It's fun to spin! A collection of DIY toy ideas

Spin dance with magnets

@fuki_fukisato

I made a mysterious toy that spins round and round using the power of magnets. I don’t really know why it spins…! If anyone knows the details, please tell me in the comments!#HandmadeToys#LivingWithKids#LifeWithKidsworkFond of crafts#StayHomeTimeParentingChildcare#kids#handmadeHandmade creationstranslation　Childcare　#Kindergarten　#Nursery school　Translation

♬ Cute heartwarming BGM(1490583) – sanusagi

Would you like to make a mysterious toy using magnets? All you need is one round plastic magnet, one regular magnet, a tissue box, and a popsicle stick.

Wrap the tissue box with colored construction paper and glue it on, then cut a slit in the wider side just big enough for the popsicle stick to fit.

Next, tape the regular magnet to the end of the popsicle stick with cellophane tape.

The orientation of the magnets is important—attach it so that the round plastic magnet will attract, not repel.

Finally, insert the magnet-tipped popsicle stick into the slit you cut, place the round plastic magnet on top, and you’re done! If you move it left and right, it spins around, so it would be fun to stick a ballerina or an animal on top of the magnet!

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hiyoko sensei

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Rotating octopus fishing

Improvised Work No. 3: Rotating Octopus Fishing

Here’s an idea for an octopus toy that spins just by lifting it up.

Prepare a paper cup, string, a chopstick, scissors, and a pen.

Paint the paper cup in your octopus color, then make cuts with scissors from the rim toward the bottom to create the tentacles.

Fold all the tentacles upward at about one-third of their length, on a diagonal.

Poke a hole in the center of the bottom, thread the string through, and tape it on the inside so it won’t slip out.

Tie the other end of the string to a chopstick, and you’re done.

When you lift it up from the floor, the octopus will spin around! Finish it off by drawing a face and suckers with a pen.

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hiyoko sensei

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Kaleidoscope made with translucent origami

I really like kaleidoscopes~ ☺️✨ #shorts

Let’s make a kaleidoscope that reveals a beautiful world when you turn it! Take a mirror-like sheet, score it from the back at 2.8 cm intervals, fold it into a triangle, and secure it with clear tape.

If the mirror surfaces face inward, you’ve got it right.

Slide it into a plastic wrap core that’s been cut in half—the size will fit perfectly! Next, cut a circle from a clear plastic sheet to match the diameter of the core.

Sand the edges to make them smooth.

Make a hole in the center for a bamboo skewer to go through, then decorate it with your favorite drawings or translucent origami.

Align it with the inner triangular corners and tape it across the sides to finish.

It’s exciting to imagine what kind of world you’ll see when you peek inside!

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hiyoko sensei

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Spinning Roulette

@ikukatu

I’ll show you how to make a simple roulette. It spins well and is an easy craft you can use many times.Nursery teacher / Childcare workerworkChildcare student#KindergartenHandmade#HandmadeToysEducationalEducational toy

♪ Original Song – Ikukatsu @ Early Childhood Education & Parenting Advisor – Ikukatsu @ Early Childhood Education & Parenting Advisor

Let’s make a roulette you can use for dice games and more! First, punch a hole in the center of a round coaster, then draw any pictures or numbers you like.

Make two slits: cut one out entirely, and leave the other uncut, folding it diagonally.

Wrap tape around the thicker end of a chopstick, then attach the chopstick to the coaster by pushing a thumbtack through both.

Since the point of the thumbtack is dangerous, cover it with a piece of cardboard or similar and secure it with tape.

Wrap tape around the chopstick about 2 cm from the bottom, then thread a rubber band up from the bottom of the chopstick.

Hook the rubber band onto the two places on the coaster: the part you cut out and the slit.

When you release the rubber band, your roulette will spin vigorously—it’s complete!

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hiyoko sensei

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Spinning mirror plate

Improvised Craft No. 65: “Spinning Mirror Plate” #ImprovisedCraft #HandmadeToy

Here’s how to make a mysterious spinning mirror plate.

Prepare colored pens, a ruler, a paper plate, mirror-like cardstock, cellophane tape, a utility knife, an awl, and one large and one small straw.

Use the ruler to draw three lines on the paper plate so that they are evenly spaced.

This will create six triangles; in each triangle, draw and color your favorite designs, varying their sizes.

Measure and cut with the utility knife, then assemble the mirror section.

Attach the thick straw to the back side of the mirror, lining it up with the fold lines.

Cut the thin straw to the height of the mirror, then slit about 1 centimeter at the tip into four equal vertical sections.

Use the awl to make a hole in the center of the paper plate, insert the thin straw, and secure the slitted tip with cellophane tape.

Insert the mirror’s straw piece onto the thin straw, and your spinning mirror plate is complete! Spin it as you play—the patterns change like a kaleidoscope, making it lots of fun.

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mayumi

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Spinning Diving Toy

【工作】浮沈子　回るおもちゃ | DIY How to Make a Spinning Cartesian Diver

Let me introduce a spinning Cartesian diver.

