Takeuma (stilts made from bamboo) are a traditional toy that lets you enjoy the sense of balance.
Here are some hands-on ideas for making your own takeuma so you can also enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when you finish.
They’re toys, but safety is important: use bamboo pieces of the same size, and assemble the footrests securely.
The longer the bamboo, the harder it is to keep your balance once you step on, so it’s best to build them to a size that suits the user.
Once you get the hang of it, you can even play tag or dance on takeuma!
Try making them together with your child, experimenting as you go.
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Enjoy traditional games with your kids! A collection of DIY stilts (1–10)
Stilts made with vinyl tape that you can make with children
Here’s how to make stilts that you can build together with a child who loves them! You’ll need two bamboo poles with nodes at about the same height, a 1-meter piece of wood, rope, and vinyl tape.
First, use a saw to cut the wood to form the footrests.
Temporarily hold the footrests in place with rope, then secure them by wrapping tightly over the rope with vinyl tape, as if making a rope out of the tape.
Tie them to the bamboo poles so that the heels sit just slightly higher than level.
Vinyl tape can be replaced with wire, so feel free to adjust based on the child’s age.
Making stilts at a nursery school
@shironomori stiltsolder; senior (often used for the oldest age group in kindergarten: 'senior class')Senior kindergarten studentRecruiting Kindergarteners#Nursery schoolRecommendation
♪ Good Vibes – Ketsumeishi
Here’s how to make stilts that you can build together with preschoolers! Pre-cut the wooden pieces that will become the footrests, then use vine-like twigs or similar to attach them to bamboo poles at a height that matches the children.
Have some vinyl tape ready as well, and use it for areas that are hard to secure firmly.
The process also lets kids enjoy thinking and figuring things out on their own as they build.
For tying the wood to the bamboo poles, it’s also recommended to use thin strips of vinyl tape or a thin rope.
Stilts made of wood
Recommended for kids who love DIY! Here’s how to make handmade stilts using materials from a home improvement store.
You’ll need stakes used for flowerbeds, rough pine lumber, 5 mm bolts and nuts, etc.
You’ll also use a handsaw and a drill/driver, so make sure an adult always helps.
Cut the stakes slightly longer than the child’s height, then cut the footrests from the rough lumber.
Use an awl to make holes in both the stakes and the lumber.
Assemble the footrests with bolts and nuts, and you’re done! You can also use vinyl string or rope instead of bolts and nuts, so feel free to get creative.
Stilts you can make by handling the tools
@_zoukakoubou_ We held a summer vacation woodworking class for kids! At Zouka Kobo, we had everyone make traditional “takeuma” stilts using basic traditional joinery. The material was ash wood. With one-on-one guidance from a carpenter, the kids got to use saws and chisels—making it a slightly grown-up woodworking class. After finishing, everyone immediately started playing with their stilts. The curry and rice cooked over the kamado for lunch was so tasty that some even had seconds! I, Sugihara, am getting quite used to cooking rice on the kamado now (haha). Thank you, everyone, for your hard work in the heat.Woodworking classtranslationEventSummer Vacation Craftwork#MonozukuriMie PrefectureKameyama City
♬ Original Song – Zoukakobo Co., Ltd. – Zoukakobo Co., Ltd.
Here’s an idea for making stilts that lets you work hands-on with tools.
You’ll need ash wood, a saw, and a chisel.
The appeal of this idea is making your own original stilts by cutting and joining the ash wood one-on-one with a child.
In addition to playing with the finished stilts, you can learn about the characteristics of ash wood and how to use the tools, so it seems perfect for long school breaks and craft projects.
When using the tools, it’s a good idea to set rules to prevent injuries.
Give it a try!
Recommended for making your first stilts
Why not enjoy your first stilts together with your kids? These are stilts made by bolting together wooden and bamboo poles.
Because you may want to adjust the height or perform maintenance, please do not secure the bolts with wood glue, tape, or similar.
Concrete and asphalt can damage the stilts easily, so ride them in places like parks.
Since the parts are only connected with bolts, adults should not ride them.
The more time children spend on the stilts, the greater their sense of accomplishment will be, so please practice together and have fun with your kids.
Making stilts that are easy for children to use
Here’s how to make homemade stilts you can build with children.
Attach a wooden block around the second node of the bamboo.
At the point where they meet, start wrapping wire: leave about 3 cm to start, and keep the protruding end at about 1.5 cm.
Align everything firmly and wrap so the corners don’t round off.
The wire tips can be dangerous, so adults should watch carefully.
After about five turns, hold the wood in place and give the wrapped wire a single twist.
If it wobbles, it won’t tighten well, so be careful as you wrap.
Angle it, then adjust with a hammer or pliers, and you’re done!
Stilts you can make with materials from a 100-yen shop
Here’s an idea for making stilts using materials from a 100-yen shop.
You’ll need a tension rod, a saw, craft adhesive, a screwdriver, boards, and shelf brackets.
First, cut the boards to match the size of your feet, then glue two boards together to make one thicker piece.
Next, fix the shelf brackets and the tension rod together using screws and wire.
Finally, attach the shelf brackets to the boards with screws, and you’re done! Wrapping the boards and brackets with vinyl tape adds reinforcement, so it’s highly recommended.
Give it a try!