Need Ideas for Static Snake

**berkisho** · 07-11-2009,05:52 AM

My wife wants to build a static snake for our son's 8th birthday...she wants the kids to be able to stand inside a coiled snake and take a picture...

The desired effect is that the snake is coiled around the kids feet, then the snake's "neck" extends to their head, where the snakes head will look like it's about to bite them...

I was thinking a chicken wire frame, covered with paper mache...I am just concerned the chicken wire will not give it enough structural integrity...

Thoughts, ideas, plans?

**Wolfman** · 07-11-2009,06:16 AM

You might be able to cobble something together using those tubular foam swimming aids they sell this time of year. And a Building Supply store could fix you up with some heavy gauge copper wire, maybe Range Cable, that will support the foam. It can be bent in any shape that way.

**TK421** · 07-11-2009,06:34 AM

How are the children going to get in and out of the coiled snake? How soft or solid does it need to be to allow the kids to get into position for pics?

Wolfman has a good idea with the foam pool wands and such. I've seen thicker ones (4-5" diameter) at some places around town. That might be a good thickness. And since they're hollow in the middle, you can run the copper piping, or something else.

**Wyatt Furr** · 07-11-2009,08:05 AM

The Green Head - Inflatable Wrap Around Snake Costume

Do you want something like this?

**TK421** · 07-11-2009,09:57 AM

Hee Hee!

Oh, man, that's classic!

**berkisho** · 07-11-2009,10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Wyatt Furr

The Green Head - Inflatable Wrap Around Snake Costume

Do you want something like this?

That's great...although probably too difficult to get 7 & 8 year olds in out to take a picture...

**berkisho** · 07-11-2009,10:24 AM

Originally Posted by TK421

How are the children going to get in and out of the coiled snake? How soft or solid does it need to be to allow the kids to get into position for pics?

Wolfman has a good idea with the foam pool wands and such. I've seen thicker ones (4-5" diameter) at some places around town. That might be a good thickness. And since they're hollow in the middle, you can run the copper piping, or something else.

I was thinking of having the snake coiled on the floor to about 1.5 to 2 feet tall, with a small ramp or step in the back...the kids could step up and into the snake...in the front off to the side the snake would rise vertically with it's head poised to take a bite...

**GrimShady** · 07-12-2009,03:06 AM

Will need to be fiberglass laid up over a form I would think for structure if kids will be climbing on it.

Originally Posted by berkisho

I was thinking of having the snake coiled on the floor to about 1.5 to 2 feet tall, with a small ramp or step in the back...the kids could step up and into the snake...in the front off to the side the snake would rise vertically with it's head poised to take a bite...