Carl – Page 10 – Slacklining Tips

Slacklining is an activity that people of almost ages can take part in and that includes your kids. While traditional slacklines are set up outside between two trees, kids sets are available that can be set up both outdoors and inside the house too. Kids slacklining sets are available with a wide variety of designs depending on the age of your child(ren) and their motivation to learn. If they want to start outdoors like the adults, no problem. If they'd prefer to start indoors inside the house on a smaller scale if your kids are younger, they can do that too. Let's check out kid's slacklining options and we'll start with the traditional outdoor variety. Get A Kid's Slacklining Set A quality children's slacklining kit is one that includes everything your child needs to get started slacklining. This typically includes a slackline up to about 50' (15m) in length and 2" in width (51mm), top line for steadying your child as they're learning and a rachet to tighten the line to the tree. Typically it'll be recommended to set up the line so it's no more than about 18" (46cm) above the ground for safety. The set may also come with a tree protector to avoid damaging the outer bark. Remember: In this case, the maximum length of the slackline is 50' (15m) but you can of course set your line up for a shorter distance to start with as your child is learning how to slackline. It's also important to get a kids' set that includes a top line to hold onto not only for safety but also motivation. The quicker they get comfortable on the slackline and can keep their balance with help of a top safety line to hold onto, the quicker your child will get hooked on slacklining and won't give up due to frustration. If your chosen set doesn't come with a top line, you might need to hold their hand to start with as they're starting to slackline and getting used to it. Balance is difficult to establish on a slackline even for an adult so a top line or spotter to help the child start to master the line is important. Keep It Low To The Ground As mentioned above, a kids' set should be about 18" maximum off the ground and should ideally be over a soft ground surface like a thick lawn or sand. Wear A Helmet Regardless of how high the slackline is set and regardless of the ground surface, wearing a helmet is a good idea especially for young kids. Head injuries are serious and slacklining tends to involve a great deal of falls especially as you start to learn how to slackline. Get A Kid's Indoor Slacklining Kit If you are limited by lack of trees or have no backyard or your kids are perhaps too young to start slacklining for real, there is another option. An indoor slacklining set for kids is one that typically is set up on the ground inside your house. It enables kids to learn how to slackline from the comfort of your home, at any time of the year with little installation. Plus an indoor slackline is set up on the floor with the line only several inches off the ground meaning it's about as safe as you can get. Conclusion Kids can enjoy slacklining along with their parents but children additionally have the opportunity to try slacklining indoors with a kids set designed just for them. While slacklining can be a fun and healthy activity, care should be taken at all times especially when young children are involved. Younger kids should be supervised at all time to be safe and a helmet should be work by your little ones to protect against a head injury from a fall. Whether you use a top line safety line or help your child maintain their balance to start with by holding their hand and acting as a support, it's important to offer them one or the other so that they don't continually fall and give up slacklining due to frustration.