We set our grand children a challenge to find ways of using the odd implements we have around the house and garden to make games or playground equipment.
It makes us feel we are recycling our old things rather than putting them our for landfill.
It also keeps children occupied in a constructive way.
It is better for them to be out doors constructing something, rather than another few hours on computer games.
It transpired that the old hose winder that was lying in the garden shed was deemed a suitable object for recycling.
It is a little rusty but that did not deter them.
So what you might ask can you use an old hose winder for? Evidently it could be used for more hose or, I thought, a good way of storing a length of rope without it getting tangled up.
These were not considered interesting options when some form of game might be devised.
The answer lays in using the circular winder as a wheel by turning the contraption upside down.
It needed a plank strapped onto the base to provide a seat and someone, like father, to act as a horse and pull it along.
It was not the most elegant of chariots but a little imagination goes a long way when you are young.
A wider device would have made it more stable but in the event it fell to father to maintain a firm grip to prevent it falling sideways.
It was necessary to tie the plank very firmly with frapping turns to make it sufficiently rigid.
We had already used the plank for other games.
I had drilled holes at each end to take a rope for fastening the plank in various ways.
It turned out that the hose winder had other properties in addition to storing a hose or rope.
When not being used as a wheel for the chariot it can provide the pivot for a seesaw.
A hole in the centre of the plank is sufficient to secure it to the winder and it is the right height for young children to play with.
The holes in the end of the plank would take a short length of rope to provide handholds and various additions appeared, like the cushions from the sitting room to make the seat more comfortable.
I quite like the seesaw.
I find it more relaxing to watch them play rather than pulling them around the garden for the seventh time.
It makes us feel we are recycling our old things rather than putting them our for landfill.
It also keeps children occupied in a constructive way.
It is better for them to be out doors constructing something, rather than another few hours on computer games.
It transpired that the old hose winder that was lying in the garden shed was deemed a suitable object for recycling.
It is a little rusty but that did not deter them.
So what you might ask can you use an old hose winder for? Evidently it could be used for more hose or, I thought, a good way of storing a length of rope without it getting tangled up.
These were not considered interesting options when some form of game might be devised.
The answer lays in using the circular winder as a wheel by turning the contraption upside down.
It needed a plank strapped onto the base to provide a seat and someone, like father, to act as a horse and pull it along.
It was not the most elegant of chariots but a little imagination goes a long way when you are young.
A wider device would have made it more stable but in the event it fell to father to maintain a firm grip to prevent it falling sideways.
It was necessary to tie the plank very firmly with frapping turns to make it sufficiently rigid.
We had already used the plank for other games.
I had drilled holes at each end to take a rope for fastening the plank in various ways.
It turned out that the hose winder had other properties in addition to storing a hose or rope.
When not being used as a wheel for the chariot it can provide the pivot for a seesaw.
A hole in the centre of the plank is sufficient to secure it to the winder and it is the right height for young children to play with.
The holes in the end of the plank would take a short length of rope to provide handholds and various additions appeared, like the cushions from the sitting room to make the seat more comfortable.
I quite like the seesaw.
I find it more relaxing to watch them play rather than pulling them around the garden for the seventh time.
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