Lovely handmade crafts

Let's make and play with kids! A collection of handmade yo-yo ideas

Let's make and play with kids! A collection of handmade yo-yo ideas

Last updated:2025/7/30

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

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

How to Make a ‘Paper Plate Yo-Yo’ Using Simple, Everyday Materials

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!

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Eco yo-yo made from plastic bottle caps

[Easy Craft] Make an Eco Yo-Yo with Plastic Bottle Caps

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!

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glove yo-yo

[Glove Puppet] "Yo-Yo" (How to Make)

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.

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Newspaper yo-yo

Let's Play at Home! ~Newspaper Yo-Yo~

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.

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Milk Carton Yo-Yo

Easy Craft! How to Make a Milk Carton Yo-Yo [Plus the Skills Kids Develop Through Play]

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!

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