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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
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Craft for Kids
How to Make a Play Telephone Download ArticleExplore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Gather your materials. 2 Create holes for the string. 3 Put the string through the hole. 4 Tie a knot. 5 Repeat for the other end. 6 Get a partner. 7 Start using your telephone. + Show 4 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Author Info
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 Tested
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wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 78 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. The wikiHow Video Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 559,149 times. Learn more...
Do you wish you could have your very own phone? All you have to do is follow these steps to learn how to make your own tin can and string (or cup and string) telephone. This craft also makes for a good science project to learn about how sound travels.
Steps
1
Gather your materials.
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Get a piece of string and two empty cans (preferably soup cans). If you don't have cans or you don't want to work with them, you can also use cups (preferably plastic),such as the ones shown here. Plastic is a little easier to work with than metal. Styrofoam cups do not work well because they are soft and spongy and absorb sound instead of transmitting it. In a pinch, you can use disposable paper cups, but plastic and metal take more wear-and-tear.[1]XResearch source
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Create holes for the string.
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Punch a hole at the bottom of each can just small enough for string to fit through. You might need your parents or teacher to help with this. You can make the hole with a drill, hammer and a nail, or some other sharp, pointed tool. If you are using plastic cups, you can probably just poke a hole with a push pin or any other sharp point. Make the holes only large enough to put the string through and no larger.[2]XResearch source
3
Put the string through the hole.
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Pass the string through the hole and into the bottom of one can or cup. It might help to push the string through with the end of a paper clip or thread it through with a bit of wire.[3]XResearch source
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Tie a knot.
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Tie a knot in the end of the string that is inside the cup. When you're done, pull the string tight so the knot rests in the bottom of the can. You can tie the string around a little piece of a toothpick if you can't get it to stay with just a knot.[4]XResearch source
5
Repeat for the other end.
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Place the untied end of the string through the bottom of the other can or cup. Tie a knot, as before, and pull the string tight.
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Get a partner.
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Find a partner to test out your creation.[5]X Trustworthy Source NASAIndependent agency of the U.S. government in charge of the aerospace research and the space program Go to source
7
Start using your telephone.
Download Article
Place the open end of one can over your ear and have your partner speak into the open end of the other can. Make the string as tight as you can. If you've made it correctly, you should hear your friend speak, even if it is a long piece of string. Then, talk while your friend listens.[6]XResearch source
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Question What can I do if I do not hear it? Community Answer Pull the string tighter. Often, we can't hear the sound because the string is too loose. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 63 Helpful 268
Question We used a piece of yarn and two tin cans, why isn't it working? Community Answer Yarn has a lot of loose threads that works as a vibration dampener. A taut string will carry the vibration much more cleanly. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 62 Helpful 216
Question Does the size of the cup matter? Community Answer Nope, cups of any size should work equally well. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 66 Helpful 185
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Video
Tips
You can hear your partner better if the string is tighter. Thanks Helpful 276 Not Helpful 82
Can you make "phone calls" around corners? Try it and see. Thanks Helpful 236 Not Helpful 98
Using fishing wire instead of string helps sound travel a lot better. Thanks Helpful 209 Not Helpful 87
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Try to use cans that do not have a sharp edge where the lid of the can was removed. Thanks Helpful 89 Not Helpful 22
Be careful when you punch the hole in the can. Thanks Helpful 79 Not Helpful 36
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Things You'll Need
Piece of string
2 clean food (soup) cans (empty) or cups.
Tool for creating holes
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Tested by: wikiHow Video Team wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 78 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 559,149 times. 70 votes - 82% Co-authors: 78Updated: June 25, 2025 Views: 559,149 Categories: Featured Articles | Craft for Kids In other languages Spanish German Portuguese Italian Russian Japanese
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Reader Success Stories
Alexa Franco
Nov 29, 2017
"This article had great tips such as making the string tighter. When I tried this, it worked great! The article was also very detailed and had step by step instructions. Love it!"..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Tested by: wikiHow Video Team Co-authors: 78Updated: June 25, 2025 Views: 559,14982% of readers found this article helpful. 70 votes - 82% Click a star to add your vote
Alexa Franco
Nov 29, 2017
"This article had great tips such as making the string tighter. When I tried this, it worked great! The article was also very detailed and had step by step instructions. Love it!"..." more
Kathy Hogan
Sep 13, 2017
"Very clear and thorough. I learned that the foam in foam cups acts like a megaphone, with more room for the vibrations, thus amplifying sound. "..." more
Kashish Shankhwar
Oct 15, 2016
"This is very helpful for those who want to learn something. This helps me a lot in my science project. Thanks a lot. "..." more
William Davies
Dec 22, 2017
"I needed to know whether string or wire was best to use! Now confirmed that string is best . Thank you!"
Alexander T.
Sep 21, 2023
"I loved how there were videos on how to do it. Also the directions were very clear." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Gather your materials. 2 Create holes for the string. 3 Put the string through the hole. 4 Tie a knot. 5 Repeat for the other end. 6 Get a partner. 7 Start using your telephone. + Show 4 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Author Info 
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Get a piece of string and two empty cans (preferably soup cans). If you don't have cans or you don't want to work with them, you can also use cups (preferably plastic),such as the ones shown here. Plastic is a little easier to work with than metal. Styrofoam cups do not work well because they are soft and spongy and absorb sound instead of transmitting it. In a pinch, you can use disposable paper cups, but plastic and metal take more wear-and-tear.[1] Advertisement 
Punch a hole at the bottom of each can just small enough for string to fit through. You might need your parents or teacher to help with this. You can make the hole with a drill, hammer and a nail, or some other sharp, pointed tool. If you are using plastic cups, you can probably just poke a hole with a push pin or any other sharp point. Make the holes only large enough to put the string through and no larger.[2] 
Community Answer Pull the string tighter. Often, we can't hear the sound because the string is too loose. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 63 Helpful 268 
Community Answer Yarn has a lot of loose threads that works as a vibration dampener. A taut string will carry the vibration much more cleanly. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 62 Helpful 216 
Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Tested by: wikiHow Video Team Co-authors: 78 Updated: June 25, 2025 Views: 559,149 82% of readers found this article helpful. 70 votes - 82% Click a star to add your vote