Five-year-old Axel Luchsinger experienced an unexpected turn of events during a typical school day when he was declared a world-record holder. “Everyone was hugging me,” he shared with CBC News. The iconic Slinky toy, beloved by many, has now claimed a new record as the most stairs descended by a Slinky, surpassing the previous mark by 23 stairs, according to Guinness World Records.
Axel and his parents, Joe and Christelle Luchsinger, residents of Connecticut, are the masterminds behind this achievement. Joe mentioned that Axel has a keen interest in discovering the biggest, fastest, and strongest things. Their journey to break the Slinky record began when Axel developed an interest in Slinky toys, knowing his father had attempted record-breaking endeavors in the past, like an unsuccessful 20-hour attempt at the longest handshake in New York City.
To prepare for the record-breaking attempt, the family purchased seven Slinkys with varying characteristics to find the most suitable one, ultimately selecting a plastic multicolored version. Their quest led them to Ohio, where, after facing challenges at a dam location, they secured permission from Otterbein University to attempt the feat on a steep set of bleachers.
The Luchsinger family, comprising Joe, Christelle, and Axel, each had a specific role during the record-setting event. Christelle was in charge of launching the Slinky, Axel counted the stairs, and Joe retrieved the toy after each run. Despite initial setbacks and an approaching storm, they persevered until Christelle achieved longer runs, eventually completing a successful descent just before the rain arrived.
Although there was no live adjudicator present, the family captured the moment on video in May 2025, later receiving official certification via email in March of the following year. Christelle expressed her excitement about the record, while Axel playfully hinted at aiming for 150 stairs in the future.
Looking ahead, the family is eyeing the next challenge: breaking the record for the highest launch from a Galilean cannon. Joe emphasized the importance of finding time for play as adults, reflecting on the meaningful experience they all shared while pursuing Axel’s imaginative goal.
