Summer is here, and that means it's time for swimming and backyard cookouts. One of the biggest difficulties that comes from having people over is making sure that everybody has a place to sit down and take a break from being out in the heat - especially children. If you're in need of a cheap way to keep the kids comfortable or just a simple DIY project you can do for and with your kids, then look no further! This PVC Fittings Online blog post will show you how you how to build a PVC chair for kids.
Materials Needed for Kids PVC Chair
- 3/4" Sch. 40 PVC Pipe - 5' Length (3) (thicker pipe can be used, but we find 3/4" pipe to be sufficiently sturdy)
- 3/4" Sch. 40 90-Degree Elbows (8)
- 3/4" Sch. 40 PVC Tees (6)
- PVC Cutting Tool
- Tape Measure
- PVC Primer & Cement
- 11" x 31" of ripstop nylon/heavy-duty canvas
(the pictured canvas has already been cut and looped)
Steps for Building a PVC Chair
Step 1: Measure and Cut PVC and Fabric
The first step in building your DIY PVC chair is cutting the pipe and fabric/nylon into the appropriate lengths for the build. Using a tape measure and marker, measure out four 6" lengths, two 5" lengths, four 4" lengths, four 10" lengths, and three 11" lengths of PVC pipe. Carefully use the PVC cutting tool to cut the PVC pipe. Don't worry if you mess up one or two cuts; you will have leftover pipe as a backup. Next, measure out an 11" x 31" piece of fabric/nylon and cut it out of the roll. Finally, roll back about 3" worth of fabric on each end of the cut and either glue or sew it to the back of the cut. This will create loops on each end that will act as holders to keep the fabric in place.
Step 2: Building the Base of the PVC Chair
The next step in building a kids PVC chair is to construct the base of the chair. Take two 10" lengths of PVC pipe and attach elbows to each end (four elbows in total). The elbows should be pointing upward when the pipe is laying flat on the ground. Next, insert one 4" length of pipe into one elbow on each 10" length of pipe. You can choose either end, but make sure that you choose the same end on each 10" length; this will be the back of the chair. Attach a PVC tee to each 4" length so that the third "sticking out" socket of each tee is facing the other third socket. Finally, use an 11" length of pipe to connect the two sides of the frame via the tees. After following these instructions, your frame should look like this:
Step 3: Building the Back of the PVC Chair
Next, insert one 5" piece of PVC pipe into the upward-facing socket in each tee. Top each 5" length with a another PVC tee, making sure the third socket on each tee is facing the front of the chair (the open elbows on the base). Insert one 6" length into the top of each tee and top each 6" length with an elbow, making sure that the open sockets on the elbows are facing each other. Finally, slide one fabric loop over an 11" length of PVC pipe and insert that length into the open elbows, connecting each side of the back frame. After following these instructions, your frame should look like this:
Step 4: Building the Front
Take two 6" lengths of pipe and insert one into each open elbow at the base of the frame. Top each 6" length with a PVC tee, and turn the tees so that the open third sockets are facing inward, or towards the opposite side of the frame. Slide the other fabric loop over an 11" length of PVC pipe and insert one end of that length into each open third socket, connecting the two sides of the frame.
Next, take two 4" lengths of pipe and insert one into the top of each tee (the only open sockets). Top each 4" length with an elbow with the open sockets facing the back of the chair (the openings on the elbows should line up with the open tees on the back of the frame). Finally, take the last two 10" lengths of PVC pipe and use them to connect the front frame to the back frame on each side, forming the arms of the chair.
Step 5: Finishing Up
You're almost done building your DIY PVC chair! If you're sure that your pipe cuts work for the build, now is a good time to paint the pipe to add a personal touch, if desired. This is also a good point to make changes to the fabric if necessary; a shorter length will make for a firmer seat while a longer cut will relieve tension. After painting the pipe and adjusting the fabric, carefully coat the ends of each pipe length and the inside of each fitting with PVC primer. After the primer has dried, redo the build, coating the ends of each pipe length and the insides of each fitting with PVC cement before making insertions (make sure to wear goggles and gloves when handling PVC cement; it's potent!).
That's it! You now have your very own DIY kids PVC chair: a fun, low-cost way for you and your kids to get crafty and take a load off from your summer adventures!