Our picks at a glance
- #1
- #2
Hyponix Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course for Kids (details below)
- #3
Hapfan 50 ft Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Swing Set for Kids Outside (details below)
- #4
Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course for Kids Backyard (details below)
- #5
- #6
For most yards I’d buy the Trailblaze 2 x 55 ft kit: two lines, 10 obstacles, a 450-pound rating and a 5-year warranty, the longest warranty listed here. For the most obstacles and the highest rating, get the Hyponix Gorilla Line (13 obstacles, 880 pounds). If a preschooler will be out there too, the Hapfan kit adds a saucer swing.
A backyard ninja course is a ratcheted strap (a slackline) between two trees, with monkey bars, rings, ropes and nets clipped along it. Every tree distance, age and weight limit below is the maker’s own number.
In a hurry?
Here’s how the six picks compare. The details for each are below.
| Kit | Best for | Lines | Weight limit | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trailblaze 2 x 55 ft Ninja Warrior CourseCheck at Amazon: Trailblaze 2 x 55 ft Ninja Warrior Course | Our pick for most yards | 2 x 55 ft | 450 lb | 5 and up |
| Hyponix Gorilla Line 2 x 60 ftCheck at Amazon: Hyponix Gorilla Line 2 x 60 ft | The most obstacles | 2 x 60 ft | 880 lb | 5 to 12 |
| Hapfan 50 ft Ninja Course with Saucer SwingCheck at Amazon: Hapfan 50 ft Ninja Course with Saucer Swing | Mixed ages | 1 x 50 ft | 880 lb (250 lb per obstacle) | 3 to 10 |
| Dripex 2 x 50 ft Ninja CourseCheck at Amazon: Dripex 2 x 50 ft Ninja Course | The widest mix of obstacles | 2 x 50 ft | 400 lb | Over 4 |
| Gentle Booms Sports 2 x 56 ft Ninja CourseCheck at Amazon: Gentle Booms Sports 2 x 56 ft Ninja Course | Changing the layout often | 2 x 56 ft | 600 lb (brand also says 900) | 5 and up |
| Perantlb 60 ft Ninja LineCheck at Amazon: Perantlb 60 ft Ninja Line | Trees 30 to 48 ft apart | 1 x 60 ft | 440 lb | Not listed |
On this page
How to Choose a Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course
Measure your trees first
Tree spacing rules out more kits than anything else. Trailblaze, Hyponix and Gentle Booms want 15 to 45 feet between trees (Hyponix and Gentle Booms also allow posts or poles).
Perantlb needs 30 to 48 feet. Hapfan’s rule: both trunk circumferences, plus the gap between the trees, plus 3 feet for the ratchet, must total 50 feet or less.
A tight line pulls hard on its anchors, so use sturdy trees (Perantlb puts the minimum at 2,200 pounds of force per anchor). The CPSC’s home playground handbook also wants play equipment at least 6 feet from trees and a play area free of stumps, roots and low branches, so I’d hang the end obstacles at least 6 feet in from each trunk.
One line or two
Four of the six kits come with two lines. Trailblaze says to run the second at foot height so a beginner can stand while reaching, then remove it as the child gets stronger. Hapfan and Perantlb are single lines.
Weight limits and ages
Weight ratings cover the whole line, so add up every child on it at once. With two boys of different ages, that total is the first number I’d check.
Hapfan’s is the only listing here with a per-obstacle limit (250 pounds). Where a listing gives two numbers, I use the lower one.
The CPSC’s public playground handbook (Pub. 325) says 4-year-olds are generally the youngest children able to use upper-body equipment like overhead ladders and rings. For a 3-year-old, I’d stick to the swing and save the bars and rings for later.
How high to hang it, and what goes underneath
I didn’t find a hanging height on any of these listings. The best yardstick I know is CPSC Pub. 325: overhead ladders and rings no more than 60 inches from the middle of the grip to the surfacing for 4- and 5-year-olds, and 84 inches for school-age kids.
It’s written for public playgrounds, but the logic carries over. Measure before anyone hangs on the line, since it only drops from there.
Underneath, the CPSC’s Outdoor Home Playground Safety Handbook (Pub. 324) says grass and dirt don’t count as protective surfacing. It calls for at least 9 inches of wood mulch, engineered wood fiber or shredded rubber mulch under equipment up to 8 feet high, running at least 6 feet past the equipment in every direction.
Nets and swings
Four of these kits include a climbing net. If you’d rather make one for a playset or treehouse, here’s how to make a climbing cargo net.
The CPSC handbook also notes that the home playground standard (ASTM F1148) no longer lets swings or trapeze bars hang from monkey bars, so a child who drops from the bars can’t land on something moving. A ninja line isn’t a swing set, but I’d still hang any swing at one end, away from the monkey bars.
Buying one as a gift
Order early and check the delivery date on Amazon before you count on it for Christmas. These kits pack into a bag, so one is easy to hide. In a cold state, plan on hanging it in spring.
