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Home > Arts and Crafts Projects for Kids > Crafts with Wooden Thread Spools
You're done with the thread and you have a left over spool...what should you do with it? There are so many things that you can do with that spool...you can utilize its roundness. You can use the spool as a wheel or you can use it to wind string around for a motor. You can use your extra spools as beads on a necklace. Or you can even make a spool doll or even a building. Depending on what you are looking for, you should be able to find the right spool craft for you. There are tons of these crafts listed below. Have fun crafting!
Make a Pioneer's Water Well with a Thread Spool
In early days pioneers used a windlass for drawing water from a well (Here is another well craft you can try). You can make the kind of well those early settlers used. The well is made of cardboard. You can cut each side separately and tape them together on the inside. The lower part of a milk container is also good if you cut it as shown. The windlass itself is a spool. Put a stick through the holes, or put pieces of cork in to close them. On one side, fasten the windlass to the well with a tack, and bend a piece of wire into a handle for the other side. Then wind string around it and tie the string to a bucket—any fairly deep bottle top or even a thimble, with a wire handle.
Make a Spinning Top with an Empty Thread Spool
Ask your Mom or Dad to save you an empty thread spool for this craft. Take a 3" wide lid or cap and trace it on cardboard. Cut out the circle and then poke a hole in the center of the cardboard that is about the same size as the spool you will be using. Then insert a sharpened pencil into both the cardboard and spool (cardboard being at the top) and then the spinning top is ready to play and spin.
Spool and Rubberband Powered Racer Tank
Take a spool and draw a rubber band through the hole, with the end of the band sticking out on each side. Put a short stick through the band at one end and fasten it to the spool with nails or tape. Insert a longer stick through the other end of the rubber band. Put a small, dry piece of soap between the long stick and the spool. Turn the long stick twenty or thirty times until the part of the band inside the spool is wound very tightly. Now put the spool tank on the floor and let go of the end. The unwinding of the rubber band will carry the tank quickly across the floor. Why not make more than one, and have races?
How to Make Thread Spool Necklaces
To make these beautiful necklaces, you need to collect a bunch of smaller thread spools. Paint them in all different colors or leave them their natural wood color. Let the spools dry completely. You will also need 1 piece heavy cord desired length, and scissors. To start string of spools, put cord through first spool, bring it along the outside of the spool and tie at the top. (See sketch above) Then other spools may be threaded on until the string is the desired length. Same string may be used over and over. Tie the string closed.
Making Lambs or Sheep from Empty Thread Spools
A good way to recycle thread spools is to make them into all sorts of animals...such as this craft to make a lamb. Firstly, print out the lamb diagram. Now cut out the lamb's body...both front and back. Now find a piece of cardboard that will fit both the front and back of the lamb's cutouts...then paste them on the cardboard and let dry. Fold the lamb's tabs ... on the dotted lines. Now get some cotton....cover the spool with glue or paste and then stick the cotton onto the outsides of the spool. Now this will look like wool. Now you will need to glue the front and back of the figure to the spool so that the front and back tabs are aligned correctly. Let the animal dry before trying to stand him up.
Have Fun with Empty Thread Spools
Spools are fun to roll. Get several spools and roll them down the side of a board. You can imagine that they are firetrucks rushing to a fire. Or, you can pretend that they are airplanes coming in for a landing. Another fun thing to do with them is to place a spool on the floor in front of the board. Roll other spools down the board. Try to knock down the one spool. Or you can roll several spools down the board. See which one rolls the farthest. Use your creativity to think of other fun things that you can do with empty spools.
How to Make Spool Hanger Games
This is a really easy craft to make, just bend a metal clothes hanger to form a hoop, as seen in picture a. Make a kink on the opposite side of the hook part of the hanger. This kink is to make sure that the string won't slide when you attach it to the bottom. Now you can attach a spool to one end of string by tying a knot. Then tie the other end of the string to the kink that you made. Now, to play the game, hold the hook end and flip the hoop to make the thread spool pass through the center of it (sketch b). If you touch the sides of the hoop, then you are disqualified.
More Thread Spool Crafts Below
How to Make a Flying Butterfly Toy that Flies up to 15 Feet- This is an arts and crafts project to make a butterfly toy that will really fly up to 15 feet up in the air. This is for older kids as it is too difficult for younger kids to master…although they can with some supervised guidance from an adult.
How to Make Wind-Up Cardboard Carousels - Make a real working carouse/merry-go-round with cardboard boxes, spools, string, and a pencil.
Make a Working Bucket and Well with a Bobby Pin - Learn how to make this mechanical well with a cup, spool, string, and a bobby pin
Shoebox & Spools Doll Bed - Make a bed or crib for a baby doll with a spool and a shoebox.
Thread Spool Chameleons - Here is a thread spool turned into a chameleon.
