Activity Overview
One of our favorite backyard activities is our Homemade Backyard Tight Rope. Children of all ages and skill levels spend endless hours walking the tightrope in the yard with friends. It may take some time to get the hang of walking on a rope like this. The bottom rope will be quite wobbly as they work to figure out the mechanics of the tight rope. Before you know it, they will master the art of it all and it will keep them engaged in this activity for quite some time.
Materials Needed
- 2 long pieces of soft rope
- two sturdy trees or fence posts or a mix of the two
How to Do Make One
Look in the yard for two trees or fence posts that are fairly close together.
Position one rope about a foot to a foot and a half off the ground and wrap and tie one end of the rope to the tree or post. Be sure to wrap your rope around the tree or pole several times before tying a knot to secure it in place.
With the untied end, pull the rope as taut as you can. This will help to keep your rope nice and sturdy when your child stands on it. Tie the other end of the rope around the second tree or pole, using the same method as before.
- Cut off any loose rope from the posts. Loose ropes can pose a danger.
- Set up the second rope above the first, but this time several feet off of the ground. Measure so that your child can comfortably grasp the rope while standing on the other rope. Our rope was set at 3 1/2 feet. You want it high enough that they will have to reach up for it when they’re standing flat on the ground.