The 6 Best Ninja Warrior Obstacle Courses for Kids
1. Trailblaze 2 x 55 ft Ninja Warrior Course
This is the kit I’d buy for most yards: two 55-foot lines, 10 obstacles from monkey bars to a cargo net, tree protectors and a carry bag. Trailblaze says it goes up in under 30 minutes with no tools, its 5-year warranty is the longest listed here, and the lower line gives beginners somewhere to stand.
Two catches: the 450-pound rating is lower than Hyponix, Hapfan or Gentle Booms, and the listing says 5 and up in the text but 6 and up in its details table.
| Spec | From the listing |
|---|---|
| Lines | 2 x 55 ft, with ratchet |
| Obstacles | 10: 2 monkey bars, 2 rings, monkey fist, seat swing, ninja wheel, rope ladder, cargo net |
| Weight limit | 450 lb for the whole line |
| Ages | 5 and up (details table: 6 and up) |
| Tree spacing | 15 to 45 ft |
| Setup | Under 30 minutes, no tools (brand’s figure) |
| Kit weight | 12.2 lb |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Best for a first ninja line for kids 5 and up, in a yard with two trees 15 to 45 feet apart.
Pros
- 5-year warranty, the longest listed here
- Lower foot line helps beginners
- No tools needed
Cons
- Lower weight rating than Hyponix, Hapfan or Gentle Booms
- The listing disagrees with itself on ages
Verdict The best all-round kit here, with the warranty to back it.
2. Hyponix Gorilla Line 2 x 60 ft
Hyponix packs the most into one box: two 60-foot lines and 13 obstacles, including a climbing net, rings, rope knots and monkey bars. At 880 pounds it ties Hapfan for the highest rating here, and it hangs between trees or posts 15 to 45 feet apart.
Its monkey bars are 1.25 inches thick, inside the 1 to 1.5 inch range the CPSC suggests for rungs young hands grip. Mind the age: the text says 3 and up, but the box and photos say 5 to 12. I’d go with 5.
| Spec | From the listing |
|---|---|
| Lines | 2 x 60 ft, with ratchets |
| Obstacles | 13, including a climbing net, rings, rope knots and monkey bars |
| Weight limit | 880 lb for the whole set |
| Ages | 5 to 12 on the box and photos (text says 3 and up) |
| Tree spacing | 15 to 45 ft (trees or posts) |
| Monkey bars | 1.25 in thick |
| Kit weight | 25 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years (brand’s chart) |
Best for bigger families, and kids who have outgrown a starter line.
Pros
- 13 obstacles, the most here
- 880 lb rating
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Age range conflicts (3 and up vs 5 to 12)
- The listing text doesn’t name all 13 obstacles
- Heaviest listed kit weight (25 lb)
Verdict The pick for a crowd, or for a child ready for more than a starter kit.
3. Hapfan 50 ft Ninja Course with Saucer Swing
Hapfan’s kit suits a family with a wide age spread. One 50-foot line carries a 32-inch saucer swing, a rope ladder, two monkey bars, four rings, a ninja wheel and a climbing net.
The set is rated for 880 pounds and each obstacle for 250. Hapfan lists ages 3 to 10 and calls the set ASTM certified without naming the standard.
Hang the saucer at one end, away from the monkey bars, or give it its own branch with proper heavy-duty tree swing straps.
| Spec | From the listing |
|---|---|
| Line | 1 x 50 ft, with ratchet |
| Obstacles | 32 in saucer swing, rope ladder, 2 monkey bars, 2 triangle rings, 2 round rings, ninja wheel, climbing net |
| Weight limit | 880 lb for the set; 250 lb per obstacle |
| Ages | 3 to 10 (details table; bullets say 3 to 12) |
| Tree fit | Both trunk circumferences + distance between trees + 3 ft = 50 ft or less |
| Also included | 2 tree protectors, carry bag |
| Kit weight | 22.6 lb |
| Warranty | Not listed |
Best for a preschooler and an older sibling sharing one line.
Pros
- The saucer swing gives little kids a way in
- Per-obstacle weight limit listed
- A clear formula for tree fit
Cons
- Single line, no lower foot line
- No warranty listed
- Small parts: the listing says not for children under 3
Verdict The one to buy when a younger sibling wants a turn too.
4. Dripex 2 x 50 ft Ninja Course
Dripex has the widest mix of obstacle types: two 50-foot lines with a swing, a trapeze swing, a rope ladder, a climbing net, monkey fists, rings, monkey bars and a 1.2-meter arm trainer, plus four tree protectors (per its box list, though the bullets differ on a few parts).
Its limits are the lowest here: 400 pounds, and “over 4 years old” in the bullets (3 to 12 in the details table). Dripex also warns against leaving it out in sun and rain for long or storing it damp.
| Spec | From the listing |
|---|---|
| Lines | 2 x 50 ft, with 2 ratchets |
| Obstacles | Swing, trapeze, rope ladder, climbing net, 2 monkey fists, 2 rings, 2 monkey bars, 1.2 m arm trainer |
| Weight limit | 400 lb |
| Ages | Over 4 (details table: 3 to 12) |
| Tree spacing | Not listed |
| Also included | 4 tree protectors (3.3 ft), carry bag |
| Kit weight | 10.7 kg (about 23.6 lb) |
| Warranty | 1 year on parts |
Best for kids who get bored fast and want a different grip every few feet.
