Dream DIY! A Collection of Handmade Swing Ideas
Especially if you live in a detached house and have small children, you’ve probably thought, “Wouldn’t the kids be thrilled if we had a swing in the yard?” Having your very own swing… it’s a pretty dreamy idea for adults, too, isn’t it? This time, we’ve put together some DIY swing ideas that might make that dream come true! If you love DIY and find yourself wanting to make anything and everything, this is a must-see! Be sure to check it out!
Dream DIY! A Collection of Handmade Swing Ideas
sawhorse bracket swing
If you’ve just gotten a home with a yard, you might be thinking it would be nice to have something for your small children to play with.
Why not try making a swing using lumber you can easily buy at a home improvement store? Many stores even lend out tools, so it’s easy to get started.
Even when you add up all the materials, the cost comes to less than 10,000 yen, making it budget-friendly—and you’ll end up with a one-of-a-kind swing.
Be sure to reinforce it adequately according to the rider’s weight.
log stake swing
Here’s an introduction to a swing made using long round wooden stakes purchased at a home improvement store.
This swing has a two-seater chair as the seat, so although it takes some effort to make, it looks like both adults and children can enjoy it.
The wood has holes drilled and is secured with bolts, so you can feel confident about its strength.
The great thing about handmade projects is that you can tailor the colors and design to your liking.
Many home improvement stores also rent out tools, so you can borrow just what you need when you need it, which saves space.
Single-pipe swing
Here’s how to make a swing using metal “single-pipe” tubing.
You can use the pipes as-is with their natural metallic color, but if you want to match your garden’s color scheme or paint them in your child’s favorite color, use a paint formulated for metal.
That will also improve durability.
Assemble the pipes using clamps.
Attach hook clamps for the rope.
For safety, be sure to check the rope regularly.
Use wood for the seat.
The material cost is around 15,000 yen, so it’s very affordable.
Hinoki wooden swing
This is a swing made from hinoki cypress wood.
Hinoki is also used for bathtubs and is said to be highly water-resistant, so it’s reassuring even outdoors where it’s exposed to rain.
Start by building the legs, then fit in the top beam from which the swing will be suspended.
If space allows, set the legs wider apart for better stability.
After inserting the top beam, add braces to handle lateral sway.
Reinforcement is very important to prevent accidents, so rock it forward and backward as well as side to side to check its strength.
Pergola Blanco
A pergola originally means a grape arbor.
In Japan, they’re often built over wood decks, where people train climbing plants or drape fabric over the top for shade.
Here’s how to use a pergola to hang a swing from it.
In this example, the frame is already in place, so we’ll prepare the seat.
Drill holes for the rope and sand the entire seat surface smooth.
Once you thread the rope, attach it to the pergola and you’re done.
As children grow, the load increases, so be sure to perform regular safety checks.
bamboo swing
Bamboo grows quickly and is a very handy material if it’s readily available.
Let’s try making a swing using bamboo.
The structure is simple—just lash the bamboo together with jute twine—so be sure to perform regular safety maintenance.
First, assemble three pieces of bamboo into a tripod, tie them with jute twine, and place a horizontal bamboo beam across the top.
Add additional bamboo pieces to secure the main frame.
Drill holes in the horizontal bamboo for the rope, attach hardware through the holes, and you’re done.
In conclusion
We’ve shared some handmade swing ideas—did any of them spark your interest? The most important point in making one is durability, especially if it will be exposed to the elements outdoors.
Please be sure to build a fun swing with safety in mind!