How to Build a Funhouse Walkway

Use springs to make a challenging obstacle.

Funhouses are attractions at fairgrounds and amusement parks where the visitors face a number of obstacles and challenges. Visitors must negotiate tricky balancing problems, such as jets of air, distorted mirrors and other features that disorient and unbalance the participant. One common feature is the unstable walkway that shifts or wobbles as the patron walks across it. If you are a real fan of these kinds of challenges, then you can build one yourself.

Things You'll Need

• 2 x 8-inch lumber
• 2 x 4-inch lumber
• Tenon saw
• Flat-ended, heavy-duty compression springs with holes in the ends
• Strong hinges
• Screwdriver
• Drill
• Screws
• Square brackets
• Flat brackets

Instructions

1. Cut two 12 foot-long lengths of 2 x 8-inch lumber. Lay them parallel and join them together with flat brackets and screws. Lay eight flat brackets along the gap between the planks and screw them into place. This forms the base.

2. Cut a further two lengths of 2 x 8 lumber. Lay them on their narrow edges and press one to each side of the joined planks. They will stand up perpendicular to the base. Place square brackets along the joins between the planks and screw into place.

3. Cut 35 lengths of 2 x 4, each 15 1/2 inches long. Stand two springs up on each length of lumber. Place the first piece of lumber between the two sections of 2 x 8 that are lying on their edges. Screw the free ends of the springs down onto the 2 x 8's that are lying flat.

4. Position the next piece of 2 x 4 next to the first. Join the underside of these pieces using a pair of hinges, one at each end. Open the hinges and screw one side to one section of lumber and the other side to the other. Screw the free ends of the springs to the 2 x 8 beneath the 2 x 4. This way, when one section is stepped on it will pull the other down with it but the two sections can can wobble up and down in relation to each other.

5. Continue laying the sections of 2 x 4, one after another, joining each piece to the previous by a pair of hinges and joining the bottom of the screws to the base. Keep a gap of a quarter of an inch between each section.

6. Cut two sections of 2 x 8 to a length of 20 inches. Lay them on their edges at each end of the walkway. Fix them against the existing sections of 2 x 8 with screws. Fix them to the sprung sections of 2 x 4 with a pair of hinges. You should have something that looks like a long, rectangular box with the lid in many sections. As you walk along the walkway it will wobble and compress.

Tips & Warnings

• Check every time you use the walkway that all the screws and hinges are well secured. If the pieces come apart and a foot slips down between the spring sections of the walkway, it could cause injury.

References

• Big Florida Country: Mystery Funhouse
• Playforce: Playground Bridge