Tire swings appear in a lot of fiction... usually in company with a tree house. They are evergreen symbols of childhood, nostalgia, and good memories. Maybe the most iconic tire swing is the one hanging from Tigger's house. Today we'll talk about how to make one.
Tigger's House, Disney Fandom
There are tire swings, and then there are tire swings. You can have some good fun with a rope looped over a branch and tied around a tire, but with a little extra effort and less than $100 you can do much better. This one has been the most-used toy in our yard and held up well for four years of sun, sleet, snow, and screaming children.
Supplies:
- 25 feet of 1/2" Nylon twist rope - $39 (50ft roll)
- Nylon is a good outdoor rope. It's readily available and cheap with high strength and UV/moisture resistance.
- Three U-bolts, 1/4 in. x 1-1/8 in. x 2 in. - $12
- Six 1/4-20 lock nuts - $2.50
- One eye bolt, 12 in. long, 1/2 in. thread - $4
- 1/2 in. nut, washer, and lock washer - $4 for a 6-pack of all three
- An old tire (free)
Tools
- Drill
- Extra long 1/2-in drill bit (long enough to drill through your tree branch - a 12-inch bit costs about $17)
- Wrenches or pliers
- Scissors or utility knife
- Lighter or match
The Big Picture:
Here's a quick overview of where we're going:
Here's a quick overview of where we're going:
- Make three lengths of rope with loops on each side
- Attach them to your tire using three u-bolts
- Attach a long rope to an eye-bolt
- Install the eye-bolt in a tree branch
- Tie the ropes together to finish the swing
Tune in next time for the details!