Build Your Own Zip Line in your Backyard!
June 5, 2012 by Heather
My husband is pretty adventurous when it comes to making things. He’ll just get an idea in his head, this plan of something he wants to create, and he’ll see if he can find a way to do it. This week he decided he wanted to make a Zip Line in our backyard for our kids! And he did it for less than $10.
So, here it is: “How Does (S)He Build a Zip Line?”
First you’ll need something for a handle. We had this dowel sitting around so we used it. You could buy something similar for probably around $1-2. Drill a hole in the middle of it.
Next, a pulley. This one cost about $3.
And a rope. We tried this with a nylon rope which we found to be a bit too stretchy (our zip line was gradually becoming lower to the ground each time it was used and we had to keep tightening it). So, try to find a rope that is not too stretchy and is meant to handle the weight of your child!!
Pull a piece of the rope through the hole and tie a strong knot. (I’m told this is a “granny” or “square” knot)
Secure the other end of the rope to the pulley. (We decided to attach the pulley by rope rather than screwing it right to the handle, so that if the child made the handle twist, the pulley wouldn’t be pulled off of the rope)
You could also use cable management products to help secure the pulley.
Then use a longer piece of rope to run through the pulley, and attach to something up high, on either side of your zip line. We used a fence. You could use a tree or whatever else is available in your yard.
Once it’s all assembled, you’ll have something like this:
We were making ours for little kids, so we didn’t make it very high off of the ground (the little one was never more than inches from the ground and the older one had to lift her legs up). It was definitely a hit and thrilling enough for our little girls, though (and Daddy was always close by to hold the 3 year old and help her).
Oh, the fun that was had! It really didn’t take very long to make and it was so fun & easy!
This is her, “let’s do it again!” face 
Have you ever built something really fun for your yard?
Tell me about it in the comments, I’d love to hear your ideas!
P.S. Come see what else we’re up to at Raising Memories Blog!
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So cool! This is now on my husband’s list of things to do =)
hahaha
awesome!
I can’t believe he came up with that! I love the last picture of K’s face! So cute and so fun!
Thanks Hilary
So simple, yet so much fun! The best kind of projects. What a fun idea! Tell your husband thanks for sharing!
I will!
My brother built a zip line in his backyard a few years ago. The kids loved it… the adults loved it! Lots of fun.
Do be careful though, my little sister lost her thumbnail when she accidentally per her hand in the wrong spot and the little roller thingy (technical term) ran over her thumb! OUCH. She survived and it didn’t stop us from using it. HAHA.
Oh dear!! Good to know to watch for that!! yikes!
I still cannot get the summer reading star free printable. The link is not working. I read several other comments of people who were having trouble too. Please help
I would love, love, love to print these off. Thanks again for all the free printables.
I’ve passed this on- hopefully you’ve received an email that helps?
Let us know if you’re still having problems!
Fun way to keep kids occupied! Do you still have the iShare website? For the last several days I have received a “forbidden” message when I try to access it.
Yes, it’s still there. We had some server issues…still have some server issues. ishareprintables is good, but the crafts is struggling. It should be good and strong by monday.
Not to be grim, but these can be very dangerous. http://www.huliq.com/3257/georgia-woman-clings-life-after-zip-line accident.
Of course anyone who tries this should be very careful, you are right! The story you refer to was a high zip-line (the woman fell into a river and suffered a gash to her leg). The zip line we made was so close to the ground that my 6 year old could walk while holding it if she didn’t lift her knees. We supervised very closely & held the younger one when she used it- it was pretty tame & we were very cautious!
Wow, that’s fantastic…and EASY!
I love this idea. I was going to buy a kit for her birthday but I realize now I actually have all the things I need to make one. I have the same pulley and a whole bunch of cable that must be rated to at least a few hundred pounds sitting in my garage. To be continued…
Sounds like a lot of fun is about to be had!
Thanks for posting this! Just saw it on pinterest. we have a sloping yard and two perfect trees. I’m very excited to try this.
Sounds perfect!
What a great idea. My kids would LOVE this. So easy, quick and inexpensive. I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com.
Thanks Michelle!
SUper fun Heather! Thanks!!
No, no, no—a thousand times no!
Zip lines can be extremely dangerous (Google Aimee Copeland to learn more about how she was horribly maimed after being injured by a homemade zipline).
Leave this to the pros–both the construction and the installation.
As with many things, you are right, it is very important to be careful! Aimee Copeland fell from a large zip line, into a river, and ended up with a gash in her leg which became infected by a rare flesh eating disease! This injury would be impossible on our little zip line! Of course we were still very careful with it- helping our girls to hold on, holding them as they used it. It was so close to the ground that our 6 year old could stand on the ground and hold the handles at the same time. We’re talking about a very mild zip line in this post.
This is an awesome idea!! T would love it– if we don’t move, we’ll be doing this. Great job girlie!
Thanks Rush!
Love this! Question though, was your line straight across or was one end higher than the other to make your kids glide across? Thanks for another great idea!
Ours was straight across, and their weight made it go lower, which made them glide across. They only went half way across because when they got to the middle, they were touching the ground (one reason why we though perhaps a less stretchy rope would have been better)
That is one of the coolest things I have seen in a while! Wish I had a high point in my yard to attach it to. May have to build something…thanks!!!!
Rope is not really a good choice for this. Nylon especially is very susceptible to sun damage and after a few months outside will be brittle and break easily. If you want to make a strong zipline that will last use aircraft grade cable. It’s going to be more expensive but a lot safer & last longer.