Backyard Discovery Skyfort II review
A large cedar playset, a very long assembly, and the safety cost nobody puts in the basket.
The verdict
The Skyfort II is a genuinely large cedar playset with a raised clubhouse, monkey bars, a rock wall, a sandbox and a ten-foot slide, and children treat it as a place rather than a toy. Buy it if you have a big, level garden and a free weekend or two. Understand before you order that fall surfacing under and around it is a separate, non-optional cost that most buyers do not budget for, and that assembly is measured in days.
Backyard Discovery Skyfort II Cedar Wood Swing Set with Wave Slide
~$2,199
A cedar playset with a raised clubhouse, balcony, crow's nest, monkey bars, rock wall, two belt swings, a trapeze, picnic table, sandbox and a ten-foot wave slide.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Material | 100 percent cedar with a burnt sienna stain |
|---|---|
| Upper level | Raised clubhouse with wooden roof, balcony, covered entryway and bay windows |
| Lower level | Shaded deck with a sandbox area, picnic table and bench seating |
| Slide | Ten-foot wave slide |
| Swings | Two belt swings and one trapeze |
| Climbing | Monkey bars and a rock wall with 12 holds |
| Lookout | Crow's nest with a toy telescope |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Specifications above come from Backyard Discovery's published product specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- The scale is the point. Multiple play zones at two levels means several children play at once doing different things, which is what keeps a playset in use after the first fortnight.
- Cedar is naturally resistant to decay, which is why these sets outlast the softwood ones sold at similar prices.
- Two swings plus a trapeze means three children swing simultaneously, and anyone who has watched a queue form at a single swing will understand why that matters.
- A five-year warranty on a large outdoor structure is meaningful and is more than several competitors offer.
Where it falls short
- Fall surfacing is not included and it is not optional. Home playground guidance calls for a shock-absorbing surface such as engineered wood fibre, sand or rubber mulch, at a depth appropriate to the equipment height, extending well beyond the structure on every side and further in front of a slide and under swings. On grass or bare soil, a fall from a raised clubhouse is a hard landing. Budget for the material and the labour, because for a set this size it is a substantial addition.
- Assembly is a multi-day job for two adults, with hundreds of parts and a long manual. Owners regularly describe fifteen to twenty five hours. Professional assembly is available and is a real cost.
- It needs a large, level area with clearance on all sides. Measure the footprint, add the surfacing zone, and check for overhead branches and boundary lines before ordering.
- Cedar needs maintenance. Expect to re-stain or seal it periodically, check hardware for tightness each season, and inspect swing hangers and ropes for wear. A neglected wooden playset ages badly and becomes a hazard rather than merely shabby.
- Adult supervision is not optional at these heights, and the age guidance on home playground equipment exists for a reason. Monkey bars in particular are a common source of arm fractures in young children.
What owners report
Published owner reviews are consistently positive about the finished result and the amount of play it generates, and many owners report it still standing and well used after several years. Cedar quality and the size draw repeated praise.
The two dominant criticisms are assembly time, which almost every review mentions and which buyers consistently underestimate, and packaging or missing hardware on delivery of a very large multi-box order. Customer service responses to missing parts are generally described as good.
Who it suits
- Families with a large, level garden and more than one child.
- Anyone confident with tools who can give it a weekend or two.
- Households who want a play structure that lasts years rather than a season.
Who should skip it
- Small or sloped gardens, where the footprint plus the surfacing zone will not fit.
- Anyone unwilling to budget for fall surfacing, which is part of the real cost.
- Buyers who are not prepared to assemble it or pay someone to.
Alternatives worth considering
KidKraft Appleton Wooden Swing Set
~$430
A far smaller and cheaper wooden set for a modest garden, with a shorter assembly. Fewer play zones, and the same surfacing requirement applies to it.
Check price on AmazonSwing-N-Slide Ranger Wooden Swing Set with Swings
~$299
The swings without the fort, which is what younger children use most anyway. A sensible way to find out whether the garden gets used before committing $2,199.
Check price on AmazonAvenlur Magnolia 7-in-1 Indoor Jungle Gym for Kids
~$449
For homes without a garden, or for winter. It climbs and slides indoors at a much lower height, and the same rules about supervision and a soft landing surface apply.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
What surface should go under a swing set?
A shock-absorbing loose-fill material such as engineered wood fibre, sand, pea gravel or rubber mulch, or a manufactured safety surface, at a depth suited to the equipment height. It needs to extend beyond the structure on all sides, and further in front of a slide exit and under swings, roughly twice the height of the swing beam. Grass and bare soil are not fall surfaces. Follow the manual and the published home playground guidance.
How long does the Skyfort II take to assemble?
Owners commonly report fifteen to twenty five hours for two adults, spread across a weekend or two. Lay out and count all hardware before you start, and check for missing parts on day one rather than on the last panel. Professional assembly services exist and are worth pricing.
How much space do I need?
The structure footprint plus a fall zone on every side. Add clearance for the swing arc front and back, and check overhead for branches and cables and sideways for fences and boundaries. Measure the whole area before ordering, because a set that fits the lawn but not the fall zone is not safely installed.
Does cedar need treating?
Cedar resists decay naturally, which is why it is used, and it still weathers. Plan on re-staining or sealing periodically to keep it looking well and to slow splitting, and check and tighten hardware at the start of each season along with the swing hangers and ropes.
What age is it suitable for?
Follow the manufacturer's stated age range, which for home playground equipment of this type is generally school age rather than toddler. Younger children can use parts of it with close supervision. Monkey bars in particular are a common cause of arm fractures in young children and are the feature to be most careful about.
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This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures, published safety standards and the general consensus of verified owner reports. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Nothing here is medical or safety advice: car seat installation belongs with a certified child passenger safety technician, infant sleep follows your paediatrician and current safe sleep guidance, and no product prevents SIDS. Confirm current specifications, fit and safety information for your own child and vehicle before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.