Build an In-tire Playground

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When I help folks build tire tunnels, we're always careful to pave the inside of the tube with used conveyor belting that we obtain-for freefrom manufacturing companies. We anchor this knee protecting material-just outside the tunnel's ends-by nailing it to buried wooden railroad ties or "sunken" pieces of utility pole. Rubber belting also makes a good safety surface for many other playground spots. You can lay it under swings and climbers, or any place where the children might hit a hard surface or perhaps wear the ground away.

Photo 3: Tire Caves. You can also partially bury tires to set up a series of hoop caves. The circular grottoes will give off eerie echoes when a child talks or hollers inside . . . and make some "hilly" climbing for those who'll want to clamber along the top. The youngsters at the school where these caves are located were responsible for the dens' fancy paint jobs. Furthermore, the artistic "little folk" don't just rest on their rubber laurels . . . they redecorate the caverns every year! (By the way, it's best to use water-based paint on tires. For some reason, oil-based coats have trouble drying!)

Photo 4: Tire Tipi. This casing "conestead" is a lot of fun to build and play on. We make our tipis three or four rounds tall for little tykes, and as big as possible for the "older" people. You can construct spaces between the tire layers by setting metal sleeves and washers on 6- to 12 inch galvanized fastening bolts. The gaps will make the tipi taller, easier to climb. . . and "springier" as well.

A tire tipi can be built-by a crew of three people-in a few hours. Once the structure is finished . . . each round plays the part of a coil on a giant spring, so the whole apparatus can rock excitingly to and fro like a sailboat in a heavy sea. (And don't worry about the cone tipping over. I once challenged 10 teenagers to upset a tire tipi, and those strapping adolescents couldn't do it. Well . . . at least not until they "cheated" by lassoing the top with a long rope and tugging on it for all they were worth!)

Photo 5: Sandbox. The tractor-tire sandbox is an old idea, but we've updated the concept some by cutting off one side of the casing to give the play circle more open space. (A dry-wall cutter-or any sharp razor-type knife-makes a fine tire-trimming tool.) And don't forget to drill drain holes in the "pneumatic's" lower side . . . or your sandbox may turn into a quicksand box.

Photo 6: Rubber Alligators. If you'd like to give your playground a touch that every young Tarzan will love, just make a "threadbare" alligator out of an old tractor tire . . . and nail the rubber hide to a low log bench. Young folks can then pull Ally's tail all day . . . "without getting eaten once". We used a chain saw to cut out the reptile's jaws, but that tricky task should only be attempted by someone who's expert at handling the dangerous tool.

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