This is such an easy craft to make, especially when you download our free spinner templates (find the links below!). Decorate and colour your spinner disc however you’d like, and create hours of fun for mere pennies!
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Download our free spinner toy templates:
Click on the links below to download our free, printable spinner toy templates! The PDF files will open in a new window. Then simply print the templates on regular 8.5 x 11 (letter size) paper.
Spinner Toy Template #1
Wheel Spinner Toy Template #2
DIY Spinner Toy Template #3
Spinner Toy Template #4
Do I have to use the spinner toy templates?
No, you can definitely draw your own circles and make your spinner toy without using the templates. Use a compass to draw a circle, or trace any larger circular object, like a small bowl, empty coffee tin, or a wide mug. (Our spinner toys have a 4-1/2 inch diameter.) Also be sure to poke the holes for the yarn at least 1 cm apart! Any closer, and the spinner toy won’t work properly.
What type of cardboard or paper makes the best spinner toy?
You can choose any type of cardboard from your recycling for the center of these spinner toys! But we did find that thin cardboard (from a cereal box, for example) worked and looked the best.
What yarn or string is best to use in a DIY spinner toy?
We tested a few different types of yarn and string and found that medium weight yarn worked best for making these spinner toys. It’s easy to hold onto and it winds up really easily. That being said, you can definitely still use cotton twine, ribbon, or embroidery thread if that’s what you have on hand. It will just take a tiny bit more effort to get it to wind properly.
What glue do you recommend to attach the spinner toy templates to the cardboard?
We found glue tape, or crafter’s tape, to be the best option. It sticks well, and makes the craft faster and easier to make. A glue stick is another good choice. Regular white glue will also work, but it tends to warp the paper, which doesn’t look as nice, and then you have to wait for it to dry.
It’s so much fun to make and play with these string spinner toys! When the disc twirls fast enough you’ll be able to feel the vibration of the string and hear a buzzing or humming sound. It’s so cool!!
Here’s even more DIY toy ideas:
Flapping Butterfly Craft
Popsicle Stick Catapult
Fire Breathing Dragon Craft
Our book Low-Mess Crafts for Kids is loaded with 72 fun and simple craft ideas for kids! The projects are fun, easy and most importantly low-mess, so the clean up is simple!
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