How to Make Tin-Can Stilts That Your Kids Will LOVE! ⋆ The Quiet Grove

Growing up I LOVED playing with Tin Can Stilts.

One of my friends had tin can stilts and I always imagined that I was walking in the clouds or a graceful giant when I got to play with them. Standing tall I felt like I was all grown up. I got sooo good with them one Summer that I could actually run in them without falling. Trust me, that is quite the accomplishment for a kid.

Now that my oldest two kids are old enough to be able to appreciate the awesomeness of Tin Can Stilts I decided to make my own. I thought out how I would make them and then got to work. First, I got online and posted on a few local FB yard sale groups asking if anyone had any #10 Tin cans I could have for FREE. The answer was YES! Before I knew it I was the proud owner of enough Cans to make 4 sets. I decided I would make one for my two oldest two kids and my younger sister's oldest two kids (since she lives close and our kids love playing together).

Materials Needed:

#10 Tin Cans (2 per set)
Washi Tape (2 colors per stilt set)
72" Shoe Laces
Awl (to poke holes in cans for laces)

Instructions:

I had my husband put holes on 2 sides of each can near the bottom for the rope to go through. He used a drill but you could also use an awl or an ice pick.

** When it came time to decorate them. At first, I was going to paint them, but then I decided to use decorative tape (aka washi tape) I found a few coordinating sets at Hobby Lobby (I LOVE THAT STORE) each with a decorative roll and a solid color roll. They were bright and cheerful and perfect for what I wanted. Even better Hobby lobby was running a 50% off sale so I got each set for only $2 instead of $4!!

To decorate the stilts, I alternated wrapping the two tapes around each can set until the whole can was covered. I think they turned out looking super cute!

For the rope handles. I actually decided to use Shoelaces. With that plastic part on the ends, it was easy to poke them through the holes my hubby had drilled to make the handles! I got the 72-inch laces and then adjust the length by how big I tied the bows underneath.

**Because my kids are still small they were having a little difficulty with the stilts at first so I laced the shoelaces back through the holes and tied them on the top to make a little loop as a hack to help my kids keep their feet attached to the stilts. After that, my kids became quite proficient with their stilts.

This morning my daughter even joined me on a walk with her stilts. She isn't fast yet but she is doing great and LOVING it. I can see my kids spending many an hour this Summer outside thanks to these fun tin can stilts! That makes me happy!