How to make simple Recycled CD Spinning Tops

This months kids craft stars challenge is CDs. Our group had to come up with ways to upcycle or recycle them into a fun craft. We decided to make recycled CD spinning tops for our craft challenge. My kids have always been fascinated with these spinning toys! This recycled cd version is simple to make and works great for group activities such as playdates and parties.

Did you see the egg carton challenge? That was another fun recycled craft theme we did!

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How to make the Recycled CD Spinning Tops:

Supplies Needed:

• old cd or dvd
• cardstock
• scissors
• markers
• Fun Chalk Markers – optional
• glue – optional

You will want to use cardstock since it is sturdier than construction paper. I thought it would be neat to be able to change the designs on our spinning tops so made several! Trace around the cd – don’t forget the middles circle. Cut each out and then color them however you’d like!

I went for a psychedelic look for mine and asked the kids to make designs on theirs instead of drawing pictures.

Since the shiny part of the cd is so fun, I grabbed our Fun Chalk Markers and we drew directly on our cds.

These markers are so colorful and kid-friendly. It is a marker that can be used for a chalkboard and many other surfaces, like cds, and easily wipe off! We were sent a free set to try out and will definitely be getting more when these are used up.

I love the look of the designs made on the shiny part of the cds with the Funchalk Markers the best!

To make it into a toy top, just poke a marker through the center hole so that the colored cap is on top. It actually stopped about an inch from the bottom so I didn’t even bother gluing it. You could also tie a small rubberband under to hold it in place.

While placing on our paper designs, I discovered that it stayed in the middle. So we played with double layer tops which looked really cool! Eventually the center hole got too big from using it so when that happens, you will have to go back to using them without the top layer – which is still just as fun!

All 9 of our designs looked awesome! Each one did there own neat thing when spinning. I tried to capture the movement in the photos but of course it looks better in person. In other words, grab a few cds and get to creating your very own recycled cd spinning tops!

Kids Craft Stars CD Challenge

Here’s what the rest of the group came up with. One of the girls mentioned that you can buy a 3-pack at Dollar Tree if you don’t happen to have any old ones.

• Balloon CD Hovercraft | hello, Wonderful
• CD Mosaic | In the Playroom
• Woven CD Dream Catchers | Pink Stripey Socks
• Recycled CD Frog Craft | Fun Handprint Art
• Recycled CD Peacock Craft for Kids | I Heart Crafty Things
• Recycled Cd Flamingo Craft | I Heart Arts-n-Crafts
• Recycled CD Hippo – Artsy Craftsy Mom
• CD Lion – Crafty Morning
• CD Duckling Gets A Cookie Craft |Glued to My Crafts
• Doughnut Craft | A Little Pinch of Perfect

We would love for you to check out the kids craft stars Pinterest board where we regularly add our blog posts or follow us on Instagram by clicking on the #kidscraftstars hashtag!

Amanda

Artsy Momma

Amanda is an ‘artsy momma’ to 2 kids who love making crafts just as much as she does. Follow their creative journey over on the blog titled Artsy Momma. Besides crafts, they share fun food ideas, hands-on learning activities, mommy DIY, + lots more! If you love handprint art, head over to their Fun Handprint Art blog where you will find hundreds of their projects all made with little hands and feet.