Kids Hammocks for Christmas

[genegene]

As we all know christmas is fast approaching. As a present for my little ones (all 4 of them) I would like to make them there own gathered end hammocks.


Every time I set my hammock up in the yard they end up fighting over who is going to be in it first, and then I end up yelling at them because I turn my back for a minute and then find them all in it at the same time .


So my plan is to make each of them there own, with there own colors and plan on mostly useing them inside the house in there rooms.


My question is, how do I determine how much (length) fabric do I need for each one? The age range is 3 - 7yrs old. I know that a piece 10 1/2ft long is going to be way to much for a 3yr old or even the 7yr old.


Is there an equation to figure out the proper length to height ratio?

[gargoyle]

Too short will mean your gonna have to build more in the near future.
8 or 9 feet will allow them to be comfy for quite some time.

I made my kids hammocks...and they do not like them? So before going thru the process, find out if hammocks are what they want.
Another thing to consider with kids, hammocks turn into play toys/swings. It is unavoidable. Swinging adds lots of stress to your walls or stands.

[hppyfngy]

^^^ gargoyle is right.

Rule of thumb though is height plus 4', but bigger is always better IMHO, and they grow really fast...

[raiffnuke]

+1 on what was said above. I made a little hammock for my little one....she outgrew it in a season. Make it bigger than you think you will need.

[SnrMoment]

A cheap, easy option is to get a polyester shower curtain. I got a couple from WMT for about $10 each. They're completely hemmed with channels on each end. Continuous loops & you're ready to hang them. Lots of colors - grand daughter's is pink & white. Kids are 6 & 7. They love them.

[genegene]

Too short will mean your gonna have to build more in the near future.
8 or 9 feet will allow them to be comfy for quite some time.

I made my kids hammocks...and they do not like them? So before going thru the process, find out if hammocks are what they want.
Another thing to consider with kids, hammocks turn into play toys/swings. It is unavoidable. Swinging adds lots of stress to your walls or stands.

I'm sure they will be played with for a while, maybe it will keep them happy for much longer.

I plan on gutting there rooms eventually, so I'm going to reinforce the walls where I plan on attaching them.

^^^ gargoyle is right.

Rule of thumb though is height plus 4', but bigger is always better IMHO, and they grow really fast...

I like the +4ft rule. It is a good base idea for what I am going to make them.

I wont mind making more in the future if they realy enjoy them. When they out grow these, maybe I will pass them on to other kids that might want one.

[webhanger]

I'm in this same process. I am choosing to go with a full size hammock blanks and whipping the ends. When they get to short they'll just rewip them. Similar set up for ridgelines and whoopies etc.

I hope they wear them out before growing out of them.

[vampiresmiley]

The +4 is a good guide. I made shorter than full size hammocks for my 2, 6 year olds, but went full size (10') for my 10 and 11 year olds. My 10 year old son actually prefers my long 90" wide hammocks since he likes to be able to turn onto his stomach or stretch out in any direction.

[Tr1ppler]

Perfect Timing! I'm looking to make some fun designed hammocks for my kids. My daughter is 4. Anyone have issues with little ones rolling out? I was thinking of putting in some netting to run over the SRL just in case.

[visionarylion]

this is great, i have 5 kids from 4-9. I just took an old queen size flat bed sheet( what i had and was FREE) and whipped the ends and my 4&5yr just share it this works cuz they sleep together any way. if they want hammocks in the future then i will mak them ones out of ripsitp