What Can ADS Pipe do to Make Play Amazing?
What is ADS pipe? Before I became a play advocate, I had nothing to hang my hat onto with those words. Thems construction words. 
I’d let the person use the word and hope I could figure out what it was later. Google, you’ve helped me out before. Then someone showed me an ADS pipe. That didn’t help. Can you see my blank stare—filled with no imagination or possibility. I didn’t know what it was or how I could use it for play.
ADS pipe is also called corrugated tubing. Think of a drainage tube for directing water away from your house’s foundation. Before play, I’d never considered it. Then I saw the possibilities.
Birthday shopping at the hardware store for my 8-year-old daughter
Years ago, I took to the hardware store to buy my precious girl some wonderful, open-ended gifts for her birthday. With fresh eyes, we walked around the enormous store like it was Toys “R” Us—but better. I already knew we wanted to add PVC pipe and connectors. And, yes, we had to buy ADS pipes. We filled our cart.
When we got home, we couldn’t hold back. We unloaded the car and gave her the gifts early with an invitation to invite her best buds over one day early.
Immediately, these kids went to work planning, designing, and building. The sun went down, but they didn’t want to stop—even to eat dinner. Only the promise of more play the next day allowed them to stop. Instead of sugarplum fairies dancing in their heads, they had PVC, and ADS pipe, and bungee cords dancing in their heads as they imagined what they’d do the next day.
Put the balls in. Find out where they go.
Paving stones and wooden balusters have endless design possibilities for creating.
A concrete mixing tub makes a sturdy and versatile container for sand and water play.
Put the balls in. Find out where they go.
Paving stones and wooden balusters have endless design possibilities for creating.
A concrete mixing tub makes a sturdy and versatile container for sand and water play.
Put the balls in. Find out where they go.
Paving stones and wooden balusters have endless design possibilities for creating.
A concrete mixing tub makes a sturdy and versatile container for sand and water play.
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From the very beginning, since I learned about ADS Pipe for play, I’ve seen children use it as a talk tube, a ball slide, a way to become a long-armed monster, and so much more. Children continue to show me innovative ways to use ADS pipe.
What’s so special about ADS pipe?
ADS pipe demonstrates scientific concepts like gravity and prediction. Set up with connectors and two outlet points, children can predict where something will reappear.
ADS pipe encourages social play. Children can use it to whisper to one another. It can connect children through a visual barrier. Who is on the other side? What message will they share?
In this series, we’re striving to inspire the use of everyday things for play. Use the tip sheet here to help start the process. Be sure to come back next week for more.
Comment below with your answers
- Can you think of other uses for ADS pipe?
- What other materials have you overlooked that could be used for play?
- What surprised you about ADS pipe and it’s possibilities for play?