Options for children's toys
It is almost impossible to list the types of swings. They are made from any materials that can be found around the house. Conventionally, three options can be distinguished:
- portable;
- domestic;
- for the street.
Each of the above types has its own design features.
The simplest swing
The bungee is used by children of kindergarten age. You can swing on it while sitting on the bar or standing on it with your feet. Such hanging children's swings are attached with reliable ropes or rope to thick tree branches.
The board on which children swing should not exceed one and a half meters, since a fall from a 2-3 meter height is considered dangerous.
The process of assembling a swing for children at the dacha
Frameless
The simplest products are frameless hanging models. In order to place them, find a strong tree with spreading branches in your area.
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For the seat, a chipboard board, an old skateboard, a chair without legs, or any other object that you can adapt to it will work. Drill holes in each corner. Then sand the surface to make sure there are no splinters on it. If you wish, you can paint it. A coat of paint will provide additional protection and extend the life of the board.
After this, throw two ropes over the tree branch. Pass the four loose ends through the drilled holes and tie strong knots under the resulting seat.
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When using chains, hooks are screwed into the seat to which the links are attached.
Pre-pull the chains through the heat shrink tubing. After installation, the tubes must be placed at the level of the child’s hands and secured to the chain using fire. This way you will protect your little family member's fingers from getting caught in the links.
Hammock swing
Children will really love the cozy hammock, which also does not require the manufacture of frame stands.
To make a hammock, you only need a piece of fabric (preferably with a bright print), a rope and a crossbar.
Fold the material in half and stitch all the raw edges. Then fold a few centimeters of fabric on the left and right sides and stitch to create space inside for the rope. Thread it into the resulting grooves.
Next, you need to drill holes along the edges of the wooden crossbar and insert the ropes there. To prevent it from “driving” at the top and bottom, secure the rope with knots.
The ends of the ropes must be tied into a knot and tied to a tree. You can also insert a steel carabiner into this unit, and then attach the workpiece to a metal frame. This gives you a portable option that can easily be folded up and stored away in bad weather or when you're away.
Hammock made of hoops
If you are proficient in the macrame technique, then you can easily make a hammock, the frame for which will be two ordinary metal hoops.
The hoops must be tightly fastened together and the pattern must be woven. You can hang such a hammock either on a tree or on a special frame. The fabric is also good for a hoop. Just wrap it and sew all the edges.
Pallet swing
A more substantial type, which is best installed on crossbars dug into the ground.
The crossbars can be four long wooden bars or iron poles crossed in pairs. If you choose wood, then treat the lower part of the structure with a primer.
After you have secured the pieces together, you can begin preparing the soil. You need to dig holes in the ground at least 30 centimeters deep. Fill them with concrete and gravel, then place the support there. Leave the product until the solution has completely hardened.
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At this time, you can start preparing a place to rest. Take several wooden pallets, clean them of dirt, sand them and treat them with a special solution to prevent the development of mold and insects. For added protection, paint or varnish them.
Connect two pallets at right angles of 90 degrees using metal fasteners. Attach thick bars to the bottom of the pallets at the joints. They will serve as a good support and prevent the structure from breaking. As a result, you will get a kind of chair.
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Next, drill a hole in each slate and thread a strong synthetic rope through it. Secure the bottom of the rope with large knots so that they do not fly out of the holes.
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Weave the fastenings together or leave each thread separately, thread the ends into carabiners and secure them to the previously prepared support.
The matter remains only with textiles. Place soft mattresses, throw colorful pillows and make this place truly cozy.
Country attraction
Making a swing for a summer house with your own hands, even for an inexperienced “builder”, will not be difficult.
The material can be racks made of wood or metal. The racks are connected by a jumper, and the resulting U-shaped structure is buried in the ground to a depth of one meter and properly strengthened.
The disadvantage of this design is its poor stability and rapid loosening when swinging. The structure will gain greater stability if both side posts consist of two pillars.
