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Choosing the Right Spinning Top for Your Child's Developmental Stage
Spinning tops are classic toys that have educational benefits for children of all ages. As your child grows, their skills and abilities change rapidly. Choosing an age-appropriate spinning top can help nurture your child's emerging developmental milestones.
Infants
For infants from 3 to 12 months, a simple plastic spinning top with a string is a safe choice. At this age, babies are developing their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. A basic top encourages them to grasp, pull, and observe cause and effect relationships as the top spins.
- Look for large tops with easy-to-grasp strings.
- Avoid small parts which could pose a choking hazard.
VTech makes a line of developmentally appropriate "Spin & Learn" tops for infants featuring lights, music, textures, and colors.
Toddlers
As toddlers develop more control over their hands and fingers, they can play with more sophisticated spinning tops.
| Age | Type of Top | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| 12-24 months | Push-and-pull tops | Develops pincer grasp and cause-effect understanding |
| 2-3 years | Tops with stability bases | Allows for independent play and practice balancing |
| 3+ years | Traditional rope-wrapped tops | Lets child perfect spinning and wrist flicking motions |
Melissa & Doug make excellent wooden spinning tops and pull-toys to stimulate toddlers' hand-eye coordination.
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Preschoolers
By ages 3-5, children can play with more complex spinning tops and use them in games and contests. Look for options like:
- Tops with regular vs. irregular shapes - comparing spin times teaches concepts like aerodynamics.
- Tops that spin on water - explores surface tension and hydrodynamics.
- Battle tops for "battling" against friends' tops.
Preschoolers also enjoy launching tops using rip cords and pull strings. Good toy brands include Spin Master and National Geographic.
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Setting Your Child Up for Success
The key is choosing spinning tops with features that align with your child's developing abilities. With age-appropriate toys, they will stay captivated while improving their motor skills, hand-eye coordination, cause and effect thinking, and other cognitive skills.
Types of Spinning Tops
Spinning tops have been popular toys for thousands of years. While the basic principle is straightforward - spin the top and watch it go - modern spinning tops come in a variety of types to appeal to children of different ages.
Traditional Tops
These classic wooden or plastic tops have a point at the bottom so they can spin on a hard surface. They are wrapped with string or rope and launched by flicking the wrist.
- Pros: Require skill to launch, help develop coordination
- Cons: Can tip over easily, less engaging for younger kids
Push and Pull Tops
These tops for younger kids have handles or wheels on the sides. Kids push or drag them across the floor to activate spinning.
- Pros: Great for developing motor skills and cause/effect thinking
- Cons: Less specifically focused on spinning skill
Spinning Tops with Bases
These feature a weighted base that keeps the top balanced and spinning in place for a long period of time.
- Pros: Allow for independent spinning play, kids can observe longer spin times
- Cons: Base takes up more space, less portability
| Top | Description |
|---|---|
| Battat Wooden Spinning Tops | Traditional wooden tops with rope and starter |
| Melissa & Doug Push and Pull Tops | Plastic tops with easy-grasp handles |
| Play22 Stability Base Tops | Plastic tops spin on weighted bases |
High-Tech Spinning Tops
New electronic, light-up tops also keep kids engaged. These include:
- Tops that light up or play music while spinning
- Tops that can battle or interact with other tops
- Video game tops with integrated games
Look for spinning tops suited for your child's age and developmental abilities for the best educational experience.
Push and Pull Tops
Push and pull tops are designed for toddlers and younger children who are developing their motor skills. These tops don't require complex spinning techniques, making them engaging toys for little hands.
How They Work
Push and pull tops have handles or wheels on the sides that allow children to activate the spinning motion. Kids grasp the handles or wheels and push or pull the top across the floor to make it spin.
- Pushing/pulling builds coordination and control
- Seeing the top spin teaches cause and effect
Developmental Benefits
Playing with push and pull tops provides many developmental benefits including:
- Enhancing gross motor skills
- Developing pincer grasp and fine motor control
- Improving hand-eye coordination
- Learning about cause and effect relationships
- Encouraging problem solving to make the top spin longer
Choosing a Push/Pull Top
Here are some features to look for when selecting a push/pull top for your toddler:
| Feature | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Size of handles/wheels | Large enough for child to easily grasp |
| Spin time | Spins for an extended time after pushing/pulling |
| Textures and colors | Tactile surfaces and bright colors to engage child |
Recommended Push and Pull Tops
Here are some top-rated push and pull spinning tops:
- Melissa & Doug Push and Pull Spinner Top - wooden top with colored rings and large handle
- Wonderworld Eco-Friendly Push and Pull Tops - made of plant-based plastic, easy for small hands to grip
- Joyin Toy Wooden Pull Back Spinning Tops - hand painted wooden tops pull back and release to spin
- Battat Rainbow Top - plastic top with wheels, bright colors, lights up when spun
With engaging and developmentally-appropriate push and pull tops, you can give your toddler hours of fun while building their motor skills!
