Wednesday, December 18, 2013

DIY American Girl Gymnastics Bar

So what to do when one of the only gift your 5 year old American Girl Doll-loving girl keeps telling Santa is a $200+ gymnastics set?  Nevermind the fact that I could send my real live living breathing daughter to actual real live gymnastic lessons for that amount...but now she wants her doll to have a set of uneven bars and a beam, too.  Are you kidding me?

There was no way I was going to spend that amount of money on something for a doll. Sorry. Not gonna happen.  But, there was also no way I wanted my precious baby girl to be disappointed on Christmas morning and so I set out to make a DIY American Girl gymnastics set.
I searched Pinterest for ideas on making uneven bars for the AG doll and came across My AG Doll Crafts' tutorial.

I followed the tutorial in general, but made some slight changes to the design and parts list.   To be honest, the hardest part about this project for me was getting all the right parts.   Everything needed to make this gymnastics bar set is at Home Depot so head on over to the plumbing aisle and purchase the following:
  • 1/2" CPVC at least 8 continuous feet long
  • 5/8" wooden dowel 24" long
  • 4  3/4" CPVC 90° elbows
  • 6 3/4" CPVC T 
  • 5/8" wooden dowel 24" long
Additional supplies needed:
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Spray Paint
  • Saw (I used a jig saw, but a handsaw would work)
Alright now it's time to start building...

The first thing to do is to cut down the PVC pipe and the dowel.  My AG Doll Crafts has a great cut list that worked out perfectly for this project, despite a few slight changes down the line.  I laid my PVC pipe on the floor alongside a tape measure and used a marker to mark off exactly where the cuts should be.


Cut down the PVC pipe into the following pieces: 

         2 x 10 1/2"   (low bar sides)
         2 x  17"        (high bar sides)
         4 x  5"           (bottom)
         1 x 12"          (bottom)
         4 x  1"           (to attach to dowels)


Cut the wooden dowel into two 12" pieces. These will be used as the actual bars.

You can spray paint all the PVC and the rest of the parts (minus the bars) now or you can wait until you put the uneven bars together to do it.  I opted to put some of the bar together before painting, mostly because I'm impatient and didn't feel like waiting for the paint to dry

The original tutorial suggests using cement and special glue to attach the PVC pipes with the elbows and Ts.  I used hot glue and it worked perfectly.  In fact at one point I glued the wrong pieces together and had a terrible time getting it apart - that's how you know the glue is strong.  If you do go with the hot glue method - do NOT be stingy.  Glop that stuff all over the end of the pipe along with about a half inch up the pipe.

Alright now that that's clear - let's start putting this bar together.  Lay everything out...


1.  Grab two of the 5" pieces and connect them with a T in the middle.  (Repeat with the other two 5" pieces)


2.  Working with one of the sections you just made, grab two more Ts.  You're going to glue a T to each end of the section you just made.  Be sure that the middle T is positioned so the open end is perpendicular to the floor or table - where ever you are working. The two Ts that you glue on each end should be positioned so the open end is parallel to the floor.  Okay, I'm not the best at explaining this - just make it look like the picture below.  Repeat with the other section you created in Step 1.



3.   Take your 12" piece of PVC and use it to connect the two sections you created in Step 2 in the middle.

4. Take the two 10.5" pieces and use them to create the upright for the front/low bar. (Reference the photo below)

5.  Take the two 17" pieces and create the upright for the back/high bar.

7.  At this point you should have something the resembles the below (disregard the actual uneven bars, I was getting a little ahead of myself when I took the picture). If you haven't already spray painted the uneven bars, now is the time to do so.  Don't forget to paint the four 1" pieces and the elbows.



7. Once all the paint is dry, top each of the upright pieces with an elbow.


8.   Slip the 1" pieces of PVC pipe on each of the ends of the dowels.


9.  Put the dowels, with the PVC pipes on the ends, into the elbows to complete the uneven bars.


Now for a little price comparison. I spent just over $25 total on all the supplies:

$13.84 - 10' PVC)
$2.25 - dowel
$7 - elbows and T's
$3.87 (spraypaint)

Plus, I saved enough to put my actual kid in gymnastics classes AND she won't be disappointed on Christmas morning when she sees her custom built DIY American Girl Gymnastics bars.




And here's the tutorial for the DIY American Girl balance beam...this is even even easier than the knockoff doll uneven bars.



You may also like...



Thanks for stopping by 2IY! If you like what you see, we'd love for you to pin it!


 photo 23de5266-91bc-4226-85c8-8c74cb4c20ee_zps1313e4f5.jpg


17 comments:

  1. There are many gymnastic bars available in the market. It’s important to have a best gymnastics bars equipment that is going to last a long time and be safe to use.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is so interesting I was searching for this topic for a long time. I read this article very carefully and now I got all my best information for writing a blog on stretch film jumbo roll manufacturer and stretch wrap film manufacturers. I am so glad that I finally find a blog resemblance to my topic. Thanks for this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like to post very informative posts. I am read the blog thank you My website is an excellent leather shop jacket and bags manufacturing check now leather jackets

    ReplyDelete
  7. But I guarantee you that reupholstering a basic dining
    room chair is one of the simplest DIY tasks available. But before I share to you on how to do it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a wonderful concept for a blog! Fantastic, even without identifying the problem! Exceptionally well-written and fascinating stuff. Continue in the manner described above.
    Abogado De Trafico En Virginia

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. When you're ready to conquer the cold like a Saiyan warrior, Goku Drip Black Puffer Jacket has got you covered.

    ReplyDelete
  11. A Hanover Traffic Lawyer is a legal professional specializing in handling traffic-related cases in Hanover, Virginia. With an in-depth understanding of state traffic laws, these attorneys offer essential guidance and representation to individuals facing various traffic violations, including speeding tickets, DUI charges, and reckless driving allegations. Their expertise aims to minimize fines, prevent license suspension, and mitigate the legal consequences of traffic offenses. Hanover Traffic Lawyers are dedicated advocates who work diligently to protect their clients' rights, making them invaluable allies when navigating the complexities of traffic-related legal matters in Hanover, VA.
    Hanover Traffic Lawyer

    ReplyDelete
  12. Faridabad cabs provide hassle-free rides with courteous drivers, clean vehicles, and easy booking options. Offering prompt service and competitive rates, they're the go-to choice for comfortable and convenient transportation in Faridabad. faridabad cab

    ReplyDelete
  13. County Roofing deserves recognition as a top-tier roofing contractor in Brooklyn. From the initial consultation to the completion of the project, their professionalism and quality of work stood out. For anyone in need of a roofing contractor brooklyn
    , County Roofing is the best option.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Stonewell Financial offers comprehensive 해외 여행자 보험 plans tailored to fit your international travel needs perfectly. Travel with confidence knowing you're protected.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Interested in how long does thc show up on oral swab? Drug Test Kit USA's website offers detailed insights into this question. Typically, THC can show up on oral swab tests for up to 24-72 hours after use, depending on various factors like frequency of consumption and metabolism.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Telesim travel sim card is my trusted companion for seamless connectivity while exploring new destinations. It's a must-have for any globetrotter!

    ReplyDelete