Is an $1,800 Swing Set Worth It? Our Backyard Discovery Mystic Tower Review
Written by Meg — mom of three (ages 5, 4, and 2) in Atlanta. My husband and I have called this the best purchase we've ever made more than once. Here's the honest version of why.
Is the Backyard Discovery Mystic Tower worth it?
For us, yes, and it isn't close. We've officially entered the "go outside and play" years, and having this treehouse playset in the backyard makes the kids all too happy to oblige. It's the rare big purchase that gets used almost every day it isn't raining, and with three kids spread across five years, it'll be in heavy rotation for a long time.
The list price is $1,799 direct from Backyard Discovery and $1,499 at Sam's Club, and professional assembly is extra (more on that below). That's… not cheap. Here's how we decided it was worth it, and what I'd tell a friend who's on the fence.
Why we didn't buy used (the Facebook Marketplace question)
Everyone's first thought, including ours, was Facebook Marketplace. We looked and decided pretty quickly it wasn't for us. This thing needed to be safe for our kids, and a used playset is a pile of unknowns: missing hardware, wood that's been rotting in someone else's yard for years, a model that might have been recalled, and the fun of disassembling, hauling and reassembling it yourself. Saving a few hundred dollars just didn't feel worth the risk on something our kids would be climbing on every day.
How we chose: materials first, then the model
As we started looking, the price range was all over the place. With two rowdy boys, I wanted sturdy materials that would hold up to their chaos and to Georgia weather. Buying something that would last felt smarter than buying something cheaper and replacing it later.
Once we narrowed it to solid wood sets built to last, everything landed around a similar price point, so it came down to fit and look:
Material: the Mystic Tower is 100% cedar, which is naturally resistant to rot and decay. That matters in Atlanta humidity.
Size: our backyard isn't enormous, and this size felt right. Big enough for real play, not so big it ate the whole yard.
Parties: I wanted it to work for gatherings too. It's designed for up to 14 kids across its play areas, so a birthday party doesn't turn into a line for the slide.
The look: honestly, I just loved this one. Backyard Discovery had several models, and this treehouse style won me over.
What the kids actually use (the features that earn it)
Secret door to a hidden climbing tower + crawl tunnel: the boys are obsessed with this. Pirate ship, space shuttle, you name it, they're pretending it's happening.
Web disc swing is the favorite for Kennedy (nearly 2).
Lower play space with a toy BBQ grill and play food: this was the immediate hit when we installed it, for all three.
What assembly was really like
We hired someone on Thumbtack to assemble it, and I'd do it again. The spot we'd picked in the yard was level and we didn't put anything down on top of the grass. We wanted it to be at least partially shaded for the summers, and just told them to fit it in however made the most sense.
Assembly all said and done was $800 in our area, to bring all the boxes to the backyard, unbox and assemble everything and then haul away the empty boxes. I'm sure it varies by market, so get a few quotes.
For comparison, Backyard Discovery offers its own assembly add-on for $1,030. The pieces come pre-cut, pre-drilled and pre-stained, with step-by-step instructions in the BILT app, so a handy couple can do it themselves. Just budget a lot of hours.
This was shortly after my husband was hospitalized and he was still recovering, so I felt like it was a good task to outsource.
The honest cons
It's recommended that you seal the wood within the first year to help with weatherproofing. I have admittedly ordered the sealant and supplies and not done it yet (oops!) but plan to before it gets too cold out.
Spiderwebs are probably the biggest complaint from the kids, but given where we live that can't really be blamed on the treehouse.
The real "con" if I had to pick one is the trade-off of space in your yard! For us it has been an exciting addition, but if your backyard is smaller it may limit your space for other activities.
The safety stuff nobody mentions until after
A few things I'd tell any parent before the set goes in:
What's underneath. The CPSC recommends at least 9 inches of wood mulch or chips (or similar loose fill) under equipment up to 8 feet high.
Leave room around it. The CPSC suggests a clear zone of at least 6 feet in all directions, and more in front of and behind the swings.
Check it each season. Tighten hardware, look for loose bolts or splinters, and check the swing chains and connectors.
Who I'd tell to buy it (and who I wouldn't)
Get it if: you have more than one kid or more kids coming, a yard that fits it, and you want something that lasts through years of rough play and the wear of all seasons.
Maybe not if: your yard is small or steep, your kids are close to aging out of playsets, or a public playground down the street already gets the job done.
FAQ
Is Backyard Discovery a good brand?
Absolutely. Their wood sets are cedar, come with a 5-year warranty, and are built to meet ASTM safety standards for home playgrounds.
How much does it cost to assemble a Backyard Discovery swing set?
Backyard Discovery's own assembly service for the Mystic Tower is listed at $1,030. We hired someone on Thumbtack for ~$800. Get a few quotes and ask whether they've built playsets before; some will share the exact models they've previously assembled.
Is it safe to buy a used swing set?
I'm sure it can be, but we decided it wasn't worth it. A used set can have missing hardware, rotted wood, or recall issues you can't see, and you'd still have to take it apart, move it and rebuild it.
What age is the Mystic Tower for?
Recommended ages 3-10, according to the website. Ours gets used by a 2-year-old and her 4- and almost-6-year-old brothers, which is the whole point of buying one set that lasts.
What's the best surface under a swing set?
Loose fill like wood mulch or wood chips, at least 9 inches deep for equipment up to 8 feet high, according to the CPSC. Rubber mulch and poured rubber work too. Grass and dirt don't cushion falls well.
Full transparency: ours is on grass right now. Mulch is on the list right after that sealant (oops again!).
💌 Enjoyed this? Let's be email friends — the good stuff goes to the list first.
Go outside and play! 🫶
— Meg
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Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you click through and purchase — at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own, and we bought this playset ourselves.
