Let's make and play with kids! A collection of handmade yo-yo ideas
When it comes to festivals, water yo-yos are always a big hit with kids, aren’t they?
The way to play is simple: loop the rubber band around your finger and bounce it with your palm open, though it might be a little tricky at first.
But once you get used to it, it becomes a lot of fun.
Here, we’ll share handmade yo-yo ideas you can make using various materials.
There are options that even small children can make, as well as ideas that look cute as decorations.
Everything can be enjoyed indoors, so try crafting them with a bit of creativity any time of year.
Let's make and play with kids! Handmade Yo-yo Idea Collection (1–10)
paper-plate yo-yo
Handmade with paper plates! Here’s how to make a fun yo-yo.
You will need colored pens, double-sided tape, vinyl tape, string (kite string), two paper plates, one marble, and two plastic bottle caps.
First, draw any design you like on the front of both paper plates with the pens.
Cut the string to 60 centimeters.
Tie a stopper knot on one end of the string, and tie a loop big enough for your finger on the other end.
Next, place the marble in one of the bottle caps, and put the knotted end of the string into the other bottle cap.
Press the insides of the two bottle caps together and secure them with vinyl tape, then stick double-sided tape on the outside of the bottle caps.
Peel off the backing and attach the caps to the center of the back sides of the two paper plates—and you’re done!
glove yo-yo
Here’s how to make a cute homemade yo-yo using gloves! You’ll need a glove and about four rubber bands.
First, link the four rubber bands together.
Hook the rubber bands onto the ring finger of the glove and tie them to the index finger.
Next, turn the glove inside out so the rubber bands stick out.
Turn the other glove inside out as well, then place the glove with the rubber bands into the other inside-out glove, with the rubber bands facing out.
Shape it into a round yo-yo, and you’re done! It’s also cute to decorate it with googly-eye stickers or felt according to your child’s age—highly recommended.
Newspaper yo-yo
Here’s how to make a handmade yo-yo using newspaper.
The materials are: newspaper, a plastic bag, rubber bands, and cellophane tape.
First, tear the newspaper into pieces of a suitable size and crumple them into a ball.
Put the crumpled newspaper into the plastic bag.
Once you tie the opening of the bag, attach the rubber bands.
Connect three rubber bands together.
Secure any excess plastic around the knot with cellophane tape.
Finally, tape down the bottom corner of the plastic bag, and you’re done! It’s also cute if you decorate it, so be sure to make your own original yo-yo and have fun playing with it.
Eco yo-yo made from plastic bottle caps
Handmade with plastic bottle caps! Here’s how to make an eco-friendly yo-yo.
Materials: 4 plastic bottle caps, 90 cm of twine, screws, paper clay, vinyl tape, and decorations.
First, use an awl or similar tool to make a hole in the center of each cap.
Insert a screw from the inside of a cap.
Once it’s partially in, use a screwdriver to drive it all the way.
Tie the twine to the screw.
Insert a screw into another cap from the top.
Next, pack paper clay into the recess of the caps.
Stack the caps together and wrap them with vinyl tape, then press the paper clay sides together.
Make a loop at the end of the twine to fit your finger.
Finally, decorate it—and you’re done!
Milk Carton Yo-Yo
Make it with a milk carton! Here’s a fun way to make a yo-yo with kids.
Materials: a milk carton, two rubber bands, stickers or other decorations, and cloth tape.
First, cut open the milk carton and lay it flat, then decorate it with stickers.
Staple it so it forms a circle.
Next, tie the rubber bands together and attach them to the milk carton with cloth tape.
Make a small slit to insert the rubber band.
Since staples can be sharp, cover them with cloth tape just to be safe.
And you’re done!
paper cup yo-yo
You can go fishing for yo-yos with a paper cup! Here’s how to make a paper cup yo-yo that you can craft with kids.
Cut the rim of the paper cup with scissors.
Next, make vertical cuts about 2 cm long all around the lower part of the cup.
Punch two holes in the bottom.
Thread a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) through the holes to make a handle, then decorate the cup with stickers or washi tape.
Finally, bend the pipe cleaner so it can hook and “catch” the yo-yos, and you’re done! It’s also cute if you use a clear cup, so that’s recommended too.
Toy capsule yo-yo
https://www.tiktok.com/@hoiku.labo/video/7385360656251292946Here’s how to make a handmade yo-yo using toy capsules! Decorate the toy capsule by sticking on some stickers.
Open the capsule and thread a pipe cleaner through the hole.
Fold it and thread it through the other side, then twist it so it won’t come loose.
For the other capsule, apply masking tape.
It looks cute if you add various stickers, too.
Thread a pipe cleaner through this one as well and twist it—your yo-yo is complete.
Finally, wrap a pipe cleaner around a disposable chopstick and bend the tip, and your yo-yo set is ready!
Yo-yo made with a plastic bag
https://www.tiktok.com/@chii_1514m/video/7386885037104336135Make it with a plastic bag! Here’s a colorful DIY yo-yo.
Materials: transparent origami paper, a plastic bag, cellophane tape, masking tape, and four rubber bands.
First, cut the transparent origami paper into small pieces with scissors.
Put the cut pieces into the plastic bag and seal the opening with tape so the bag is filled tightly with air.
Next, apply masking tape in a crisscross pattern.
The trick is to stretch the tape slightly as you stick it on.
Trim the bag’s opening short, then attach the four linked rubber bands to the opening with tape, and you’re done! Transparent origami can be swapped for sequins or beads for a cute look—highly recommended.
Yo-yo made with bubble wrap
Here’s how to make a cute handmade yo-yo using bubble wrap! You’ll need: construction paper cut into a yo-yo shape, bubble wrap, a permanent marker, double-sided tape, a rubber band, and cellophane tape.
First, cut the bubble wrap to match the round part of the yo-yo.
On the flat side, draw a picture with the permanent marker.
Color in the bubble wrap circle; you don’t have to color it all—drawing designs is fun too.
Put double-sided tape on the flat side of the bubble wrap and stick it onto the yo-yo construction paper.
Finally, attach a rubber band to the tip of the yo-yo with cellophane tape, and you’re done! Light colors for the yo-yo make the colors of the bubble wrap look nicer.
origami yo-yo
Here’s how to fold a cute water yo-yo out of origami! First, fold the paper in half diagonally twice to make creases.
Then fold all four corners inward, stopping a bit before the center.
On just one of those corners, do a step fold (mountain-valley) to fold it back.
Slightly fold that returned corner upward.
Fold the whole piece in half so that the folded part sticks out.
Align the part that’s sticking out with the edge and make a small cut from the outside with scissors to form the yo-yo tip.
Lightly round the corners by folding them a bit, then draw patterns on the yo-yo with crayons or similar, and you’re done!