After purchasing your perfect Jungle Gym wooden climbing frame, the installation is the only thing left. Are you looking for tips to install your Jungle Gym climbing frame? Or looking for the easiest way to install it? Look no further! In this blog we will walk you through the most important safety instructions for the installation of your new Jungle Gym climbing frame. Think about the position/location the required surrounding free space and the anchoring of your climbing frame.

How to prepare for the installation of your climbing frame

  • Children should stay out of the area until the play area is cleared of obstacles, the play set has been completely installed, all hardware has been tightened and checked and all the tools have been picked up.
  • Wear proper clothing and safety equipment (e.g. safety glasses, dust mask and gloves) when you saw, drill, grind, stain or assemble the play set, especially when working with pressure treated timber.
  • Avoid assembling your climbing frame in poor weather conditions.
  • Check all the parts and group them systematically within reach. Compare these with the list of the included parts.
  • When building this play set, at least two adults are required for lifting and holding beams, frames or other heavy assemblies in position before bolting or screwing.
  • Follow the manufacturers’ safety recommendations for the tools and equipment you use.

    • How to locate and position your climbing frame: surface and safe play area

  • Place the playset on an unpaved, steady surface, such as grass or a solid layer of sand. Do not install your play set over concrete, gravel, asphalt, or any other hard surface (see table below for more information). The following is a list of recommended ground covers:
    • Suggested Material Minimum uncompressed depth
    Double shredded bark mulch 20 50 cm
    Uniform wood chips 20 50 cm
    Fine gravel 20 50 cm
    Fine sand 20 50 cm
    Grass 50 cm

  • The ground surface must be level. Installing your play set on sloping ground can cause it to lean or “rack”. This leaning puts stress on connections and joints and in time, will cause those connections to loosen and fail.
  • The safe play area refers to a zone extending 6’ (200 cm) around the play set on all sides. A fall onto a hard surface can result in injury. Install the ground cover in the safe play zone.
  • Remove all tripping hazards such as rocks, stumps, roots etc. from the safe play area.
  • The safe play area must be free of all structures, fences, garage, house, overhanging branches, laundry lines, electrical wires and other obstacles to ensure safe play.
  • Do not situate your play set in the direction of walks or pathways.
  • Any edging used to contain the ground cover must be beyond the safe play area (landscape timbers or other edgings).
  • Check the immediate surroundings of the playground for any hazards like overhanging branches, laundry lines or loose materials.
  • Check if the shock-absorbing surface isn’t compressed too much and loosen it if necessary. Fill up any holes that may have formed for example under the swing seats.

    • Which tools do I need in order to install my climbing frame? (fig. 2)

    A couple of tools are required for the installation:
    1.Tape measure
    2. Pencil
    3. Hack / wood saw
    4. Wood- & metal file
    5. Electric drill
    6. Hammer

    See image 2 below:

    Required tools


    How to safely install your Climbing Frame

    Pilot holes (fig. 4a+4b)

    In order to prevent the wood from splitting, drilling pilot holes are recommended for all screws. These pilot holes should be 10 mm shorter than the length of the screws.

    Standard bolt connections (fig. 3)

  • Drill a hole of ø10 mm in the parts that need securing.
  • Drive the barrel of the weft nut into the hole with a hammer. The barrel of the weft nut should be inside the wood.
  • Place the lock washer over the shank of the bolt, followed by the flat washer and bottom part of the bolt cap. Start by hand-tightening the bolt into the weld nut initially. Then, use a 13 mm socket in your electric drill to tighten each bolt. Continue until the lock washer's spring action is fully compressed between the bolt head and the flat washer. Finally, close the bolt protection cap.
  • If the bolt appears to be too short, we advise to counter drill the upper part of the hole in the thickest part of the wood with the ø22 mm drill, to a depth of 15 mm or more, so the bolt will be properly sunk after assembly. Treat the hole with stain. Since the bolt head is recessed, a bolt protection cap is not necessary.
  • If the bolt is too long, it is necessary to remove the protruding end by cutting it off using a metal saw. If any sharp edges appear, use a file.

    • Standard bolt connections

    Wood screws (fig. 4a)

  • Drill ø3 mm pilot holes for wood screws.
  • It is very important to make certain that the tops of all screws are flush with the surface of the wood and there are no protruding sharp edges.

    • XL Stealth™ fasteners (fig. 4b)

  • To attach the XL Stealth™ first drill a hole ø5 mm through both parts.
  • Place the flat washer and bottom part of the bolt cap over the shank of the screw. Place screw in hole and use the T40 bit in your electric drill to tighten. Close the bolt protection cap with the top.

    • Caution: do not over tighten bolts and screws.

    When using hardwood it may be necessary to drill pilot holes with a larger diameter, depending on the density of the wood.

