If your teaching kids wall runs, you might just need a few folding parkour walls. Building your own is actually a lot easier than you might initially think. The entire project can be completed with simple tools and basic joinery.
Materials required
- 2 – 4 x 8 x 3/4″ plywood
- 12 – 2 x 4 @ 8′
- 1 – 72″ piano hinge
- 2 – 24″ piano hinges
- 4 – Retractable workbench casters
Tools required
- Table saw or circular saw (optional)
- Miter saw
- Drill/driver combo
Building the sides
Both walls in this plan are identical, and only require simple 2×4 framing as shown in the diagram below. Cut and assemble the frame first, using wood glue and deck screws at each joint. Then attach the plywood to the frame by screwing through the face of plywood.
Assembling the folding parkour walls
Before you build the folding support frames, it’s best to assemble both of the folding parkour walls so you can ensure the widths of your folding support frames built below are precise. To do so, simply attach your 72″ piano hinge to the 2x4s at the top of each wall. Now your walls should be able to opened to rest so that each side is sitting at a 75 degree angle on your floor (15 degrees from parallel).
Build the folding support frames
The support frames are made of standard 2x4s. The two sides should be cut with the ends at non-parallel 15 degree angles, so they can rest flush with the walls. For the ends, these plans show a 2×4 ripped at a 15 degree angle so that the entire end can also sit flush with the wall. This ripped 2×4 is then face glued to a second 2×4 for additional support. Use wood glue and deck screws for each joint.
Alternatively, you could just attach a 2×4 at the 15 degree angle after ripping the ends off at 15 degrees. Then the central support 2×4 (shown at 26 9/64″ in the diagram below would have it’s ends also cut at 15 degrees and could attach directly to the edge 2x4s.
Attaching the support frames
The support frames are only attached to one of the walls, using the two 24″ piano hinges along the top edge of the support frame. When opened, the bottom of the support frame should rest on the floor and the outside edges should be tight to the inside of the folding parkour walls.
Add the retractable casters
The last step for these folding parkour walls is to add the retractable casters so that you can easily roll it away. Follow the manufacturers directions and diagram to attach one caster to each of the outer four 2×4 supports.
Optional add-ons
- Add some eye hook latches to each end to hold the unit in the open and closed positions
- Add two handles at the top of the side attached to the support frames to make it easier to pull that side up when folding
- Add some black pipe the entire length of the top of one side to simulate a handrail for kids to try to vault over.
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