At all times, the best attraction for children was a swing. They develop sports skills in children, learn to communicate with peers in a playful way. An excellent example of this design is the balance swing. Such an attraction can be either purchased in a store or made independently. And in the latter case, involve children in the manufacturing process.
Design features
Carefully consider how the balancer swing works. The photo in the article will help you understand the design features. As you can see, making such an attraction with your own hands is completely uncomplicated.
Regardless of the design, the design operates according to the following principle. The movable base, which is a horizontal bar, is attached to the stand in the center. The ride is driven by the kids. They sit on the edges of the bar and kick off the ground.
Planning stage
Before making a balancing swing with your own hands, it is important to consider such points:
- When creating an attraction, pay attention to the mandatory requirements. The swing should be perfectly sanded and carefully fixed so as not to cause injuries to children.
- An attraction can be created from a wide variety of materials: plastic, wood, metal. Of course, you should definitely consider for whom the balancing swing is intended. Plastic is an excellent material for an attraction, suitable for the smallest children. Older children are more likely to swing from wood or metal. If you choose durable material, then even adults can ride on such an attraction.
- Be sure to take care of the safety of children. To do this, on the edges of the movable crossbar should be equipped with seats and draw handrails.
- If in the yard or at the cottage a lot of kids are going to ride, it is necessary to increase the length of the bar. So you can arrange 2 seats on both sides.
- To simplify the swaying of the kids, it is recommended to attach under the crossbar on both sides along the spring support. Such a part can be taken from the shock absorber of the car.
And do not forget that your balancer-swing is made for children. Therefore, be sure to connect your imagination and all your skills to create an amazing attraction. For example, the kids will be delighted with seats decorated in the form of cars or animals.
Simplest option
First, let's look at how to make the lightest model. Even a novice master can make such a balancing swing with his own hands .
They will need boards, logs and a metal rod. This material is almost always at hand.
Manufacturing technology:
- For a rack, select a thick log whose length is approximately 50 cm. The swing range depends on its diameter.
- Lay the log horizontally. To give it stability, beat on a bar on both sides. This will save the log from rolling on the surface of the earth.
- For a horizontal crossbar, it is better to take a board about 2.5-3 m long.
- So that during swinging it does not move along the log, it is necessary to fix it. To do this, drill a hole in the center of the board. Secure the crossbar to the rack with a metal pin.
- Along the edges of the board, across, nail wooden handles. The kids will hold on to them while riding.
Production does not take much time and does not require much effort. Now consider how to make a more complex model.
Necessary materials and tools
So, if you decide to make a balancing swing from a tree with your own hands, then you need to stock up on the following:
- thick bar for racks about 130 cm long;
- board for a crossbeam not less than 15 cm wide, more than 120 cm long;
- 3 aluminum or iron tubes (one of them should be wide);
- stainless steel sheet;
- screws;
- saw;
- hammer;
- screwdriver;
- drill;
- nails
- sledgehammer;
- scissors for iron.
Progress
Let's consider in stages how the balancing swing is made:
- Measure the board designed for the crossbar with a tape measure. Divide the result by 2. So you will find the middle of the board. Mark up with a marker.
- Prepare two strips of the same size. Fasten them to the ends of the board with screws. This will protect the child from slipping off the bar while swinging.
- Now we turn to the manufacture of handles for holding. To do this, it is necessary to saw off the same rails. They will need 4 pieces. In each of them, on one side, holes are drilled in the center.
- Take the iron tubes. Those that are smaller. Insert the tube into the holes of each pair of rails. You have got 2 wonderful handles for holding.
- Now they need to be attached to the crossbar. To do this, back off about 35 cm from the edge of the board on one side and the other. Such a distance is quite enough for the child to sit comfortably. On the measured interval, it is necessary to fix the handles made with screws.
- In order to ensure better strength for such holders, it is recommended to fasten the rails with a wooden plank near the board in front.
- We proceed to the manufacture of the rack. A bar is used for it. It must be very durable. If you took a beam, the dimensions of which are 130 cm, then use a saw to saw it in half.
- Using a sledgehammer, drive the racks into the ground. For better strength, they can be strengthened with concrete or stones. Be sure to consider the dimensions of both the crossbar itself and the iron pipe.
- Cut a sheet of stainless iron into 2 pieces. They will be a pipe mount. Turn the board over. In the middle (marked with a marker), lay the pipe. Lock on top with pieces of stainless iron. Securely fasten with screws.
- Now you need to fix the tube with the board on the racks. Use nails for this.
If desired, the balancing swing can be painted. Bright, beautiful attraction causes a lot of positive emotions in children. And do not forget that such a swing can be very original decorated, giving them a completely unusual and even fabulous look.
Conclusion
Your kids will appreciate the swing made just for them. The creation process is simple. As a rule, no more than 1 hour is spent on their manufacture. But the delight and joy that they bring to the children will touch you for a long time.