DIY Fun: Scoot-Alongs

Good idea? Bad idea? You decide.

Yesterday afternoon, while perusing the hardware drawers at Home Depot for magnetic latches to fix Milo and Oliver’s play kitchen door, I came across rolling casters quite by accident. I picked up a package containing four, and was suddenly transported back to Smith Elementary School gym class, where one of my favorite things to do on a rainy school day was to scoot on a square-shaped board with wheels until I either ran over my own fingers or crashed into someone else, causing some sort of bodily harm. And suddenly, it became my mission to recreate this painful memory for my own boys.

Torture Devices Needed:

two packs rolling casters (sets of four)- preferably ones with rubber wheels (we learned that the plastic ones can scratch wooden floors)
two 1×17 3/4 laminated pine rounds (found in the lumber section)
32 wood screws
drill
rope or twine
scissors

Step 1: Convince unsuspecting spouse how much more fun it would be to “help” build a couple of scoot-alongs than to hold the baby.

Step 2: Measure out a length of rope to span the diameter of the pine round and cut to size.

Step 3: Finding the center of the round, drill 1 wood screw just enough to hold the rope. Placing the center of the rope around the screw, you will now be able to place each caster at equal distances from the edge of the round.

Step 4: You can either cut the rope again to the exact length you want to place the casters or you could mark the rope with a marker. Up to you.

Just make sure you place the casters far enough away from the edge that little boys’ fingers won’t get pinched when they hold onto the sides of the round, but not so far in that the round will tip over easily. We eyeballed it.

Step 5: Place first caster in position and using a small-guage drill bit, carefully drill shallow holes in each of the four openings on the base of the caster to make screwing it in easier.

Step 6: Drill each wood screw into the base of the caster, alternating diagonally and being careful not to over-tighten.

Step 7: Show as much gratitude as possible toward the ones who are providing you with this invaluable teaching moment.

Step 8: Repeat step 6 with each caster, placing them at 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock on the round.

Step 9: Unscrew the middle screw. You will need it for the second scoot-along!

Step 10: Do it all over again so brother #1 doesn’t get jealous of brother #2′s cool new ride-on toy.

Once you have finished, simply flip scoot-along over, and go!

… and go….

… and GO!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend! We are not doing much since Andrew has to work, work, work all weekend long. But I am planning to make a big pot of my favorite crock-pot beef stew tomorrow. Look for the recipe in a couple of days!

23 thoughts on “DIY Fun: Scoot-Alongs”

I’m sure that by Andrew having to “work” this weekend, you surely mean he has to go to Panera and drink coffee, or maybe grade 15 papers, or even worse, contemplate how his lesson plan for both days next quarter.

Man, your boys are adorable. And they sure do look happy scootin around the house. Great idea!

This is genius! I used to *love* these at gym time, too.

I love this idea! It looks like they had so much fun and I love the pics of the boys “helping out dad”.

Oh my goodness, what an AMAZING idea! Especially for little boys!

I’m still giggling! That little cheeky grin, oh boys are such fun!
Happy scooting!
happiness…
dannelle@nestenterprises

Good idea!

What a fun idea! Your boys are adorable. Glad you stumbled upon my blog, and glad to have found yours!

Guess who was scooting all over the house today??? GREAT project for Ben and Jamie to tackle together…and of course they made one for Greta too. Thanks for the idea!

Yay, Mary! I’m so glad you guys did this for Ben and Greta. We have been having a lot of fun with them- hopefully you guys used rubber wheels, because we did scratch the floors a bit. Oh, well. Just the cost of fun!

Oh man, that looks like fun! A cheaper (creative) alternative to the wheely bug toy eh? Very cool idea. We too love putting casters on all kinds of things for the boys. Rolling ANYTHING always comes in handy. Especially with hard wood floors.

Cute!

I remember those, too! To add to the likelihood of injury, our gym teacher provided short, stubby (and thankfully foamy) hockey sticks and a tennis ball.

Definitely my favorite thing about Mr. Whiteside’s gym class. The parachute was awesome too!

I’ve had so much fun this gray morning browsing through your beautiful blog; what a lovely glimpse into your family’s life! I love trying to figure out the bits and pieces. Arch: Okay, St. Louis. Writing grants: hmmmm…drums fingers….thinking….scientist (I default to what I know!)? Professor? Beautiful cozy house, sweet life with sweet boys.

I finally had to comment on this post because those scooters! My favorite part of elementary school PE! I think you guys are quite brilliant! Way to go, momma.