Monkey bars for small backyards

Key takeaways

• The Cheeky Little Monkey has a 3.3m × 2.3m footprint and is purpose-built for compact backyards, courtyards, and narrow side yards.
• The Funky Monkey Bars Swing Set sits at 4m × 2.5m and suits families where swings are the priority.
  Both frames are freestanding, height-adjustable, and made from Australian galvanised steel, with no concrete or digging required.
• Accessories hang from the bar rather than taking up ground space, so a smaller frame doesn't mean less to do.
• Choosing the right frame for your space matters more than the size of the backyard itself.
  

Most families with a smaller backyard have done the same thing. Stood outside with a tape measure, squinted at the fence line, and tried to picture whether anything worthwhile fits between the clothesline and the barbecue.

It usually does.

Monkey bars for small spaces don't have to mean a compromise on quality or the kind of play your kids get out of them. The important part is choosing the right frame for the space you've got.

Here’s what will fit, the size of each option, and what to consider before buying.

How to choose the right monkey bar set for your space

Before looking at accessories or colours, you need to know if the frame physically fits your yard. Not sure which monkey bar set is best for your backyard? Below are recommended frames for different spaces.

The Cheeky Little Monkey and the Swing Set are the two frames specifically suited to tighter spaces.

The Cheeky Little Monkey

The Cheeky Little Monkey is the Funky Monkey Bars frame designed specifically for backyards where space is limited. At 3.3m × 2.3m, it's compact enough for a townhouse courtyard or a narrow backyard without losing the main equipment.

It has a seven-rung, height-adjustable monkey bar that sits anywhere between 1m and 2.3m high. The monkey bar itself is 2.3m long and 900mm wide, which is the same width as every frame in the range, so kids can still swing across side by side.

What keeps it tight is the shorter 450mm twirly-whirly bars (the standard frames use 900mm). These stabilise the frame while halving the width they take up on either side. 

The Cheeky Little Monkey also has an accessories bar, so you can still add a cargo net, trapeze, jungle rope, swinging cubby, nest swing, or ninja grips. It won't take every accessory in the range (some of the larger add-on frames don't attach to it), but the core accessories all fit.

For families specifically looking at monkey bars for small spaces, the Cheeky Little Monkey is the frame built for exactly that.

The Swing Set

If your kids are more about swinging than climbing, or you're looking for a different shape of frame, the Funky Monkey Bars Swing Set is worth considering. At 4m × 2.5m, it's a compact frame that gives you a double swing station and a three-metre, nine-rung monkey bar in one setup.

The double swing frame comes with a sling swing and trapeze by default, and you can swap those for other accessories, like a cargo net, button swing, toddler swing, nest swing, or gym rings, depending on what your kids are into.

It's also modular, so you can start small and expand. If you move to a bigger backyard later, the Swing Set can change into the Gorilla by adding more frames. So the investment doesn't end with the space you're in now.

As an option for monkey bars for small spaces, the Swing Set suits families who want swings and climbing in a single compact footprint.

Freestanding means no digging and no commitment

Every frame in the Funky Monkey Bars range is completely freestanding. There's no concrete, post holes, or permanent fixtures. You peg the frame onto grass at each anchor point, and that's it.

For families needing monkey bars for small spaces, this is important for a few practical reasons. 

• Repositioning is easy. If a different corner works better once the kids are using it, you can easily move the frame.
• Renters can take it with them. Nothing is fixed to the ground, so the frame packs down and comes with you when the lease ends.
• Strata and rental clauses aren't usually an issue. Freestanding play equipment typically falls outside "no permanent structures" restrictions, though it's worth checking with your body corporate or landlord.
  

Getting more play out of a smaller space

Small backyard monkey bars don’t have to mean limited play space. A few things that help.

Think vertical 

When floor space is limited, go up. Accessories like ropes, trapeze bars, gym rings, and ninja grips hang from the bars. A button swing takes up the same overhead space as a sling swing but gives a completely different play experience. 

Use corners & edges

Placing your monkey bars against a fence or in the corner of your yard keeps the play area tidy and the rest of your outdoor space open for other activities.

Swap accessories instead of adding space

• A cargo net doubles as a climbing challenge and a comfy hammock. 
• Swap out a swing for ninja delta rings or a dip bar whenever kids are ready for a new challenge. 
  

One of the advantages of a modular system in a smaller yard is that the frame stays the same and what hangs off it changes with the season or with what the kids are into that month.

Don’t forget that adults fit too

Every frame in the range is load-rated for adults. The Cheeky Little Monkey holds 1,495 kg, and the Swing Set holds 1,025 kg. Parents can use the bars for pull-ups, hang off the trapeze, or just have a swing. In a small backyard especially, equipment the whole family uses earns its space.

Choosing between the two

Your choice of playground equipment comes down to what your kids want most and what shape your backyard is.

Pick the Cheeky Little Monkey if you're after monkey bars for small spaces where the backyard is tight (under about 4m in any direction), your kids are climbers more than swingers, or you want the smallest footprint possible while still getting an accessories bar and the option to add a swinging cubby or cargo net.

Pick the Swing Set if you have a little more room (4m × 2.5m), your kids are more into swinging, or you want a longer monkey bar (3m versus 2.3m) and a double swing frame out of the box.

Both are freestanding, height-adjustable, and are made from Australian galvanised steel, which is a durable, weather-resistant material, with a 10-year warranty.

A frame that fits the space you’ve got

A small backyard narrows options but doesn’t take out all backyard play. The Cheeky Little Monkey and Swing Set are both built as play equipment for small backyards. 

What tends to happen is straightforward enough. The frame goes up on a Saturday. By Monday, the kids are already out the back without being asked. The backyard that felt too small for play equipment turns out to be exactly the right size for the kind of active play that matters.

If you’re not sure which compact outdoor play equipment suits your yard, get in touch with our team today. They can help you work out what fits.

Frequently asked questions

Can I move the frame if I rearrange the backyard later?

Yes. Every Funky Monkey Bars frame is freestanding and pegged onto the grass rather than concreted in, so you can reposition it whenever you like. 

How long does assembly take?

Most families get the Cheeky Little Monkey or Swing Set assembled in 1 to 2 hours. You'll need a basic set of tools; an Allen key and hex bit are included. 

Will it damage the grass or pavers underneath?

The frames sit on base plates that rest on the ground surface. On grass, you'll get some flattening underneath the base plates and the pegs, but nothing permanent. Some families put rubber matting or soft-fall underneath for added cushioning, which also protects the surface.

Can I add more to the frame later if we move to a bigger house?

The Swing Set is fully modular and can be expanded into the Gorilla range by adding more frames over time. The Cheeky Little Monkey is a standalone frame, so it doesn't expand in the same way, but you can change and add accessories to it as your kids grow.

What ages are these frames suited to?

The height-adjustable monkey bar starts at 1m, which suits kids from around age three (supervised). At its highest setting of 2.3m, it's challenging enough for older kids and teenagers. The load ratings mean adults can use the frames too, which extends the useful life well beyond childhood.