You may have seen people walking on a slackline in a park. This may have caught your attention. Well, now it’s your turn to try. Slacklining is a great way to develop new skills for you and your children. If you want to know how to set up a slackline for kids, this article is made for you.
WHY IS A SLACKLINE BENEFICIAL FOR CHILDREN?
MOVEMENT COMPETENCE
Slacklining offers a universal solution and allows you to explore and experience the effect of gravity yourself. Methodically correct slacklining training significantly improves the learning curve and enables each pupil to balance on the slackline within one to two lessons. Since balancing on a slackline is a coordinative skill, comparable to swimming or skiing, it can provide benefits in the long term and outside of school lessons.
PERSONAL COMPETENCE
The ability to walk and balance on a slackline is often regarded as a skill that can only be mastered by people with „special talent.“ So it’s very good for confidence building.
REFLECTIVE COMPETENCE
Technique, concentration and posture all play an elementary role in slacklining. Proper handling results in immediate and perceptible successes: This permanently increases the motivation to continue working on the methodology, concentration and mental attitude.
All this while having fun, isn’t that wonderful?
IS SLACKLINE DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN?
Of course not, you just have to install it correctly. It must be at the right height in relation to the children. Too often people get discouraged by slacklining, not because it is hard but because they start with a slackline wrongly set up for their level (like putting a child on an adult bike).
Make your environement safe with a slackline :
– Find solid anchors, like strong trees. (Don’t forget to use tree wears.)
– Check the environment and the reception area. There should be no stones or other dangerous obstacles. The best would be a well-mown grass.
– Don’t set up your line too high. (at knee height for children, it’s perfect)
– The line should not be too long and it should be stretched. A 3-4m slackline is already very long for children.
– Lock your ratchet, and add a ratpad for added security.
CAN WE PLAY GAMES ON A SLACKLINE?
Here is a video with a game proposal. They work on a slackrack or on a classic slackline for kids.
HOW TO ADAPT THE DIFFICULTY FOR CHILDREN?
If walking the line is too hard, there are several reasons. First, the line may be too long and not tight enough. This is the first thing that needs to be fixed.
Then there are other ways to facilitate the practice :
– Holding the hand or both hands of an adult or another child.
– Set up a helpline above the slackline. It must be accessible to the child with his arms raised.
– use a stick that rests on the ground, like a walking stick.
Kids just love the Slackline, once they see one they all run towards it to experience it. Once they attempt to start walking the line, they’re addicted (to the extent their parents join them too!). This is a great way to keep them engaged in physical activity and exercise away from all the video games and screens that consume their time and focus. Just like any sport or activity, with consistency, discipline and practice you’ll witness significant results and progress over the coming weeks in your child’s focus, confidence and balance.
Hopefully you found this article useful and you’re encouraged to have your kid on a Slackline! Check out the available Slackline equipment for training indoors.
Blog source & image: Gibbon Slacklines Blog
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