A COOL-OFF CONSTRUCTION ZONE
This outside engineering project uses PVC pipe and running water to captivate young builders for hours. The play is open-ended: kids experiment with various ways to put the pieces together, directing the water along different paths and adding such fun elements as funnels, tubing, and sprinkler heads. Tinkering with the construction is half the fun. The other half? Getting wet, of course!
Here we suggest a variety of building materials that tested well. Make sure your fittings, adapters, and pipes are all compatible (ask for help in the hardware store). The cost can add up, so start with a few pieces and add more over time.
Shown:1. Funnels to catch water from one pipe and direct it to another
2. 3/4-inch PVC pipe cut to various lengths (ours range from 4 inches to 3 1/2 feet)
3. 3/4-inch clear vinyl tubing and PVC adapters4. Buckets to catch overflow
5. PVC caps (try drilling holes into them to create sprinklers)
6. Sprinkler heads and PVC adapters
7. PVC fittings such as elbows, tees, and crosses
Not Shown:
8. Ball valves to regulate water flow
9. PVC cutter or hacksaw to cut the pieces
10. Adapters to connect the garden hose to the pipe
