Hangin' Around

Over the past few weeks the children have particularly enjoyed building rope swings and balance ropes. Our simplest method of constructing a rope swing involves using a thick polypropylene rope (made up of three ropes plaited together and capped with rubber bungs) and a log. The rope is wrapped at least twice round the limb of a suitable tree leaving both ends of the rope dangling down to the desired height of the swing seat. The log is then pushed through the plaits of the log. This method allows the rope to removed easily when we have finished playing. 

The children have also been learning how to tie a range of knots, hitches and bends an finding out about how they can be applied in the woodland. One simple but extremely useful example is the timber hitch. This can be used to secure a rope between to trees that will hold weight well and is easily undone after use.