DIY Tin Can Stilts

Making and playing with DIY tin can stilts is so much fun–my kids have played with them for hours! There is nothing quite like the feeling of crafting your own toy.

We’ve partnered with two of our favorite brands–Michael’s Passport to Imagination and Gymboree–to get kids excited about crafting in style this summer! We’re channeling Main Street and all the fun of an old-fashioned summer with these DIY tin can stilts.

Kids love to create at the Michael’s Passport to Imagination program! Mine made some cool crafts last year and can’t wait to go with their friends again this year. It’s a kids’ summer crafting program offered every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (from 10am until noon) at Michael’s locations across the U.S.

This year’s Passport to Imagination program takes kids on a seven week summer road trip from the beach to the county fair to the art festival and more. We were inspired by the fourth week’s Main Street theme to create homemade tin can stilts–how cool would it be to take these to a town parade?

Gymboree has created a cute, coordinated clothing collection for each of the Passport to Imagination themes. Your kids can enjoy the little and big moments this summer–from craft time to a day at the lake to strolling down Main Street–in style!

We are huge fans of Gymboree clothes, especially in the summer when we are outdoors and on the go. They are made well enough to stand up to the demands of real life with kids and last for years. I’m a big fan of cute clothes that kids can actually play in–summer is no fun if you are uncomfortable. Especially when walking on tin can stilts!

How to Make Tin Can Stilts

empty tin cans (we used 29 ounce tomato cans)
hammer and a nail to make the holes
paracord (yarn would also work)
hot glue gun
foam
assorted crafty decorations (we used washi tape, foam stickers, googly eyes, markers, and pipe cleaners)

Prep the tin cans by cleaning and drying them thoroughly. We used a smooth edge can opener to open the cans we were going to use so it would be safe for the kids to play with. If you don’t have one you may want to cover the edges in duct tape before the kids start crafting.

Use the hammer and nail to poke a hole through the side of each can near the top. This job is better for an adult or older child. Once the holes are in it’s time to decorate! Kids can covered the cans in washi tape or stickers or create a face–there is no wrong way to decorate tin can stilts!

To make the cans more comfortable to walk on we added a layer of foam to the top. Just trace the top of the can on the foam and cut out. Then have an adult hot glue the circles to the top. Finally add the paracord for the handles. We cut all of ours to be 48 inches each and tied them inside the can. Hold it up to your child and adjust up or down as needed.

Then it’s time to learn how to walk on the stilts! I say learn because it can be tricky at first. We found it hard to walk in the grass so if possible you may want to practice on carpet at first. We were excited to give it a go so after a little practice we went straight for the sidewalk and driveway. Use your judgement for what will work best for your kids.

#CraftInStyle Instagram Weekly Sweepstakes

Gymboree and Michael’s are hosting a 7-week weekly Instagram sweepstakes, encouraging moms (or dads!) to share a photo of the family getting crafty and inspired by each week’s summer destination. The weekly winner will receive a $100 Gymboree gift card, a $100 Michael’s gift card and craft supplies! Score.

All you have to do is: