The countdown to summer break is getting shorter and that means ways to keep the kids entertained without breaking the bank are a rare commodity. Why spend hundreds at a water park when you can build your very own play land right out back? Our Summer DIY Water park for the Backyard is easy to create using a few items from the hardware store and a little imagination. We promise fun for the kids and grown ups alike, that will last all Summer long.
Summer DIY Water Park Stations:
Soda Bottle Sprinkler Station:
Wash out a few 2 liter soda bottles and poke holes all around them. Attach a male to male water hose adapter, found at any hardware store this time of year, to the top of the soda bottle. Next, connect the water hose to the other end of the adapter on the soda bottle. Drape the hose over a tree branch or flag pole and turn on the water. Prepare to have lots of fun!
Kiddie Wash Station:
Cut two ten foot pieces of PVC pipe so you have two 5 ft, one 4 ft. and Four 18 inch pieces. Next, mark the three long pvc pipes with a marker so each pipe has the same equal line down the center. Tip: Hold the pieces of pipe next to one another as a guide to mark the other. Measure and mark 9 inches from the end of each pipe, add a mark every 7 to 10 inches of pipe for the misters. Use a Drill to make holes where each marking is. Tip 5/32 drill bit works best. Assemble the two 5 ft PVC pipes to the 4 ft pipe, using the elbow joints. Next attach two 18 inch pipes to the T-connectors do the middle opening is face up. Repeat with last two 18 inch pipes. Screw in the mister jets. Align the base PVC pieces parallel to one another and insert the Top with the misters in the opening of the T-connectors. Use the end caps to seal off the base, leaving one opening for the water hose. For best results glue all the PVC connections closed with a PVC Cement or waterproof epoxy. Once it’s dry you’re ready for the fun. Bonus: Turn the water park into a kiddie wash by hanging wet sponges, pool noodles and rope mop heads along the PVC.
Water Balloon Slip N Slide Station:
Lay out a large roll of industrial plastic at least 20 – 25 feet long and 6 feet across. Line the length of each end with pool noodles, leaving enough plastic at the edge to wrap around the circumference of the noodle. Allow for 2 ½ feet of plastic left open without noodles for the beginning and exit of the water slide. Use a hot glue gun to seal the plastic wrap around the noodle by running glue along the top of the noodle, wrapping the plastic over and pressing it tight along the glue line to seal. Do this 12 inches at a time to avoid the glue drying before the wrap is pressed together. Roll the noodles 180 degrees (half a full turn) toward the center of the slide and repeat the hot glue gun process to assure they remain secure. Place six inches of waterproof tape down the seam of the plastic and noodle. Repeat this step every six inches to create a waterproof seal. Add an optional cap off at the end of the slide by adding more noodles and sealing off the plastic the same way. Turn the slide over and add water to make it slippy, a bottle of baby oil or baby shampoo for extra slipperiness and fill up with water balloons for maximum fun. Bonus: Add some crayola bathtub paint inside or over the balloons for an extra Nickelodeon style kick!