How to Tie a Tire Swing

A tire swing is a "must have" for summer fun.

Lazy summer days are the perfect time to enjoy a tire swing. Setting up a tire swing for the kids is easy and inexpensive, and it gets the kids outdoors. Give your family this great way to build happy summer memories and enjoy your garden.

Things You'll Need

• A used car or truck tire
• Garden hose
• Towel rag
• Hand or power drill
• 3/4-inch polypropylene rope
• 2-foot length of rubber tubing 1 inch or more in diameter
• Utility knife
• A high branching tree
• Ladder
• Chair or table

Instructions

1. Clean the tire with the garden hose, inside and out, using the rag to wipe out any debris if necessary. Set aside and allow to dry inside and out.

2. Drill a hole in the bottom of the tire, to prevent water accumulation.

3. Measure the width of the tree branch you plan to use; it should be at least 6 inches in diameter and healthy, showing signs of growth, and coming out somewhat perpendicular from the tree. Measure the height of the branch from the ground.

4. Measure out the length of rope. Allow 30 feet of rope for a branch 10 feet off the ground; that is, double the length from the ground to the branch and add 10 feet for tying.

5. Bring the ends of the rope together. Put the loop end of the rope through the tire and bring the rope ends through the loop, securing the tire to the rope and giving you two equal pieces of rope to work with.

6. 

   A simple rope knot

   Hold the two pieces of rope as one rope, and tie a simple knot in it, leaving a two-rope tail to tie around the branch. Position the knot so it will be almost up to the tree branch, allowing the tire to swing one to two feet off the ground, depending on the age and height of your children.

7. Cut the rubber tubing into two 1-foot lengths. Run each rope tail through the tubing.

8. Place the tire on the chair or table, or have a helper hold it for you. Climb the ladder to the branch, taking the rope with you. Put each rope end over the branch, one going one way and the other the opposite way. Position the portion of the ropes covered with rubber tubing over the branch to protect it from excess chaffing.

9. 

   Tire swings are for summer dreams.

   Bring the rope ends down under the knot in the rope and tie in a sailor's knot.

Tips & Warnings

• Take the swing down for winter and store it for the next year.

• Young children should always be supervised when playing on a tire swing. A swinging tire is heavy and can knock over a small child.

References

• Tollesbury Sailing Club: Knots
• Mother Earth News: Swing Into Fall With a Tree Swing; John Vivian; 1992

Resources

• This Old House - How to Build a Tree Swing