Hi Friend, these DIY star tops are so much fun! It’s a new spin on an old classic and I want to share it with you. This little wonder is effortless to make, affordable and entertaining fun for the young and the young at heart. Toddlers and children are always fascinated with tops because of their spinning motion.
Give yourself about 10 – 15 minutes to make a few of these tops. Keep them from getting wet they’ll last a very long time. In addition, you can laminate them to increase the life span. Your toddlers will love you for it. Probably you have noticed in a previous post that I am a big fan of using what you already have. In other words, spend minimal whilst having tons of fun. This DIY Star top it’s no different.
Childhood Play
Certainly, you may remember playing with tops as a child? Ooh, how they have evolved. I recall having one or two of my own, the colorful wooden ones, and couldn’t stop playing with them. Well, I was taken aback so I decided to try a new approach, that you can try and enjoy too. My son loved it from the start, the top was spinning and he was spinning too. This DIY toy top is guaranteed toddler-approved fun.
Tops are great for helping toddlers and children develop fine motor skills and even some gross motor skills too depending on how they play with them.
For more on simple motor skill builders for toddlers.
Check Out This Post!
Here’s What you’ll Need For Your DIY Star Tops
Step By Step Guide For DIY Star Top Toys
It’s not complicated at all
Firstly, make your template – Draw squares on the cardstock. You will need two squares for each of the sizes you choose. Have a few sizes, two inches, one and a half inches, and 2 and a half inches. Stick the squares together to form a “star”. Feel free to explore and try other sizes. It is totally up to you. It should look like this when you are done.
Secondly, copy the template onto different color cardstock and cut out as many stars as you need for the tops you want to make. Cardstock that has color on both sides really works best. However, I have found that those with color on just one side are a bit sturdier in weight.
Thirdly, stack your stars for your DIY star tops. Here’s where the fun begins. When you start you might find yourself trying so many different patterns that’s when you recognize how much fun they are to make.
Toddlers They Can Help Too!
Your toddler can assist also. They put their own spin on it, I am sure you know how it goes. Have them choose different color cardstock and stack their stars to create different patterns. It may not be as fancy as yours, but it’s a victory for them.
As you make your top rotate them or stick them symmetrically. Start with the largest star you want to use in the center. Use your glue stick to stick them together. Add stars to the top and the same number to the bottom. I used 6 to 8 stars mostly. Once you are satisfied with your patterns you are ready to move to the next step.
Make Your DIY Star Top SPIN!
You can use a number of items on your top and even decorate them. Most importantly, you will need to have the thumbtack to the bottom in order for it to spin. When it comes to the top you can use, small blocks, beads, a dowel, a spindle, and parts of broken toys. Once you can hold it comfortably and it can either be securely stuck to the cardstock or the thumbtack.
Whatever you use be sure won’t want it to come out and cause harm.
The first option –
Attach Two Giant Thumb Tacks – Using cutting pliers, cut away the metal from both of the thumbtacks. Apply Krazy glue and stick it to the center of the patterned “star disc” you made. Allow a few seconds to dry. You are done now test for fun!
The second option –
Attach one giant thumb tack and an old wooden toy block. It’s important though to choose something that is similar in weight to the thumb tack and not something that is too heavy to cause the top to wabble out off balance and not spin. Mark the center of the patterned disc. Pierce a hole in the disc using the thumb tack, also pierce a hole in the center of the block you are planning to use on the other side. Add krazy glue to the thumb tack around the base and pass the point through the hole made earlier. Allow to dry. Apply krazy glue to the block and press into the thumbtack firmly. Allow to dry and test for fun. That’s it option two done.
The third option –
Attach one giant thumbtack, a one-and-a-half-inch long dowel stick, and a bead to fit the top of the stick. Again mark the center of your patterned disc and pierce a hole. Use the thumbtack to also pierce a hole in the bottom of the stick. Be careful to be in the center of the stick would split easily. The thumbtack to the patterned disc, place the bead at the center and stick with Krazy glue. Cut the dowel to an inch and a half long, and place another bead at the top of the dowel. Add Krazy glue around the bottom of the dowel and stick it into the bead over the top of the thumbtack. Be sure it is very secure. That’s it test the fun you are done.
Your DIY Star Toy is ready for a lot of fun moments. It’s a win for you and a win for them. Try the fun and you will see. Don’t just take my word for it. Leave a comment and let me know how it goes.
Here is a fun free printable game for your children
2D Shapes Domino Matching Game for Kids
Here is a fun posts for you to try
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As usual thank you for reading this post. Stay safe and be blessed.
Great Idea Yan! My kids love tops
Thanks Cindy