Create a DIY Backyard Water Park for Your Kids!

Are the kids hounding you to take them to the busy pool already this summer? There is a terrific DIY solution to your water fun needs! Our folks at Greenwood Hardware want you to be able to enjoy the summer from the comfort of your backyard while keeping the kids entertained and the lawn watered all in one!

A DIY water sprinkler and slip and slide is the perfect solution. It will only take you a couple of hours at most to build your kids this really fun watering system that will help keep them cool while providing hours of entertainment.

Supplies Needed

• Handsaw
• Drill with a 1/16 bit
• Three 10-foot ¾ inch PVC pipe
• Four ¾ PVC pipe elbows
• 3/4″ slip x slip x FPT Tee
• Two 1/2″ x 3/4″ male adapter MPT x slip
• Two 3/4″ x 1/2″ side outlet elbows
• 3/4″ x 1/2″ female garden hose-to-MIP adapter
• PVC glue
• File/Box cutting knife
• Fishing line or string
• Tape measure

Building the Sprinkler

1. Cut one of the long PVC pipes in half, giving you two 60-inch long pieces. Use a file or knife to smooth out the cut ends. Cut another piece to 57 inches long and file the ends. Cut the last piece into four 30-inch long pieces and file the ends.
2. Hold or tape the fishing line to one end of a 60-inch piece. Stretch the line the length of the pipe, keeping it nice and straight. Use a pencil or marker to draw a line on the pipe. Remove the line. Measure two inches in from the end and drill a hole every two inches or so down the length of the pipe, leaving two inches at the opposite end. Repeat this for the second pipe.
3. Cut one of your 30-inch pieces in half. Then use PVC glue and the tee to rejoin the two pieces. Then attach the hose adapter to the tee. Remeasure the length of the conjoined pipes and cut off each end until it measures 30 inches across.
4. Connect the piece you just worked to another 30-inch piece by creating a V. The two pieces will join together with 3/4 x 1/2 side elbows. Place a 90-degree elbow on the bottom of each of the 30-inch pipes.
5. Attach the 60-inch pieces into the bottom elbows with the holes facing into the triangle you are creating. The 60-inch pieces will run parallel to each other along the ground. Place an elbow on each end of the pipe with holes.
6. Place the 57-inch piece at the top of the upside-down V. Place the remaining two 30-inch pieces into the elbows at the opposite end. These pipes will connect to the side outlet elbow at the top. Your structure should resemble a tent with two upside-down Vs on each end.
7. Connect a hose to the adapter and turn on the water. Water will spray out of the holes. You can put a tarp or sheet of plastic under the sprinkler to create a fun slip and slide or stand the structure on end for the kids to run through.

Head into Greenwood Hardware today to pick up the supplies you need to build your inexpensive water toy that will keep the kids entertained for hours! Come on in, or contact us today.