How to make a paper fidget spinner
Paper Fidget Spinner: try all 25 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
An Origami Tutor balance spinner with three distinct folded arms and an octagonal center cap. The arms are glued together at the hub; balance the center on a fingertip to turn it.
- You need
- Three 4 × 6.5 cm paper strips, one 3 × 3 cm paper square and a glue stick.
- Start
- Prepare three 4 × 6.5 cm paper strips in different colors and a 3 cm square for the hub. Begin with the strips white side up and the hub colored side up.
- Tips
- Use the same paper and matching strips for all three arms.
- Keep the central overlap small and the spaces between the arms clear.
Your model is ready
Let the glue dry completely. Balance the center on a fingertip and give an arm a gentle flick. This simple paper spinner has no bearing or axle. The finished balance spinner, with three separate arms around a small center cap.
Step-by-step diagrams
Steps 1–7
- 1
Double the arm
Fold the strip in half along its length, bringing the long edges together.
- 2
Narrow the first side of the root
Fold a long sliver behind along the first side, tapering the inner end beneath the hub.
- 3
Narrow the other side of the root
Fold a matching sliver behind on the other side. The arm now widens toward its outer end.
- 4
Round the first tip corner
Fold one corner at the outer end behind, through both layers.
- 5
Round the other tip corner
Fold the other corner behind to give the arm a blunt, beveled end.
- 6
Double the arm
Fold the strip in half along its length, bringing the long edges together.
- 7
Narrow the first side of the root
Fold a long sliver behind along the first side, tapering the inner end beneath the hub.
Steps 8–14
- 8
Narrow the other side of the root
Fold a matching sliver behind on the other side. The arm now widens toward its outer end.
- 9
Round the first tip corner
Fold one corner at the outer end behind, through both layers.
- 10
Round the other tip corner
Fold the other corner behind to give the arm a blunt, beveled end.
- 11
Double the arm
Fold the strip in half along its length, bringing the long edges together.
- 12
Narrow the first side of the root
Fold a long sliver behind along the first side, tapering the inner end beneath the hub.
- 13
Narrow the other side of the root
Fold a matching sliver behind on the other side. The arm now widens toward its outer end.
- 14
Round the first tip corner
Fold one corner at the outer end behind, through both layers.
Steps 15–21
- 15
Round the other tip corner
Fold the other corner behind to give the arm a blunt, beveled end.
- 16
Round hub corner 1
Fold this corner behind to make an eight-sided center cap.
- 17
Round hub corner 2
Fold this corner behind to make an eight-sided center cap.
- 18
Round hub corner 3
Fold this corner behind to make an eight-sided center cap.
- 19
Round hub corner 4
Fold this corner behind to make an eight-sided center cap.
- 20
Place the second arm
Lay the square inner ends together, with the second arm a third of a turn from the first.
- 21
Join the second arm
Glue the small overlap at the center and press it flat. Keep glue away from the exposed arms.
Steps 22–25
- 22
Place the third arm
Place the third inner end at the same center. Leave equal gaps between the three arms.
- 23
Join the third arm
Glue the small overlap at the center and press it flat. Keep glue away from the exposed arms.
- 24
Cover the joined roots
Place the octagonal cap over the center, covering the three arm roots.
- 25
Glue the hub cap
Glue the middle of the cap to the top arm and let all the glue dry.
- ✓
Finish
Let the glue dry completely. Balance the center on a fingertip and give an arm a gentle flick. This simple paper spinner has no bearing or axle. The finished balance spinner, with three separate arms around a small center cap.
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