DIY wooden swing for children
Since it is not always possible to find a durable tree on your own site, and it is a shame to spoil it, it is better to immediately take care of a durable structure for placing the swing. If you do not have the skills to work with metal, the best option would be to build from wood. In this case, you can use both prepared lumber (timber, round logs, boards) and improvised material - trunks and branches of cut trees cleared of bark (or even not debarked). In the second case, you should definitely check the prepared parts for rot, mold, cracks and other defects.
Depending on the chosen design (A-shaped or U-shaped), the base of the structure is prepared:
- racks - one (for U-shaped) or two (for A-shaped) parts;
- a crossbar that will serve as a place for hanging the swing;
- additional tie bars (optional);
- the swing itself with hanging elements (rope or chains).
One of the simplest and most stable do-it-yourself wooden swings for children is shown in the diagram below.
Here, the A-shaped side elements have two additional connections - at the very top (a gusset made of metal or wood, secured to the wood with self-tapping screws) and a bar approximately in the middle of the height. To strengthen the structure, braces are also used to connect the gusset and cross member. The legs of the supports are buried in the ground to a depth of 30...50 cm, and it is advisable to concrete them. Thus, to the height of the swing indicated in the sketch, it is worth adding 30...50 cm for depth.
If there are two or more children in the family, you can choose the option of a children's swing with your own hands for two places.
In this diagram, the height is also shown without taking into account the penetration of the supports into the ground.
The seat is suspended using ropes on protective loops or chains. For fastening to the crossbar, hooks are screwed in from below or through holes are drilled for threading the rope.
Another option for mounting the seat on the crossbar.
If you want to make not just a do-it-yourself wooden swing for children, but a full-fledged place for relaxation, you should work a little and build a structure under a canopy with a neat sofa instead of a simple board.
Options L, A and X
In addition to the U-shaped design, it is possible to install hanging children's swings, when the posts on both sides are reinforced with two pillars at an angle. The sharp corners of the posts take the shape of the letters L or A (depending on the degree of inclination of the pillars to each other).
X-shaped swings are also popular. In this case, the posts on each side intersect in the middle and are secured on top with a wide bar.
Based on the fact that the wooden structure is unstable, it is better to make the seat single. If the width of the frame allows, then you can strengthen two benches to entertain two children at the same time.
Having finished installing the structure, you should take care of its design - paint it with bright colors. The ground under the benches must be sprinkled with sand - it will be convenient for children to jump off the swing.
Dimensions and drawings of children's swings
A special feature of the attractions for children is their individual sizes. A child differs from an adult in height, weight, and physique. The dimensions of the frame can be left as those suitable for a swing for adults. They don't play a special role. It is important to correctly calculate the dimensions of the seat and its hanging height. For a comfortable push-off, children should touch the ground with their feet, but at the same time not catch their feet when swinging. The height of the suspension is determined taking into account the height and age of the children. The table displays approximate data.
The size of the seat for a children's swing depends on how many children it is designed for. If this is a single-seat attraction, then a seat width of 40-50 cm will be enough. A bench for several children is made 1-1.2 m wide. Very wide seats for children's swings are unacceptable. They have a lot of weight. Children are not always able to swing a massive bench on their own.
Metal swing
In almost the same way as a wooden attraction, a swing is assembled from metal pipes.
They can also be made independently by a person with experience in welding.
Outdoor swings on the site, made of metal, have an undoubted advantage - reliability and stability of the structure.
The downside is that from time to time the support pillars and crossbar become covered in rust, which needs to be cleaned off and then the entire attraction needs to be painted.
Types of swings
Based on materials
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In hypermarkets you can now find several types of products. They are divided into metal, wood and plastic. Let's consider each type separately.
- Metal ones are the most durable of all types. They can be made to order according to your own sketch, add forged elements, additional railings and crossbars. In addition, according to the method of fastening, they can be floor-mounted - the seat is suspended from above on a steel leg, which is firmly held on the ground.
- A wooden swing for a summer house, if properly processed and maintained, will also last for quite a long time. In addition to their durability and strength, they are also safe, as they are made from natural material.
- Plastic ones are suitable for small children because they are made of lightweight material. It should be borne in mind that they are afraid of frost, and their bright color fades over time.
