Maker Monday: Kids can make their own art spinner

With this creative Maker Monday project, kids can design their own art spinner. It’s a toy that’s fun to make and fun to play with. As the colorful paper disc spins around, kids will see their designs in a new way.

The best part? You can make this toy with items you have around the house or can get at a dollar store.

A note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on every project and always be very careful when using tools of any kind.

Maker Monday materials you’ll need:

• a piece of corrugated cardboard
• paper
• markers or crayons
• scissors
• a glue stick
• string
• a sharp pencil or skewer

Instructions:

STEP 1: Using a small bowl or a pot lid that’s about 4-5 inches in diameter,  trace one circle on your piece of cardboard. Then trace two circles (the same size) on your paper.

STEP 2: Using your markers or crayons, decorate the paper circles. Make stripes, triangles, rainbows, polka dots, or anything you wish, using any colors you like. It can be very busy and colorful.

STEP 3: Cut out the paper circles and the cardboard circle.

STEP 4: Spread the glue stick glue on one side of the cardboard disc. Then press one of your colorful circles onto the glue, so it’s attached to the cardboard. Once that paper circle is secure, flip over the cardboard disc. Put glue on the other side and attach your second paper circle onto that side.

STEP 5: Cut a piece of string to make it about 28 inches long. Then, using a sharp pencil or a skewer (with help from a grown-up, if necessary), poke two holes near the center of the circle.

STEP 6: Thread each end of the string into the two holes. Then pull the string through and tie the ends of the string together to make a loop (see above).

STEP 7: Pull the loop with one end in each hand, arranging the disc in the center. Then swing the disc with both hands, so the string winds around and around. Once the string is wound tight, keep a firm grip on the ends of the string and pull it straight out. The disc will spin like crazy before slowing and spinning again in the other direction.

Want more at-home fun creating cool stuff and making beautiful things? Check out more Maker Monday projects right here.

Do you have an idea for a Maker Monday craft project? If so, please share it with Kidsburgh! Send your maker activities to info@kidsburgh.org.