How to Make a Seesaw

A seesaw, also referred to as a teeter-totter, is a long but narrow board, either suspended or supported at the center so that one end goes up while the other comes down. It's an outdoor play equipment wherein two individuals sit at the two ends of the board and use their feet to launch themselves up in the sky, while the person on the other end goes down to the ground. It is most often used by children and the area around the seesaw is often filled with sand or wooden chips to ensure that even if a kid falls while playing, he or she doesn't get hurt.

Hardware Required

The list of hardware you require to make a seesaw is not very long. It includes

• Two 2×8 inch wooden boards.
• Two wooden posts.
• Sandpaper to smoothen the edges.
• Drilling Machine.
• Liquid nails construction adhesive.
• Screws to fix the seats.
• Marine rope to make the seat handles.
• A galvanized pipe to make the pivot bar.
• Hacksaw to cut the wooden boards.
• Spade and pick ax for digging the ground.

Though wood is the most popular material chosen to make seesaws, metal and plastic seesaws are also very popular. Once you are ready with the required material, you can start by grasping the basics of how to build a seesaw.

Do-It-Yourself Guide to Make a Seesaw

Cut a 2×8 inch board to a length of 9 feet to prepare the seat board of the seesaw. Cut another 2×8 inch to the same length to make the brace board. Take two 2×8 inch wooden pieces and cut them to a length of at least 3 to 4 feet each; these pieces will act as the vertical posts for your seesaw. Use sandpaper to smoothen their edges as sharp edges can hurt your kids while playing. Next step is to plant these posts into the ground. Dig two holes in the ground and plant the posts into them. Ensure that the holes are at least a feet deep to ensure a strong foundation. Fill these holes with concrete to strengthen the seesaw posts into the ground. Make U-shaped notches, approximately 2 inches deep, at the top of each of the upright boards, as well as the center of the brace board. These notches are meant to hold the pivoting bar.

Upturn the brace board so that the notches are down and fix it to the top of the upper side of the seat board, and secure them with galvanized screws. You can use some strong adhesive, such as the liquid nails construction adhesive, to fix them together. The pivot bar, made from galvanized pipe, should be placed inside the notches. Make sure that this bar is a bit longer than the required amount as you will have to leave about 2 inches of pipe hanging out from the sides. The holes that you drill into the vertical posts to fix the pivot pipe can be secured using metal dowels, so that the pivot pipe doesn't come out. Use marine rope to make the handle of the seesaw. Drill small holes and pass the ropes around 17 inches from the end of the seat board and secure the ends with a knot. You can put a coat of weather resistant paint on your wooden seesaw to keep it safe from the weather.

Having residential playground equipment in your backyard can help you to make a nice playground on your property, and bring a smile on your kid's face. So go ahead and build a wooden seesaw of your own. You will just have to put in a bit of effort but in the end you'll surely be rewarded by a warm smile on your child's face.