Strap-Hanging for Toddlers

by Kiteman

9.8K11622

Intro: Strap-Hanging for Toddlers

Over the years, we have done on buses and underground trains with our children.

These days, they are older, and perfectly capable of surviving the trip without trouble, but when they were smaller, things were more difficult: with no space for a pushchair, and frequently no space to sit, we had to carry them. This created more problems, because we then had no hands free to strap-hang ourselves. 

This is a simple Make that frees up your hands, and gives your children a bit of safe independence. 

STEP 1: Materials

In the very simplest form, all you need is some cord, but, following extensive market research*, I used about a metre of 10mm "general purpose" rope, and a short piece of 15mm PVC conduit. I also added a slight curve to the conduit by softening it slightly in boiling water.


(*I asked Conker-X)

STEP 2: Making

This is incredibly simple - you just thread the rope through the pipe, and tie a knot. I used a reef knot.

STEP 3: Using.

To use the strap, thread the knot up behind your belt to make a loop, thread the handle through that loop and pull tight. You will then have a handy strap that your small child can use safely and comfortably.

20 Comments

bhoshaw 7 years ago

This is exactly the type of instructable I was looking for today! I was looking for something that my daughter can hold on to while standing next to me as an alternative to the carrier I have, and besides my poor idea of making a carrier that straps her to my leg, I didn't have a leg to stand on. I want her to stand with me, and give her something to hold on to while she takes a step, or kicks a small soccer ball. I'm now going to make this as soon as I get home.

Kiteman 7 years ago

Cool - post a picture, if you can!

PhilTee 10 years ago

This is a great idea! Although my small person really likes piggybacks, so I might make two and use them as stirrups :)

Kiteman 10 years ago

Haha, that's cool.

OmegaCyanide 10 years ago

I'm 15, so I don't have kids. But I'm curious, does the child hang onto the pipe? Or do you set the child on it? Thanks in advance!

Kiteman 10 years ago

Good question!

The young one stands beside you, and holds the pipe section, just like the grown-ups.

zurichko 10 years ago

So simple yet so effective!

karlpinturr 10 years ago

Nice idea! - just hope your belt holds up... ;)

Kiteman 10 years ago

The belt is leather, toddlers are light...

karlpinturr 10 years ago

Belts (well-loved ones, at least) break, and not all toddlers are that light... ;-D

Kiteman 10 years ago

... feed them less?

zap1998 10 years ago

Brilliant. My kids are older now, wish I had thought of this.

Kiteman 10 years ago

If you have friends with small children, you can still tell them...

Blechmen 10 years ago

Lol I love this so creative

Tarun Upadhyaya 10 years ago

This is very useful, in public transit and crowded places like fairs. May be someone should add some electronics to it and embed a sensor such that if the kid looses the grip, it rings an alarm :[)
Thank you so much for sharing, you are awesome.

Kiteman 10 years ago

Oh, I like the electronics idea!

Thank you for your kind words.

artlife 10 years ago

Got to say, I am with artfulann on this one. Glad to see that it is actually a good idea for public transit.

artfulann 10 years ago

My first thought when I saw the title posted in my email was: "what is Kiteman up to now?" As images of hanging toddlers by their straps to things such as doorways and clotheslines...Imagine my relief to read your ingenious carrying device!