North Carolina summers are brutal. Like – walk outside and instantly feel like you’ve just stepped into a shower-brutal. On a recent flight from Ohio to NC, I overheard a flight attendant explaining the NC heat to a man who had never been to NC. She said it wasn’t bad because it is a dry heat. Um, no. Not even close. In July and August, I can’t stand to be outside. But if I have to be, I need to be near water. We built this DIY sprinkler 6 years ago during our first summer here and it is still going strong. It may be one of my favorite DIY projects we’ve built. You can build one too! It’s easy.
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There are many different ways to make a homemade water sprinkler. You can make a sprinkler out of a plastic bottle, out of pool noodles (yes, pool noodles) or you can make a sprinkler out of pvc pipe. The PVC pipe method is what I’m going to show you how to do today.
HOW TO MAKE A DIY SPRINKLER
SUPPLIES
2 ten foot lengths of PVC pipe
3 end caps
1 threaded female hose connector (slip fit)
2 elbow joints (90 degree)
2 T connections
1 pack quarter circle mister jets (12 count)
3 end caps
1 threaded female hose connector (slip fit)
2 elbow joints (90 degree)
2 T connections
1 pack quarter circle mister jets (12 count)
ruler
pen or pencil
saw
PVC cement
drill
5/32″ drill bit
saw
PVC cement
drill
5/32″ drill bit
DIRECTIONS
Cut list:
Cut one of the 10′ pipes in half so that you have two 5′ sections
From the other 10′ pipe, cut it so you have a 4′ section and a 6′ section.
Cut the 6′ section in half and then each of the 3′ sections in half again
When you are done cutting, you should have this:
(2) 5 foot sections
(1) 4 foot section
(4) 18 inches sections
Assembling the pipes
On each of the 3 longest sections of pipe, draw a line down the center of each pipe like this. Next, measure 9″ from one end of each pipe and make a mark along the center line.
On each of the 3 longest sections of pipe, draw a line down the center of each pipe like this. Next, measure 9″ from one end of each pipe and make a mark along the center line.
Make three more marks at 10″ intervals along the center line of the pipe. These will be the locations of the misters.
Using a 5/32″ drill bit, drill holes in the pipes on the points that you marked.
Using the elbow connectors, place the pipes together to form a “U” shape, making sure that the holes point upwards. The drilled holes on the side pieces should be closest to the end with elbow joint (near cross piece).
Glue the PVC pipes together with PVC cement, making sure the holes stay facing up.
Screw the mister jets into the holes, aligning them so they spray inward.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Got heat? Make this DIY #sprinkler and cool off this summer!” quote=”Got heat? Make this DIY #sprinkler and cool off this summer!”]
Assembling the Base
To assemble the base, attach the 18″ sections of pipe together with the “T” connectors to form (2) sections of pipe.Attach end caps to (3) of the ends and the female connector to the remaining end of pipe. The water hose will connect to the female connector. You can see on the photo above that I only have endcaps on 2 ends and I have added an additional connector. This was because we thought we were going to attach this to another sprinkler. You do not need this additional connector that is shown… just put an endcap there.Place the two sections of pipe parallel to each other on a flat surface. Then, place the ends of the “U” section into the T-connectors.
To assemble the base, attach the 18″ sections of pipe together with the “T” connectors to form (2) sections of pipe.Attach end caps to (3) of the ends and the female connector to the remaining end of pipe. The water hose will connect to the female connector. You can see on the photo above that I only have endcaps on 2 ends and I have added an additional connector. This was because we thought we were going to attach this to another sprinkler. You do not need this additional connector that is shown… just put an endcap there.Place the two sections of pipe parallel to each other on a flat surface. Then, place the ends of the “U” section into the T-connectors.
If you want to be able to disassemble and store your DIY sprinkler, do not use glue when you attach the base to the “U”
Testing the DIY Sprinkler
Let the glue dry, attach the water hose and turn it on (not full blast). Adjust the misters if needed and check for leaks. You can stop leaks around the base of the misters by wrapping it with teflon tape.
Let the glue dry, attach the water hose and turn it on (not full blast). Adjust the misters if needed and check for leaks. You can stop leaks around the base of the misters by wrapping it with teflon tape.
This DIY sprinkler has been a hit with my kids since they were babies. We also bring it out whenever we host an outdoor party during the summer so the kids can run through it. It’s given us years of fun and I hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it too.
PIN THIS SO YOU CAN BUILD IT THIS WEEKEND!
Check out more ideas for outdoor fun!
Laura says
Thank you so much for sharing this, Kelly! I can’t wait to make one for the kids. They will LOVE it, I’m sure.
Jen @ Domesticated Nomad says
Well, isn’t that clever! Thanks for sharing. I found you through Come Together Kids and I’m going to follow you. I hope you will come check out Domesticated Nomad too. 🙂
Amanda says
What an awesome idea! Definitely putting this on my to-do list 🙂 I’m your newest follower, I’d love it if you checked out my page at http://www.sleepytimeproductions.blogspot.com! Found you through Come Together Kids linky party.
Natalie says
I’ve been wanting to do this forever! Great job! Found you through Come Together kids!
JessieMomma says
This has FUN-tastic written all over it! How fun would it be to ride a scooter or bile through this?! Thanks for posting!
Kelly @livingcraftilyeverafter says
This is such a great idea! I just emailed the link to my hubby and told him to make me one 🙂
Found you through Come Together Kids! I am your newest follower, come on by and check out my blog! http://livingcraftilyeverafter.blogspot.com/
Kelly
Maureen says
Cool! I also found you through Come Together Kids. I can’t wait to try this with my kids!
Indiri says
Such a fantastic idea! My kids are going to love this.
Kiana says
Finally got around to making our own version of this sprinkler and the kids love it! I posted some pics here! http://kidsdogsandticks.blogspot.com/2011/08/sprinkler-fun.html
Thanks so much for sharing this idea!
Rebekah says
I hope I can become more handy because I would love to make something like this for our backyard this summer. Several months of 100 degree heat and you need a lot of water toys.
Thank you for linking up to our Best of 2011 Blog Party! Happy New Year!
Ali says
We just bought a water play toy for the kids and it is a big disappointment. Your sprinker looks amazing, we will give it a try. Thanks for sharing on Best ideas for kids linky party.
JDaniel4's Mom says
What a fun idea! My son would love one of these!
Albert Trotter says
such a great post with great idea..i will definitely try this for my kids
Rebekah Purnel says
My daughter likes sprinkler too much. I made a plan to make such one myself and was searching for the best idea. Yours helped me much than any other. The good news is that I have already made one and she is playing with it. She is very happy!! Thanks, Kelly!!! 🙂
Jenny says
Your link for the quarter circle water misters dooms to be gone. Can you please help me find something similar?
Kelly says
Hi Jenny! If you search for quarter circle water misters on Amazon, you should be able to find something similar.