Get Creative With Water: PVC Pipes For Kids

This post was originally published Summer 2013 and my kids are still really loving it!

My sister and I found this great instructable for a Tinker Sprinkler and decided to try it out… I’m glad I did because my kids spend hours upon hours playing with it! You can modify PVC pipes for kids. It’s really fun for them to be able to put the pipes together in different ways all the time and so fulfilling to be able to build their own sprinkler. After building their “water machine” my kids fill buckets with water, send marbles through the pipes, or run through it to cool off.

You can read the original post here with a helpful photo of all the pieces laid out.

When I first looked at this project it seemed overwhelming, but the biggest part is buying the pieces so don’t freak out! I ended up talking with a woman at my favorite home improvement store who found all the pieces with me.

Also, I made a few modifications…

1. Don’t paint the pieces. Although it’s a nice idea to color code by piece length, I didn’t think it was worth the cost or time to paint each piece.
2. I couldn’t find side outlet elbows with all three branches being 3/4″, so I bought side outlet elbows that were 3/4″-3/4″-1/2″ and then bought fittings that brought the 1/2″ outlet up to 3/4″.
3. A hack saw or miter saw is much easier to use than the hand saw pictured in the instructable.
4. I could not find the black funnels pictured and bought regular funnels from the auto section, which work just as well.
5. You could only buy half of all the materials listed and still make great water contraptions.

If you have any questions or need more pictures, please let me know by commenting below or emailing me at annie@mykidlist.com. Enjoy! Your kids are going to love it.