    Tips & Tricks for installing your climbing frame

  • Do not stand on the platform until the play set has been completely assembled. If you cannot reach high enough, you can use a step ladder.
  • The play set must be securely anchored to prevent the play set from turning or moving. If soil conditions permit stakes to be pulled out easily, cementing is required. Make sure that the ground anchors do not stick out of the ground because children can trip over them.
  • To prevent splinters, sand the wood with a piece of sandpaper Also smooth all corners with sandpaper or a metal file to a radius of 1/8” (3 mm).
  • Do not attach additional items to your climbing frame, such as ropes, chains, heavy cord or other items.
  • Do not combine products of other manufacturers with Jungle Gym® products because they may create safety hazards.
  • After assembly make sure to use a metal saw to cut off any protruding threaded ends of bolts and other fasteners. Remove any sharp edges with a metal file.

    • Tips & Tricks for installing your swing set & rope ladder

  • A climbing rope or a rope ladder always has to be secured at both top and bottom, because the free-hanging rope could cause serious injury or death due to strangulation. Ropes should not be capable of looping back on themselves.
  • Only use the Rope LocksTM in combination with Jungle Gym® swing hooks. Do not use them for other purposes, such as mountain climbing or pulling loads.
  • The screw thread of the Swing Hook LS must be screwed into the wood fully and tightly against the cross beam. It is important that you align the swing hook in the proper position. An improperly installed or misaligned swing hook might break or pull out and cause injury.

    • How to keep safe distance between safety elements and the climbing frame

  • The distance between swinging accessories (for example a swing seat) and the ground should be at least 14” (35 cm).
  • The distance between an accessory and the frame, should be at least 12” (30 cm).
  • The distance between the Swing Hooks should be 18” (45 cm).
  • The distance between swinging accessories should be 18” (45 cm).

    • Safety elements and components per climbing frame

    Jungle Gym climbing frames contain especially developed hardware. This material is designed with great care and with the safety of your children as a priority. The hardware has no sharp angles or protruding parts and is protected against all kinds of weather. All the parts in the climbing frame kits are designed according to the EN 71-1,-2,-3, -8 & -9 (European Safety Standard) for domestic use, on the condition that the playground equipment is assembled and used properly in accordance with the manual. Do not deviate from these plans or alter the design. In the image below you can see all the included safety elements (yellow part: ‘Safe’) per Jungle Gym climbing frame model:


    How to play safely on your climbing frame - general safety instructions (fig. 1)

    1. Do not play on the playground during wet weather because of potentially slippery surfaces. During periods of frost, a soft surface can change into a rock-hard surface. Accessories should be taken indoors when temperatures drop below 0° C.
    2. Using the playground or the accessories in any other manner than the way intended could lead to damage or even injury. Do not twist or wrap swings, chains, ropes or any other accessories. Twisting will reduce the strength of the accessories and result in children getting stuck.
    3. Make sure that children do not:
  • jump off moving swings
  • swing empty seats or other empty accessories
  • swing at an angle
  • hang upside down from any part of the gym set
  • grasp or stop another child on any moving equipment
  • walk close to, in front of, between or behind moving accessories
    • 4. Remind children to sit in the center of the swings with their full weight on the seats. Only one child per seat is allowed. For a standard tower the maximum of 3 children are allowed to play on the play set with a maximum weight of 110 pounds (50 kg) each. A standard tower in combination with a swing allows a maximum of 5 children with a maximum weight of 110 pounds (50 kg) each.
    5. Never let children climb on top of the roof or on top of the modules. Falling from a higher height can result in serious injuries.
    6. The play area must be free of all possible obstacles.
    7. Each open area on a platform increases the risk of possible accidents. The risk can be significantly reduced with the addition of safety features like handles, safety bars and railings.
    8. Do not allow children to go down the slide in any other way than sitting faced forward. Avoid southern sunlight exposure to the slide. All components may become hot when exposed to direct sunlight. Make sure the play set is not too hot before allowing children to play. If necessary, the play set can be cooled down with water and then let dry thoroughly. Do not spray water on the slide, the increased speed can cause injury.
    9. Do not attach anything to the play set that is not approved by Jungle Gym. Examples of items not approved are dog runs, washing lines, electrical devices, loose ropes or chains.

    Also have attention for:

  • On-site adult supervision must be provided for children of all ages and at all times.
  • Teach your children how to play safely.
  • Make sure that children are dressed appropriately. Avoid accessories, clothing with drawstrings, loose fitting clothes and stringed items, which could get stuck. Also bike helmets should be taken off before playing on playground equipment.
  • Jungle Gym products are designed for use by children age 3 to 10 years old, unless indicated differently.
  • Last but not least: use common sense to avoid any possible unsafe situations.

    • Safe play

    Warnings. Only for domestic use. Only for outdoor use. Maximum user weight is 50 Kg. Not suitable for children under three years. Suitable for children from three to ten years. Jungle Gym Climbing Frames are only intended for domestic use. Usage in a public setting such as a park, playground or school is a misuse of the product. For use in a public setting we have another brand; Hy-land. Hy-land Climbing Frames are certified, high-quality Climbing Frames which are perfect for public use.