Collection of handmade spinning top ideas: how to make tops for use in childcare and play
Spinning tops are a classic item enjoyed as a New Year’s game.
They’ve traditionally been played with because you can enjoy watching the top whirl around by pulling a string or twirling a stick, and they’re popular with children, too.
In this article, we’ve put together a roundup of handmade spinning top ideas that let you enjoy both making and playing.
Many can be made with simple materials you have at home, like milk cartons and flyers, so they’re easy to try.
Give it a go and create your own original tops with any illustrations or patterns you like.
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Collection of homemade spinning top ideas: How to make tops for childcare and play (11–20)
Super easy! How to fold a spinning top
Here’s an easy way to fold a spinning top that even small children can make.
First, fold it into a triangle twice and open it back up.
Once open, fold all four corners toward the center.
Fold each of the four edges slightly inward.
Using the creases you made, fold the center corners outward.
Fold the triangular parts inward.
Finally, make firm creases so that the square lines become the top’s axis.
If it spins well, you’re done! The folding method is simple, so if it doesn’t spin well, try sharpening the creases or making small adjustments.
Spins well! A top like a Beyblade
A Beyblade that you can easily spin just by pulling a ripcord is appealing not only for how it works but also for its cool design.
When you finish making this origami Beyblade, it will also have a cool pattern.
You’ll make three parts: the outer body, the inner body, and the handle.
The design section is created by folding the outer body.
First, fold the left and right edges of the origami to meet at the center, then fold the top and bottom edges the same way.
Next, open the top and bottom pockets into boat shapes, and then open the left and right sides of the boats into squares.
From there, keep flipping the paper over while making creases to change it into a diamond shape and form the pattern.
The inner part and the handle can be made with the “zabuton” (cushion) fold, so if you like, try making it and have fun playing with it.
How to fold customizable game pieces
This simple-design top consists of three parts: the upper and lower bodies, and the handle.
For the top part, fold the origami sheet into a square twice to make creases, then unfold it and fold all the edges clockwise starting from the right edge.
After folding the top edge last, tuck the right section underneath the first edge you folded.
Then flip the paper over and do one cushion fold to finish.
The bottom part can be made using just the basic cushion fold.
For the handle, make one cushion fold, then add fine creases and fold it so the corners stand up, forming a pinwheel shape.
After stacking and assembling the parts, insert any shape you like between the upper and lower parts to customize it to your taste!
How to fold a spinning top that also works as a push pop
Five ideas for spinning tops you can make from a single sheet of origami paper are introduced.
The first is the base folding method that serves as the foundation for all the tops.
After performing a double “zabuton” fold, make creases by folding each of the four edges up to align with the edge of the top triangle.
Using those creases, stand the edges up and press in the center so the piece can spin like a top.
The other tops have the same overall shape, but by varying the folding method, they create different patterns inside the top.
These have no handle and spin when you give the rim a strong push, so even small children can enjoy them.
How to fold the panels of a traditional work
This is how to fold a spinning top you can make just by punching a hole in the center of a traditional “menko” piece and inserting a toothpick.
First, place the origami paper with the white side facing up and fold it in half.
Fold the left and right edges so they meet the top and bottom edges.
Crease it into a square by aligning the corners with each other.
Make a second identical piece.
Place the second piece on top of the first, crossing them, and tuck the corners into the gaps to complete the menko.
Make a small hole in the center of the menko with an awl or gimlet, and finally insert a toothpick to finish!
A spinning top with a helmet-like shape
An origami spinning top you can make and play with! Please prepare three sheets of your favorite origami paper.
The inside of the top and the handle can be made simply by repeating the “zabuton” fold.
The outer part adds helmet-like decorations along the edges, so the steps are a bit more detailed, but if you can fold a crane by yourself, you should be able to complete it without any problem.
In the end, you’ll assemble the parts you made to finish a single top.
Using different colors of origami paper for each part lets you enjoy the color effects when it spins.
Be sure to have fun with top battles, too!
Collection of handmade spinning-top ideas: How to make tops you can use in childcare and play (21–30)
Let’s blow and play! How to fold a blow-top (spinning top you spin by blowing)
This is a fun blow-top origami that spins when you blow on it.
First, prepare two square sheets of origami paper, and place one with the colored side facing down.
Fold it in half into a triangle, then fold it into a triangle once more.
Open it up, then fold it in half into a square and continue with the “zabuton” (cushion) fold.
Using the closed side as the axis, fold up the left and right edges on both sides.
Fold down the triangles on the two faces.
Make two of these and fit them together.
Try blowing on it with a “fuu—.” Blow strongly or gently and enjoy the differences in how it spins!