How to Build Stilts for Kids

Make the Stilts

• 1

  Choose the boards from which you will build stilts for kids. Hold the boards up and look along their length to make sure you pick the straightest ones possible.

• 2

  Sand the boards with sandpaper when you build stilts for kids. Round the edges slightly with the sandpaper so that they are no longer sharp. Sand both ends of the wood as well.

• 3

  Choose which end of the 2 x 2-inch x 8-foot boards will be the bottom when you build stilts for kids. Measure across the board, find the middle and mark it with a pencil. Do the same thing farther up the board and connect the two marks. Use a yardstick to make sure this line is perfectly straight.

• 4

  Measure 12 inches up from the bottom of the 2 x 2-inch x 8-foot board and make a mark in the center of the board with a pencil. Measure up 4 inches from the first mark and make another with a pencil. Make two more marks, each 4 inches apart.

• 5

  Drill four holes in the marks you made. Use a 1-inch drill bit, and make the holes 1/2-inch deep.

• 6

  Use a 3/8-inch drill bit to drill four holes through the very center of the 1-inch holes you made in Step 5. This allows the hex head bolts to be receded. Repeat Steps 1 through 6 in this section for the other stilt.

Make the Steps for the Stilts

• 7

  Use a yard stick to measure draw a line diagonally across the 2 x 4 x 12-inch board. Make sure you draw the line lengthwise when you build stilts for kids.

• 8

  Saw along the diagonal line with a circular saw when you make stilts for kids. Wear proper eye protection. You should end with two right triangles that are 11 1/2 inches long.

• 9

  Measure 1/2-inch down from the tip of both triangles and make a mark with a pencil. Cut along the lines with a circular saw when you build stilts for kids.

• 10

  Measure down 2 inches from the base of the triangle when you make stilts for kids. Make a mark in two places, each 2 inches down from the base. Use a yardstick to draw a line across the triangle. Continue the line across the angled edge of the triangle. Mark the center of the line with a pencil.

• 11

  Use a 1-inch drill bit to drill a hole 1/2-inch deep. Use a 3/8-inch bit to drill a hole in the center of the 1 hole when you build stilts for kids. Make this hole go through the triangle.

• 12

  Turn the triangle over so the 3/8-inch wide hole is visible. Measure down 8 inches from this hole when you build stilts for kids.

• 13

  Mark the center of the triangle's edge with a pencil. Use a 3/8-inch drill bit to drill a 1/2-inch deep hole. Repeat Steps 1 through 7 in this section to make the other stilt's step.

Put the Stilts and the Steps Together

• 14

  Cut the 3/8-inch dowel into two 2-inch long pieces when you make stilts for kinds. Use the circular saw. Round all the edges with sand paper.

• 15

  Place the stilt on the workbench so that the sunken holes are facing down. Put in some wood glue into the bottom hole, and fit in one of the dowel pieces. Make sure one inch of the dowel sticks out of the stilt. Do the same with the other stilt. Let the glue set.

• 16

  Place the step on the back of the stilt when you make stilts for kids. Line up the holes so that the top hole on step will go over the third hole on the stilt. The dowel should fit into the bottom hole on the step.

• 17

  Insert one of the bolts through the step. Tighten it securely with a socket wrench when you make stilts for kids. Put a nut on the other end of the bolt and tighten it with the a socket wrench.

• 18

  Repeat Steps 3 and 4 in this section for the other stilt when you make stilts for kids. Adjust the height of the steps on the stilts by removing the bolt and moving the step up to the next hole. Remember to move the dowels as well.