How to Make Teeter Totter
The playground offers worlds of fun for children because of the unique array of playground equipment. However, it's not always convenient to run down to the park when your kids want to play. If you would like to bring some elements of the playground to your house, consider making your own seesaw. You can learn how to make a teeter totter and complete the project in one day. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 2 window wells
- 20 12-inch stakes
- Hammer
- Drill
- 6-¼ by ¾-inch machine bolts
- Bolt cutters
- Saw
- 20 feet of 2 by 10 inch wood
- Sandpaper
- Wood screws
- Tape measure
Instructions
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1
Lay the first window well on the ground so the arch rises up out of the ground. Drive foot-long stakes into the ground through each hole already drilled in the window well.
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2
Place a second window well over the first one for added support. Secure it to the ground using more stakes through the predrilled holes.
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3
Drill six ¼-inch holes through the window wells. Drill the first hole on the bottom edge of the arch right above the flanged edges. Drill a second hole on the other end of your first hole, then add a third hole at the edge of the metal on top of the arch. Drill three more holes in these same locations on the opposite side of the window wells.
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4
Thread ¼ by ¾ inch machine bolts through each of these six holds. Cut the excess thread.
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5
Make the teeter totter seat using a 10 foot section of 2 by 10 inch wood. Choose a wood that can withstand the outdoors. Sand the edges so little fingers don't get splinters while riding the teeter totter.
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Add two blocks to the bottom of the seat to keep it from rolling off the window wells. Using another piece of 2 by 10 inch wood, cut two blocks that are each 2 inches long. Measure the center point of your seat, then place these blocks at equal distance from the center where they'll allow the teeter totter to move up and down.
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7
Install wooden handles by cutting additional blocks and securing them to the seat if you want your children to have this option. However, skipping handles will allow the children to move towards and away the center of the teeter totter as needed. This feature allows larger children to still be able to ride in the center of the teeter totter, and smaller children can ride towards the end on the other side.
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Balance the seat, with the blocks down, on the window well. Test it out, and make any necessary adjustments as needed.
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References
- Photo Credit daveheinze: stock.xchng
