How to Make and Walk on Wooden Stilts

Walking on stilts is one circus skill that many people would love to master. You can make your own simple wooden stilts fairly easily, and with some time, patience and a couple of friends, you can learn how to walk on stilts just as easily too.

Things You'll Need

• Two 2-inch by 2-inch wood poles, 3 feet long Two wooden blocks, 5 inches by 5 inches by 7 inches Eight 3-inch screws and washers Screwdriver Wood glue Two pieces of 12 mm plywood 6 yards of 2-inch-wide upholstery webbing 2 yards of 2-inch-wide Velcro Six screws with washers Four long screws with washers Two 2-inch by 2-inch pieces of rubber bicycle tire Two 2-inch nails Hammer

Instructions

How to Make Wooden Stilts

1. Measure and mark the halfway point on the length of each wood pole. Measure and mark the halfway point on the length of the 5-inch by 7-inch face of each wooden block.

2. Align the halfway mark on one block of wood with the halfway mark on one pole. Attach it in place with wood glue, the four screws and washers. Repeat the same steps to attach the second block of wood to the second pole.

3. Cut out two lengths of plywood, which are large enough to exceed the width and the length of your foot by 1 inch. These will serve as the foothold on your stilts. Ensure that the outside edge is flat so as to fit flush against your stilt leg.

4. Fix the plywood foothold on top of the wooden blocks, using wood glue, the four screws and washers.

5. Cut the upholstery webbing into six pieces, each one 1 yard long. These will be used to strap the stilts to your legs. Attach three straps to each stilt as follows: Attach the end of one strap to the outside of each stilt, just above the foothold, to go around your ankle, another further up to strap just below your knee and a third under the foothold to strap around your foot.

6. Cut six 1-inch sections from the Velcro. Sew one section onto the end of each strap of upholstery webbing. This will serve as a fastener for the straps.

7. Cut a piece of rubber to fit onto the bottom of each stilt. Nail one piece of rubber to the bottom of each stilt to help minimize slipping.

How to Walk on Stilts

1. Put on your knee pads, which you should always wear when walking on stilts--even the professionals do, and it could save you from suffering with broken knees.

2. Enlist the help of a friend or two to provide support as you learn to get and keep your balance on the stilts.

3. Sit on a table or other raised surface to strap on your stilts. This is the easiest, most convenient way to put on and get up on your stilts.

4. Practice falling while you have your friends by your side, so that you learn how to fall in a controlled manner and minimize or even avoid injury. This will enable you to avoid falling too heavily, falling down onto your face or falling sideways and injuring your hip. The secret lies in bending both your knees and falling forward to a kneeling position when you feel yourself begin to topple while on the stilts.

5. Begin by walking on the spot with the support of your friends, so as to become comfortable walking with the stilts strapped on. Gradually move on to walking in small steps. As you gain confidence, you will need the support of your friends less until you have the balance and confidence to do it on your own.