How to Build a toy Phone From Cans and String

In today's modern age with cell phones, wireless headsets and speaker phones, it is sometimes nice to take a step back in time. The old toy phone made from tin cans and string is a classic homemade toy that remains a joy to make, particularly because this simple, lo-tech gadget really works and offers children hours of fun.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 clean tin cans
• Electrical tape
• Small nail
• Hammer
• Kite string
• Wax

1. Remove one end of two tin cans and wash and dry them thoroughly. Make sure there are no sharp edges along the rim of the can, or your little ones can easily cut themselves. If the edges are a bit rough, place a strip of electrical tape around the rim.

2. Use a small nail and a hammer to punch a hole in the center bottom of each can. Make sure that the nail you are using is as close to the same size as your string as possible, as the tin touching the string is what makes the phone work. The tighter the fit, the better your toy phone will function.

3. Coat a long piece of kite string with wax. You can use modeling wax as found in most supermarkets, or even a piece of beeswax. The wax will help the sound to travel along the string, so make sure it is evenly coated from tip to tip.

4. Thread each end of the string through a hole in each can and then tie a tight knot so that the ends do not slip out of the holes made in the can. Your children can now hold a can and pull the string to talk. As one talks and the other listens, the words should ring clearly into the can.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a third can and three strings so that the hole in each can holds two strings. Your children can then have 3 way conference calls.
• Cut the string long enough that you can guide your toy telephone from a tree house or outdoor playhouse to a window in your home, this way you can 'call' your children in for dinner, snack or other reasons.
• Tie a few bells onto each end of the can, so that a tug on the opposite end will cause your toy phone to ring.