Friday, June 19, 2009

Kid Craft: Can Stilts

I have a vivid memory of walking around on can stilts as a child. I must have been about 5 or 6. And if my memory serves me right, I was in a church basement with my best friend Chrissy Pool. I remember the cans were large, most likely Folgers cans. But then again, everything seems larger when you're a child. I can recall the clanking noise they made against the floor. And of course, I remember it being lots of fun.

So, I decided to make a set for my children. They were both eager to try out the can stilts. My youngest who is three needed a little help walking around. My 5 year old son was able to walk around on his own. In fact, even as I type he's walking around on them in his bedroom. Although, I recommend them for outdoor use.

Simple directions below

Supplies:
2 29 oz cans - In the pictures I used smaller cans but I recommend a larger can (like the large cans of pumpkin filling). A wider base makes it easier for kids to walk around. There's also less chance of them getting frustrated. If all you have is small can's they'll work too. It's just a little more challenging.

hammer
nail
strong string

With the nail, hammer two holes on opposite sides of the bottom of the cans. Thread the string trough the holes of the can. Tie knot inside the cans to secure. (Refer to pictures). Make sure the string is at a good length for the child to hold on to.

Have the child hold the string tight when they walk.


17 comments:

  1. Oooops careful...you might fall!

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  2. I saw something similar to these in a magazine years ago and they had painted the cans to look like elephant feet!

    Darling.

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  3. I loved walking on tin can stilts when I was a kid!! Your kids are so lucky!

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  4. Yea! Homemade Romper Stompers!

    I had those nasty yellow ones with the green handles that stretched. Oh the memories!

    (Once a Do-Bee, always a Do-Bee!)

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  5. I totally remember walking around on those as a kid. I'm going to have to make some for my little cousin staying with us this summer. She'd love them!

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  6. These look so perfectly fun!!! I am inspired.

    anji

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  7. That brings me back to the good old days of my childhood.

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  8. Nostalgic craft, wondeful.
    Do you know "Takeuma" ?

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  9. oh, how fun would this be to do! thanks for posting about it!

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  10. ahhhh, i used to do this when i was little!!! thanx for this!

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  11. I know of a 5 year old that would love to do this... :) Thanks!!

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  12. OMG, we had these made out of grapefruit juice cans! Now I have to go buy some canned juice just so I can make them for my kids.

    Thanks for bringing back the memories!

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  13. This reminds me of the stilts that our children play with in Japan (takeuma, as mentioned by Nobu). It's so sweet how children can take pleasure in something so simply-made and fun.

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  14. My kids were inspired to make these after reading the Ramona book by Beverly Cleary. What a wonderful memory!

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  15. I'm thinking of making these for my son's party. I'm trying to think of a way to use velcro straps instead of strings for the more uncoordinated little ones ??

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  16. Great! I love the idea! and maybe painting the cans would make them lovely, like someone else suggested.

    Silvia

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