How to Build a Balance Beam

Smear wood glue on one 4-inch side of a 10-foot-long 2x4. Place the second 10-foot 2x4 on top of the glue and clamp the two pieces together. Set it aside for 24 hours, allowing the glue to thoroughly dry. Reinforce it with a nail every two feet along the top board.

Measure the balance beam, starting on the bottom of one side. A side is where the pieces are glued together. Measure up the side, over the top and down to the bottom of the second side. Cut a piece of loop-pile carpet long enough and wide enough to cover the measured space. Smear glue on the three sides and cover the wood with the carpet strip. Attach clamps to hold it in place. Hammer nails in several spots on along the bottom of both sides to hold the carpet firmly in place.

Cut the 8-foot long board. Make two 18-inch boards. Cut 8 rectangles, each 4-inches long.

Lay the two 18-inch boards horizontal to one another, about 9 1/2-feet apart. Lay the balance beam on top of the boards, centering it until it forms a 90-degree angle to each small board. Mark the location of the board on both sides of the balance beam with a pencil. Remove the balance beam.

Leaving the space between the two lines empty, glue a 4-inch board on the outside of the two lines on each board. Glue a second 4-inch board directly on top of each of the first boards. Place a screw in the middle of the board and screw the two boards together. Turn the 18-inch board over and screw the small boards in place, making sure the screw is flush with the bottom of the board.

Find a level spot in the backyard. Lay the 18-inch boards flat. Place them about 9 1/2-feet apart. Nestle the balance beam between the two posts on each end. Push it down until it is flat against the side board. Watch the kids as they play on their new backyard balance beam.