10 Funny Things People Have Covered with a Tarp
By Dale Thistledown, Resident Tarpologist Extraordinaire
From keeping prized possessions safe to solving ahem unexpected emergencies, here are some of the funniest (and most creative) ways people have put some trusty tarps to use.
1. The Pet Ostrich "Security System"
When Randy "Ranch King" Johnson’s pet ostrich, Sheila, started acting up, he covered her pen with a tarp to keep her calm during storms. Sheila now refuses to leave her "tarp fort" and reportedly hisses at intruders. Who knew tarps doubled as ostrich psychology tools?
2. The "World’s Saddest Pool Party"
Emma Martinez planned the ultimate summer bash until her above-ground pool burst two hours before guests arrived. Instead of canceling, she lined the empty pool with a heavy-duty tarp, filled it with garden hoses, and saved the day. Sure, it leaked, but the kids had fun.
3. Bob’s Invisible Car
Bob Whitaker, a retired teacher, used a tarp to hide his old Honda Civic from "potential thieves." What made this funny? The car didn’t run, the tires were flat, and it hadn’t been washed since 1997. But hey, it worked. No one stole it.
4. The Homemade Slip ‘n Slide of Doom
Michelle Anderson used her leftover tarp to create a backyard slip ‘n slide for her kids. Unfortunately, she didn’t account for the downhill slope leading into her neighbor’s rose bushes. Let’s just say the kids had fun, and the roses didn’t.
5. Grandpa Earl's Lawn Art
Grandpa Earl decided to "winterize" his collection of broken lawnmowers with a tarp. His neighbors thought it was a modern art installation called “Rust in Progress.” Earl just shrugged and said, "It’s better than looking at rust."
6. The Great Chicken Hideout
When Billy Watson’s chickens decided they’d rather roost in his workshop than their coop, he used a tarp to create a "chicken blind" and convince them the workshop was closed. Rumor has it the chickens are still suspicious.
7. The Backyard Wedding Backup Plan
When a surprise rainstorm hit midway through a backyard wedding, newlyweds Amanda and Greg Adams threw a tarp over their arch and carried on. They called it "something blue," and Amanda swears it brought good luck.
8. The Time Capsule Mishap
Tommy Higgins covered his backyard time capsule with a tarp for "added security." He forgot about it for a decade, only to discover it perfectly preserved—along with an ant colony that had taken over the tarp.
9. The Cow Hide-and-Seek Champion
Farmer Lucy James used a tarp to cover a haystack, only to discover her cow, Bessie, hiding underneath it during thunderstorms. Bessie has since claimed it as her "secret lair."
10. The Tarp Superhero Cape
When little Timmy Peterson’s Halloween costume didn’t arrive in time, his dad fashioned a superhero cape out of a tarp. Timmy didn’t win the costume contest, but he did win "Most Creative Use of Hardware."
Conclusion: Tarps Are for More Than Just Covers
Whether you’re shielding your chicken coop, saving a pool party, or creating modern art, tarps have your back (and apparently your pet ostrich’s back, too). So next time you find yourself in a pinch, remember: a tarp can solve almost anything—with a little creativity and a lot of duct tape.
Got a funny tarp story of your own? Share it with us! We might just feature you in our next blog.