How to make the PVC Pipe Fort and Water Works Play Set

A few friends have asked about how to make the PVC Pipe toys that I have shown on my blog. I thought it might be easiest to just post a few pictures and describe it in one place. It's taken me a little trial and error to get things right so hopefully I can make it easier for you!

I took some pictures of my own, and found others online. To start with, you need to go to Lowes or Home Depot and find some 1/2 inch PVC pipe. It's really long, so bring the larger car!! :) I had to bend them to fit them in our car and leave the kids at home!! The PVC pipe is pretty cheep so get a few! The PVC pipe is easy to cut IF you buy this wonderful tool! with as many cuts as your going to be making I suggest buying it!!!! You clamp down on the PVC pipe then open release the handle and clamp down a few more times as it tightens and eventually cuts through like butter. Before you go to the store think out how many pieces you will need and what sizes. I cut mine to 1 foot, 2 foot and 3 foot. I wanted enough 3 foot pieces that both kids could make a box, for a fort, and then have extra pieces and sizes to play with.So that's 12 pieces of 3 foot PVC for one fort. I picked 3 foot b/c I could sit inside that space easily w/ out feeling too crowded!! FYI I do think that the 3 foot pieces are hard to store. You could always cut them smaller, and then use the straight PVC attachment piece to turn your 1ft and 2ft into a 3 foot piece?!Here are some examples of random PVC parts that you might use. The little ones on top (about 2 inches long?) are the pieces I'm talking about that can attach 2 PVC pipes in a straight line. The "T" shaped one will come in handy for the "water works" play set, as will the "L" shaped one for turns. I have not used the "X" too much.

Next is the important pieces you need in order to build a square. I think these pieces got a little pricey? You can buy them in a bag vs. one at a time. You need the top part (seen to the top left in my picture below).. which screws in to the bottom part (other wise the PVC can't fit directly in the side w/ the threading..) Just a kink in the road I had to find a way around in order to build a square. If your building forts w/ your kids you will need these pieces for each corner. It's a "basic piece" in my opinion. I bought about 20 of these. You need 8 for each square fort. You don't really need these if your just interested in making a "water works" play set. For the home-made forts, I just let the kids throw blankets and sheets over top of their square. I did get creative at one point and sewed some panels to slide on the sides with their names on them.

The next part is needed to attach your hose to the PVC pipe for a "Water Works" play set. You will have to look at the end of your hose to see which part you will need. I guess there is a male and female end. I think this picture if different from the one I have. (shown below) But it gives you an idea what your looking for. You may have to ask around to find this piece and then tell them what your hose end is like. After you find this you need to ask for another piece that will now fit on to your 1/2 inch PVC pipe. This part above... needs to screw in to the left side of this part below (or one similar).... the right side of the white part below is the side that then slides on to the PVC pipe end. Make sure to tell them your looking for parts to attach to a 1/2 inch PVC pipe.Here is a picture of my hose attached to the PVC pipe. They look a little different from the ones I pictured above, it was hard to find the exact pieces online. Then (IF You can find it) you can ask for some tubing that will attach to a 1/2 inch pipe. When I was out they were all out. I got something thicker that just fit on to one of the end pieces they had there...Then w/ a little experimenting, I found these pieces below which attach to a much CHEAPER hose. I wish I had gone this route the first time but I had already asked the man to cut the more expensive tubing. :( The cheaper tube was like 30 cents a foot compared to $2 a foot) or something like that!!!!Here is a shot of the smaller tubing attaching to my "invention" piece... I am sorry I can't tell you the exact names of these pieces.. you really just have to stand there and mess around w/ pieces and see what fits. Most everything is out of the package in the store.Here is another picture of the smaller tubing. (it's not 1/2 inch)Lastly my magazine recommended that you get "caps" and drill holes in to them. This was the kids favorite part of the "water works" play set. These are like 20 cents a piece? I grabbed 4 and will go back and get more another time. Rich drilled them all different, some w/ more holes than others.. LEAVE some w/ no holes, b/c as your building you'll soon learn that if you cap off certain ends of the pipes, then the pressure builds up and sprays out better. For fun, I have been looking for little add on's. I got this for about $2.22? I think.. the kids can twist the knob and allow the water pressure to change (by themselves). My only warning is that these pipes pop apart kinda easily, so you gotta have good patience to keep rebuilding... Luckily Luke was very good at that. I don't bend so well right now, so I was frustrated. The kids would step on the pipes or bump them and it would come undone.

A little tip...When I first attach the pipe to the hose, I try to design it so that the water comes out 2 sides.. and then each kid can play from their end. Sometimes I design it so their ends go FAR away from each other so they don't accidentally bump each other or spray each other! -Good luck! call or write me if you have any questions!