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DIY Outdoor Balance Scale

One of the things the children loved most about last year’s backyard make-over was the balance scale we made for them to play with.
Our original balance scale was created using an old clothes hanger, a couple empty soda bottles, and some duct tape. And while it worked well enough, I thought it was time to upgrade to something a little more visually appealing and also a little more durable.

Balance Scale (1)

The new balance scale was made using a Dollar Tree beam level, a short piece of PVC pipe, duct tape, some wire, and two small Dollar Tree buckets.

First we measured out the middle on the PVC pipe and drilled a small hole. Then we duct taped the PVC pipe to the beam level, making sure the middles were lined up.

We drilled small holes into the corners of the beam level and threaded a piece wire through each of those holes, using the wire to connect the handles of the small buckets.

Balance Scale (2)

Once done we put a nail through the hole in the PVC pipe and nailed the entire set up to a 4×4 post, which we found for free in a scrap pile last year.

We dug a little hole in the ground and put the post up near the mud kitchen.

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7 Comments

7 Comments to DIY Outdoor Balance Scale

  1. Theresjustonemommy says:
    April 30, 2015 at 6:00 pm

    I love this!
    We have made scales inside…but never thought to use the level!
    We will have to try this this spring!

    Reply
  2. Natasha Johnson says:
    April 30, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    Great addition to our outside play area. Thanks for the idea.

    Reply
  3. Star Wars Fun for Families - Mama Smiles says:
    May 1, 2015 at 1:00 am

    […] fans, you should still drop by Suzy’s blog. She has all sorts of awesome ideas, like this DIY Outdoor Balance Scale and this Number-Line Balance […]

    Reply
  4. KT says:
    May 1, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    This is so cool! I love the use of the level and the brilliant idea of getting it on the cheap. We’ll definitely be making this soon. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  5. 14 Ways To Make Your Backyard Kid Friendly On A Budget says:
    March 24, 2016 at 6:00 am

    […] love dirt and rocks? Build a giant outdoor balance scale. Hours of entertainment filling buckets! Suzy Homeschooler made this fun […]

    Reply
  6. 15 Creative, Kid-Friendly Garden Ideas - Crafting a Green World says:
    April 18, 2016 at 10:06 am

    […] outdoor balance scale. Make those hands-on math skills a natural part of play by making this super-fun outdoor balance […]

    Reply
  7. Make a Balance Scale to Use Outside – Lesson Plans says:
    May 3, 2017 at 3:19 pm

    […] love this idea for making a balance scale out of things you probably already have around the house. Attach a couple of buckets to a level […]

    Reply

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  • You are here: Suzy Homeschooler » Math » DIY Outdoor Balance Scale
  • Published on: Tuesday - 21 April 2015
  • Categories: Math Tags: DIY , hands-on math , outdoor classroom
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