Valentine Crafts: How to Make a Spinner

Kids can make these as gifts for their parents on Valentine's Day

One of the most popular Valentine crafts is to make a coupon book where kids can cash in tickets for a special time with their parents. Why not turn that concept into a game by making a spinner full of family activities?

Students can make these spinners at school and then present them to their parents on Valentine's Day or make them at home with mom or dad at their side.

To make the Valentine's Day spinners, you will need the spinner template (see step 3), the arrow template (see step 4), a piece of cardboard that's at least nine inches square, a small piece of chipboard (such as from an empty cereal box), a drill, scissors, Crayons, a marker, glue and three pieces of hardware you'll see in step 2. You will print the spinner and arrow templates on cardstock paper (preferably two contrasting colors).

For each spinner you make, you will need the following hardware: a rubber grommet, a 3/4-inch machine screw and a hex nut that fits the screw. Note: machine screws have a flat tip, not a pointy one. This is important so the kids don't hurt themselves.

Click on this link to print a PDF of the wheel and arrow. Don't click on the image above and print that. It will come out too small, so use the link to the PDF.

Cut the spinner wheel from the cardstock and trace it onto your cardboard piece. Cut it out with a box cutter (adults only, depending on the age of the kids). Trace the arrow onto a piece of chipboard, such as from an empty box of cereal. Chipboard will spin more smoothly than cardboard.

Glue the cardstock arrow to the chipboard.

Have the children write activities they would like to do with their parents, such as making dinner together, going to see a movie or taking a walk together. There should be one activity in each slice of the pie when they're done.

They can also color pictures in each section or decorate them with stickers. Keep in mind if they decorate with something like glitter, the arrow won't spin as smoothly.

Glue the cardstock wheel to the cardboard circle. Press firmly and allow a few minutes to dry.

Have an adult drill a hole in the center of the spinner. The hole needs to be almost the size of the rubber grommet. Test the sizing as you drill so that you don't create a hole that's too big. If that happens, the grommet (and the rest of the hardware) will fall out.

Tip: If you're doing this as a classroom activity, have a teacher or volunteer sit at a desk with the drill. The students can then bring their wheels to the drilling station as they're ready, rather than having someone walk from desk to desk with the drill.

Insert the rubber grommet into the hole you've just created.

Insert the screw into the grommet through the back of the spinner wheel. Then punch or drill a hole in the circle on the arrow and thread the arrow onto the screw on the front side of the spinner wheel. Finally, cap it off with the nut. Leave the nut about halfway down the screw so that the arrow can spin freely.

Now you're ready to spin! Pull out the spinner anytime you're bored or feel the need for some family quality time.