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 for childcare and play (31–40)
Perler beads
Perler beads are arranged to create your favorite shapes and then fused with heat from an iron.
Let’s make a handmade spinning top using Perler beads—a craft that’s fun not only for kids but also for adults! The charm of this idea is that you can arrange the beads into any shape you like, such as circles, squares, or flowers.
If you get creative with color placement, you can enjoy the changing patterns as the top spins! Note that fusing Perler beads requires applying high heat with an iron, so if you’re crafting with children, make sure an adult handles this step.
jelly cup
We’d like to introduce a simple, well-spinning handmade top using jelly cups! If your kids love jelly and you end up with lots of empty cups you want to repurpose, this is an idea worth trying.
First, the trick is to choose jelly cups with a rounded bottom.
By combining this idea with plastic bottle caps, you can make four different kinds of tops.
They’re all very easy to make, so have fun making them together with your children.
For the finishing touch, decorating with washi tape or stickers can give your tops a unique, personal look.
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.
Beautiful and fun origami spinning top
https://www.tiktok.com/@tomonite_official/video/7452924088584113426Speaking of spinning tops, personally I picture wood as the material.
If you’re from the beigoma generation, maybe iron comes to mind.
In fact, even in the Reiwa era, beigoma are quietly gaining popularity, and I’ve heard there are even superalloy versions on the market.
If you’re thinking, “Metal ones seem dangerous when you swing them around…,” then origami tops are a great recommendation.
You can enjoy making origami tops to match your crafting level, from simple ones made with a single sheet of paper to more advanced versions with a toothpick axle.
Some beautiful origami tops even use three or four sheets of paper.
If you’re confident in your dexterity, give it a try!
How to make an acorn top
In autumn, when you go into the fields and hills, you sometimes find acorns.
Of course, you can also find them in nearby parks or suburban picnic areas.
It’s delightful when an acorn still has its cap attached, and the joy of finding a slightly larger acorn is something else.
Let’s make a spinning top using those acorns.
If you boil the acorns once and then dry them, it sterilizes them and helps prevent pests.
After that, just use an awl to make a hole in the top and insert a toothpick.
Applying varnish will give it a beautiful finish.
Making an old-fashioned acorn top like this might even make you want to sing a nursery rhyme while you work.