REVIEW: Playtive Wooden Baby Swing (2026 from Lidl)

Review by Jon Donnis

The “Middle of Lidl” has a habit of pulling you in with things you never planned to buy, and this was one of those moments. A routine shop turned into an impulse purchase when I spotted the Playtive Wooden Baby Swing sitting there for just £15. With my wife and our eight month old in tow, it felt like one of those low risk, why not decisions. A quick look at an already opened box suggested it was solid enough, so into the trolley it went. I also showed the box to the baby, and she made a noise of approval.

Back home, or rather at my parents’ house where a garden full of sturdy trees offered the ideal setup, it was time to see if this bargain would actually deliver. The first pleasant surprise comes with the unboxing. There is very little effort required. The swing is largely pre assembled, with only minor rope adjustments needed to free everything from the packaging and get it into shape. The cushion ties on easily, and within minutes it is ready to hang.

Once we had it secured to a suitable branch, the real test began. Getting a baby into anything new can go either way, usually with a bit of protest at first. This time though, there was none of that. She sat calmly, took in her surroundings, and with a gentle push, quickly moved from curiosity to full blown enjoyment. The laughter and giggles said more than any product description ever could. It is one thing for something to look the part, but if the child enjoys it, that is what really counts.

In terms of build quality, it feels reassuringly well made. The wooden frame is solid, with no rough edges or obvious weak points, and the ropes feel strong enough to inspire confidence. There is no sense that it might give way or struggle under normal use. It does exactly what you want from something like this, which is to feel safe without you having to constantly second guess it.

That said, it is not perfect. The main omission is the lack of carabiners or any quick attachment system. Given the British weather, leaving something like this permanently hanging outside is not ideal. It would have been far more convenient to have a simple clip on and off setup straight out of the box. As it stands, you will likely need to source your own solution, whether that is carabiners, chains, or something similar. It is not a deal breaker, but it does feel like a missed opportunity for an otherwise thoughtful product.

At £15, it is hard to argue with the value on offer. As with most “Middle of Lidl” finds, availability is limited and tied to rotation, so it is very much a case of grabbing it when you see it. For a simple baby swing, it delivers far more than the price might suggest. While the recommended age starts at one year, our slightly younger tester clearly approved, though constant supervision is essential.

Overall, it is a purchase that feels both practical and enjoyable. In a time when every pound counts, finding something affordable that genuinely delivers is always welcome. Lidl has managed that here once again.

I would give the Playtive Wooden Baby Swing a strong 9 out of 10. With a simple addition like included carabiners, it would have been very close to perfect.

Find it at your local Lidl for about £15.