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DIY Dunk Tank

Dunk tanks are a staple feature of many carnivals. Not surprisingly, they are especially popular at school carnivals when children get the chance to try and dunk a principal, teacher or other authority figure. Dunk tanks are available from most rental companies, but you can construct your own if you know you'll be using it again and again. A simpler and more portable version is the reverse of a dunk tank called a dump tank, which can also be constructed.

Things You'll Need

  • Large plastic tank
  • Wooden board long enough to fit across tank
  • Long wooden board to serve as target arm
  • Saw
  • Heavy duty hinges
  • Heavy duty door latch
  • Bicycle wheel
  • Material for target
  • Paint
  • Nails
  • Small seat cushions
  • Brackets
  • Spring
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a large plastic tank that can be filled with water. The tank should be wide enough and deep enough to accommodate the person being dunked. A larger plastic barrel might work. If available, an above ground swimming pool can also be used.

    • 2

      Cut out a seat-shaped section from one of the wood boards. Reattach this cut-out section into the area where it has been cut out from with the heavy-duty hinges at the back of the seat, which will allow the seat section to swing down towards the water. Attach a heavy duty latch underneath the seat using screws. Make sure that the latch is strong enough to hold the seat in place with the weight of a person sitting on the seat.

    • 3

      Add a small seat cushion or a piece of foam to the seat to make the dunk bunch more comfortable for the person or persons being dunked. Keep in mind that this cushion will likely get wet so use a cushion or material that is designed for outdoor use.

    • 4

      Mount the bicycle wheel on the same side of the tank as the heavy duty latch, but on the far side of the tank. Make sure to mount the wheel in such a way that it will spin freely.

    • 5

      Use a piece of wood paneling or some other flat material to create a target. Use paint to decorate the target. You can make a simple circular target design or create an appropriate caricature or slogan. The target should be large enough to hit, but small enough to make it challenging for game players.

    • 6

      Attach the target to the board to be used to the target arm. Attach the target arm to the bicycle wheel. Make sure the board being used as a target arm extends at least a couple of feet from the edge of the tank.

    • 7

      Run a string from the bicycle wheel to the heavy duty latch so that when the target arm swings back the latch is pulled open and the seat drops down. It may take some adjustment of the string and the target arm to make sure that the target and seat latch function properly.


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