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 handmade spinning-top ideas: How to make tops you can use in childcare and play (21–30)
acorn
Why not make a homemade spinning top using acorns you’ve picked up at parks or campgrounds? It’s also a great opportunity for kids to get hands-on with natural materials.
The trick is to choose larger acorns, such as sawtooth oak (kunugi) acorns, for the top.
First, mark the center of the top of the acorn, then set it on a rubber doorstop or similar item to hold it steady.
While holding the acorn firmly, use a pushpin to make a hole.
If you want to widen the hole, you can use a screw hook.
Once the hole is made, insert a toothpick straight in, trim it to a suitable length, and you’re done! This method is simple and safe enough for elementary school children, so give it a try.
Easy Spinning Top Made from a Milk Carton
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Fuzzy Navel – Conton Candy
Here’s an idea for making a spinning top you blow on using a milk carton.
First, cut the carton about 1.5 cm up from the bottom, then make slits at the four corners and open it up.
Next, rotating the carton in a consistent direction from each corner, cut along the edges of the bottom.
Leave about 1 cm uncut at the ends.
Bend the sections you just cut inward so they gather toward the center, and decorate with masking tape or stickers to finish.
If you blow straight down from above, it will spin around and around.
Collection of handmade spinning top ideas: How to make tops for childcare and play (31–40)
Well-spinning paper cup top
This is a spinning top made with a paper cup that spins well and is fun to watch because of its colorful look.
All you need are a paper cup and two plastic bottle caps.
First, cut slits into the paper cup and spread them out like propeller blades, then attach an axle made by combining the two caps.
That’s enough to complete the basic shape, but it’s recommended to decorate the “propellers” with an eye toward how it will look while spinning.
The impression changes depending on whether you spread the propellers before decorating or decorate first and then cut the slits, so try out various patterns.
In conclusion
One of the highlights of spinning tops is enjoying how the illustrations and patterns drawn on the top change in sync with its rotation.
It’s also fun to include your favorite characters or symbols when making one.
Creating tops together with children can become a cherished family memory.
While experiencing traditional Japanese culture, try making your own handmade top that can be customized in many different ways.