Kevin is a software consultant (and yes, a grown up) AND he and his roommates wanted a ball pit of their very own. So he built one...on the balcony...with 5 THOUSAND balls in it. He sent an email and shared his how-to with us, in case any of you want to follow in his footsteps. But, the real lesson here is to keep Kevin in mind for the next time you are getting too serious about what color to paint the dining room. Because, just as Kevin and everyone else who follows their own drummer knows, you can do what you like and simply rock on…
Kevin's take on the ball pit project from his blog: A lot of people have asked me "Why would you, as an adult, want to own a ball pit?" And the answer every time is "because of this xkcd comic." There's something about a ball pit that just screams PURE FUN. You can't sit in a ball pit and not smile. It's like you turn to jello and float on plastic bubbles of multi-colored joy. I have spent a large portion of my summer in my balcony ball pit, and I could go on about stress-relieving effects, or about "deciding what 'being an adult' means in the 21st century", or even about how this is probably something you dreamed about as a child/teenager/college student, but really, it's a ball pit on a balcony. How does that NOT sound awesome?
Kevin's how-to post includes very real, accurate instructions - as well as tips on how to "friend-proof" the pit (yes, people just MIGHT be drinking while using the pit, so safety first!) and advice on what to include (such as a small basketball net to give people something to throw the balls at, as Kevin says, other than each other...or you). It also includes a complete list of all the necessary materials, including the essential $2 inflatable shark.
All the info and more pics: How To Build A Ball Pit On Your Balcony
Images: via Kevin James Hunt
5 Online Services to Save Yourself a Trip to IKEA
Nikki’s Sweet and Cheery Print Studio
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sprout Side Table
5 Things Paris Taught Me About Travel
Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
LOL! It is my opinion that if more people did things like this, and more specifically, took the time to play or color in a coloring book or make jigsaw puzzles, the need for therapy would GREATLY decrease!!! Enjoy!
I'd like a neighbor like that!
Fine, I'll say it...
BAZINGA!
OMG so much fun...invite me over, please!
It is for the child inside everyone of us. Some adults could use a serious attitude adjustment & this would do it.
CONGRATS!!
Some friends did this inside their rental appartment in SF...all was fun until the landlord found out and demanded it be removed.
Everything about this project is fantastic. I love it!
Just a few months ago, I was wishing I had my own ball pit....big enough for me and my daughter.
The best is when you compare Kevin's look (serious) at the first picture and then at the ball pit having fun and laughing...for sure it's the best therapy...I want that too!
I totally wanted to do this until I realized that 5000 balls is $1000.
That's awesome! Go Kevin! Sweet ball pit!
This makes me extremely happy just looking at it! :) :) :) :)
My husband was asking for a hot tub. I'm going to suggest this instead!
Dontwanna, sounds like the landlord was jealous he hadn't been invited over to play.
LOVE it!
Bazinga!
I want that and a spiral slide in my house.
One side should be plexiglas so we can see 'under'
I want to hang a big swing in the living room,suspended from the ceiling,like I've dreamed of since I was a kid and saw one in a neighbor's house. @dontwanna,landlords are a drag.
I've wanted to do this for years. When I have kids, and a house with a playroom...
Friends of mine used to throw HUGE weekend-long parties in their large mid-century home in the OC, and in their sunken living room on the middle of three levels they'd have a LARGE kiddie pool full of balls.... It was such a hit and one of the most memorable things of some of the most memorable parties I've ever been to... (PS- people would always turn up passed-out and buried under the balls by more people getting in the 'pool'.....)
For a joint birthday party - also inspired ala XKCD - I have a whole room that is a ball pit - last year it had over 9000 balls in it. My problem was what to do with the balls when I needed the room. For the moment they are in trashbags in "storage" for next year - Now I think I will make a permanent space for them in my attic - no balconies in my place :) Thanks for sharing!
I agree with leftofcentergirl. If more people let go and just... played, more would be happier. My playground is the ocean. Surfing. You couldn't imagine how often I'm criticized for taking the time to surf. I've even had people ask me how can I surf in the ocean. It's so dirty! Well, if more people didn't trash the environment it might not be so dirty. :P
Anyway, way to get creative, Kevin!!!
I know I'm showing my age here, but WTF is a "ball pit"? And why would anyone want one?
I guess he wanted to take the dotcom daycare experience home with him.
I am glad I am not the only adult who loves ball pits! As an occupational therapy they have been used in "sensory integrative therapy." Over stimulated at an OT conference 1 year, I basically lived in the ball pit that was set up in a booth by a company.
I have to qualify my comments by saying that if this is what makes him happy then where's the harm? Having said that, however, I can scarcely imagine a bigger, or more ridiculous waste of time, money and space.
My knees are peeling from a recent sand castle building afternoon, what fun!!!! (BTW I'm 51)
I've always played, and I love it. I can still do a cartwheel, and I've recently have been thinking about climbing a tree since I haven't done that in a while.
BAZINGA!
that looks like so much fun!
AWESOME!!!
Hmm, I hope he built a lid for it, or his ball pit will have pigeon shit in it very soon. And a storm could send those balls flying.
I personally don't know what the appeal is in sitting in a box full of plastic balls.
whhhhat? how could you not know what a ball pit was regardless of your age.. I mean, I am 30 and I remember them from when I was a kid, because my parents took me to a place like "chucky cheese".. so they obviously have seen one before and they are in thier 60s.. and I know they still exist today.. did you just somehow completely avoid children and fun your entire life? ..you don't have to answer that, just know that you have seriously screwed something up in your life if you do not know what a ball pit is.
perhaps olderworker is not from the USA. and doesn't watch TV ever ever ever.
Considering myself a young and fun girl, I think this is very weird. But to each their own.
I always wanted to do this for a college theme party...but that's about it.
I suspect this article was posted some time around 4:20.
Crazy enough to be genial!
A friend of our bought one of those easy set up pools for outside with the tubes for outside structure. They put it in their basement and filled it bal pit balls. it had to have been 3 feet deep. But he was my husbands new boss so it took all of my strength NOT to jump in there.
You go, guy. I can't fathom the appeal of a ball pit, but I would like to have my own bounce house. That could be pretty cool filled with balls, maybe.
@notreally -- I don't have children and have counted myself fortunate in never, ever having been to a Chucky Cheese! And @koryanshea -- I was born in and have lived in the U.S. my entire life, but I don't watch television often so perhaps that explains my ignorance. I'll ask one of my younger co-workers about this and perhaps they can fill me in! Thanks!
I got thrown out of Seaworld because I jumped in the kiddie ball pit. Well, I also threw fish to the sawfish (very interesting, by the way!) so that might also have had something to do with it. In any case, please invite me over to play! I'll bring my Flybar 800, the coolest pogo stick around!