Photo: istockphoto.com
Sometimes the simplest things can bring the greatest summertime pleasures. Outdoor fun doesn’t have to include expensive, custom-built play sets; you can create instant outdoor entertainment by upcycling an old tire into a one-of-a-kind swing. Read on to learn how to make a tire swing the easy-peasy, old-fashioned way!
Tools & MaterialsRELATED: The Best Tree Swings for Backyard Fun
This project is perfect for beginners, as you only need a few tools and basic knot knowledge—oh, and you need a tree (a big tree).
Chances are, if you’re looking into how to make a DIY tire swing, you already have a tree in mind for mounting it. Just make sure that it’s large, healthy, and the branch that will hold the tire swing is at least 8 inches thick. If a tree shows signs of decay or has cracks or dead branches, it’s not suitable for a tire swing.
Other considerations include making sure there’s enough clearance between where the tire hangs and the trunk of the tree as well as the ground. And removing large rocks or other tripping hazards from the area beneath the swing.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Any standard-size passenger car rubber tire will work for a swing, though you could use a smaller or larger tire as long as you factor the weight into your specific project. If you find a used tire, be sure it has some tread left to prevent any wires from popping through the surface and scratching or poking swing users.
Give the tire a thorough cleaning with a pressure washer. If you don’t have the right tool, take the tire to the car wash to clean it with one of the high-pressure hoses on the premises.
When you’re ready—that is, when you’re satisfied with the cleanliness of the tire—drill holes in the bottom of the tire to prevent water from pooling when it rains. You don’t want mosquitoes to get wind of any standing water! On that note, you’ll also want to check for bees, wasps, and other insect pests each time you or your kids use the tire swing.
RELATED: Weekend Projects—5 Fun DIY Swing Sets
Photo: istockphoto.com
Determine the maximum weight your tire swing will hold. That includes the weight of kids (or adults) that will use it as well as the weight of the tire you choose. Then select a heavy-duty braided exterior rope that is rated for three times that weight.
Cut a section of rope to the desired length plus a little bit extra for tying a couple of knots. If needed, melt the ends to keep the rope from fraying. Tie a double bowline knot on one end of the rope, making sure to leave a little slack in the loop portion of the knot.
Toss the knot end of the rope over the tree branch. If you need a little help, place a softball in a sock and tie the sock to the knot end of the rope; then toss the ball over the branch. Thread the opposite end of the rope through the loop of the bowline knot and pull it tight. The knot will travel upwards until it finally reaches the branch.
Tie another double bowline knot around the top of the tire, tightening it so the tire hangs at the desired height off of the ground.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Have the heaviest member of your family test the tire swing to ensure its strength. You may not want to tell this person why he or she was chosen…
Let your impatient kid swing already. You can cut off the excess rope later. Pat yourself on the back and admire your handiwork from the street, just like the neighbors will.
RELATED: How to Make a Tire Swing with Chains and Bolts
Got questions about how to make a tire swing? You’re not alone!
One of our favorite DIY tire swing ideas is to find a tire, clean it thoroughly, and hang it by a rope from a sturdy tree branch.
First and foremost, you need a tire. You’ll also need some tire cleaning supplies (or clean it at a self-serve car wash), braided exterior rope rated for three times the weight of the tire and swing users combined, and some basic knot knowledge. You’ll also need a sturdy branch on a large, healthy tree.
The best rope to use for a tire swing is one that is braided, designed to hold a lot of weight, and rated to withstand outdoor elements such as UV rays, rain, etc.
Kick off your summer staycation by adding a tire swing to your outdoor space. This simple project can add hours of fun and relaxation with minimal effort and expense. Just be sure to keep safety top of mind by thoroughly inspecting the tree and branch that you intend to mount it on, and by selecting rope that is rated for the amount of weight that your specific tire swing will hold.
By
Kamron Sanders
Kamron Sanders
Kamron Sanders is a home improvement expert and writer with over 15 years of hands-on construction, remodeling, woodworking, home repair, and landscaping experience.