Make a Real Working Mini Windmill with Spool and Tin Pan - Wouldn't it be cool to make a real working miniature windmill?
Spool Teddy Bears - Learn how to make these adorable teddy bears with an empty spool thread.
Make a Toy Birdhouse and Wax Birds - This toy miniature bird house is made out of spools, twig, cork, toothpick, and jar lid.
Toy Telescopes - Learn how to make a toy telescope with a few different sized spools.
Spool Bumblebees - Make an adorable bumblebee with a spool, some paint, googly eyes, and a pipe cleaner.
Make a Doll House Lamp with a Spool - Learn how to make this dollhouse lamp with a spool, cardboard, a lollipop stick, and paper. Your dolls will love it.
Cute Spool Beavers - Make an adorable beaver from a thread spool and some pom-poms.
Create a Cable Car Pulley Toy - Learn how to make this really cool cable car toy with a spool or bobbin,
Spool Gorillas - Use two empty spool threads and some paint to make this awesome toy gorilla.
Make Spool Dolls - Learn the basic steps to making a spool doll figurine.
Spool Chipmunks - Learn how to make these adorable chipmunks from thread spools and felt or craft foam.
Toss The Ring Game Making - Make this fun toss the ring game with spools and a block of wood.
Make Set of Cannisters as a Gift - Make Kitchen Cannisters to hold kitchen items. The Lid Pull is made with a spool.
Pull-Along Spool Donkeys - Make a pull-along donkey toy with spools, paper, string, and a few other items.
Make Spool Cows - Make this cow for your toy barnyard out of a thread spool.
Spool Crows or Ravens - Learn how to make this spool crows with a yellow hat on his head.
Spool Dolphins - Make this spool dolphin including fins and tail.
Spool Hippos - Learn how to make your very own hippo with an empty spool thread and some creativity.
Altered
Ribbon Spool Tutorials : - -
Here are the general directions if you want to recycle some of your
empty ribbon spools.
Back
Massagers - This one's easy and fun! Create your own personal
massager with these simple household items. Everyone in the family
can have their own and they are so simple to make.
Bottle
Banks - This
little piggy (bank) started off at the market as a bleach bottle. To
make one, rinse an empty bottle with hot soapy water; let dry. Cut
features such as eyes, ears, and nostrils from construction paper
(ears should have tabs). Attach with double-sided tape, as shown.
Tape patterned paper around body. Hot-glue empty thread spools on for
legs. Cut a slot at the top for coins, and a hole in back to insert a
pipe-cleaner tail.
Clay
Pot Crafts Are a Great Addition to your Home - - Your
clay pot crafts can make a perfect container for all your treasures.
Just paint the saucer to go along with the pot and your container
will have a lid!
Clay
Pot Pumpkin Bell Crafts : - - Make this cute pumpkin bell using a terra cotta clay pot and a few
other supplies.
Clothespin
Snowmen - These
little snowman ornaments are easy to make. The kids will have a ball
and can hang their creation on the tree this year, or anywhere else
you choose!
Craft
a Mini Totem Poles - Do
this artistic activity to teach your child about the beautiful totem
pole carvings of the Pacific Northwest Native American tribes! Use
spools and markers to create a mini totem pole detailing important
dates in your child's life. Not only will it get her thinking about
her own history, but she'll be getting a lesson on another culture,
too. You'll end up with a colorful keepsake that will harbor memories
for years to come.
Creatively
Yours Spotlight Sunday - -
Hello everyone! I love finding ways to reuse, reinvent or recycle
stuff that I accumulate in my scrap stash of supplies. My name is
Tracy Pounds and I am Sr. Designer here on the Cuttlebug Challenge
Blog. I would like to share with you today some projects I have
created out of recycled empty ribbon spools. I'm hoping you will be
inspired to recycle things from your stash as well!
Doll
Pin Kinaras - Create
your own kinara for Kwanzaa out of doll pins and spools. Fun to paint
and display!
Easy
crafts for kids: making a paper model spaceship - - Would
you like to make a really cool paper model spaceship that glows in the dark? You can make a spaceship that
not only glows, but it will also appear to float through the air all
by itself! This spaceship is fun and very easy to design. You will
astound your family and friends with this one-of-a-kind spacecraft.
Empty
Ribbon Spools? Make a Cake! - -
I recently organized my ribbon and had tons of empty ribbon spools.
From
Spool-Knitting to Loom Knitting : - -
Sometimes I wonder whether I should just change the tagline of this
blog to read: “the blog and podcast all about Spool Knitting.”
Hallowedding:
Spooky Pen & Pencil Holder - -
Create a chilling pen and pencil holder by giving a standard spool a
wonderfully classic vintage look.
Halloween
Ribbon Spool Mini Album - - Here’s
your chance to turn an empty ribbon spool into something that you can
share with your friends. This is one of the newest trends in
scrapbook mini albums! Be the first on your block to
demonstrate your craftiness with this fresh new album idea!
