Twine Zip-Line

Look out! Here comes some fun.

ADDED March 25, 2010

Okay, I admit it. I probably am not the first person to ever think of this idea as a way for entertaining kids.

But I really did think of it, and -- what's more -- my kids tried it out and LOVED it.

For this activity, you guys need some twine. Yes, usually our ideas are completely-cost free, but for this one, we'd like you to spring a few bucks for a ball of twine.

Once you've emptied your wallet and got yourself some twine, you're ready.

Tie a length of the twine to two points in a room inside your house. You want the two ends to be at least ten feet apart, and you want to make the string taut. Make sure that the twine isn't so low that people will trip on it, but low enough that your kids can just reach it. (Outside would work quite well for this, too.)

Have your kids find a lightweight toy or two to dangle from the twine. (The toy should somehow have a hook-shape. An action figure would probably work. A ball would not. Have the kids try to find "good danglers!")

Next, have your little ones slide the toy along the twine. Twine Zip-Line!

In my house, we tied another piece of string to the toy and each kid pulled it along the line.

Yes, the concept here is simple, but I have to report that my kids were entertained by this for an hour. The next day, they asked to do it again!

Of course, you'll want to make sure that your kids practice common sense safety and don't get important body parts overly tied up or constricted by the twine. You'll do that, right? No "clotheslining," please.

Good luck with this one. We hope that your family finds our Twine Zip-Line to be quite a fine time! For an hour or nine!