He has also written for HGTV. Kamron's expertise ranges from troubleshooting saws and lawnmowers to painting kitchen cabinets.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 07/08/22
Reviewed by
Deane Biermeier
Reviewed by Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Stephen Simpson / Getty ImagesProject Overview
Introducing a tire swing to your backyard is sure to be a decision that you (and, more importantly, your kids) will be happy you made. If you've seen tire swings and assumed they're too hard to install or difficult to make safe, you may be surprised to know that this project is actually very simple.
And, when done right, tire swings can be a safe form of entertainment for both children and adults.
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There are two popular styles of tire swings. One type features a horizontal tire with ropes attached at three equidistant points. The second type features a vertical tire with a rope simply tied around the top of the tire. For this project, we'll focus on the latter option as it's quick, easy on the wallet, and a more versatile option for users of all sizes.
A tire swing requires a solid branch at least 8 to 10 inches in diameter that is in good health.
Fruit trees, evergreens, and other softwood varieties should be avoided, as these are prone to breaking under pressure. Instead, look for strong, mature trees such as oak trees, maple trees, hickory trees, and other hardwood varieties.
How to Build a Swing
If you don't have one already, recycled tires in good condition are readily available. Check tires stores, online listings, and family and friends. Look for a relatively large tire with a wide sidewall and no dry rot.
Polypropylene rope is perfect for a tire swing, as it won't be compromised as a result of outdoor exposure. When used properly, 3/4-inch polypropylene rope is more than strong enough to hold the weight of a tire and any potential user. The amount needed will be determined by how far your branch is from the ground, but you should aim for a branch no further than 15 to 20 feet high. In this case, a 50-foot rope should do the trick.
Polypropylene rope is a strong, synthetic rope that is resistant to rot and deterioration due to water. While many styles are colorful, varieties that imitate the look of natural rope can also be found.
If you don't have a ladder long enough to lean on the tree branch, there's an easy way to get your rope over the branch. Simply tie string (something like mason line string will do the trick) around a small object like a bean bag and toss it up over your branch. Once over, tie the other end of the string to your rope and pull it over the branch. Repeat this process once more to double the rope over the branch and prevent it from slipping down the branch.
To secure the tire to the rope, no hardware is needed. Simply slide the two ends of the rope through the center of the tire and around the top of the tire twice.
Adjust the tire until it sits 3 feet off of the ground to account for rope stretch. Approximately one foot above the top of the tire, tie a bowline knot with plenty of excess rope left at the end. This will be trimmed later.
Improperly tied knots can pose major safety risk. If you aren't confident in your knot tying abilities, consult with someone who can help ensure the job is done correctly.
Step back and inspect the tire, the rope, and the positioning of the tire from the ground and tree. Once you've verified that the rope is properly knotted and the tire is adequately spaced from the tree and ground, have an adult carefully test the swing. This will allow the adult's weight to set the knots and stretch the rope.
Once the knot has been fully set, trim the excess rope from the knot, leaving approximately 4 to 5 inches. Use a lighter to burn the ends to prevent fraying.
Without drainage, the tire will be prone to collect water, leading to messes and mosquitoes. To add a drain hole to the tire, use a 7/8-inch paddle bit and drill through the lowest point of the tire.
To further prevent pests, consider treating the tire with a bug repellant that is safe for human contact.
Depending on the size of the user, this tire swing can be used by sitting inside or sitting on top. Always hold the rope tightly and avoid swinging toward the tree.
While the polypropylene rope and the tire will likely last forever, trees are living and ever-changing. Make a habit of consistently inspecting the tree branch and the position of the rope on the tree. Should you suspect anything has been compromised, always act on the suspicion and ensure the safety of the swing.
Additionally, tire swings can serve as ideal homes for wasps, bees, spiders, and other biting and stinging creatures.
Always inspect the inside of the swing before playtime and instruct your kids to do the same.
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There are many toys in the land of childhood. Girls are one, boys are completely different. But as soon as a building appears in the yard where you can ride, it attracts children of all ages, both boys and girls. Even if this swinging structure is unprepossessing, the children will still be delighted with it. Such an impression on them will be made even by a simple swing from a tire, which someone caring dad will build with his own hands.
