How to Make a Fidget Ladder

At its most basic, a fidget ladder is simply a very unstable rope ladder. Yet, this unsophisticated piece of equipment can make for a great challenge in a confidence course, test the abilities of team members to give and receive input, or simply keep a group of friends entertained for hours. Whether it's for a course or just a backyard play set, the experience of building your own and sharing it with family and friends can bring great satisfaction.

Things You'll Need

  • 50 feet of 1/2 inch, 3-strand, nylon rope
  • Marker or felt tip pen
  • 11 dowels; 18 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide
  • Tape measure
  • Drill
  • 1/2 inch drill bit
  • Vise
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Instructions

  1. Prepare the Rungs

    • 1

      Place an 18-inch dowel in the vise, leaving at least three inches of dowel sticking out.

    • 2

      Drill a hole 1-inch in from the end of the dowel. Repeat on the opposite end of the dowel, making certain the holes are at identical angles.

    • 3

      Repeat Steps 1 and 2 with each of the remaining 10 dowels.

    Start the Ladder

    • 4

      Lay out the rope and fold it in half to find the exact middle. The middle point on the rope will be the top of the ladder. Make a mark at the middle point so you can find it easily as you work.

    • 5

      Measure two points, 24 inches from the middle of the rope down both sides and mark each point.

    • 6

      Make a loose knot just below each mark.

    • 7

      Check the knots against each other, making certain that they are next to each other when the rope is folded in half. Adjust if necessary and then tighten.

    • 8

      Push each end of the rope through the holes in a rung and push the rung up the rope until it fits snugly against the knot on each side.

    • 9

      Tie a knot on each side of the rope below the rung so that the rung is held snugly between the knots above and below it.

    Finish the Ladder

    • 10

      Measure 18 inches down both sides of the rope from the bottom of the rung and mark both points.

    • 11

      Tie knots just above each mark, making certain the knots are at equal distances from the rung.

    • 12

      Push each end of the rope through the holes in a rung and push the rung up the rope until it fits snugly against the knot on each side.

    • 13

      Tie a knot on each side of the rope below the rung so that the rung is held snugly between the knots above and below it.

    • 14

      Repeat Steps 1-4 until all rungs are attached.

    • 15

      Measure 24 inches from the final rung down each side of the rope. Tie the ends together at that point with a square knot.