DIY slackline almost ended in disaster

Dec 161 min read

Strung up a slackline between two trees in the backyard for my kids. They loved it for like 3 days. Then my 8yo got overconfident, fell off, and knocked the wind out of himself. He's fine but holy crap I was scared.

He refuses to go on it now and honestly I'm not pushing it. Keeping it up anyway because my 10yo still uses it, but def tie it lower than you think you need to. And maybe a mat underneath? We just had grass.

11 comments44 views

Comments(11)

KKeith L.RegularDec 16

lol they loved it for 3 days then completely lost interest. That's the DIY dad curse right there. You're building things for eventual garage clutter.

TTim K.RegularDec 16

lol the overconfidence phase is real. 3 days of thinking they're an acrobat then reality hits

CChris T.RegularDec 18

Did he want to get back on after or is he traumatized? My daughter refuses to even look at ours after eating dirt once

JJoel F.RegularDec 17

Dude that's scary. Glad he's okay. The overconfidence phase is real - they see their older sibling do it smooth so obviously THEY can. Did you take the slackline down or just reinforce the danger talk?

DDale J.RegularDec 19

The 'knocked the wind out of himself' part hits hard. I remember that happening to me as a kid and it's legitimately terrifying for like 10 seconds. Props to you for keeping it as a 'he's fine' moment and not freaking out visibly.

AAl G.RegularDec 18

Glad he's okay but dude slacklines are NO JOKE. My kid took a similar tumble and I had that split second of pure terror. Maybe add some padding underneath or move it lower if you keep it up?

RRandy B.RegularDec 18

How'd you rig it? Did you use proper anchor points or just wrapped around the trees? Just asking because if you did it right there shouldn't have been much danger - 8yo just being a daredevil.

BBrad N.RegularDec 18

This is why I stick to trampolines with the enclosure nets. Still sketchy but at least there's something catching them

RRussell D.RegularDec 18

At least you tried something active instead of screen time. The slackline will be cool again in like 2 years when his friends come over and rediscover it.

NNick J.RegularDec 18

The wind knocked out thing is terrifying even when they're fine. That panicked look they give you before they can breathe again... worst feeling as a parent

CCharlie A.New DadDec 19

This is why I stick to trampolines. At least with those the falling is kinda the point. Slacklines look cool but yeah the liability is rough.