to me, it stands for Pretty Volatile Chemicals, but the ideas are neat!

fyi the link to the trike wash is broken. but, because i've been dying to make it for my kids I have a link to the directions (not as pretty as the photographer's photos, but oh well!): http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17706/PVC-Kid-wash.pdf

(directions from instrucibles)

love the outdoor movie screen, it would be really fun for a few nights in the summer, but then where to store it for the rest of the year? It does look like it could break down easily...

These are so fun, but PVC is a big bad no-no for kids now, isn't it? Any info on the reality of bad things leaching from this would be helpful in knowing whether these projects are feasible.

http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/pvc_the_most_toxic_plastic/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/514242.stm

PVC is extrememely dangerous and should never be used around children in any circumstance.

extremely*

The thing that makes PVC dangerous for kids is the phthalates that make it pliable in plastic toys. I would think that the hard stuff is safer. I mean, it's sold as plumbing pipe. Many of us probably have it running all our drinking water, right? Our plumber just installed it in our bathroom.

When exposed to heat even the hard PVC can off-gas and leach toxic chemicals. Children shouldn't be handling PVC in any form.

We used to have a Big Wheels car wash sprinkler set back in the day when I was little...I loved driving through that in the summers on my Smurf Big Wheel! Pretty sure it was made out of pvc, and yes, I drank the water. Sometimes I even drank the water straight from the hose (and we were also on well water). Thanks for inspiring the throwback; now I want to build one for me and my 5 year old for the summer!

So... I'm confused! PVC = good or bad?!?

PVC = Bad (in most cases).

Generally it is used (in the US at least) only for waste water pipes. Drinking water in the plumbing system is in copper or PEX, waste water goes out in significantly less expensive, but not so good for you PVC.

But, most of these projects are not the kinds of things that children will be chewing on or handling on a daily basis (movie screen, trike wash, on the ground sprinkler, etc), so in the grand scheme of things, they are probably just fine. My son is young enough that he would try to eat the sandbox, so personally, I'd skip that one.

What works in some contexts and for some kids may not work for others.

I really hate making a negative comment here but I agree with a lot of the other posters... PVC + Kids? Seriously? With kids, PVC is something we are constantly trying to avoid.

I remember seeing a screening of the award-winning indie film/documentary "Blue Vinyl" years ago (2002?). The thing that stood out to me the most was the incredibly high number of PVC production workers in Venice who were diagnosed with cancer.
http://www.bluevinyl.org/

Wow...PVC...really!?! Every stage of this materials life cycle is harmful to the environment and human health. There are alternatives lets be creative.

Like people are saying since kids aren't *making* PVC and since this is ridgid PVC and since "human exposure to phthalates is universal. Levels of exposure in the general population are estimated to be on the order of tens of µg per kg per day. Food is considered to be the major source of exposure to DEHP and DINP" (Pediatric Exposure and Potential Toxicity of Phthalate Plasticizers from the AAP)...the phthalates like was mentioned earlier are used to make the soft plastic.
Remember that PVC is *EVERYWHERE* - car interiors and trim, wall coverings, floor tiles, window frames, siding, water and sewer pipes, shrink wrap, packaging (including blister packs and food wraps), medical equipment (tubing, transfusion bags, blood storage bags, respiration tubes), electric and electronic cable insulation, textiles, both as trim and complete garments - and toys.
Finally, some stuff has lead or cadmium in it.

Be safe - don't eat it, don't burn it.

Great article with ideas for some summer fun.

This site looks like it has some good information: http://www.turnertoys.com/PVC_framepage1.htm
Some of it looks older (the webpage for sure!!)

Seriously?! People think having PVC in the general vicinity of a child will harm them? Really? It's not radioactive. Don't put it in your mouth. Much like many other things around the house and in the world.

PVC is extremely toxic to the environment --from the processes used to make it, to the off-gassing, plus the simple fact that it is impossible to recycle, upcycle, downcycle or anything else. Unfortunately, future generations are going to be dealing with the PVC mess we're leaving now. It's everywhere and it's not going away.

Put down that pipe, kids!

PVC's the most toxic plastic for our health and environment.

Studies have found harmful organotins can leach from PVC pipe into water. Also a new study found the known carcinogen vinyl chloride leaching from PVC pipes.

Can kids be exposed to these same chemicals from handling the pipes? No one has studied this as far as we know, but given that organotins are known to be harmful to our health, when it comes to the health of our children, it's better to be safe than sorry, right?

Also when manufactured and disposed of, PVC is one of the biggest sources of the most toxic chemicals known to science -- dioxin.

You can learn more over at our website at http://chej.org/campaigns/pvc/

-Mike Schade, CHEJ

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Pipeline Construction Canada

Actually, in the argument with kids and PVC, there are two KINDS of PVC, one to avoid, another which is safe:
1. Plumbing Grade PVC: Very bad. This PVC is usually made overseas, and is infused with lead, phlalates and does off-gas dioxins. This is what you find at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.
2. Furniture Grade PVC: This PVC is safe for kids, as it is ONLY made from polyvinyl, and is usually infused with titanium dioxide as its only additive, which is also used in cake frosting to give it its white color. The little playhouse in the images above uses furniture grade as it is colored. This is what you find at places like formufit.com and slatclamp.com, which is a completely different product, so don't totally knock PVC out yet...