Homemade
Christmas Ornaments - This
is special to me because it is made of "old timey" wooden
thread spools, and I really like "old timey" things!
How
to do Corking - Corking
also called Knitting Nancy or Spool Knitting is an easy knitting tool
to make yourself and has many practical uses. With it, you can make a
knitted cord of any thickness or length with different sizes of yarn
or thread. Use the cord as ties or straps on clothing, accessories,
or sew pieces together to create crafts for children or adults.
How To Make A Wooden Spool Menorah (Kid Friendly) - Learn how to make a cool Menorah for Hanukkah with thread spools, paint, pencils, and some colorful erasers.
How
to Make Acorn Craft Peoples : - -
After a few days my bowl started overflowing, and I started coming up
with ideas for acorn crafts. They really are little beauties, and
they simply scream to be transformed into cute little acorn people!
How
to Make an Easter Bunny Dolls : - -
This handmade doll can be personalized for any occasion by simply
choosing different fabric.
Kachina
Dolls - The
Pueblo thought Kachinas were ancestral spirits who returned with the
clouds and rain to help their people. Over 300 different Kachinas
were believed to exist. Pueblo Indians believed that these spirits
once lived among the people, but they became offended when not enough
attention was paid to them. Before leaving the Kachinas taught their
people to dance.
Little
Woodland Fairy Box Tutorial - -
Well, our sunny, warm weather is starting to turn cool again. Just as
we’ve been spoiled with a taste of spring, almost summer,
really, we’re back to expecting a wintry mix on Friday. I
wouldn’t mind if it were real snow again, but I guess I can’t
expect another one of those any time in the next decade. Instead, it
will be just yucky enough to keep us inside. Sounds like time for a
little crafting.
Make
a Clothespin Snowman for Your Christmas Tree - - A
clothespin snowman is so easy to make and are cute characters for
your Christmas tree. You can use them for any place in the house that
you want to bring the Christmas spirit to.
Make
Your Own Large-Spool Stands - You
can easily make this large spool stand and cover. The idea is so
simple, and it makes those large bobbin spools super-easy to handle.
May
Day Baskets : - -
Keep scrolling there are eight different ideas....
Mod
Ribbon Spool Display Cubbies : - -
It may come as no surprise that I love reusing things that I already
have laying around the house. I don’t like to throw things away
if I don’t have to, so coming up with new uses for old
household items is always at the top of my list. I received such a
great response from my last DIY project; I decided to do another one
that is decorative yet organizational. It’s a painted ribbon
spool wall display and it is a lot of fun! Here’s the tutorial…
Necklace
Craft Project - - Girls
like making their own "jewelry." If you're throwing a party
for younger ladies, have them design and decorate using the following
necklace craft ideas.
New
Year's Noise Maker Crafts for Kids - - Kids
love making lots of noise and celebrating the New Year is the perfect
time to let them get loud and happy. Make this year's celebration
extra special by making noise maker kids crafts to help bring in the
New Year.
Old-Spool
Charm on a Necklaces : - - So
rather than call a crafty counselor to vent, I bought all my favorite
colors and vowed to make something fabulous. I added a few beads,
some velvet cording, connected them with eye pins and voila!:
the birth of a necklace that any artista can wear with pride. Keep in mind, the spool is meant to be a
pendant. But if you ever happen to need some thread, you'll be in
luck!
Pig
Crafts for Kids : - -
If you can't find pig theme related party ideas, here are 2 pig
crafts that you can use at your event. They are quite unique -
children will be very delighted to participate in them!
Piggy
Banks - Farms
aren't complete without pigs, notorious for being a very messy
animal. Our pig is actually very clean and a perfect bank for storing
loose change.
Play
with Pulleys : - -
How do people move pianos and heavy furniture into tall buildings?
It's easy if the thing fits inside an elevator or they can carry it
up the stairs. If not, they might use a simple machine. Show your
kids some pulley potential with this simple household exercise!
Recycle:
Ribbon Spool Flowers : - -
In honor of Earth Day I will be trying to come up with crafts that
reuse and re purpose items we all have in our recycle bins or in our
craft collections. I know all you crafty mamas and grand mamas out
there must have one or two of these empty ribbon spools laying
around. If not, you may want to think about saving some next time.
Recycled
Sunglasses Holders : - -
This cute sunglasses holder will be a great inspiration for children
to keep their sunglasses where they can find them.
Recycle
your Ribbon Spools - I know we all have a lot of these…ribbon spools! When your
ribbon is used up what do you do with the empty spool? How many have
you thrown away?? Instead of throwing the next one out… try
something like this with it!
Retro
Elf Ornie - -
This project can be fun for the kids. You will need to gather all
your supplies. I find it more retro looking if you use vintage wood
spools and try to get the ones with the paper/labels still on the top
or bottom (both).