The device of the simplest children's swing made of tires It will bring joy not only to your beloved child, children of the yard, but also to young people who are not averse to swinging on this simple device. Swinging structures, in addition to being fun for children and adults, also strengthen and develop the vestibular apparatus.
Such are the usual tire swings. Any parent can build them.
If a child, when he rides in a car, gets sick, feels sick, then he should swing on this structure at least once a day. When rocking, all the muscles of the body are evenly loaded, and this makes the baby physically stronger and more self-confident. Weakness and dizziness will stop, fear of rapid movement and heights will disappear.
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Material content
Such devices have pros and cons. Positive aspects:
The disadvantage is the smell emanating from the rubber, which not everyone likes.
You can get rid of it, or at least reduce it, if you paint the tire inside and out. It will also make it look more attractive.
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First of all, they must be very reliable, as they are set for the most privileged members of society - children. Therefore, a strong tire is needed, without cracks, damage. The tires of SUVs, tractors, trucks are preferred. But it is better if it is of medium size, so that it is convenient to swing for both children and adults.
Hang the tire on a strong rope or metal chain. So that the seat is securely held in a horizontal position, does not turn over, it can be made with triple fixation. From above, the device is attached to a horizontal crossbar, which can be a strong beam, a metal crossbar, or a thick branch of a strong tree.
The distance from the ground to the seat must be such that the child can easily climb onto it.
The classic option is a double tire fastening with chains. It is the most durable, very comfortable, safe, because, while swinging, you can hold on with both hands. It is necessary to install a ground or suspended garden swing in the country so that playing children are always in front of their parents. When assembling ground structures using half rail as a support, always ensure their high stability.
In order for the rocker-balancer not to fall on its side, it is better to use both parts of the cut tire for the base, fastening them together along the entire semicircle. Handles should be made on the lever board for the children to hold on to while swinging.
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It would seem that with such a limited material, one cannot count on diversity. But home craftsmen do wonders with their own hands. Therefore, tire products are as follows:
This is the classic version of the swing. Not a single playground in the yard can do without such a simple design. Two sit down on the edges of the board-lever and swing, then rising, then falling.
Instructions for making a ground rocker out of tireTo raise one arm of the swing, the child sitting on it pushes off the ground and his partner lands on his feet.
Such devices are of the following types:
To make this DIY balancing device, you will need a solid, smooth board made of wood or some other material and a solid support for it. The original basis for the swing can be two automobile wheels with tires, connected along the axis by a metal cross member, to which a lever is attached in the center.
Children and adults like to swing on this structure. It is also convenient because it can be easily moved around your own yard or summer cottage.
There is another version of the rocking chair-balancer.
Take a wide tire from the wheel of a large machine such as a tractor or tractor, cut it across and use one half as a support. You will also need two boards. One should be equal in size to the diameter of the tire and fit tightly into its upper part, where it is attached to the rubber with nails or self-tapping screws. The second, long, superimposed on the first and fastened to it.
For comfortable and safe rocking, handles should be attached to the board, preferably made of soft material. Holes must be drilled in the bottom of the tire so that water does not accumulate in its cavity.
More stable devices will be those that have two halves of the tire as a support.
They will need to be bolted together around the entire semicircle, and a long board should be attached on top. Rubber for greater attractiveness should be painted in bright colors, apply drawings.
You can make a small swinging balancer with your own hands to decorate a children's room, moreover, without having special skills. The technology of its manufacture is the same, only the upper plank in length should not be more than the diameter of the tire. Swing while sitting on it, you can only sideways, left and right. Armrests must be made along the edges so that the child can hold on to them.
And if you ride the balancer from above, you get a new fun: it will be possible to swing back and forth. On one side, instead of a handle, you can fix a horse’s head carved from wood, and on the other, a tail. Such rocking chairs are very popular with small children. You can come up with a stylized figure of another animal. It depends on the ability and creative imagination of the pope.
They are also very easy to build yourself.
