Cheapest & Easiest way to make a temporary water fountain?

Question

Okay...I want to build a temporary/small water fountain. It is to show kids 4-8 years old, what a water fountain looks and works like. I would like for them to participate in the making of the fountain. I want it to be cheap and simple. Can anybody please help me out?

Answer 1

grab some stuff...

plastic tub like a storage box with solid lid

short length of pvc pipe, about the height of the box

small fountain pump

rubber tube to fit the pump

a few bricks

put the bricks on the bottom of the box, set up in two stacks so that the pump can sit between them, with one brick crosswise over the body of the pump to hold it steady....attach the tubing to the outlet of the pump.... run the tubing thru the pvc pipe and cut both off at a height with  just an inch or so to stick out thru a hole you've cut to size in the lid.... put the lid on the box, with the pipe sticking thru.... cut a hole near the edge for the plug of the pump to come thru..... cut several holes about the size of your little finger, in the lid ,for water to drain thru, back into the box..... '(if you want to be a little fancy, then lay pebbles all over the top of the box for the water to dribble thru).... put enuff water in the box to cover the pump and bricks...put the lid on( with the pipe sticking out and the tubing connected to the pump and running thru the pipe) and the rocks if you have them...... . plug in the pump (GFCI outlet would be great!).... adjust the flowrate on the pump  to shoot up just a few inches above the lid if it's too high......set a few potted plants around it  on blocks and there ya go!!....((.if you have a fountain nozzle, you can attach it to the tubing and really make it pretty.... ))

Answer 2

I would like to be clear and say I know absolutely NOTHING about making temporary water fountains, but I thought I would throw my idea out there just in case you find it helpful.

You might want to try rigging a garden hose up and putting it in a cardboard box or the like. It wouldn't be functional like a water fountain (in that you don't press anything to have the water start running) but it might help you convey the message.

Sorry I can't help more and good luck