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DIY Paper Spinner Toys

March 10, 2021

The kids and I have been getting excited about DIY Paper Toys these past few months. As they get  older and more “able”, it has been super fun exploring all the great things you can do with paper. So it was only a matter of time before we had a go at making a DIY Paper Spinner. Not only were they super fun to make.. but they provide a great STEAM activity for anyone learning about colour theory. It is simply so MAGICAL to see colour theory in action RIGHT BEFOR YOUR EYES.

Easy Paper Spinners Tutorial - ever wondered how to make these fun paper toys? They are a super easy kids crafts! And a great way to explore COLOUR Wheel THEORY. So makes a great STEAM project too. You can either experiment to your hearts content or use our super handy Paper Spinner Printables - perfect for colour theory exploration! Make this Kids DIY today!
Super fun Paper Spinners, design your own or use our free printables – First published in June 2016

We made a set of plain spinners (for the kids to colour themselves and to experiment with colours, patterns and designs), but also a set of PRINTABLES! The printables are particularly useful for a classroom setting or if you have LESS TIME, but still want to make this easy paper toy. But I do encourage you to go freestyle, use a plate as a stencil and have fun!

DIY Paper Spinners – Materials:

  • Paper
  • Card
  • String or pennies to make a penny spinner
  • Pens
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick

The FULL Set of 7 Paper Spinners is available in my Teacher’s Pay Teacher’s store for less of the price of a coffee! However, you can still download one full colour swirl or a basic template for free.

DIY Paper Spinners How To:

Either watch this simple video or read the written instructions below!

We also made an emoji spinner version

  1. Either print out two circles from the templates above OR get a small paper plate (approx 10-12cm in diamater and draw two circles).
  2. Colour in your circles any way you wish. The colours will “mix” on any concentric circles. (see video for the effect). Be bold and experiment with different designs and patterns.
  3. Cut our your circles.
  4. Stick the first circle on some cardboard.
  5. Cut out the cardboard circle now.
  6. Stick the second circle on to the back.
  7. Make two small holes (approx 1cm apart, if not 8mm) on either side of the centre of the circle – the templates have markings for this.
  8. Thread string approx 40cm in length through and tie.

Have a go at spinning!!

DIY Paper Spinner - simple to make and so fun to play with. Great for an STEAM lessons on colour theory

This Paper Spinner really shows colour theory well – you can see how the outer red/ yellow rim turns orange, the blue/ yellow goes a light blue/ green and the red/blue turns a lovely purple. Awesome colour wheel theory exploration!

DIY Paper Spinner - Great for an STEAM lessons on colour theory

WHITE LIGHT: when this rainbow spinner is going fast enough it actually appears as white every so often – confirming that “white light” is made up of all the colours of the rainbow. For an accurate “white light”, you would probably have to adjust the proportion of each colour correctly, as well as get it spinning really fast.

DIY Paper Spinner - design your own and explore color wheel theory

The kids also had great fun designing their own spinners. They started off with “plain sections” and then looked at what happened when they added red dots and blue zig zags. I think we love these ones best! But they take more time to make as you need time for decorating!

At first it is tricky to get the spin going.. but keep practicing and it will get easier. Once the spin is going, you can relax your hands a little, this will allow for the spinner to “reload in reverse” and keep going!!!!

ENJOY!

We have more DIY Paper Toys for your here:

Fun with Paper - DIY Paper Toys sq

Enjoy your Paper Spinner!!!! This instructional video is also available on YouTube!

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Filed Under: Easy Kids Crafts, Paper Crafts, Science, vlogs 26 Comments

Comments

  1. SaraJV says

    July 25, 2016 at 7:42 am

    thanks for this it is great!!

    the only thing is that the spinner goes wobbly at the full spin and then when you pull the string tight again. Do you know why or what could cause this
    thanks
    ๐Ÿ™‚ Sara

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      July 25, 2016 at 10:47 am

      Yes we sometime get that too – a shorter string sometimes helps with that.. else it is just practice!!!

      Reply
    • 13 YEAR OLD KID says

      April 6, 2019 at 9:52 am

      this is awesome and fun to do THANK U A LOT

      Reply
  2. Glenda Betts says

    June 22, 2017 at 1:21 pm

    I love all your ideas. The children I nanny for love your paper spinners.

    Reply
  3. Tina Speechley says

    July 15, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    I just want to thank you for all your creative projects. I work at a museum here in New York and I have used several of your projects to inspire the kids we work with here (all with proper link backs to you of course!)

    Thanks you for all you do.

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      July 17, 2017 at 7:54 am

      Oh wow, thank you so much! Very pleased to hear you are enjoying the ideas here!! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. isabella says

    November 9, 2017 at 10:08 pm

    i tride to make them but not with string

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      November 10, 2017 at 11:33 am

      Did it work?

      Reply
  5. Bell says

    January 19, 2018 at 5:20 pm

    Will it work with cardstock?

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:30 pm

      I would probably glue 2-3 layers together

      Reply
    • Angela Gray says

      August 14, 2018 at 12:33 am

      I printed off the templates today on cardstock and let the campers color their circles and then cut it out. I already poked holes in them so the campers didn’t have to and for safety.

      Reply
      • Red Ted Art says

        August 29, 2018 at 9:55 am

        Wonderful!

        Reply
  6. Jackie says

    April 16, 2018 at 8:26 am

    What is the best string to use.have tried wool but does not work.

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      April 16, 2018 at 8:49 am

      I have used that strong “garden string” or “bakers twine”. You are right that wool is quite soft. So you need something stronger!

      Reply
  7. Melissa Gravert says

    July 6, 2018 at 9:38 pm

    Could this work using chipboard instead of paper glued to cardboard?

    Thank you for sharing all your great ideas!!

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      July 8, 2018 at 9:16 am

      Yes, I am sure it would work v well!

      Reply
  8. Diego Lopes says

    July 23, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    These toys are so simple yet so much fun! Kids love them!

    Reply

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