The Most Popular Activities for Kids on the BERG PlayBase – And How They Actually Use It

When families first see the BERG PlayBase, the most common reaction is: “Wow – that’s not just a swing set!”

And it’s true. Unlike traditional garden play frames that offer one or two functions, the PlayBase is designed as a modular family play, fitness, and relaxation hub. Kids don’t just swing on it – they climb, hang, flip, invent games, and transform it into something different every day.

At Trampolines Ireland, we’ve seen countless families install a PlayBase and watch their children explore it in totally unexpected ways. In this article, we’ll look in depth at the most popular activities kids actually do on the PlayBase, how different accessories are used, and why this system is so much more than a standard climbing frame.

Why the BERG PlayBase Is Different

Before diving into activities, it helps to understand what makes the PlayBase unique:

Two sizes – PlayBase Large and PlayBase Medium – so it can fit a variety of gardens.
Minimalist steel frame – no bulky walls or fixed platforms, which encourages creativity.
Dozens of accessories – swings, trapeze bars, climbing nets, ladders, boxing bags, soccer nets, even hammocks.
Modularity – accessories can be swapped out in minutes, meaning kids don’t get bored.

Where a normal swing set might offer 2–3 options, the PlayBase is a constantly evolving playground. That’s why the activities kids enjoy are so varied – it supports everything from free play to serious training.

1. Swinging – The Timeless Favourite

It may sound obvious, but swinging never goes out of style. The PlayBase offers several different swing options:

Classic swing seat – Kids as young as 3 love this one. It’s the easiest entry point and the perfect way to get used to the PlayBase.
Baby/toddler seat – With safety straps and high back support, even very young children can join the fun.
Rubber flat swing or wooden swing – These give older kids (and even adults) a sturdier experience.
Nest swing – Hugely popular with siblings or friends who want to swing together, or kids who want to lie down, read, or pretend the swing is a “spaceship”.

How kids actually use it:
Younger kids focus on simply swinging back and forth, but older ones invent challenges: Who can swing highest? Who can jump the furthest from the swing? Can we spin the nest swing in circles until we’re dizzy? Parents often notice that the nest swing becomes the “social hub” – two or three children pile in together, talking, laughing, or even pretending it’s a boat.

2. Climbing Nets & Ropes – Testing Strength and Agility

The climbing net and climbing rope are among the most popular PlayBase accessories because they tap into kids’ natural love for scaling things.

Climbing net:

Ideal for ages 5+.
Encourages lateral movement, grip strength, and balance.
Becomes a “spider web” in imaginative play.

Climbing rope:

Great for upper body development.
Kids often use it to swing Tarzan-style from one side to the other.
Doubles as a makeshift “vine” in role-play games.

How kids actually use it:
Children rarely climb straight up and down. They’ll climb halfway, hang upside down, challenge each other to a race, or invent games like “don’t touch the ground” where the net is the only safe route. Parents often find the climbing accessories become confidence builders – kids progress from cautious first tries to bold climbs within weeks.

3. Monkey Bars & Gym Rings – Mini Gymnastics at Home

One of the PlayBase’s biggest draws is that it doubles as a home gymnastics station.

Monkey bars let kids swing hand-over-hand, hang upside down, or try “skin the cat” rotations.
Gym rings are endlessly versatile: kids use them for swinging, flipping, or copying Olympic-style holds.

How kids actually use it:
At first, children may simply dangle. But soon they start attempting routines: flips, dismounts, and even little “competitions” with siblings. Many parents say their kids spend hours trying to master just one new skill – like a full rotation or hanging the longest.

This activity is especially popular for children who do gymnastics or parkour. The PlayBase becomes their practice ground outside of class.

4. Hanging Accessories – Trapeze Bars, Rope Ladders & More

Beyond swings and climbing nets, the PlayBase accepts a variety of hanging accessories:

Trapeze bar with rings – popular for spins, flips, and swinging tricks.
Rope ladder – adds wobble and challenge; great for balance.
Boxing bag – less common for younger kids but loved by sporty teens.