By design
- Frame ones are very stable and easy to use. They are good because they can be transported to any place in the summer cottage so that the child is always under supervision.
- Suspended ones consist of three main elements: a supporting bar, a seat, chains or ropes of your choice. They are attached to something durable, and the seat should preferably have a back. To provide additional comfort and safety.
- Spring ones delight children like carousels in parks. They are made in the shape of various animals and machines, and the advantage is that for a small child they are almost harmless.
- Sun loungers are suitable for both children and the whole family. They are spacious and soft, so it will be nice to lie on them in the shade of trees, read a book or watch a movie.
- Landscape
Making a swing-nest with your own hands: simple instructions in 5 steps
Soft chair
For children under one year old, it is necessary to make soft seats from fabric. In shape it should be a chair with a front jumper. For greater safety of the child, two pieces of fabric are attached to the chair, with which the baby is “fastened” crosswise.
For the little ones, it is better to use a children's swing for home. The baby will be under the constant supervision of his parents. And what is important is that it is protected from bad weather.
How do children's swings differ from adults' ones?
Children's swings must be safe.
A swing for a child has the following characteristics.
- Higher safety - preference is always given to lighter materials - wood, plastic, since in the event of an accidental injury, a lightweight seat will cause less harm. Edges and edges must be smoothly rounded and cleaned.
- Handrails, additional fastenings, handles, backrests. The ability to maintain balance is much less developed in young children. Additional precautions are required to swing safely.
- Resistant to weather conditions - rain, cold, sun. Plastic, for example, is preferable to wood, since the latter dries out and requires more careful care.
- Decorative. Kids love bright colors, and older children first pay attention to attractive rather than practical models.
The simplest swings are assembled from scrap materials. This is a great way to develop children's coordination and balance.
Game complex
There should be a children's playground on the plot. For restless kids, the children's play complex will give a lot of positive emotions.
Outdoor games and physical activity are extremely beneficial for children. Coordination of movements, dexterity develops, muscles become stronger.
Such a complex may include the following elements:
- slide;
- swing;
- climbing wall;
- ladder;
- poles;
- sandbox.
The main entertainment for children at the dacha is still the swing for the playground.
Wooden baby seat
A durable and beautiful seat can be made from scraps of boards and timber. Height, width and depth are chosen arbitrarily, but must correspond to the age of the child.
All parts are cut out according to the template and sanded. A hole with a diameter of 12 mm is drilled in each for threading the rope.
In the back, round spacers are glued between the slats to add rigidity. Their thickness is equal to the thickness of the rails for handrails.
In the side parts of the seat, between the slats, there are wooden “barrels” with a through hole for a rope. Their height should be the same as the parts for the back.
The slats for the horizontal part of the seat are glued to the frame. They don’t need to be screwed in with anything if the swing will only be used indoors. For the street, more serious fastening is required - screws or nails. The hats are recessed flush so as not to injure the child. After careful sanding, the swing is painted in the desired color with a waterproof compound.
Slide
One of the favorite types of children’s games is the descent “on the fifth point” from a small elevation.
There are always kids crowding around this attraction. You should not hope that the child will not be able to turn over the slide. Children's energy has no boundaries, so it is necessary to follow a number of rules when constructing such a structure.
How to calculate the cross-section of supports
A swing is a system where not only static, but also more destructive dynamic loads act. When oscillating, the impulse constantly changes in direction and value, which creates the preconditions for loosening structures and chafing of fasteners. Therefore, all components of the swing must have a margin of strength and wear resistance.
It is not necessary to accurately calculate the value of the current forces. With general recommendations taking into account possible overloads, the cross-section of the horizontal beam and racks when calculating a weight of 200 kg should be no less than:
- 50x70-100x100 mm - from wooden beams;
- 60x80 - from a metal profile pipe.
The posts are concreted to a depth of 50-80 cm. Horizontal anchors can be welded to them to counteract the pull-out force.
