I love to see kids playing outdoors. Don’t you? One great way to get them enjoying the outdoors is to make a tree swing kids will love. I saw this excellent DIY tree swing tutorial on Hallmark’s Home & Family show, which airs weekdays at 10 am ET/PT on Hallmark Channel. I was given permission to share it here. Ken Wingard, is the DIY genius behind this project and he created this wooden tree swing for his own kids. It is a great way to spruce up the yard and make it even more fun for the summer. Here are the simple step by step directions for how to make a swing to hang from a tree or play structure.
DIY Wood Tree Swing
You can make this tree swing with just a few very affordable supplies. You will be happy with how simple it is to put together this charming wooden tree swing and the kids will enjoy swinging for hours.
Wooden Tree Swing Supplies:
- Eight 2″ x 2″ wood planks
- Fourteen 1” wooden beads
- Two lengths of rope (nylon, load bearing up to 75 pounds- doubled will be good up to 150)
- drill
- 3/8-inch drill bit
- sandpaper
- tree swing hanging apparatus of your choosing
How To Make A Wood Swing For Tree:
1. You will need eight pieces of 2 by 2 wood cut to 10 inches in length.
2. Use sandpaper to sand all the hard edges down and to round the corners.
3. Mark ¾ of an inch in from the outside edge of the planks and drill one 3/8th inch hole in the wood on each side.
4. If your wooden beads do not come with a hole through the center, drill their holes to be 3/8 of an inch as well. The best way to accomplish this is to put them in a clamp and then drill the hole.
5. Cut your rope into two pieces. The lengths will depend on where you are hanging it and how much you will need to make it the right length for your child to sit on the swing. When you cut the rope, wrap the ends in masking tape to hold the outer layer together. You will burn the ends of the nylon rope to seal them when the swing is complete.
6. Tie the short end of your rope to the long end of your rope, forming a triangle, using an anchor bend knot.
7. Use the doubled rope with the knot to bead your planks alternating with your wooden beads. The knot will be slightly adjustable before it is tightened, so position the swing how you like it and leave the amount of rope you want between the knot and the planks before pulling in tight on both sides.
Conclusion
If you want to keep the wood safe from the elements, I suggest using a clear polyurtethane before you put them on the rope or a stain to match your porch wood. This kids tree swing is great because it grips each size rider just ride as they swing. This diy tree swing is sure to make your backyard more fun! Do you think you will try this wooden tree swing diy project?
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