269cm long, 155cm wide and 200cm tall, with the rungs 185cm off the ground. The Amazon 3m is 303cm long, 158cm wide and 200cm tall. The Daintree is 312cm long, 190cm deep and 216cm tall, and takes up to four children at once. On top of the frame size, the sets need a 2m safety perimeter on each side and 0.7m above. None of the monkey bars can go over concrete, asphalt or another hard surface.
The Woomera flying fox needs two live, healthy trees at least 31cm in diameter (92cm around the trunk), with a clear run between them. No posts are included. The kit has a 29m galvanised steel cable, a trolley with handles, a disc seat on a height adjustable rope and a spring brake that slows the trolley at the end of the run. It takes one rider at a time, and everyone else needs to stay at least 7.62m from the line while it is in use.
The monkey bar frames are heat treated timber with galvanised, powder coated steel parts. Timber moves with the weather, so cracks along the grain are normal, and each product page has photos from the manual of cracks that are safe. The timber needs a sealant once or twice a year. Lifespan Kids makes that a condition of its warranty, and the other maintenance requirements are outlined in the manual on each product page. The Amazon sets come with ground anchors. The monkey bars are heavy items, so orders to Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory carry a surcharge, which you select in the drop-down on the product page. The flying fox has no surcharge. None of these items can be delivered to the NT outside Darwin - email us if wanting to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight do the monkey bars hold?
Each bar is rated to 50kg. On the Daintree set the same 50kg limit applies to each belt swing and to the trapeze bar, and up to four children can use the set at once. All three sets are made for children aged 3 and over, with an adult supervising, and are for home use only.
How much space do the monkey bars need?
You need the size of the frame plus a clear zone around it. The Amazon 2.5m is 269 x 155cm and the Amazon 3m is 303 x 158cm, and each set needs a 2m safety perimeter. Do not set them up over concrete, asphalt or another hard surface.
Is it normal for the timber to crack?
Yes, cracks along the grain are normal. Timber dries out and takes up moisture with the weather, so cracks called checks open in dry seasons and most close again in wet seasons. Lifespan Kids sizes each part to allow for this. A crack only matters when it is deep enough to start splitting a post or beam into two pieces, which is rare. If you think a part has a fault, email us photos.
What maintenance does the timber need?
It needs a timber sealant once or twice a year, depending on your climate. Check the timber every month and lightly sand any splinters or rough spots. Lifespan Kids makes the sealant a condition of its warranty, and the manual on each product page outlines the maintenance requirements. The timber has a 12 month replacement warranty against wood rot and insect damage (termites excluded).
What do I need to set up the flying fox?
You need two live, healthy trees at least 31cm in diameter (92cm around the trunk), with a clear run between them. The kit has no posts, and the manual says not to fix the cable to anything else without the opinion of a qualified engineer. An adult sets it up and tests it before anyone rides, by hanging 113kg from the trolley and running a weight down the line to check the brake.
How much weight does the flying fox hold?
It is rated to 113kg, with one rider at a time, and is not recommended for children under 8. You can ride holding the trolley handles or sitting on the disc seat, and the spring brake slows the trolley at the end of the run. Keep other people at least 7.62m from the line, and do not use it when it is wet, windy or raining. An adult needs to supervise at all times.
