Duct Tape Warfare

{Disclosure, I received a copy of Duct Tape Warfare in exchange for a review}

A few years ago as I was reading through the internet I cam across an idea called Duct Tape Warfare, and it really intrigued me.  But, at the time we were heading out of the time for swords in battles, and into the time for guns, and I was trying my best to be good about not buying stuff because I THOUGHT IT WAS COOL.  {Side note, I think it’s even cooler these books are written by two home-schooled brothers}

Fast forward to now, we are heading back to ancient history, and I am starting to gather materials.  Duct Tape Warfare was brought to my attention again, and this time I looked at it more thoroughly.  Then I started drooling over their site.  They have general Duct Tape Warfare book, a Greek Duct Tape Warfare book, a Barbarian Duct Tape Warfare book, a Kinght Duct Tape warfare book, well you get the idea.

I was in heaven, and I knew my boys would be going nuts.

Making our duct tape warfare weapons

I printed out our copy and bound it with my handy dandy book binder (I’m going to print off the Greek and Barbarian books later this week, but I wanted to share it with you now!).

I showed the kids the book, and immediately the pestering started to head to the store, $12 later, and a very scared Mom as 8 year olds do not do well carrying 10 foot pipes.  We had the materials to make three weapons.

I’m not going to tell you all the steps, because they’re laid out wonderfully in the book, complete with pictures for each step.

Needless to say, the weapons were easy enough to put together, that my boys put together the spear completely on their own (okay, I helped fix a few duct tape screw ups).

Tips for making duct tape warfare weapons

1. Actually get the supplies they suggest, with the foam, I used some I had on hand, and I don’t think it works quite as well.  The kids could care less.
2. If you want more “unique” weapons, go by a craft store and get colored tape.  I just bought what they had at the hardware store,  I’m sure Princess would love a bright pink sword.
3. This is Jeff’s addition, “beware PVC pipes are brittle, so don’t smack them into the ground.”
4. It takes about 1-2 hours to make the 4 weapons we made (sword, spear, battle ax, and throwing ax).  So, this is a relatively quick project.
5. Honestly, they instructions for Duct Tape Warfare were great, so I don’t have any tips to add.

The results of our Duct Tape Warfare?

My kids have happily been playing outside (another viscious face) with their weapons for the past week or so.

They have a very long list of the additional weapons we need to make.  I think I might need to print another copy of Duct Tape Warfare so both boys can have their own.

My tips for Duct Tape Warfare play

1. There are a lot of great tips in the beginning of the book, don’t just skip to the instructions, which I almost did.
2. If you hit hard these still can hurt, so check your battles.
3. Remember to be careful of little guys who want to play.  I strongly encourage my kids to play with all ages, that means a 4 year old may be fighting with them, act accordingly.
4. Not for play in water.  While it won’t ruin the sword, it isn’t great for it, and the ax will be ruined.  Also, duct tape, surprisingly not all that good in water long term.

Buying Duct Tape Warfare

Head on over to the Duct Tape Warfare site, their books range from $6.95 to $9.95.  If you enter the code “mommydom20” (no quotes and it is case sensitive) you’ll get 20% off.

WINNING DUCT TAPE WARFARE

YOU could win your own copy of a Duct Tape Warfare book (they do also have some girly books their daughter wrote).  Just click on over to the Duct Tape Warfare site, check it out, then follow directions in the widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway