Best Video

One family's 'horrifyingly awesome' backyard roller coaster

A crafty Ohio couple has saved themselves countless visits to amusement parks — and scared some YouTube viewers to death

The video: Jon and Natasha Cain of Lancaster, Ohio, are vying for the title of Best Parents in America, thanks to a little something they built in their backyard for daughter Olyvia and son Samual: A roller coaster. Spending three weeks and almost $700 on PVC pipe, concrete, and wood, the crafty Cains put together a 12-second thriller featuring an initial 12-foot drop. They built the roller coaster in 2009, but their video of Samual taking a ride this year just recently went viral. (Watch below.) Neither Jon nor Natasha has an engineering background — they run a car dealership — but they aren't afraid of the DIY ethos: Their next project is a new log-cabin-style home. "We did talk about doing a Ferris wheel at the new house," says Natasha, "not like a ginormous one, just one that you could manually do."

The reaction: "Every kid dreams of having a roller coaster in the backyard," so kudos to the Cains for making at least one dream come true, says Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle. "Would it pass a security inspection? Probably not," but it sure looks fun — and scary. "Put your hands in the air! Wheee!" I can only describe this contraption as "horrifyingly awesome," says Carolyn Castiglia at Babble. "The overly cautious, neurotic urban-dweller in me" wants to call child-protective services, but the kid in me, who rode in the back of pickups growing up, is cheering. Besides, the Cain coaster doesn't look any less safe than Coney Island's Cyclone. Would you ride this roller coaster?

Recommended

6 worthwhile homes in Iowa
House.
Feature

6 worthwhile homes in Iowa

Actually, it is nice to be rich
Piggy bank with pennies falling on top.
Feature

Actually, it is nice to be rich

The Check-In: The world's best airport, an Autio adventure, and more
The waterfall at Singapore's Changi Airport.
Feature

The Check-In: The world's best airport, an Autio adventure, and more

The Week contest: Clothesline drone
Drone carrying package.
Feature

The Week contest: Clothesline drone

Most Popular

DeSantis' no good, very bad week
Ron DeSantis at a podium
Behind the scenes

DeSantis' no good, very bad week

Russia's spring Ukraine offensive may be winding down amid heavy losses
Ukrainian tank fires near Bakhmut
Attrition

Russia's spring Ukraine offensive may be winding down amid heavy losses

CDC warns of deadly fungus in U.S. health facilities
Candida auris.
sounds like a show we know ...

CDC warns of deadly fungus in U.S. health facilities