Traditional Spin Tops
Traditional spin tops are the classic wooden or plastic tops that most people picture. These tops have a point at the bottom so they can spin on a hard surface, and are launched using a flicking motion.
Design
Traditional tops have these key design elements:
- Pointed tip - Allows the top to balance on a hard surface as it spins
- Bulbous body - Weighted to keep momentum and stability
- String/rope wrap - Flicking the string makes the top spin
- Launcher - A stick launcher helps transfer force to start the spin
Playing with Traditional Tops
To play with a traditional top:
- Wind the string tightly around the top's bulge.
- Hold the launcher and place the tip on the floor.
- Flick your wrist to transfer force through the string.
- The top spins, maintaining balance on its tip.
| Age | Benefits |
|---|---|
| 3+ years | Develops wrist and hand control |
| 5+ years | Enhances spinning technique and timing |
| 8+ years | Can use in tops games and competitions |
Choosing a Traditional Top
Look for these features in a good traditional top:
- Stable, symmetrical shape - Spins evenly and doesn't tip over easily
- Smooth spinning tip - Allows rapid, continuous spinning
- Easy-grip launcher - Lets kids control the launch
- Long spin times - More spinning = more fun!
Good brands for traditional toy tops include Play22, Maple Landmark, and Melissa & Doug.
With the right traditional top, kids can master spinning skills while enjoying hours of screen-free fun.
What is the Use of Amazon Prime for Spinning Top Buyers?
For parents and caregivers who regularly buy spinning tops and other toys for kids, an Amazon Prime membership can be extremely valuable. Here's how Amazon Prime benefits regular spinning top buyers.
Free Two-Day Shipping
Amazon Prime members get free two-day shipping on eligible items. This means you can order a new spinning top and receive it quickly without paying extra shipping fees.
This perk is especially handy for birthdays and other occasions when you need a gift fast. Plus, kids can't always wait patiently for toys to arrive - so two-day shipping meets their excitement.
Free Release-Date Delivery
When pre-ordering new spinning top releases or hot toy items, Prime members can get free release-date delivery. This ensures the toy will arrive on the official release day so your child can be one of the first to play.
Access to Deals
Amazon Prime grants access to special deals like Prime Day where toys and spinning tops see major discounts. There are also "Prime Exclusive" deals throughout the year.
This allows you to score spinning tops for less. Prime's coupons and payment plans on larger purchases are also beneficial.
Prime Video for Kids
A Prime membership includes access to thousands of movies, TV shows, cartoons, and kids programs via Prime Video. This gives you an entertainment library for your child so you can take a break from spinning tops!
Amazon Mom Savings
Prime members can sign up for Amazon Mom to earn 20% off diapers and other baby products. This also provides discounts on toys, including spinning tops.
Toy Recommendations
Prime members get personalized recommendations for toys based on their browsing and purchase history. This can provide new spinning top ideas you may not have considered before.
Given the many perks, an Amazon Prime membership is certainly worthwhile for frequent spinner buyers who want convenience, savings, and an enriched toy shopping experience.
DIY Spinning Ball
Here are some steps to make a DIY spinning ball:
- Watch a tutorial on YouTube to learn how to make a spinning ball using colored A4 paper.
- Follow an origami tutorial to make a spinning ball from paper.
- Create a rainbow paper spinner toy using a paper crafts tutorial.
- Make a twirligig rainbow paper spinner toy that twirls and makes beautiful patterns.
- Use free printable templates to make DIY paper spinner toys that are super fun and easy to make.
- Download free spinner templates to make a DIY string spinner toy using cardboard, glue tape, colored markers, and yarn.
- Enjoy playing with your DIY spinning ball and watch the colors combine as it whirls through the air.
Paper Spinner Craft
Making a paper spinner craft is a fun and easy activity that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. Here are some steps to make a paper spinner craft:
- Choose a tutorial or template to follow. There are many resources available online, including YouTube videos and blog posts.
- Gather your materials. You will need paper, cardboard, scissors, glue, markers or colored pencils, and string or twine.
- Decorate your paper circles with colors, patterns, and designs using markers or colored pencils.
- Cut out your paper circles and glue them onto a cardboard circle, one on each side.
- Poke two holes in the center of the cardboard circle and thread a piece of string or twine through the holes.
- Tie a knot in the string or twine and twist it to create tension.
- Pull on the string or twine to make the paper spinner spin and enjoy watching the colors and patterns blend together.
With these simple steps, you can create a fun and colorful paper spinner craft that is sure to provide hours of entertainment.
