Make a Spinning Top from a Plastic Bottle
Using the top of a plastic bottle, this article will teach you how to make a "spinning top" which spins really easily when you blow it. The top is made using the round part of the soda bottle. When you blow it using a straw, it spins readily.
Steps
- Cut off the top part of a plastic soda bottle. Using the cap from the same bottle, place it onto the inside of the top of the bottle, underside of the cap facing to you.
- Try to position the cap into the part of the bottle that is convex or bulges outwards (like a mini hill).
- Try to position the cap into the part of the bottle that is convex or bulges outwards (like a mini hill).
- Holding the bottle cap in place, trace around the edge of the cap's circle using a suitable plastic-surface marker.
- Take the cap out to reveal the circle that is left behind.
- Take the cap out to reveal the circle that is left behind.
- Cut out the circle using scissors.
- Draw the dividing lines to form the spinning top. Using the same marker pen, draw in the lines that form the spinning top's quarters.
- Use this template to guide your markings. If wished, print this off and hold it under the cut-out circle as a guidance.
- Use this template to guide your markings. If wished, print this off and hold it under the cut-out circle as a guidance.
- Cut the four slits shown by the red lines in the above template. The plastic circle should now appear as in this image.
- Make Disposable Household Cleaning Wipes off the marked lines.
- Make Disposable Household Cleaning Wipes off the marked lines.
- Fold each of the slits following the blue lines of the above template. This the the triangular shape that is formed by the red and blue lines in the template. Place enough pressure on the fold so that the triangular pieces remain sticking upwards without any help from you.
- Stick the tape pieces in place. Follow the big yellow lines marked on the above template, laying the tape along the concave (inward) side of the spinning top.
- Spin the top. Make any adjustments needed, otherwise, you're good to go!
- To make the top spin, you can blow it with your mouth, or blow through a straw. Be sure to leave a few centimetres or inches between your straw/mouth and the spinning top.
- Spin the top. Make any adjustments needed, otherwise, you're good to go!
Tips
- The design is very similar to the commercially produced plastic spinning tops; only you've gone one better by recycling!
Warnings
- While this is a great craft for kids, be sure to supervise all cutting, or to do the cutting parts yourself.
Things You'll Need
- Plastic bottle (soda) with cap
- Thin metallic-color tape of choice – the shinier the tape, the better; check craft or dollar stores
- Plastic or paper straw (flexible); or you could improvise using a hollow stem from a plant, etc.
- Suitable marker pen – it must be washable or erasable so that it can be easily removed from the surface
- Paint thinner (nail polish remover) if the marker won't come off easily (or use eucalyptus or lavender oil)
- Cotton or tissues for wiping off the marker lines
- Pair of scissors
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