For our children’s second summer, we decided it was time to embark on a beach adventure. I must admit, I’m not exactly what you’d call a “beach person,” but I wanted to give my kids the most amazing experience possible. And so, the idea of building a PVC beach walker for our son, Seth, was born.
The Search
I fancy myself fairly handy and capable of following directions, but I don’t have a workshop in my backyard. I needed a solution that I could easily build at home with minimal tools.
After countless hours of Googling and scrolling through Facebook, I stumbled upon some helpful directions for creating a PVC Beach Walker.
Here are the resources I found useful:
- Instructables – Resource #1
- Jen Made It – Resource #2
- A Life Less Ordinary Blog – Resource #3
The Build
Armed with knowledge, I formulated a plan and embarked on a shopping adventure. To date, I’ve built 2 beach walkers, each with a slightly different design. I’ve listed below the items needed for PVC Beach Walker 2.0, as it has been my favorite so far. You can see the differences in the 2 in the slide show below.
- At least 10′ – 1” PVC Pipe (I used 3/4″ for my son when he was 2 and switched to 1″ when he turned 3)
- 1 Qty – PVC Cutter
- PVC Cement
- 2 Qty – “L” Shaped PVC Fitting
- 2 Qty – “3-Way Elbow” PVC Fitting
- 2 Qty – “3-Way T” PVC Fitting
- 2 Qty – “4-Way T” PVC Fitting
- 4 Qty – Lock Pin
- 4 Qty – Wheel of Choice
- 4 Qty – Hex Bolts
- 4 Qty – Lock Nuts
- 8 Qty – Washers
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks I picked up during both building processes:
- Getting the wheels aligned properly can be a bit tricky. If you don’t have access to a drill press, consider asking someone to help you drill the necessary holes.
- PVC cement dries quickly, so it’s best to assemble the pieces first, mark the connections, and then slowly put everything together.
- A mallet can come in handy to ensure a snug fit for all the components.
- If you need to transport your walker, I recommend not permanently gluing the back joints. Instead, drill holes and use “lock pins.” This way, you can easily disassemble it and fit it into your car.
- If you prefer the look of Beach Walker 1.0 – Here is my rough guide as another resource.
Beach Worthy
Now, let’s talk about the end result—our beach-worthy creation! Over the past few years, I’ve honed my PVC construction skills and have built two PVC beach walkers. Each time, I’ve learned valuable lessons and gained a wealth of experience.
The joy, excitement, and pure happiness on my son’s and daughter’s faces when we head to the beach make all the PVC cement residue on my hands totally worthwhile.
Even if you’re not a PVC enthusiast like me, don’t let that stop you from creating incredible experiences for your kids. With a little bit of research, some PVC magic, and a touch of determination, you can build something truly special. And who knows? You might just discover a hidden talent for beach walker engineering along the way!
Building something with love and creativity for our children is not just about the end result, but the memories and lasting bonds we create along the way.
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