Build a seesaw from old tires
Bring the children's playground into your home. With just a few materials, you can build a great seesaw in a few easy steps. If the kids know something is being built especially for them, they'll definitely be happy to lend a hand. Hand over a screwdriver, hold the squared timbers—you'll always find something that makes them feel involved in the construction.
This is what you need
Tools:
- Circular or tiger saw
- screwdriver
- folding rule
- sandpaper
- Brush (optional)
Material:
- A car tire
- Square timber (50 cm)
- Wooden board (approx. 100 x 40 x 2 cm)
- 16 screws
- (Spray) paint
- Two approximately 10 centimetres long round logs (at least 3 cm thick)
- Two wooden balls with a diameter of 5 cm
And off we go
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All beginnings are difficult : First, you have to saw the old tire right down the middle. You should use a reciprocating saw or a circular saw for this. A jigsaw with a metal blade will also work, but it's very difficult. The easiest way is with a grinder, but be careful, as the rubber melts easily. Once the tire is in half, use a folding rule to measure the inside width of the tire. Then, cut two pieces of the same length from the squared lumber.
"You can get an old car tire for free from almost any auto repair shop or tire dealer. They're usually happy to take any old tire they don't have to dispose of themselves. Just ask."
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Make it stable : Now screw the squared timbers on so that they are flush with the cut edge of the tire. Screw three screws on each side, twelve in total, through the tire casing and into the timbers to ensure stability.
Looks easy, but it's hard work: Sawing through a car tire
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The seat : Next, take the wooden board—it should be at least two centimeters thick—and saw it to size so that it fits exactly over the top of the tire. It's okay if it extends a few centimeters at the front and back. Optionally, you can cut out small semicircles in the middle of the board on either side to make it more comfortable for the children to sit on. Then, sand all the cut edges cleanly. If you like, you can give your children some paint so they can decorate the board and tire.
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Secure grip : Before screwing the seesaw seat onto the squared timbers, you should attach the round pieces of wood that will serve as handles. To do this, simply screw the two round pieces of wood next to each other onto the seat so that the children can hold on to them while sitting in the middle of the board. Then, screw the two balls, the eyes, onto the board in front of the handles.
Without a face it only looks half as good: Give the seesaw eyes and bring color into play
"As far as the handles go, you can of course be inventive. Anything that can be screwed to the wooden board and that the children can easily hold on to is basically suitable."
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Make way!: Place the seat on the tire so that it extends the same distance over the edge on both sides, and screw two screws on each side from above through the board into the squared timbers.
"You can also build a seesaw for two children. To do this, simply take a longer board that extends well beyond the tire on each side and screw two handles onto it at about the height of the tire edges."
Is DIY your world?
There are many good reasons to make things yourself. It saves resources, sometimes even money, it's fun, and you learn a lot. What's more, there's a special magic in the things you've created with your own hands and passion. It's a wonderful feeling you can't buy in any store and for any amount of money.
You can find more ideas for great DIY projects in our book " Your Creative Garden ." Thanks to step-by-step instructions and helpful pictures, many of our DIY ideas can be recreated with children. The internet also has a lot to offer. So if you want to get active, the following websites are a good place to start:
