Homemade Toys

Tin Can Stilts

A beginner-friendly variation of bamboo stilts.

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Category
Homemade Toys
Materials
Two sturdy tin cans (like condensed milk or juice cans) and strong twine.

How It's Played

A beginner-friendly variation of bamboo stilts. Two empty, sturdy tin cans are cleaned out. They are turned upside down so the solid metal base faces up. Two small holes are punched through the sides near the top, and a long loop of string is threaded through. Children stand on the cans, pulling upward on the strings to keep the cans flat against their feet as they walk.

Cultural Roots

Provided younger children with a safer, low-to-the-ground introduction to balance and stilt-walking engineering before graduated to tall bamboo poles.

Did You Play Tin Can Stilts?

Wherever you grew up — Kingston, Montego Bay, Brooklyn, Toronto, London, Miami — if you remember playing this, we want to hear from you. Send us your story, your photos, or an old video. Every submission helps preserve this game for the next generation.

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