DIY Balance Beam
Have a little one learning how to keep their balance? Learn how to make this easy DIY balance beam that will be perfect for any child’s playtime. My precious niece is practicing her balance so her BAE (Best Aunt Ever) wanted to make her a balance beam. I get a lot of project inspiration from my niece!
SUPPLY LIST
ITEM Quantity Cut
1 x 8 at 6’ 1 59”
2x4 at 4’ 3 16.25”
1x4 6 3.75”
1 1/2” Screws. 6 N/A
TOOLS
Miter Saw or Miter box
Sander
Compact Router
1/4 Straight router bit
5/8 Straight router bit
Paint Color or Stain of your choosing
Brad Nailer
Wood Glue
LET’S GET TO BUILDING!
I have several 2×4 boards in my scrap pile from previous projects so I just took three 2×4 boards that were close to the size I desired and used the miter box to cut 45 degree miter cuts at each end. I made the 45 degree cuts at each end to where both 2×4 boards would be the same length at 16 1/4 inches from long end to long end.
Once the support ends were cut I cut the 1×8 board with the miter saw. I cut it to about 59″. There is no rhyme or reason for that length other than I thought it looked good. You can certainly adjust both the support board length and the balance board length for what works for you. Get artsy with it! By the way, I may or may not have sang that to the tune of get jiggy with it! haha. Just a little humor in these darker times.
Now that we have all of the pieces cut it is almost time to put the DIY balance beam together.
If you wanted to keep this project super simple you could simply attach the 1×8 board to each support board. However, I wanted to get a little fancier with this project. I wanted the 1×8 board to sit within the support boards and add a little definition to the DIY balance beam.
WANT TO KEEP IT EASY PEASY? HERE IS AN EXAMPLE:
NOW LET’S GET FANCY!
I wanted to get a little more fancy with this balance beam project and try something new. I wanted the 1×8 board to sit within the support boards, inset. Having never attempted this before, I was hesitant, but determined. I do not own a table saw or a circular saw, which would have made this task a little more efficient, but I do have a router I’ve been learning how to use.
I used the router to make passes through the support boards. Using the 1/4 and 5/8 straight router bits I made a 3/4 deep inset for the 1×8 board.
Once I finished creating the inset on all of the support boards I attached the 1×8 board with 2 screws to each side. I flipped the balance beam over and attached a 1×4 square to each end of the support boards to add just a little height. I used the brad nailer to attach the squares.
When I began this project I was only going to have two support boards, but I found that to be too flimsy for the length I had the beam so I added a third support board. If you are planning to build this, depending on the length you choose, I would add a third support board. I should have added a third to start with, but you live, you learn, and you get hugs!
HOW FUN WAS THAT PROJECT!
Learning new skills is always a bonus to a project. This was my first time using the router in this capacity and I am thoroughly pleased with how it came out. I painted it pretty in pink for my niece! I think she’s going to love it!
TADA!!!
This project was fun to build and will make a great addition to any little one’s play area!