Toys to Make: Whirligigs and Tops

Whirligigs and tops

http://www.stratfordhall.org/whirligig.html

July 24th was Pioneer Day, a Mormon holiday that commemorates Brigham Young's arrival, with a group of persecuted church members, in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah. In researching that, we came across instructions for making old-fashioned whirligig toys pioneer kids might have had.

Less old-fashioned but also fun is this: a spinning top made from an old CD.

http://familyinternet.about.com/library/ucusertipspintop.htm

I think the fun boost in these comes from decorating the disks with colorful patterns. It's always surprising what happens to patterns when they spin rapidly. Also try decorating with metallic stick-on paper, available at craft stores.