Make spin art using DIY tops! These “do it yourself” toys turn into art tools with an unusual twist. I know, I couldn’t resist a pun!

Today’s project combines a DIY toy idea with the magic of spin art! This is a great group or team project and the perfect STEAM lesson combining art, science, technology and more. For the STEAM topics it covers, scroll down to the end of the post.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT GUYS: Today I’m debuting a project from my book…that’s right I have a book and I’m really excited to finally share a peek at it! I’ve worked on some amazing collaborative books but this is the first one I have done solo and I’ve very proud of it. The book is called STEAM Play & Learn. It’s geared towards preschoolers but many of the projects are suitable for kids of all ages. And it has super sweet illustrations throughout, sure to grab the attention of little ones!

Alright now let’s make some amazing spin art!

DIY Spin Art: Art Spinners

Materials

CDs
Marbles
Marker Cap
Hot Glue Gun/Glue
Paint in squeeze bottles
Large flat bottomed container or plastic bin with sides
Paper towels

Tip: The plastic container will help keep the paint contained. Even so, it’s best to do this project outdoors or in a location that can get dirty.

Instructions

Make the Tops (Adults)

Step One Hot glue a marble to the CD at the center hole.
Step Two Flip the CD over and hot glue a marker cap to the CD. Let dry.
Step Three Repeat to make multiple tops if desired.

Make Spin Art

Step One Place the large container on the ground outside or on the floor.
Step Two Spin one of the tops in the container.
Step Three As it’s spinning, squeeze paint on the top and watch the color spin and fly outward.
Step Four Continue adding different colors and watch the patterns of splattered paint as well as the path the tops on the container.

Tip: Try it with a friend. Have one person spin the tops and the other squeeze the paint. Keep paper towels handy to wipe off the marker cap handle if it gets slippery with paint.

Let’s Talk STEAM

The Science: When an object spins there is a force that pushes away from the center. This is called Centrifugal Force (psst..it’s actually not a real force as defined in science). When you drop paint on the spinning top, it lands on the CD and flies outward away from the center.

The Technology: Technology is when people apply science to make a tool or device to help us do something. By making your own tops you just created a painting tool! This painting tool lets us distribute paint in all directions from a center point.

The Art: Action painting is a style of art that focuses on the action of putting paint on a canvas but doesn’t worry about the final picture. In action art what matters is making marks that are based on real movement.

Extension idea: Make marker tops by hot gluing a marker through the hole in the CD. The marker tip will draw the path of the spinning top!

Want more preschool STEAM?

My book is available online here ! In the meantime I’m sharing lots of pics from the book and outtakes on Instagram with the hashtag #steamplayandlearn. Hop over here to follow along. And if you try any posts from the book be sure to tag them in IG using #steamplayandlearn!

Are you passionate about raising creative kids?

Join over 22,179 parents and educators who want connect with kids and nurture their creative process through magical, easy projects you can do TOGETHER.

Subscribe to our email list to receive project ideas as well as offers for some our creative products.

If you want to read our privacy policy before subscribing, hop over here.