In children's swings, the cross section can be slightly reduced. But as you know, children are more active and inventive. Therefore, a multiple safety margin is your confidence that nothing will break and the child will not fall from a height.
Setting up a ramp for children
It is quite possible to build a children's slide for a private home with your own hands, you just need to take into account a number of points:
- use environmentally friendly materials;
- ensure reliable stability of the structure.
Before painting the slide, make sure that the paint materials do not contain elements harmful to the health of children.
Swing with supports and a purchased seat
What do you need
- Board 50 * 200 mm;
- board 25 * 100 mm;
- 2 anchor bolts with rings;
- 2 carbines;
- timber 50 * 100 mm;
- nails;
- swing seat;
- hammer;
- roulette;
- drill;
- drill;
- hacksaw or jigsaw.
How to do
1. Cut the parts needed to assemble the two supports: four 2.5 m pieces from a 50? 200 mm, four - 1.35 m each from a 25? 100 mm and four - 35 cm each from timber 50? 100 mm.
- Assemble the structure in the shape of the letter “A”. Fold the long boards at an angle and nail the lintels from the middle sections to them. Reinforce the top of the support with short pieces of timber.
- Build the second swing support in the same way.
2. Trim any exposed edges with a hacksaw or jigsaw to avoid injury.
3. Place a piece of 50 ? board on the crossbars at the top of the letter “A”. 200 2 m long and nail it. Raise the entire structure.
4. In the middle of the beam, drill holes for fasteners at a distance of 50–70 cm from each other. Wrap the anchor bolts with rings into them.
5. Hang the seat on ropes and secure it with carabiners on the rings.
6. Check the strength of the structure.
What can be changed
- Instead of boards for supports, you can use round beams or logs.
- A purchased seat can be easily replaced with a homemade one.
Metal structure
Compared to a wooden one, a metal slide is more stable and reliable. Since the metal gets very hot, the structure should be installed in a shaded corner.
Careful grinding of metal parts and painting them with special paint is required.
Materials and tools for manufacturing
The choice of material depends on the design and type of structure. Homemade swings are made from boards, beams, Euro pallets, and logs. The latter need to be strong, quite hard. Coniferous wood types such as pine and larch are well suited.
Set of necessary tools:
- chainsaw;
- electric jigsaw;
- plane;
- drill bits;
- screwdriver;
- ring screws;
- hammer;
- eye bolts.
The ends of the logs that are to be buried must be protected from rotting, for example, by tarring. Chains or strong ropes with a metal core are used as suspension. Planks aren't just used to make great seats. With proper skill, it will be possible to create a full-fledged A-frame from double fabric, which will ensure good strength and reliability of the structure. The seat can be in the form of a bench, armchair, sofa with armrests. In addition to the standard set of hammers, nails, and screwdriver, you will also need sandpaper. A varnish to protect wood from decay will make it safer and smoother to the touch.
A swing made of timber is stable, and fitting parts is easier due to its correct shape. For manufacturing, either rounded or non-cylindered building material is used. A standard section of 40 x 70 mm will allow you to create an option with good load-bearing capacity and a sofa seat. The material must be sanded and treated with fungicidal and antiseptic solutions. Metal staples, rigging fasteners, and chains are added to the basic set of tools.
Suspended structures made from Euro pallets are an economical way to create a cozy place to relax. It is enough to choose a wooden pallet, process it, cover it with a mattress, blanket, pillows and hang it on ropes from the ceiling of the gazebo or canopy. It turns out to be a country version of a swing-bed. You can complicate the process a little by adding low sidewalls, a headboard, or transform the pallet into a small sofa on hanging chains.
To create, you will need the following auxiliary materials and tools:
- hammer;
- spanners;
- metal corners;
- wood drills;
- electric jigsaw.
Strong hooks or carabiners are used for secure attachment. Do not forget about pre-treatment with liquid mold preparations, primer and paint.
After determining the dimensions, choosing the design and materials for the future swing, you need to select a drawing or create it yourself. It must be carefully worked out: errors that creep into calculations made hastily lead to negative consequences. Safety must come first.
Log
timber
Euro pallets
Tools
