I'm so excited to be guest posting on Juggling Act Mama today! I have the coolest project for you! I'm sharing a tutorial for Tin Can Stilts! (Bring back memories? It's that awesome classic toy you used to play with as a kid.) The best thing about this project is that it is easy and uses tools that you probably have on hand already. This is definitely a recycle or repurpose project perfect for frugal parents!
Tin Can Stilts Tutorial
RELATED: Duck Tape Scooter Makeover, 40+ Projects to Make with Your Kids
Before I send you over to my guest post, I have to tell you a little secret. I did not go all out and overboard with this project (and I'm actually quite proud of myself!). Could I have painted the cans to make them look all cute and colorful? Yes. Did I have the time or supplies to do that? No. Will my kids love the tin can stilts just as much when they are just plain old boring cans? Absolutely!
I'm learning (the hard and slow way) that my kids don't need everything to be fancy. Often the fancy is just for me. This time, I opted to forego the fancy and keep it simple. I'm so glad I did.
So, all you moms out there who like to do crafty things for your kids . . . I'm giving you permission to back off a little! Every little thing does not have to be perfect. Your kids are happy with or without the extra work, so go ahead and do your next project the easy way. What will you do with all that extra time? Have a little fun with your family, of course!
And these do look like fun, don't they? I stood in line right with the kids and took my turn clomping around our street!
Still here? You might be interested in some of the tools I used for this project. My favorite are the C clamps that my hubby bought for our garage makeover. You can open and close them with one hand! Seriously, they're right up there with my Kreg Jig on my list of coolest tools! Love them!
Thanks for stopping by today. Come back soon!
Katelyn F
Love and appreciate the sidebar Heidi! Kids totally don't care how "neat" and awesome things look. Well, they might initially with the "this is so cute!" but for something you're clomping around on, they are pretty much awesome without some cool paint job. :) It's always important to remember to KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid. lol.
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, Katelyn. It was definitely time for me to scale back!
Melanie
I saw this post over at Juggling Act Mama and thought it was awesome!
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, Melanie. The kids are really having a great time with them.
Jess
So cute! :)
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week! Don't forget to enter to win a $25 Starbucks giftcard! :)
Monique
Great and frugal idea to keep your kids occupied. Thanks for linking up at the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party.
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, Monique. I always love linking to your site each week.
Brittany Moore
I loved tin can stilts as a kid! Thanks for sharing!
Heidi Fowler
Me, too, Brittany. It's fun to share it now with my kids.
Barb @ A Life in Balance
Love these! I'm scheming how to get my own big cans. I'll check with my hubby to see how they do coffee at work.
And yes, you're right about not needing to make everything fancy!
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, Barb! Giant soup cans work, too. (At least for kids. They won't work for grownups.)
Angela
What a great kid craft! love it!
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, so much, Angela. My kids are loving them.
Heather
These are adorable and so much fun. Emma would love!
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, Heather. I hope Emma does love them! They're really fun.
Mitzi
Lots of FUN!--great idea for anytime family fun :)
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, so much, Mitzi! I thought about having races, but it seems a little dangerous!
Amanda
My mom totally made these at one of my birthday parties as a kid. This post brought back many memories!
Heidi Fowler
I'm glad, Amanda. It's fun to do an old-fashioned project with the kids.
Jennifer at Making Our Life Matter
I love this post Heidi! This post brought back some really fond memories!
Heidi Fowler
Thanks so much, Jennifer. It's a great toy for kiddos (and maybe teens!).
Kristen from The Road to Domestication
This really is brilliant! Kids need to get back to some of the basics - this is a great way to do that! Thanks for coming over and linking up at the #HomeMatters Linky Party! We'd love to see you again this coming Wednesday!
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, Kristin. I always love linking at your party!
Megan
You truly are the most creative person!! Love this idea, thanks!
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, so much, Megan. The kids loved thme.
Megan | Allergy Free Alaska
Oh my goodness!! My mom would make these for me ALL THE TIME growing up! I had forgotten all about them. ;) Thanks for making me smile & for linking up at GF & DIY Tuesdays. It brought back a lot of happy memories!
Megan
Heidi Fowler
Glad I could bring back a good memory, Megan. I remember playing with these, too.