Little Tikes Disc Swing: Toddler/Pre-School Swings

Baby Swings are made for comfort, safety, and hopefully easy to get the baby in and out of the swing. All my kids had baby swings, and in the early days you had to wind them up. Now they either have batteries, or some of the newest ones plug into an outlet. Swings calm children, and babies especially love to be rocked to sleep. But how do you know when it's time to transition them from the infant/baby swing up to the Toddler Swing, including the Disc Swing?

As stated earlier all babies and Toddlers are different. Once your baby has grown into a Toddler (sometime before they can walk) you will want to think of a transition swing. Safety is still an issue in a Toddler Swing, especially the ones that you buy right after they outgrow the baby swing, but comfort is no longer the primary amenity. You will want that will last and you have to decide if you want one to use indoors or out. Most little ones love to be outside, and if you have older children and a swing set most of the swings can be attached to an existing swing set. You can remove the belt type swing and replace it with a Toddler one, then later change them back.

Here are a few tips to buying a transition swing for your Toddler:

1) Safety- make sure there is some type of harness for the younger toddlers, and that they can't slide out.

2) Know the weight Limit- check the manufacturer to make sure your child is within the weight limit. Some of the Toddler Swings only have a limit of 45 lbs. but even at this weight the child might be too big for the Toddler safety swings.

3) You will want a swing with some sort of harness for transitioning from the infant/baby swing. This is important for many reasons...the most important is you don't want your little one crawling out and falling. Remember toddlers are curious, and some are little escape artists...so make sure they are secure with some type of harness.

4) Bucket swings are usually appropriate for around 9 months to about 22 months. If you have a large Toddler you may want to start transitioning to the bucket types like they have on many playgrounds. These are good for many years.

5) Around age 3-4 (depending on the child) they can start using a regular swing. The Little Disc Swing can be used once your toddler can hold on and follow directions like crossing their legs. Some 2 year olds do fine on a regular Toddler swing, however not all of them are ready. Toddlers that have developmental disabilities may need to stay in a harnessed swing for a lot longer-again know your child and follow your instincts. They are usually the best indicator.

6) Make sure you get a swing that is sturdy and weather resistant.

Has your child outgrown their baby swing? Or maybe you are a Grandparent like me that doesn't have any toddlers around all the time, but you want to have some outdoor toys for them when they come to visit. Your kids can have a lot of fun swinging on the Little Tikes Disc Swing.

The manufacturer recommends this Little Disc Swing for ages 3-10, but it is really dependent on the child or Toddler. Some kids advance faster than others and some have better upper body strength and gross motor skills. It is hard to go just by a manufactures recommended ages but if we use them as a guideline it's better. A lot of young 3's have a hard time with the disc swing, but after a few try's they usually can do it. It's a skill of balancing and of learning to control their bodies. That's one reason this disc swing has been successfully used as a therapeutic tool for some kids with special needs.

Swings aren't appropriate for all Toddlers, but once they master the skills of balance and coordination they love to swing. The disc swing is good because you can make it low enough for toddlers and preschoolers to get on and off by themselves.

Learning to get on the disc swing and balance takes a few times. The younger children might even get scared at first, but they will figure it out with your help.

Tackling new skills is how children develop a healthy sense of self, and once your little one learns to climb up and hold on they feel proud of themselves. It is part of their developmental milestones.
Special needs kids also get the benefits and fun of swinging from the disc swing. They learn how to use their muscles and several Parents and occupational therapists have used therapeutic swings to help them do this. This is a win-win for the child, and the parents. Parents of Kids with autism and sensory processing, or integrative disorders have stated that this little disc swing is an "excellent home therapy" that has helped their children. I don't personally know of this, just read the reviews. But having been a counselor for many years I can see the possibilities. Remember most toys have different uses than what is stated by the Manufacturer.

Pro's to the disc swing: Easy Assembly, Fun, Sturdy, Weather Resistant, long enough rope for larger trees (10 feet of rope), molded plastic and no sharp edges.

One of the best toys for Toddlers...the Disc Swing is a perfect outdoor toy for summer!

As with most things in life there are pro's and con's. Sometimes what one person thinks is a benefit another doesn't and vice versa. There are a few con's to this disc swing, like water can get into the molded plastic and you have to turn it over to empty it. But the biggest con is that when toddlers are learning how to balance they might tip to one side, which makes holding on harder. It is also "scary" to some of the little tikes that it was meant for...depending a lot on their personalities and how much risk they take in learning new things.

We all know not all kids learn at the same rate, and learning balance and coordination take some kids longer than others. Once they learn how to use it, then it is fun, but first they have to develop the confidence that they won't fall off.

Disadvantages to the Little Tikes Disc Swing: water can collect in it, the rope is too long for some or too short for others. Some younger or more petite toddlers often have difficulty learning the skills necessary for safe and fun play.

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More about us: Our goal is to helping parents raise the quality of playtime with their toddlers. It's not just about the newest toy--it's about sneaking education into your kid's playtime. Parents know: Playing is serious business! We're always on the lookout for the best toys for our little tots.