Do your young children have trouble using spinners? I see lots of great math and literacy games out there using spinners but I usually pass them by in favor of my old standby- the pocket die.
Spinners can be challenging for young children if they are introduced too soon. Using a spinner requires more fine motor strength and dexterity than most kids are ready for at four years of age.
At some point in the year though, when they are ready, I like to introduce spinners.
How to Make an Inexpensive Magnetic Spinner
To reduce frustration and increase the ease of spinning I decided to solve this problem and create my own spinner. The materials I used are pictured below and I have also listed them for you here.
Magnetic Spinner Supplies
- One stove burner cover
- A tube of my favorite glue- E6000
- One magnet dot
- Spinner
Directions for Making a Magnetic Game Spinner
This is so easy it requires very little explanation. First, I attached a magnet dot to the back of the spinner using E6000 glue.
Next, I used the beginning sounds wheel from my Jack in the Beanstalk literacy packet and placed it in the center of the stove burner cover. The magnet on the back of the spinner secures the game board to the burner cover and also raises the spinner high enough off the board to make spinning easier.
DIY Magnetic Game Spinner
You can use this easy DIY spinner for any literacy or math center activity. My stove burner cover was a little big but I like how it provides a very clear boundary for the spinner.
The burner cover is also very portable and lightweight so students can pass it around if needed.
Follow my DIY Classroom board on Pinterest for more great ideas!
I love this. Very clever and you can change the picture psrt so easily. Thank you.
Hi Brenda, I’m so glad you found this idea useful, thanks for stopping by to let me know 🙂
Great idea Vanessa. We’ve made a lazy Susan spinner but I like this idea, too.
Thanks for stopping by Scott, a lazy Susan spinner sounds like fun!
That looks like a really great idea for making a spinner that is raised up a little bit! I like it!
Heidi Butkus
http://.heidisongs.blogspot.com
Thanks Heidi! Do your kids have problems with spinners too or is it just me?
You’re so inventive – neat idea! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by Karen, glad you like the spinners!
So many great uses for this! Awesome:)
Thanks for stopping by Deborah, glad you like it!
When we play with spinners as a group, we always use a big wooden spinner from ReallyGoodStuff.com that looks like a roulette wheel! So they have no trouble spinning that one! All they do is push it!
But yes, when they need individual spinners, they do have a bit of trouble spinning them. It’s probably a bigger problem in PK than in K, I bet!
Heidi
http://heidisongs.blogspot.com