Our backyard zipline has become neighborhood entertainment

Jan 13·1 min read

Built one with 2x6s and steel cable last summer when my kids were 11 and 13. Figured they'd be into it for like 2 weeks. Instead now there's literally a line of neighborhood kids waiting to go on it every afternoon. It's kind of amazing tbh but also mildly stressful because I keep picturing a lawsuit. We made them all sign a waiver (lol) but is this normal? Anyone else have backyard "attractions" that got out of hand?

6 comments378 views

Comments(6)

LLiam S.RegularJan 13

That's awesome but also terrifying. What's your safety setup like? Helmets? Harness? I'm trying to convince my wife that building one is a good idea and this is both encouraging and making her more nervous.

PPhil B.RegularJan 14

2x6s seem sturdy enough but I'm curious about the steel cable specs. Did you engineer it yourself or follow plans? My 12yo is begging for one and I want to make sure I do it right.

TTom M.New DadJan 14

Your neighborhood kids or are we talking like the whole block showing up? Because that sounds like it could get wild pretty quick with liability and everything.

TTomNew DadJan 15

How many times did the neighbors ask to build one themselves? Because I feel like word spreads fast when there's a zipline in the area.

KKevin P.RegularJan 15

Wait so at 11 and 13 they were already experienced enough to handle it safely? Or did you have them practice first? That's a big age range too which I never thought about.

AArchie M.RegularJan 15

This is the kind of dad move that becomes legend in the neighborhood. Your kids probably have the coolest house for hangouts.