Playing in the sprinkler is common enough that you could consider it a childhood rite. As more of us look at greener landscaping practices, however, sprinklers increasingly come on early in the morning. While this ensures the maximum amount of water reaches the lawn, most kids aren’t up at that hour.
You could take the kids to a water park, but time and job responsibilities sometimes make this impossible. Why not prove yourself the coolest parent on the block and (with your kids’ help) and build a few water park attractions yourself?
The PVC Car Wash
You may not be considering opening a car wash business, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build a “car wash” for the kids. Make a framework out of PVC pipes and connectors – it can either be a simple “door frame” with PVC legs or a larger frame the kids can walk into.
Before you glue the framework together, drill holes in the sides and overhanging PVC slats. Screw misting jets into each hole. For a four foot tall frame you might install four misters down each side and four or five on the overhead pipes. Install a threaded female hose connection at one bottom corner of the framework.
Glue the framework together with PVC cement and let it dry completely before you connect the hose. Run a small amount of water through the frame to ensure water’s coming out of all the misting jets. Then turn up the water force and your kid’s car wash installation is complete.
Planning and Construction Skills
Building a PVC water area doesn’t just give kids a chance to cool off on a hot day. You also get to teach them some basic construction skills. Younger kids can measure PVC pipes before cutting, and perhaps help screw in the misting jets. Older child can, under supervision, cut the PVC pipe (PVC cutting tools are fairly safe when used carefully) and help glue the structure together.
You can also take the opportunity to discuss the dangers of using strong glue in enclosed spaces, and why you need good ventilation for such projects. It’s a good chance to impress on kids the fact that many common household items are dangerous when used improperly.
Expanding Your Water Park
To transform your “car wash” into a water slide, pick up a plastic shower curtain and some dishwashing soap. Place the shower curtain on the lawn, making sure the ground under the curtain is free of stones or other debris. Spread some dishwashing soap over the curtain.
Place your “car wash” over the curtain, making sure it isn’t standing on the curtain. Now turn on the car wash and you’ve got an instant water slide. Be sure to supervise kids to lower the risk of accidents.