How kids actually use it:
These accessories often spark imaginative play. The rope ladder might become the “only way up to the pirate ship”, or the trapeze bar turns into a circus act. Kids rarely use them in a rigid way – instead, they invent storylines that keep them engaged for hours.

5. Team Sports Add-Ons – Football, Basketball & More

BERG designed the PlayBase to support active sports accessories:

Football net attachment
Basketball hoop
Pull-up/dip station for older kids and teens

How kids actually use it:
In a family with siblings or neighbourhood friends, these sports add-ons are a hit. The football net encourages small competitions, penalty shoot-outs, and “goalie practice”. The basketball hoop becomes a casual after-school activity.

Many families report that sports accessories make the PlayBase grow with their kids – it’s not just for under-10s. Teenagers keep using it as part of training or just casual fun with friends.

6. Imaginative Role-Play – Turning the Frame Into Something Else

One of the most overlooked aspects of the PlayBase is how open-ended it is. Because it’s not locked into one form, kids’ imaginations take over.

Common transformations include:

Pirate ship – nest swing as the “captain’s quarters”, climbing net as the rigging.
Castle – monkey bars become battlements.
Spaceship – nest swing doubles as the cockpit.
Army camp – rope ladder and nets become “training obstacles”.

How kids actually use it:
Parents often say their children surprise them with totally new games. A group of kids might create an obstacle course, time each other, and cheer on the fastest. Another day, the same structure is “base camp” in a survival game. This flexibility is what makes the PlayBase last for years – it never feels the same twice.

7. Social Play – Friends Gathering Around the PlayBase

One of the most heartwarming outcomes of owning a PlayBase is seeing it become the centre of the garden. Kids don’t just play alone – they bring friends, cousins, or neighbours.

The nest swing becomes a shared seat for chatting.
The monkey bars become a race challenge: “First one across wins!”
The frame itself becomes a “meeting point” in imaginative games like tag or hide-and-seek.

How kids actually use it:
Parents tell us that once the PlayBase is set up, their garden becomes the place where children want to gather. It reduces screen time because the kids have a physical, exciting, shared alternative.

8. Seasonal & Quiet-Time Uses

Not every activity is high energy. The PlayBase also supports calm play:

The hammock accessory is ideal for reading, relaxing, or just swaying.
The nest swing doubles as a shady spot for hot summer days.
Teens and parents sometimes use it for light workouts – pull-ups, yoga stretches, or core exercises with resistance bands.

How kids actually use it:
Many families find the PlayBase has a rhythm: high-energy play in the afternoons, and calmer hammock swinging in the evenings. It becomes part of the household routine – a space for both play and relaxation.

Why Kids Use the PlayBase Differently Than Adults Expect

If you’re a parent shopping for a PlayBase, you might imagine your child using each accessory exactly as pictured in the catalogue. The reality is a bit different – and even better:

Kids combine accessories in unexpected ways (rope swing into monkey bars, nest swing as base for imaginative games).
They constantly invent new rules and challenges.
They adapt it to their age – what starts as simple swinging at age 3 becomes handstand practice or football training at 13.

The PlayBase isn’t just a piece of equipment; it’s a canvas for play.

Final Thoughts – The PlayBase as a Growing, Living Playground

So what are the most popular activities for kids on the BERG PlayBase?

Swinging (classic, nest, toddler)
Climbing (nets, ropes, ladders)
Gymnastics and strength play (rings, monkey bars)
Sports (football, basketball, boxing bag)
Imaginative role-play (pirate ships, castles, obstacle courses)
Social and shared play (friends, siblings)
Quiet-time swinging and hammocks

The real magic, though, is not just in the list—it’s in how children actually use it. They adapt it, change it, and reinvent it daily. What starts as a swing set quickly becomes a climbing gym, a pirate ship, a football training ground, and a relaxation hub all in one.

That’s why the PlayBase is one of the most versatile investments you can make for your garden. It grows with your children, keeps them active, sparks their imagination, and brings friends together. And unlike many other toys, it won’t be outgrown in a year or two—it will serve your family for over a decade.

At Trampolines Ireland, we help families find the right PlayBase size and accessories for their garden, so if you’re ready to create your own backyard adventure hub, we’re here to guide you.