Cool dad builds ‘flamethrower’ for his kids using a leaf blower

By Charlotte Penketh-King via SWNS

A dad built an epic and realistic-looking 'flamethrower' toy for his children out of a leaf blower.

Daniel Hashimoto, 39, who works in animation, built the prop using a leaf blower and colorful silk.

Kids James, 11, and Sophia, seven, said it's "the best toy ever".

Senior content creator Daniel, from Prince Edward Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada, said: "My wife Mandy and I love building random things like this for fun, hoping to inspire creativity for the kids. So far, it's paid off!

"These kids are clever and wildly imaginative and immerse themselves in play.

"James and Sophia are our children, they had a friend over to play on the patio, and we decided to let them have some supervised play with this electric leaf blower.

"We hovered ping-pong balls, did slow motion videos of our hair blowing in the wind, tried inflating a fitted sheet like a big marshmallow, and finally - "the flamethrower".

"Mandy had bought the kids some play silks that they use for homemade forts.

"We decided to see how the lightweight fabric might play with the blower, so Sophia grabbed a large rubber band and some tape, and we affixed it to the nozzle.

"The result was even more spectacular than we imagined - large billowing waves looked remarkably like flames - and so the device immediately was dubbed 'the flamethrower'.

"The children all took turns chasing each other in a game of 'Flame Tag'. We also played a jump rope over the flames game, and the children acted out a 'fire bending' play.

"To the children, it was not a deadly weapon, but more a dynamic and giggle-inducing obstacle.

"When you're a kid - play time is epic! You can imagine larger-than-life scenarios.

"We definitely want to encourage imaginative play, creative problem solving and inventing a fun new game out of what's lying around.

"I believe that most children can turn this kind of imagination into being good at improvising, and dealing with challenges."

Daniel lives with his wife, Mandy Richardville, 41, and their two children.