When King Birtram played, he really played—on stilts! Hardworking dads need to play, too! Make tin can stilts and have a race just like the King and Eric in The King’s Stilts by Dr. Seuss.
What you’ll need:
- 4 large, empty, clean metal cans (must be the same size)
- nylon cord, rope, or heavy twine
- scissors
- a hammer and nail or a bottle opener with a can piercer
- paint, stickers, or other decoration (optional)
Directions:
- Use a can piercer or hammer and nail to punch two holes on opposite sides of each can near the base of the can.
- Run a length of rope through the holes and securely knot it inside the can. The rope loop should reach to about mid-thigh on the user of the stilts.
- Repeat with the other can, turn them over and have your child step on the cans.
- Give your child the ropes to hold onto and explain how to pull up on the ropes to keep cans and feet in contact while walking!
- Encourage some practice steps on a variety of surfaces.
Your child may want to decorate or paint the stilts. Red was King Birtram’s favorite color! He had a pair of red stilts made for his page boy Eric so they could race together every day. Make another pair for dad or other members of your family to start your own tradition of racing on stilts together.