Children's wooden swing
What do our children like to do the most on the street? Of course, swing on a swing. Rising above the earth and swaying, they present themselves as birds soaring in the sky. If you had a vacation and you decide to spend it outside the city in the country, then immediately there is a small problem, because you need to somehow take the child so that he does not get bored. Parents have to either buy children's wooden swings to give, or design them yourself.
If dad is confident in his abilities, then why not make a hanging swing out of wood with your own hands? Some models of wooden hanging swing can be hung even in the apartment. You can also bring a child to this activity. For children, you can find a lesson - to decorate or paint a swing from a tree.
The advantages of wood products
If you are considering options for what material to build a swing for children, we recommend you to opt for a tree. Of course, if you have a perfect welding machine and understand the properties of the metal, then you can create a super reliable and durable construction - a metal swing for children.
Perhaps you are considering the option of making swings for children from plastic. Immediately it should be noted that the plastic is not environmentally friendly and reliable, so it is better not to use it as a material for a swing.
Children's wooden swings have a number of advantages in comparison with other materials:
- The tree is an environmentally friendly material.
- Acceptable price for wood.
- You can easily find all the necessary materials on the market or in a hardware store.
- Children's wooden swing can be made simple design, which can handle even a novice master.
Location selection
Before you begin work on the production of children's wooden swings to give, determine the place where they will be.
Pay attention to the following points:
- Swings for children should be in such a place that you see the child, if you are in the house or on the street.
- Suspended children's swings should not be located next to the fence or wall, so that the child, after swinging on the swing, does not hit the structure.
- It is desirable that the place where there will be a swing for children, was in the shade. Then your child will be able to ride them even at lunch.
- It is necessary that the children's swing made of wood be away from drafts, thorny bushes or poisonous plants.
Preparatory work
Choosing a place where there will be children's wooden swings, level the platform, clean it from excess garbage. We recommend you to think over a design of a swing for children, being guided by age and growth of your child. Remember that the most important thing is the reliability and safety of the swing design for children.
Draw a sketch indicating the length of all the parts of the wooden swing. Evaluate what kind of fasteners you need (screws, hooks, loops, ropes or chains) and in what quantity. A sketch will help you correctly calculate all the necessary materials and save you from acquiring unnecessary elements.At the same time, you will clearly think up a model of a swing for children, so that in the process you don’t need to redo the insufficiently stable or unreliable construction of a children's wooden swing.
Manufacturing frame
If you have big trees with strong branches in your country house, you can make a hanging swing for children by attaching them to a tree branch. This is the easiest option, and the construction of the swing does not take you much time. The swings themselves should be very light so that the tree branch can support the weight of the swing and the child.
If you have not found a suitable tree in the country, or you want to make a more reliable and durable wooden frame, then you can use one of the following options.
Types of frames
There are several types of frames for children's hanging swing, which are distinguished by their stability, as well as the complexity of the design:
- The frame, resembling the letter "P" - is the simplest version of the frame for children's wooden swings. For its construction will also need less material. The only drawback of this design is that it is imperative to concrete the supports, otherwise your child runs the risk of falling along with the swings.
- The frame, resembling the letter "L" - this frame is more stable than the first option, it can not be concreted. On the frame in the form of the letter "L" you can not only hang a swing, but also make a corner for children.
- Frame, resembling the letter "X" - this frame is one of the varieties of the L-shaped frame. The only difference is that the parallel bars are attached to each other not at the junction, but slightly lower, somewhere at a distance of 15 or 20 cm from the top. In the place of crossing of vertical supports the crosspiece lays down. This is a fairly easy to manufacture type of frame. Do not forget to further strengthen it in the form of a side stop.
- Frame, resembling the letter "A" - this frame is considered the most reliable and stable, as it has an additional jumper, reinforcing it. Use the frame in the form of the letter "A" if you plan to fix on it not only a swing for children, but also a rope, a ladder or other elements for children's games.
Models
Here is where the flight of your fantasy is not limited. You can build a swing for children from scrap materials. The easiest option is to use a small plank or a solid stick. But you can build more original models of the swing. Connect to create your child's swing design, and then he will be happy to ride them.
Here are some simple, but at the same time creative ideas for creating a children's wooden swing:
- Swing made from wooden pallets. A wooden pallet, which could remain with you after construction, can be an excellent option for seating. Fasten a rope or chain on a pallet and attach it to the frame. You can combine two wooden pallets to get a swing with a back. If you sheathe such swings with foam rubber and cloth, then you can not only sit on the swings, but also lie down. Such a swing will appeal not only to children, but also to adults. For example, in the evening they will be able to lie down and rest from the active day.
- Swing made from an old wooden skateboard or a broken snowboard. If you had a stray old skate or a broken snowboard, which you were all going to throw away, but somehow did not reach out. Came his finest hour. Skate or snowboard will be the original swing seat. This sports equipment is characterized by increased durability and lightness, so you should not be afraid to put a child on such a swing. It is important to firmly attach such a seat to the frame and the ropes.If there are wheels on the old skateboard, then there will be no problems with the mount. Just make loops from the ropes and pass the skateboard in them: the wheels will be fixed with ropes and keep them from slipping.
- As a seat, you can use the old chair or chair. Just do not forget to cut off his legs, so as not to interfere with the child to ride on a swing.
- Rocking chairs can be used as an alternative to swings. This is a great option that can be placed in the apartment or used to give. Such swings for children are characterized by increased maneuverability, that is, the child can ride on it on the street, in the apartment, in the country. They are suitable even for very small children. But you should immediately draw your attention that this is one of the most difficult types of swing for independent production. The main difficulty is to make rounded runners. For the rocking chair for children, runners can be cut from thick plywood. First draw the outlines of the runners on the plywood, and then carefully cut them with a jigsaw. Handle all the edges with a file and sandpaper so that your child does not get hurt while riding on a swing.The swing seat is also made of plywood and attached to the runners on the metal corners. Work on this model of swing with the utmost care so that it does not turn out to be a curve.
Decoration
If you plan to use the swing to give on the street, then be sure to remember to soak the wood with special means to protect it from rapid destruction when interacting with rain and wind.
The final stage is the decoration of the finished swing. On the one hand, an interesting swing design will help to decorate your summer cottage, and on the other hand, it will protect the tree from environmental exposure.
You can paint the swing with bright colors, attract your child to this activity. You can leave prints of small palms, draw leaves, flowers, mushrooms, a variety of patterns that come to mind to you or your child. You can also use additional elements as a decor. Do not hold back your imagination, it will help you create a truly creative and extraordinary swing.
The main thing is safety
Constructing various models of children's wooden swings for giving or for riding in an apartment, do not forget that the most important thing is the reliability and safety of the swings.
- Use durable wood, such as oak, birch, spruce and other wood, characterized by high strength. Check that there are no flaws in the wood: cracks, knots or holes. After all, this causes not only comfortable riding of the child, but also ensures the safety of the baby. Pay attention to the strength of the rope or chain.
- All wooden parts of the swing should be well sanded, so that there are no sharp edges that can hurt the child or cause a splinter on his hands.
- Paint and other materials with which you treat wood should be safe and non-toxic so as not to harm your baby.
- Be sure to consider the age, weight and height of the child. For a small child, there should be slats on the front swing that will protect your baby from falling.
After the swings are ready, be sure to check them out for yourself. If the swing has sustained you, then it will withstand your child.
If you managed to create a children's wooden swing yourself, do not stop there. After all, so many different swings can still be created! Your child will appreciate your efforts and will be proud of you.