Tin Can Phone Science Project

Enjoy this throwback tin can phone science project with the kids in your life! Tin can phones are a classic childhood project that every kid should enjoy doing at least once in their lives. And it’s also a super cheap project, requiring just a few common household items!

How To Create A Tin Can Phone Science Project

You’ll need to gather the following supplies in order to make this tin can phone science project:

2 empty cans
screw or nail and hammer
thin string
duct tape
paper/stickers/etc. for decorations

Once your supplies are gathered, this is how you get started on your very own tin can phone project:

1. Clean empty cans and allow to dry.

2. Use a screw or nail to puncture hole in the bottom of each can. The size of the hole will depend on your string. The smaller the string, the better the voice transmission.

3. Place duct tape around the edge of the cans to protect from the cut edges.

4. Decorate tin can phones as desired! Some kids will find this more fun than others.. no decorations are necessary so don’t force it!

5. Put string through the holes and tie knots to keep it from going through the holes!

6. PLAY!

Troubleshooting Tin Can Phone Project

Part of any good STEM science project is the wondering. I’ve got news for you.. tin can phones don’t always work on the first try! Resist the temptation to throw them in the trash and say “that was a waste of time!” Instead, you can get into the true STEM spirit and try to solve WHY it’s not working as expected.

Why isn’t my tin can phone working?
1. Is the line too long? Make sure that the distance is as short as you can make it, without being so close you would be able to hear each other normally.

2. Is the line too loose? You want to string to be as tight as possible in order to conduct the sound best.

3. Is the string too thick? Make sure the string isn’t a super thick piece of rope. Even fishing line is said to work well, although I haven’t tried it yet!

4. Is the can too thick? If you are using a steel can, which many are these days, it may be too thick to reverberate properly and allow the sound to transmit.

Make sure to share the nostalgia with your kids – did you make tin can phones when you were a kid? Tell them about it!

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