The main thing is to find a suitable crossbar to hang them. It can be a horizontally growing thick tree branch, a beam in a barn, or a specially assembled metal structure. And as a seat, of course, a car tire is suitable.
You need to choose rubber without damage, and reinforce it with the more attractive side up.
Wash the bar well with detergent before attaching ropes or chains. The simplest swing is a tire hanging vertically on one rope or chain. Making them with your own hands is easy. They ride on such a swing, passing their legs through the wheel and hanging them from the other side.
The original design of the suspension swing made of tire They swing with both hands on a single mount. But this is not very convenient. Such a device is usually suspended from a tree near the river itself, and the boys, standing on the tire, or grabbing its lower edge, swing as hard as possible, and then jump into the water. True, not every child will decide on such entertainment.
In the yard or in the country it is better to make a swing, in which the horizontal seat rests on a double mount. It is desirable that it be a metal chain. They attach it to the tire using cargo bolts that have a ring instead of a head. For them, holes are drilled in rubber, fixed, and S-shaped hooks are inserted into the eyes. They are threaded into the lower chain links and clamped with pliers.
Fastening hooks to the tireThe upper ends of the hangers are fixed on the crossbar. For convenience, a round wooden board is placed on the tire, and a pillow or rug is placed on top of it.
There is another version of the hanging swing - a cradle made of tires. It is also made by hand. With a shoe knife or other cutting tool, the protector is cut in a circle to the power ring from the metal cord, leaving only a part of the rubber for the seat. From above, ropes or a chain are attached to the resulting circles and suspended from the crossbar. On such a device, even very small children can be rocked.
You can cut anything out of rubber from a tire. By bending it, you can make a chair with a back. Home craftsmen make swings in the form of various animals and birds. Sometimes near a private house there is a figurine of a horse, on which a baby is swinging, sitting on horseback. Some make rubber birds, dragons, even cars and motorcycles. Children enthusiastically climb onto such rocking chairs. The fantasy of dads is limitless and they willingly share it on the World Wide Web.
Contents
You can get the younger generation interested in going to the country in many ways, one of these incentives is to equip an interesting playground.
Build a house or a hill from the remnants of lumber, assemble a sandbox. And in order not to go beyond the budget for rest, make a swing out of a tire with your own hands. It will turn out unusual, but the kids will like it. Moreover, homemade tire swings provide more freedom in games with skillful handling of the attraction.
Even a tire can be used to make quite a decent swing
Homemade versions of a children's attraction are always inferior to purchased models made of beautiful plastic in design and design. A swing made of wheeled tires looks simpler and even rougher than glossy Chinese rocking chairs, and their device and decorative finish are primarily designed for safety and the most brutal treatment from the children, and certainly not for the successful sale of the product.
On the other hand, there is always an abundance of material and schemes, you can make a swing out of old tires with your own hands at least every trip out of town.
Moreover, the manufacture practically does not require special skills, except for common sense, physical strength and the ability to work with a bench tool.
Most often, the model and device of a swing from a tire is chosen depending on the mobility and age of children, these can be:
It is clear that, in addition to the age of the children, it will be necessary to take into account the weight of the participants, the place and circumstances of the installation of the children's attraction. For example, a do-it-yourself swing from a tire on a rope is easy to make and install on the nearest tree when going out into the forest for a picnic or when going fishing with the whole family.
In other cases, the site and method of attaching the suspension must be carefully thought out and planned.
A hiking version of the swing can be made in a couple of minutes
The simplest models are a regular car tire suspended on a canvas belt or an ordinary old tow rope made of polypropylene fibers. Tire size must be at least 19”, smaller tires often have too little interior space.
The tire can be hung horizontally to form a swing with a nested seat. Tire size in this case does not really matter.
Often you need more than just making a simple seat and hanging it correctly under a canopy or on a tree branch. For most children familiar with modern children's rides, this is often not enough. In this case, for the playground, you have to make a rope swing from a tire with an unusually shaped seat with your own hands.
Polypropylene ropes give the suspension increased elasticity, allow you to swing on the swing in almost any direction.
A carved cradle or even a tire chair provides an interesting design and safe use of the swing.
