Old school toys are the best! This is such a simple toy, but has lasted over the years because it is fun as well as fascinating AND it doesn’t take much to make them.
Supplies:
- 2 empty and cleaned cans
- string
- paper (wrapping paper, old magazines, newspapers etc)
- glue
- paintbrush
- nail/hammer
Turn the can open side down and begin to decoupage by tearing a small piece of paper and glue it onto the can. Keep on going until you get almost to the bottom. Flip the can over and finish covering it, be sure to cover the lip of the can and a bit of the inside that that all sharp and dangerous edges are covered over. (This will probably require adult supervision, especially if the can has many sharp parts that stick out). Do the same for the other can.
When the cans are dry, take a nail and hammer 1 hole into the bottom of each can. (This will require adult supervision). Cut a piece of string into the desired length, thread each end through the hole in the can (from the outside to the inside) and tie a knot at each end. (You can experiment with this to discover what works better or how long of a string you can use and still hear your friend). Now you are ready to talk!
Make sure the string is a bit taught or the sound vibrations won’t travel along the and you won’t be able to hear the other person. We told the kids that the phones only worked if they spoke in English – you can trick the younger kids by having them speak in their mother tongue while the line is slack and then speak in English when the line is taut :o)
ARTiculation360 