Play Set Add-Ons: Which Order Should You Buy Them In?

Quick answer

Buy add-ons in the order your child will actually use them: first a core climbing frame or Swedish wall, then a slide board, then a swing or gym addition, and only then comfort or art extras. If you already own a base, add the one accessory that unlocks a new movement your child is ready for. For most families, a slide board or a gym addition comes before a cushion or art add-on.

Playset add-ons are not a checklist to complete in one order. The right sequence depends on what you already own, what your child can physically do today, and how much space you have. A slide board that feels too advanced for a 1-year-old may be the best purchase for a 3-year-old who already climbs confidently.

This guide gives you a simple buying order, the trade-offs behind each step, and fit guidance so you do not buy an accessory your child will ignore for a year. It uses real Goodevas add-ons as examples, but the logic works for any wooden climbing system.

Start with the base, then add one movement at a time

Every add-on attaches to something. If you do not yet own a climbing frame, Swedish wall, or playset, that base comes first. Once the base is stable and your child uses it regularly, add one accessory at a time. This keeps the challenge level matched to your child and lets you see which movement they enjoy before spending more.

A common mistake is buying several add-ons at once. A 1-year-old may only need a low triangle and a cushion. A 3-year-old may be ready for a slide board and a swing. Match the next purchase to the next skill, not to a discount bundle.

• If you own nothing: choose a base set that fits your room and your child's age.
• If you own a base: watch which movement your child repeats, then buy the add-on that extends it.

Step 1: The slide board or ramp

A slide board is often the first add-on because it turns climbing into sliding, which most toddlers can do with help. It attaches to a triangle or wall and adds a new downhill movement without requiring much upper-body strength. If your child already climbs up and looks for a way down, a slide board is the natural next purchase.

The trade-off is storage. A slide board is long and needs floor space when in use. If your room is tight, measure before buying. If you already have a slide, a swing or gym addition may be a better second step.

• Best first add-on for: toddlers who climb up but need a safe way down.
• Skip if: you already have a slide or have no floor space to store a board.

Step 2: A swing or gym addition

Once your child is comfortable climbing and sliding, a swing or gym addition adds a different kind of movement: hanging, pulling, and swinging. A gym addition can turn a triangle ladder into a Swedish ladder with a horizontal bar, which opens up pull-ups and hangs. A swing adds motion and vestibular input, which many children seek.

The trade-off is ceiling or wall attachment. Swings and some gym additions need a secure mounting point. If you rent or cannot drill into a wall or ceiling, check what your base already supports before buying. A rope ladder that hangs from an existing bar may be a simpler option.

• Best next add-on for: children who already climb confidently and need a new challenge.
• Check first: mounting points, ceiling height, and whether your base accepts the accessory.

Step 3: Comfort and creativity extras

Cushions, art add-ons, and similar extras are not about movement. They make the play space more comfortable or more creative, which matters for longer play sessions. A cushion can turn a climbing frame into a reading nook. An art add-on can turn a slide board into a drawing surface.

These are usually the last purchases because they do not unlock new physical skills. That said, if your child is younger or less physical, a cushion may be the most useful first add-on because it makes the base safer and more inviting. Buy comfort extras when you notice your child avoiding the set or losing interest.

• Buy comfort extras when: your child uses the set for short bursts or needs a softer landing.
• Buy art extras when: your child enjoys drawing and you want the set to serve more than one activity.

How to decide when you are unsure

If two add-ons seem equally good, choose the one that requires the least new setup. A slide board that attaches to your existing triangle is easier than a swing that needs a ceiling mount. If setup is equal, choose the one that matches a movement your child already attempts, such as hanging or sliding.

You can also think in terms of years of use. A gym addition that adds a horizontal bar can stay useful as your child grows. A cushion may be outgrown or moved to a bed. Neither is wrong, but the gym addition usually serves a wider age range.

• Tie-breaker 1: choose the add-on with simpler installation.
• Tie-breaker 2: choose the add-on that matches a movement your child already tries.
• Tie-breaker 3: choose the add-on that will still be useful in two years.

Decision rules for buying playset add-ons

• No base yet: Buy a base set that includes the movements your child is ready for. A 1-year-old may only need a low triangle and cushion; a 3-year-old may use a slide board and swing. Do not buy standalone add-ons before you own something they attach to.
• Base owned, child climbs but does not slide: Add a slide board or ramp first. It extends a movement your child already does and is usually simpler to install than a swing. Choose the add-on that requires the least new setup.
• Base owned, child climbs and slides confidently: Add a gym addition or swing next. These introduce hanging, pulling, and swinging, which are new skills rather than repeats. Check mounting points and ceiling height before buying.
• Child loses interest or plays in short bursts: Add a comfort or art extra, such as a cushion or art add-on. These do not teach new physical skills but can extend play time. Buy these last unless your child is younger or less physical.
• Two add-ons seem equally good: Pick the one with simpler installation, the one that matches a movement your child already attempts, or the one that will still be useful in two years. If you are still unsure, wait one month and see which movement your child repeats.

Goodevas add-ons that fit this order

• Gym Addition to the Climbing Ladders: This accessory transforms your triangle ladder into a multi-functional Swedish ladder equipped with a horizontal bar, and it can be integrated with Goodevas gymnastic rings, disc swing, or the rope ladder. It is a strong second or third purchase because it adds pulling and hanging movements and works with several other add-ons you may already own.
• Climbing rope ladder for kids 3-9 y.o.: The Goodevas Rope Ladder is designed to promote physical health and enhance the vestibular system, and it can be hung on a horizontal bar, a tree, or incorporated into a playhouse. It is a flexible add-on if you already have a bar or tree, and it suits older children who are ready for a hanging challenge.
• 5in1 Montessori Climbing Set: Pikler Triangle, Arch, Slide Board, Art Addition and Cushion for Toddlers (1–3 Years): This set includes a Pikler triangle, arch, slide board, art addition, and cushion, and is described as a tool for children aged 1 to 3 to enhance cognitive, emotional, and physical growth, muscle strength, balance, and hand-eye coordination. If you are starting from scratch, this bundle already covers the first three steps in this guide, so you may not need to buy add-ons separately.
• Wooden Swedish Wall / Climbing ladder for Children + Swing Set + Slide Board + Art Add-on: This set includes a triangle ladder and is described as a curated assembly of Montessori-inspired play equipment that can be rearranged as your child's abilities evolve. It is a good base if you want a wall-mounted option that already includes a swing and slide board, leaving fewer add-ons to buy later.

Who this buying order fits

Best for

• Parents who already own a climbing frame or Swedish wall and want to add one accessory at a time.
• Families with children aged 1 to 3 who want to match add-ons to current skills rather than age alone.
• Buyers who prefer a clear sequence over buying a large bundle all at once.

Not for

• Parents who want a single all-in-one set and do not plan to buy add-ons separately.
• Households with no secure wall or ceiling mounting point for swings or gym additions.
• Buyers looking for a specific product review or comparison of two named add-ons.

Buy the base first, then add one movement at a time: slide board, then swing or gym addition, then comfort and art extras. If you are starting fresh, a bundle like the 5in1 Montessori Climbing Set already covers the early steps. Match each purchase to a skill your child is ready for, and you will get more use from every add-on.