If you have come looking to make TRULY dangerous toys for boys you are at the right spot! Or maybe you have finally succumbed to the constant whining about “needing” a bullwhip since the release of the new Indiana Jones movie. Either way, this easy homemade bullwhip is sure to contribute to hours of playing Raiders of the Lost Ark.
If you’re looking for a safer activity to do with your boys, check out this super cool glow-in-the-dark slime, and these outdoor games are fun for the whole family!
Thank you to Wesley Scoggins Indy Mogul for the clever idea to use duct tape for this Indiana Jones bullwhip. The brown duct tape makes the bullwhip look real and it really is an easy diy whip that even your kids can help with.
How to make a duct tape bullwhip
Supplies Needed:
- Brown “Duck” tape (we found this at Wal-Mart) cut into 3- 12 foot lengths
- 10″ piece of 3/8″ wooden dowel rod
- a foot or so of twine for the “popper” if desired
1.Begin by placing two chairs 12 feet apart. Place three strips of tape between the chairs.
2. Fold each of the pieces of tape in half length ways-leave attached to the chair.
3. Leave tape hooked on one of the chairs and begin braiding. Braiding 12 feet of duct tape isn’t really pleasant but is certainly less painful than paying $50.00 plus for a bullwhip! We tried several methods: hanging it up high, and laying it on the ground. We found it easiest to leave it attached to the chair and have another person help untangle the strips of duck tape as you braid. My eleven-year-old Harrison Ford wannabe was able to do most of the braiding.
4. Once you have reached the end take another piece of tape and wrap it around the braid to fasten off.
5. Remove the other end from the chair and attach these ends of tape to the wooden dowel.
6. Begin wrapping the dowel with tape until you have completely covered the handle. When finished we took a small piece of tape and covered each end and then wrapped a small piece once again around the dowel to make it secure.
7. If you want to make the popper. as it definitely adds to the authentic look of the Indiana Jones bullwhip.
Finished! How does it work?—–Probably not well enough to kill someone or allow you to hang from a tree (we’re trying though) but well enough to cause some damage to your house and possibly harm a friend, so please be careful cracking a bullwhip!
Hopefully, I have shown you how to make a whip in under 30 minutes. Although it took us a few tries, we definitely had a great afternoon together with lots of. laughing and brainstorming. I’m always amazed at how creative kids can be, especially when they want something as cool as an Indiana Jones whip!
Duct Tape or Duck Tape
Duct tape, also known as duck tape, is a widely used adhesive tape. It was originally developed during World War II as a waterproof adhesive for bandages and ammunition cases. Its versatility soon found other uses – from patching up leaky pipes to taping pieces of cardboard together to make a makeshift shelter.
Duct tape is still one of the most useful tools to use in a survival situation or just fixing something around the house.
Duct tape refers to a broad range of tapes, while Duck Tape® refers to a specific brand of duct tape.
More Duct Tape Crafts
Now that you have the duct tape out here are a few more things to make.
- Learn how to make a Duck tape wallet. It will be waterproof and super durable.
- Can you believe this special tape can be turned into flowers?
- Keep pencils handy with this DIY Duck tape pencil bag.
- Here is more stuff to make with a piece of duct tape.
I would love to keep you fully stocked with creative ideas, yummy recipes, fun crafts, and loads of free printables. Subscribe to Skip to my Lou to get new ideas delivered to your inbox. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram for all my latest updates.
My 9 year old son Blinded my 7 year old Daughter in one eye
Great website!
That is a great idea – and I would have used this if I had found it first. I bought some braided curtain tie back (cut to length) in dark brown. It looks great and it is easy to fray the end. I will use your idea to attach a dowel to the end of it. Thanks!
Thanks for the post. This worked out great. Our 7 year old loves the whip. And, of course, his 5 year old brother had to have one too. Neither one of them have put theirs down all weekend. Their 2 year old sister says, “Daddy, will you make me a whip?” She’ll have to wait a couple years though. I used a 10″ section of 1/2″ PVC for the handle and attached it with the un-folded sections of tape at the beginning of the braid so it wrapped around the end and protruded from the center, rather than the side of the handle.
Thanks again!
Loved this idea! Not hard to make and it looks so realistic! I only bought 1 roll of ‘duck’ tape and used some to also cover a satchel bag for my son’s Indiana Jones Halloween costume!
Many thanks!!!
I played around a bit and if you substitute on of the strands with rope it is stronger, or if you add a piece of rope or leather as a 4th strand and braid it in,
My 7 year old kept trying to swing and hang on the doors with the plain duct tape whip, so i (regrettably) beefed it upa bit,
but i’m going to make another plain one for him for hallowen next week
awesome! my 3 boys have been dying for bull-whips! now…the hat?
I love the opening statement to the article, it’s the exact situation i’m in with my young Indiana Jones.We are going to make one tomorrow, i’ll keep you posted. Excellent idea!
Thank you! Thank you!
Cheers,
Brad
awesome i will make one of that bullwhip but please can you make video of that
plz tellllllll
how many rolls do u need
Awesome, I need to make a prop for an event I am organizing and this is EXACTLY what I need! Thank you!
As per the stickiness of the duct tape – since the actual braided part does not require the tape to stick that well – why not sprinkle baby powder or cornstarch on it to decrease the tackiness? This might make it easier to braid. I’m looking forward to trying this out!
Best, best summer project ever! After getting supplies, this took just over an hour to make. The toughest part was keeping the ends untangled while braiding. I added a fall (a “tail” at the end of the braid) by extending a single rolled piece of tape several inches past the braid, then attached the popper. Wow! My 7-year-old has been using this non-stop for days and can already crack the whip almost every time. My 3-year-old can crack it about half the time. Protective glasses are a must, but I’ve realld cracked myself several times and didn’t cause much damage with this whip. Awesome, awesome idea! Thanks so much!!!
Oh My Word!!! I’m so excited to come across this post tonight! My boys have no clue who Indiana Jones is, but they’ve seen those whips in Target and that’s all I’ve heard about since they came out. This is terrific! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks, this is perfect!!!,
my 7 year old has already stolen my brown fedora,
he love the whip, 1st thing he asked me while i was making it was “is it 20 feet long like the real one?”
i did make the handle a little shorter, about 3 hands long. easier for him to handle.
did have an idea i’m going to try, you mentioned not suitable for swinging on, think i’ll try to braid it around some rope like a real one is made.
although i’ll probably regret it…
I’ll let you know if it works