Tip! If you plan to build a full-fledged attraction with the possibility of swinging with a large amplitude, then it is best to make a swing from a tire with your own hands on chains.
This is not a whim or a desire to play it safe. For younger children of 5-6 years old, you can make a rope swing out of a tire with your own hands, the weight and load are small, so there will be no problems. Chain suspension is preferred for rides designed for older children, it will provide stabilization of the direction of movement and fastening strength even under the most extreme overloads. Whereas ropes and belts made of synthetic fibers can stretch and even delaminate.
It is clear that random materials of unknown origin cannot be used in the manufacture of swings from machine tires. It is best to choose tires from old stocks; chains or ropes with fasteners must be bought new.
And most importantly, before commissioning, the entire structure of a garden swing made of tires must be checked with your own hands several times, tested and loaded to the maximum to make sure that they are completely safe.
To work with tires, depending on the chosen model, you will need:
The tire can also be cut with a hand saw or a jigsaw. It all depends on the size and device of the cradle. If a seat of a special shape is made from a tire for a swing, then the amount of work will increase several times. In this case, you can use scissors for cutting reinforcement or an ordinary grinder with a stone disc to cut the tire.
You can also cut with an ordinary hacksaw
To make a children's attraction, you can use old worn tires 15-20” for winter driving and always with synthetic cord.
These tires are much softer and require less effort to cut. The more worn out the tread, the better. It only increases the level of comfort.
If possible, it is best to use high-profile EU tires. These tires do not contain special softeners and oil-based chemical additives. They do not exfoliate even when stored for a long time in the open sun and do not sweat with soot and lubricants.
Manually cutting a tire requires a lot of physical effort. Cutting rubber with a thickness of 5-10 mm by hand is difficult even with a very sharp knife. Cutting a tire with a jigsaw is even more difficult. Rubber does not lend itself well to cutting, and the cord gathers and clogs the backstage of the tool.
A simple cut on the tire can be made with a sharp knife dipped in soapy water
Therefore, in the manufacture of a hanging swing from a tire, two technological methods are used:
The knife is moistened with liquid soap or castor oil and, squeezing out one of the edges, a short incision is made. When cutting, force is applied when the blade moves “towards itself”; True, cutting a tire with a grinder takes only 5-7 minutes, while manually cutting blanks from tires into a swing for a playground will take at least an hour and a half.
There are two proven ways to make a children's attraction. In the first case, the swing can be hung under a canopy near the house. To fasten ropes or chains, it is enough to lay an additional bar 90x90 mm or a steel pipe with a diameter of at least 70 mm.
The second way is to hang the swing tire seat with ropes on a horizontal section or a thick branch of an old tree.
It can be walnut, acacia, oak, maple. Poplar or fruit trees are not suitable for installing a swing, the wood is too weak.
In any case, the place for a children's attraction should be flat, without holes or humps, and be clearly visible from the windows of a summer house or a resting place for adults.
The most affordable option that you can make yourself is a simple swing from a large diameter tire suspended vertically. You can not even drill the sidewalls to fix the suspensions with bolts, but simply tie the wheel in the upper part with several loops of polypropylene or polyamide rope and fasten it to a branch or canopy crossbar.
Large diameter tires are the best solution. For example, 17” tires have an inner diameter of at least 50 cm, which is enough to seat one child.
In this case, it is better to fasten the tire with eyebolts, in which a mounting ring is made instead of a hexagonal head.
It is enough to make one hole for a vertical seat or four for a horizontal one, wrap the fasteners, hang the seat, and the swing for giving from a tire with your own hands is almost ready. You can decorate the seat or additionally lay a soft pillow.
If it is possible to use large tires, at least “22”, then you can try to build a more complex version of a swing with cradles. Such attractions are made for playgrounds, where several children can play at the same time.
The following step-by-step instructions will help you make a tire swing for at least four kids
First of all, you need to make a frame for the swing. To do this, two vertical metal racks from a pipe with a diameter of 70 mm are concreted into the ground. At the level of 150-170 cm, a horizontal crossbar is laid on the racks, with a diameter of at least 90 mm, it is welded to the supports and additionally reinforced with pieces of reinforcement.
