How to Make Wooden Stilts

Walking with stilts is a fun way to pass the time. Seeing the world from a higher perspective was a joy to many of us when we were young. Now you can feel that joy again by building stilts for yourself and your kids.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2" x 4" x 15½" lumber
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Saw
• Drill with 3/4" wing bit and 3/8" standard bit
• 8' x 2" x 2" lumber (2)
• 3/8" wing nuts (4)
• 3/8" ID flat washers (4)
• 3/8" by 4" carriage bolts (4)

1. 
    
   Angle cut details.

   Cut a 45-degree angle 6" from the end of the 2x4. This should result in two pieces with a 6-inch short side and a 9 1/2-inch long side. These will be used as the footholds for your stilts.

2. Drill two 3/4-inch holes 1½ inches deep in the short side of the footholds. The centers should be 4 inches apart. These holes are to allow the carriage bolts to recess, allowing them to reach through both the foothold and the 2x2.

3. Drill the two holes made in Step 2 the rest of the way through with the 3/8" standard bit.

4. Measure 6 inches from the bottom of each of the 8-foot 2 x 2 poles and place a mark in the center of the pole. Measure 4 inches up from your first mark and place a second mark. Repeat this until you have eight marks on each pole that are spaced 4 inches apart. Your top mark should be 34 inches from the bottom of the poles.

5. Use the drill with the 3/8-inch standard bit to drill a hole through each mark you made on the poles.

6. Insert the carriage bolts into the footholds and place them where you wish on the poles. Place the washers on the protruding bolts and tighten the wing nuts to secure the footholds. You are now ready to try out your stilts.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear protective gear when using your stilts.

References

• DangerouslyFun.com article on stilts