I’m always looking for great ideas to keep my kids busy and this one was a huge hit. These Tin Can Phones are so easy to make and will keep your kids busy for a long time.

Keeping your kids in the summer can also mean sneaking in some learning. This big list of Summer Words would be perfect for yelling through your fin can phones while increasing your child’s vocabulary.

If you want more recycled ideas to keep your kids busy and entertained outside? Here are Obstacle Course Ideas your kids will love. Tin can telephones are best used outside while playing other other things. You can also check out these DIY Musical Instruments that are loads of fun outdoors. They have ideas for not only maracas but also egg shakers that kids would love to help make and use.

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How to Make Tin Can Telephones

What You Will Need

Old Tin Cans of Any Size (washed & checked for sharp edges)
White Spray Paint
Spray Paint (your choice)
Good Quality String
A Nail
Hammer
Safety Glasses (like these)

How to Make Tin Can Telephones -Video

How to Make Tin Can Telephones -Pictures

To start off, lightly tap the hammer on the nail to make a hole in the top of each can like below. Wiggle the nail and it will come back out the way it was hammered in.
*Be sure to hold on to the nail because (speaking from experience) it will go flying!*

Next, paint each can first with white spray paint then, with your desired paint colors. Don’t use the spray paint and primer in one on these it didn’t come out very smooth.

Now on to the string. You’re going to run a piece of string through the hole and tie it off on the inside.

It works best and lasts longer if you double knot it. 🙂

Here are all of our Tin Can Telephones. We used a large formula can, a regular formula can, regular can, and tomato paste can. Just use what you have on hand.