Reuse
a ribbon spool - Tutorials - I
have had a ribbon spool sitting around for ages.... you know the
scenario.... oh I'll use that someday not sure for what but I'll put
that in my to do draw..... Well months later I bought out my empty
ribbon spool again. It is a wide ribbon one but I'm sure it will work
for a medium one too. I made a brad holder.
Ribbon
Spool Boxes - The
creative use of ribbon spools in making these decorative trinket
boxes is imaginative recycling at its best.
Ribbon
Spool Christmas Candles - Candles
are wonderful, but this one is safer! This flame lasts forever and
will not burn your fingers. It would make a lovely centerpiece on
your Christmas dinner table.
Ribbon
Spool Keepsake Mini Album - - In
this tutorial you will learn how to make a keepsake mini album with a
ribbon spool.
Ribbon
Spool Ornaments : How to Use Thread Spools for Making Crafts- -
I hate throwing things away, especially if there's always a great way
to alter or change the purpose of an item.
Ribbon
Spool Sachets : How to Use Thread Spools for Making Crafts - - This
ribbon spool sachet makes a present that will look pretty and smell
great -- what more could Mom want?
Sailboats : How to Use Thread Spools for Making Crafts - – Kids learn to trust God in the storms of
life.
Simple
Spool Advent Calendars : - -
My solution this year is to make an advent calendar with notes and
clues. An advent calendar with a daily note that will lead the kids
on a hunt for their presents. Vintage wooden spools are a great way
to display these notes. Wooden spools can be found at thrift stores,
flea markets, and online.
Space
Stations - Sponge Spool Spines : - - Children
ages 8–13 simulate what happens to a human spine in space by
making Sponge
Spool Spine(alternating
sponge pieces and spools threaded on a pipe cleaner). This represents
a human spine on Earth, with the discs (sponges) pressed between the
spinal vertebrae (the wooden spools). The children measure the spine
length, dip it in a glass of water (simulating microgravity), and
then re-measure the spine. They will find it has expanded, just like
in space!
Spool
Angels : - In
this tutorial you will learn how to make an angel out of thread
spools.
Spool
Christmas Ornaments - Start
now and make ornaments for your tree. A lovely way to use up your
empty thread spools! Works equally well with plastic or wooden
spools, big or small. Great to use as package decorations or to give
asgifts to friends/co-workers!
Spool People - Make these little people play figurines with spools and beads. These are awesome and are so much fun to play with.
Spool
Dolls - I
had heard of spool dolls but never seen one, so I began collecting
empty wooden thread spools to make my own. Nowadays, most
thread is on a plastic spool. Either wood or plastic will
work, with or without thread. This is an easy craft and
children can help you if you like. But spool dolls are not just for
children. I have mine hanging on the latch of the armoire in
our bedroom.
Spool
Snakes : - -
I made Laurel a little toy yesterday. My grandma gave me one of
her craft books (which would make it vintage) and it had all kinds of
simple ideas for homemade toys. All the necessary supplies are
ordinary things that you find around your house. I just love
toys that don't have flashing lights, make beeping sounds, or have a
screen.
Spool
Snowflakes - If
you are a frugal crafty type like myself. You may have an assortment
of empty spools laying about. Even the non-wood variety are hard to
toss. Turn them into printing tools for your kidlets and watch them
make some nifty snowflakes!
The
Wooden Spool Family : - -
Kids and adults alike will enjoy making these little guys. I added
embellishments like the buttons, silver beads and ribbon, but you can
just add the fabric if you'd like.
Thread
Spool Dolls - Turn
thread spools into quick, kooky characters.
Vintage
Spool Peg Racks - Little
makes me happier than looking at a jar of vintage goodness. From
bottle caps to bits of ribbon to an enormous jar of doll parts, I
have quite a collection.
Vintage
Spool Wreaths - Last
week I woke with just a flutter of an image in my head. I suspect it
was due to all of the lovely autumn wreaths I've been noticing
lately. It took me a week to figure out how to make it and now here
it is!
What
You Need to Make a Miniature Cars - In
this tutorial you will learn how to make a miniature car with a
thread spool and other materials.
Wind
& Rain Projects for Kids - An
anemometer is an instrument for measuring wind force and
velocity/speed.
Wired
Creatures - Caterpillar Bracelets - In
this tutorial you will learn how to make a caterpillar bracelet with
a wooden thread spool and other materials.
Wishing
Spools - Forget
about postage to the North Pole. When kids roll their wish lists onto
these cute-as-a-button spools, Santa will snap to attention.
Wooden
Spool Menorahs : - -
You and your children can make this small menorah from inexpensive
components found at crafts and hardware stores. Instead of going for
an antiqued look, you can brighten yours by using different colors of
embossing powder.