Pros
- Widest mix of obstacle types
- Four tree protectors in the box
- Clear care and pre-use check instructions
Cons
- 400 lb, the lowest rating here
- Not meant to stay outside for long stretches
- No tree spacing listed
Verdict The most variety per foot of line, for lighter loads.
5. Gentle Booms Sports 2 x 56 ft Ninja Course
Gentle Booms’ selling point is its buckles, which clip onto the line anywhere without threading the strap through from the end, so a new layout takes less work. You get two 56-foot lines, 8 hanging obstacles and a carry bag. It goes between sturdy trees or poles about 15 to 45 feet apart.
Weight is messy: this listing’s chart says 900 pounds, the brand’s chart on its 65-foot kit says 600 for this set, and I’d plan on 600. No warranty is stated on this listing.
| Spec | From the listing |
|---|---|
| Lines | 2 x 56 ft |
| Obstacles | 8, including monkey bars, rings, a monkey fist and a rope ladder |
| Weight limit | 600 lb on one brand chart, 900 lb on another |
| Ages | 5 and up (brand’s chart) |
| Tree spacing | About 15 to 45 ft, trees or poles (one photo: 15 to 50 ft) |
| Buckles | Clip on anywhere, no threading |
| Kit weight | Not listed |
| Warranty | Not listed on this listing |
Best for parents who’ll rearrange the course often as kids get stronger.
Pros
- Clip-on buckles make layout changes quick
- Two lines
- Carry bag included
Cons
- Conflicting weight numbers
- Fewest obstacles of the two-line kits
- No warranty on this listing
Verdict The easiest course to reconfigure. Plan on 600 pounds.
6. Perantlb 60 ft Ninja Line
Perantlb is the single-line kit for trees that stand far apart: 30 to 48 feet. It’s also the only listing here with an anchor-strength number (at least 2,200 pounds of force per anchor).
One 60-foot line carries 8 pieces, including monkey fists, rings, a trapeze bar and a rope ladder, with tree protectors and a carry bag. It’s rated for 440 pounds, the listing claims CPC (Children’s Product Certificate) compliance, and it has a 1-year warranty. No age range is listed, so I’d go by the CPSC guidance above.
| Spec | From the listing |
|---|---|
| Line | 1 x 60 ft, with ratchet |
| Obstacles | 8, including monkey fists, rings, a trapeze bar and a rope ladder |
| Weight limit | 440 lb |
| Ages | Not listed |
| Anchor spacing | 30 to 48 ft |
| Anchor strength | Each must withstand at least 2,200 lb of force |
| Also included | Tree protectors, carry bag |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Best for yards where the only good trees are 30 to 48 feet apart.
Pros
- Fits wide tree spacing
- States a minimum anchor strength
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- No age range listed
- Single line, no lower foot line
- Won’t work with trees closer than 30 feet
Verdict Buy it for the tree spacing, not the obstacle count.
Safety Tips for a Backyard Ninja Line
The CPSC counts about 50,000 ER visits a year from home playground equipment, and about 80% of those injuries are falls. Children have also died after getting tangled in ropes and cords on play equipment.
- Stay close. The CPSC says to always supervise, and Trailblaze, Hyponix and Dripex call for adult supervision.
- Check it before every session. Trailblaze and Dripex ask for a check of every attachment before play, and the CPSC says to replace frayed ropes right away.
- Secure hanging ropes. The CPSC says to secure both ends of climbing ropes per the maker’s instructions, and never to tie jump ropes, leashes or other cords to play equipment.
- No bike helmets or drawstrings. The CPSC warns that children have been strangled by helmet chinstraps caught on play sets, and says to remove clothing drawstrings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high should a ninja warrior line be?
The listings don’t say. The CPSC’s public playground handbook caps overhead ladders and rings at 60 inches from grip to surfacing for ages 4 and 5, and 84 inches for school-age kids.
What age is a ninja warrior obstacle course for?
Most of these makers say 4 or 5 and up. Hapfan and the Hyponix text say 3. The CPSC says 4-year-olds are generally the youngest children able to use monkey bars and rings.
Can you leave a ninja line up all winter?
Trailblaze says to store its course dry when it’s not in use or in severe weather, and Dripex warns against long spells in sun and rain. I’d take it down in late fall.
Can you set up a ninja course without trees?
Hyponix, Gentle Booms and Perantlb allow posts or poles, but none gives a post spec beyond Perantlb’s 2,200 pounds of force, so I wouldn’t improvise one.
My Pick
For most yards I’d get the Trailblaze, the Hyponix for a crowd, and the Hapfan if a preschooler needs a swing. Whichever you pick, measure your trees before you order.
Next, read my free obstacle course activity planners to build a ground-level course around the line.
Please be careful and use at your own risk
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