The swing cradle can be made from a truck tire. You just need to cut the tire into two equal halves, drill holes along the edges for embedding the ropes and hang the cradle on the crossbar. The rigidity of the seat is enough for a small child to climb inside entirely with their legs.
Cradle version for the little ones
For teenagers and older fans of children's attractions, it can be advised to make a swing with a horizontal tire. But in this solution there is one significant drawback - the landing hole for the disk turns out to be very large, and it is not very convenient to sit on such a seat.
Therefore, the tire is most often designed in the form of a socket. To do this, holes are drilled on the sidewalls of the tire, but only on one side, four groups of four each.
The next step is to stitch the rope through the holes. It turns out a sewing zigzag.
Next, without cutting the rope, we pass it through the holes in the transverse direction.
In this case, the cord should cross the previously laid stitches in a “braided wave”. The result is a wicker base on which you can lay a soft rug or pillow.
The ropes are tied at the holes in a knot to prevent deformation of the wicker part of the seat, and hung on the crossbar with a regular loop.
Children are especially delighted with the irregularly shaped seats. For example, they can be made in the form of an impromptu humpbacked horse, as in the photo.
It is not difficult to make such a swing for children out of tires, but their practical value is not great, and they are often used as an element of landscape design.
A swing with a chair-shaped seat will be much more comfortable. To make a similar design, you will need one car winter tire 175/70, a sharp knife, soap, an electric drill and a rope.
Initially, we will mark out, mark two sections of 20 cm and 30 cm on the sidewall, separated by a small cutout.
This will be the seat and back of the chair, respectively. An additional cutout between them is needed so that the swing seat can be freely deformed under the weight of the person sitting.
The remains of the sidewalls must be cut with a knife, periodically wetting the blade with liquid soap.
After cutting the tread and sidewalls, the chair frame will remain, as in the photo. It will only be necessary to deploy and hang the seat on polypropylene ropes.
You can make almost a real chair, just cut off part of the sidewall and wrap the tread tape “behind the back”
Balanced models have always been considered the safest for children, besides, they are easy hide in the cottage at the end of the day, no need to untie or cover with a film during the rain.
The simplest version of a swing - a pendulum is a half wheel, with a wooden board laid on top.
The tire is cut into two parts, one half is slightly shortened, cut off and put inside the other. This will provide the necessary rigidity of the support.
Next, two pieces of timber or a thick board are hammered into the cut tire along the edges. Improvised plugs are bolted to the sidewalls of the tires. The next step is to cut out the board - the seat, it can be made for swings from thick plywood. A pair of soft handles are immediately cut in, they can be made from a rope or a water hose.
The wooden top of the swing is attached to the rubber base with metal staples and self-tapping screws. It is easy to make a swing balancer from tires with your own hands in advance in the garage or in a home workshop, and upon arrival at the dacha, simply assemble the structure from a prepared set of parts.
There are two ways to hang a finished seat or armchair. If the swing structure is suspended from a metal pipe or crossbar, then it is best to use a chain hanger with U-shaped threaded brackets.
Polypropylene ropes on metal, as a rule, are suspended in a sliding way. This means that in the process of swinging the seat, the rope loop rotates on the crossbar simultaneously with the movement of the suspension. The upper part of the loop must be covered with thick leather or polyurethane tape to reduce fiber wear.
If the swing is hung on a tree branch or a wooden floor beam, then the suspension loop, whether metal or polypropylene, is fixed “tightly” with the help of an additional strapping of hemp or jute rope.
One of the disadvantages of tire swings is the poor durability of the rubber. The tire gradually ages and emits micro-dust that remains on the hands and clothes of children. Therefore, after completion of work, the finished chair or seat must be washed with soapy water and dried thoroughly in the shade for several days.
Before installation, the tire must be painted with any plastic paint, acrylic and furniture varnishes are not suitable, it is best to use polyurethane or latex coatings, they do not slip, are practically not subject to abrasion and do not collect dust.
