Toddler Stilts

July 2, 2010
In,
Tag, ,
43 comments

I was talking about stilts with a friend the other day, and remembered the old coffee can stilts that were popular when I was a kid.  For Jack and Tess, I thought the tall coffee cans would make me a little too nervous, so I used some pieces of 2×4 wood instead.  They were a huge hit.  It was so funny to watch them in action.  And when they get really good at it, I can make them a little taller.

43 Responses
  2. Christina

    I must tell you: I recently found your blog and am absolutely smitten with your genius kid toy creativity. LOVING going through your archives and discovering all the fun things I can make with my boys! Thank you for posting what you're making and doing with your two cuties… it has made my week to find your blog!

  4. Saddie

    Genius! I was just thinking that I wanted to make some for my little boy, but knew cans would be above his ability level. Thanks for solving my quandary. :)

  5. Joel Henriques

    Thanks so much everybody! Yeah, our cousin came over and really enjoyed them too. After showing him the photos I took on the blog, I asked him if he wanted to try them out. He said, "yeah, I could do crazy tricks on those." He's 3 and a half. Awesome.

    Christina – Thanks! Glad you found my blog!

  6. Lori Henriques

    so great! on the way home leo asked, "is uncle joel is good at making things?" and then we had a lovely conversation about you and your creativity. :)
    xoxo

  8. Make mine Mid-Century

    Great stilts and they'd avoid the tears when the walkers come off them! Fabulous.

  9. Jill

    Yes!When I was a kid the ones that were sold were like plastic cups. I always wanted some of them! Fun!

  10. sherri

    that is so great, i had forgotten about these, but loved them as a kid. creative and easy way to do them, too!

  12. Holly

    This is so wonderful! You've got a outstanding mind for creativity. I'll put my husband with the drill tonight! I'm especially enjoying Tess's shoes on the wrong feet. We do that here too.

  13. rsting

    Hi Joel,
    I present workshops to child care providers and am wondering if I can use your idea. I am doing a obesity prevention workshop and in need of interesting ideas on getting children outside moving. These stilts look really fun and easy to make. If I site your blog can I use the pictures of the stilts?

    Thanks! Renee Ernsting

  14. Joel Henriques

    Thanks everyone! Yeah, we just did some more stilt walking today. The kids are really having fun with them!

    rsting – Yes, of course! That sounds great.

  16. Three Owls

    ❤ I used to have a set made with soup cans, and then graduated to a taller wooden pair… too much fun!

  17. Ninfa

    A good idea to use pieces of wood instead tin's cans!The children seems amuse themselves.Bye!
    Excuse for my bad english!

  18. Me salen alas (si me paras los pies...)

    Hi!!
    I like so much your blog!! Its very happy
    Kisses from Spain ;D

  19. Mother★Lode

    I love these! My daughter is going to love these. We're definitely going to need a few pair so we don't fight over them, ha! I especially love how adaptable to how adjustable they are for different ages and abilities. Simply brilliant, yet again! I've linked this to my weekly roundup of fun/inspiring/creative ideas, blogged here:
    http://www.camilledawn.com/2010/07/tuesday-tumblr-4.html
    Thanks for the great idea, now I'm off to build stilts!
    Camille
    Mother✭Lode
    http://www.camilledawn.com

  20. Holly Rose

    Amazing! You must start selling these; they would go like hot cakes, especially if they came in a few colours. Love your site!

  21. Maiz

    So PERFECT!!! I made the coffee can style for Diego a couple of Christmases ago when he was four, and Ruben has just started trying them out. We definitely need to practice on the grass or carpet first. I'll try to post them to show you how they look.

    The shots of the kids practicing are priceless! Tess is too adorable.

  22. Jamie

    So I just learned about your blog from a friend. I TOTALLY LOVE EVERYTHING!!! So cool!!! I can't wait to look at every single thing! :)

  23. Terri

    I'm going to have to make a pair of these for my daughter… she'll love them! Thanks for another great idea!!

  29. Lu @ Regular Rumination

    We made them out of orange juice cartons when I was younger. I don't remember how we made them so they didn't cave in, but we did! These look a little sturdier :)

  30. Ionio

    What great stilts! The photos of your kids jogged memories of scooting around my mother’s living room on long wooden blocks like skis or skates – maybe I’ll try to make some for my kids with upturned ends and smoothly sanded bottoms…

  36. Amanda

    I love the idea of using blocks for these, so cute!

    I run Fun Family Crafts, a site similar in nature to Craftgawker and Spotlight, but different in that it’s a library of craft tutorials geared only at kids. I would love it if you’d stop by and submit this to be featured! (I link to you, I don’t post your tutorial on the site) Feel free to submit as many kid friendly craft tutorials as you like! http://funfamilycrafts.com/

  38. Tree Trunk Stompers

    […] year, my cousin and his wife gave the boys these awesome stilts that they made (they got the idea here).  Not only are these tons of fun, they are a great gross motor activity that works on balance and […]