Tire Swings

An old tire, a piece of thick rope, and a strong tree with a sturdy branch suggests a tire swing, ideal for spending long sunny afternoons swinging in the shade. Kid tire swings have been a staple of fond childhood memories for generations of kids. Although indoor swings are available, the outdoor tire swings are the iconic monuments to a childhood well spent. Seeing your father hanging a tire swing from the sturdiest limb of the old elm tree meant endless carefree hours of play and many treasured memories to come. We couldn’t wait.

Commercially made tire swings are available for purchase, ranging from the basic tire swing to models designed to resemble horses, Longhorn steers and even, for the really adventurous soul, swings which look like T-Rex dinosaurs. For the anti-traditionalists who don’t particularly want a real rubber tire, plastic tire swings made of molded plastic with molded-in eyes and optional plastic coated chains can be found. What started out as an easy, cheap way to use old worn-out tires for inexpensive tire swings for kids has become a thriving commercial enterprise.

Many sites are available for the do-it-yourselfers who’d like to use old tires to craft their own recycled tire swings. Building instructions for a tire swing of almost any design can be found; from easy, inexpensive versions to more involved plans for making more complicated styles. Imagine explaining to your son or daughter “ how I made a tire horse swing," and consider putting “make tire swing” on your to-do list. For easier construction tire swing kits can be found, or a tire swing swivel can be added to a swing set to make another version of the swing.

The basic materials needed for a tire swing are an old tire; a large diameter rope, 10' longer than the distance from the tree branch to the swing, and a length of rubber hose to prevent excess wear on the rope or the tree branch to which it is fastened. The tire should be cleaned with a bleach solution of one part bleach to three parts water, scrubbed with a brush inside and out, to remove any possibly harmful substances. Learning how to make a tire swing can pay huge dividends for years to come.