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How to Make a Walking Beam for a Child

Using a walking beam helps a young child develop gross motor skills. Practicing the balance and coordination skills that are necessary for walking on a narrow beam will prepare your child for fitness activities like sports. Most children develop the skills necessary for walking a beam by age five. Encourage your child to walk forward and backward while using their arms stretched out to improve balance. You do not have to spend a lot of money making a walking beam.

Things You'll Need

4-in-by-4-in pressure-treated beam, 12 feet long
2-in-by-4-in pressure-treated board, 8 feet long
Two lag bolts with washers, 6 in by 3/8 in
Drill
1 1/8-in drill bit
3/8-in drill bit
Saw
Pencil
Measuring tape
Sander
Wood filler

Instructions

- 1
  Measure 1 foot from each end of the 12-foot beam and mark a straight line across the 4-inch width. Also mark the center of each of the 4-inch lines for your drill holes. Mark the best surface of the beam as this will be the top you walk on. Mark the 8-foot board at 2 feet, 4 feet, and 6 feet. Find and mark the center of each line at the 2-foot and the 6-foot marks.
- 2
  Cut the 8-foot board at the 4-foot mark. This will prevent your walking beam from tipping and it will be movable, making yard work easier.
- 3
  Drill 1 and 1/8-inch holes 1 inch deep on all four of the center spots marked. These holes will provide a recessed area to hide the head of your lag bolt.
- 4
  Use the 3/8-inch drill bit to create pilot holes for the lag bolts in the center of the 1-inch holes you just drilled. The pilot holes should go all the way through the beam and all the way through the 2-inch depth of the 4-foot sections of 2-inch-by-4-inch board.
- 5
  Connect the 4-foot base boards to the beam using the 6-inch lag bolts with locking washers and nuts. Because you cut a 1-inch recessed hole, the 6-inch lag bolt should be just long enough. The recessed area should be on the top side of the beam and on the bottom side of each 4-foot section.
- 6
  Fill the recessed holes on the top side of the beam with wood filler. Allow time to dry.
- 7
  Sand the wood filler areas on the beam as well as any other rough spots to prevent slivers. You may want to sand the 4-foot base boards as well.

Backyard Toys