DIY Cardboard Fidget Spinners

SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2024

Back to school season is upon us, and fidget spinners can be a useful tool for girls as they transition back to the classroom. Fidget spinners offer a range of benefits for girls, especially those who may experience stress, anxiety, or challenges with focus. These simple tools can help channel energy and provide an outlet for movement while promoting concentration during tasks. These DIY fidget spinners are a fun stem activity and a great kids craft idea to encourage creativity.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Small piece of cardboard
• Hopscotch Girls coloring page
• White paper
• 3-4 pennies
• Markers
• Scissors
• Glue
• Toothpick

This book introduces girls to seven scientific disciplines.

How to make your Fidget Spinner:

Step 1: Start by coloring your favorite Hopscotch Girls coloring page.

Step 2: Now you need a template for your spinner. You can trace a spinner you already have on a piece of paper or print out our template. Make sure you will be able to fit pennies in the round areas on your spinner.

Step 3: Cut the template out.

Step 4: Trace the template onto your coloring page.

Step 5: Cut the fidget spinner shape out of your coloring page.

Step 6: Trace the template onto a piece of cardboard and then cut it out.

Step 7: Glue the coloring sheet onto the cardboard spinner. You may have to trim any edges so they line up.

Step 8: Turn the spinner over to the cardboard side and glue the pennies on the round sides of the spinner. Make sure to use a glue that is strong enough to hold the pennies onto the cardboard. Ask an adult for help if you use a super glue or hot glue.

Step 9: While the glue is drying, get another piece of cardboard and trace a penny onto it twice so you have two circles.

Step 10: Cut these circles out.

Outdoor Sports was created to inspire a spirit of adventure.

Step 11: Take the spinner template and find the center of it by folding it twice in opposite directions. Mark the center with a pencil.

Step 12: Use the template and place it onto your spinner and poke a hole in the center with a toothpick.

Step 13: Make sure the toothpick can move through the hole smoothly.

Step 14: Use the toothpick to poke a hole in the cardboard circles you cut out.

Step 15: Put one circle through the toothpick and push it to the top of the toothpick.

Step 16: Put your spinner on and push it up against the circle. Make sure it’s not too tight, because it still needs to spin!

Step 17: Place the other circle on the bottom of the spinner. Make sure everything spins smoothly on the toothpick.

Step 18: Trim the end of the tooth pick if needed. Secure the spinner on the toothpick by gluing both ends of the toothpick onto the spinner and set into a cup to dry.

Step 19: Once the glue is dry you will need to cut the toothpick down and then it is ready to spin!

Use these fun fidget spinners in school (if it’s allowed!) or while concentrating on homework or other tasks at home. We can’t wait to see the fun designs you come up with!