You’ll need a clear file folder, scissors, a hex nut, a small sauce bottle (like the kind for bento), and a plastic bottle.

Cut the clear file to make four small blades, trim them into a propeller shape, and make a hole in the center.

Fit the center onto the small sauce bottle, then screw on the hex nut to secure it.

Fill the plastic bottle with water, place the sauce bottle inside, and you’re done.

When you gently squeeze the plastic bottle, it sinks; when you let go, it floats back up—very fun to watch! Stick fluorescent stickers on the plastic bottle and play in a darkened room for a magical effect, like being underwater at an aquarium.

Using colored clear file folders is also recommended.

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mayumi

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The spinning merry-go-round

A carousel made with paper cups! A spinning craft activity for 5-year-olds

Here’s how to make a spinning merry-go-round.

Prepare colored construction paper, straws, glue, cellophane tape, a paper cup, round stickers, scissors, a compass, a ruler, craft thread, crayons, and colored pens.

Cut two circles with a 5 cm radius, three squares of 4 cm, one rectangle 7 cm tall × 12 cm wide, and four narrow rectangles 5 cm tall × 1.5 cm wide.

Make holes in the side and bottom of the paper cup, pass a straw through both holes, then cut the protruding straw into four equal parts, open them out, and glue them to a round piece of paper.

Cut a long straw in half to complete the base of the merry-go-round.

For the pillar, apply glue to the large rectangular paper and roll it into a tube.

Fold each of the four narrow rectangles in half; apply glue to one half and attach them from the inside of the tube so they are evenly spaced.

Attach thread to the square papers, draw lines at about 45 degrees on the round paper, and make one vertical cut at a single point.

Have the children draw pictures on each piece of paper.

Use the illustrated round paper as the roof, and use round stickers to attach the illustrated square papers as well.

Trim both ends of the pillar, glue the pillar to the base, adjust the overall shape, and you’re done!

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mayumi

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Beautiful and fun origami spinning top

Speaking 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!

Coma with a Myakumyaku motif

@kei.chiiku

@kei_chiiku Thanks for checking this out♡ Subtle hints for growth, tucked into play. I share educational play ideas that parents and kids can enjoy together♪ If you have any questions about development or anything on your mind, feel free to DM me. I feature concerns and reply in Stories. ☆・☆・☆・☆・☆・☆・☆・☆・☆ \Watch the eyes wiggle when it spins!?/ I made a mysterious spinning-top doll inspired by “Myaku-Myaku,” the official character of the Osaka-Kansai Expo! [What we used] • 3 sheets of origami (15 cm) • 1 sheet of origami (7.5 cm) • Round stickers • Pen • Glue • Scissors • Tape [Learning points] ● Fine motor skills → Nurtured through detailed tasks like placing stickers and drawing eyes with a pen ● Spatial awareness → Enhanced by thinking about how to place parts in a well-balanced way ● Imagination and creativity → Expanded by freely drawing facial expressions and playing with it as a character ● Force control and wrist use → Developed by learning to apply just the right amount of force when spinning the top ● Expressiveness and storytelling → Naturally grows by role-playing as Myaku-Myaku and enjoying pretend play [Lastly] Spinning tops have been loved for generations. Compete as a family, cheer each other on as Myaku-Myaku… Have fun discovering new ways to play together! Thanks for reading to the end 😊 I’d love to hear your thoughts—like “We tried it!”♬TranslationExpo 2025 Osaka, KansaiExpo 2025 Osaka, Kansai#MyakumyakuKomaSpinning a topTraditional children's gamesSpin it and play#HandmadeToys#HomeCraftsSimple craftOrigamiFinger Dexterity EducationFostering creativityEducationaldevelopment# developmental support (ryōiku)#Kei Educational Play

♬ cute kawaii – nanaacom

Did you go to the Osaka-Kansai World Expo held in 2025? Although it was billed as a “no-lines Expo,” in the end people still had to line up; there were comments like not seeing many flying cars after all, and that it was so crowded it just left you tired.

But I believe the Osaka Expo offered emotions and excitement that far outweighed those negatives.

One of the stars of the Expo, Myaku-Myaku, was incredibly popular too.

It could be fun to make a spinning top in Myaku-Myaku’s colors—white, blue, and red—and use it to liven up your Expo memories.

If you can’t make a top with origami, simply painting a store-bought top in Myaku-Myaku colors works fine.

And if you can draw, definitely try illustrating Myaku-Myaku as well.

Make with Kids! Mini Gem Spinning Tops

Do you know your birthstone? It can vary depending on the tradition, but each month has an assigned birthstone—like garnet for January and amethyst for February.

The diamond for April feels kind of luxurious, doesn’t it? A spinning top decorated with those gemstones would be lovely.

For the body of the top, a simple coaster with the round bottom of a plastic bottle glued on is enough.

Then just decorate it with your favorite “gems,” and you’re good to go! I think little kids who love sparkly things will really get into it!