We moved into a new house this year, one we'd planned and had built for us. It was easy to plan for the inside spaces because we knew well what we didn't want. What was harder was planning for the outside and the things we didn't know we'd need.
With three children, having an entertaining outdoor space is a must. The kids all love swinging and climbing, but I wasn't satisfied with the equipment I found on the market. Either it was too expensive for our budget or just wasn't quite right for the way they play.
After doing some research, I got resourceful. I ordered some wire rope and wire rope clips online from a company that caters to the transportation industry. With our sturdy cedar deck as the framing structure, I set about to make my kids their own unique swing set and climbing net.
I started by measuring distances on the underside of the deck joists. I wanted to get at least 3 swings on one side but not have them too close lest the kids bump into one another. Using eye bolts screwed into the joists, I then threaded wire rope through the bolts. It's actually a really smooth strand, so there's no worries about cut hands. My concession to a finished product was the swing seats, so I threaded the rope through the rings on the seats and finished the ends with a wire rope clip.
Moving on to the climbing net, I again used more wire rope and clips to snap horizontal and vertical rows together. At the deck joist, I fastened the vertical members with eye bolts. At the ground, I used stakes with special eyes, through which I threaded the rope.
Now we have an inexpensive, sturdy play area for the kids.
An experienced owner-operator, Scott Brunson helps members of the transportation industry each day as a product specialist for US Cargo Control, an online retailer of logistic straps and other cargo securement products. Find what you're looking for at US Cargo Control today.