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Home > Arts and Crafts Projects for Kids > Crafts with Wooden Thread Spools

SPOOL CRAFTS FOR KIDS : Here are Ideas for Cool Arts and Crafts Projects with Wooden Spools with the following crafts ideas, instructions, patterns, and printables for Children, Teens, Preschoolers

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

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

Making Toy Pencil Tops

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

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

Making 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

Thread Spool Lambs and Sheep

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

Having 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

Clothes Hanger Game

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 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.

Cardboard Carousel 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 Mechanical Well 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 Baby Doll Bed Shoebox & Spools Doll Bed - Make a bed or crib for a baby doll with a spool and a shoebox.

Spool Chameleons Thread Spool Chameleons - Here is a thread spool turned into a chameleon.

Make a Working Windmill with Spool and Tin Pan Make a Real Working Mini Windmill with Spool and Tin Pan - Wouldn't it be cool to make a real working miniature windmill?

Spool Pom Pom Bears Spool Teddy Bears - Learn how to make these adorable teddy bears with an empty spool thread.

Make a Toy Birdhouse and Wax Birds Make a Toy Birdhouse and Wax Birds - This toy miniature bird house is made out of spools, twig, cork, toothpick, and jar lid.

Spool Telescopes Toy Telescopes - Learn how to make a toy telescope with a few different sized spools.

Spool Bumblebees Spool Bumblebees - Make an adorable bumblebee with a spool, some paint, googly eyes, and a pipe cleaner.

Make a Spool Based Doll House Lamp 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.

Spool Beavers Cute Spool Beavers - Make an adorable beaver from a thread spool and some pom-poms.

Make a Toy  Cable Pulley Car Create a Cable Car Pulley Toy - Learn how to make this really cool cable car toy with a spool or bobbin,

Spool Gorillas Spool Gorillas - Use two empty spool threads and some paint to make this awesome toy gorilla.

Spool Dolls Make Spool Dolls - Learn the basic steps to making a spool doll figurine.

Spool Chipmunks Spool Chipmunks - Learn how to make these adorable chipmunks from thread spools and felt or craft foam.

Toss The Ring Game Making 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 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 Pull-Along Spool Donkeys - Make a pull-along donkey toy with spools, paper, string, and a few other items.

Spool Cows Make Spool Cows - Make this cow for your toy barnyard out of a thread spool.

Spool Crows or Ravens Spool Crows or Ravens - Learn how to make this spool crows with a yellow hat on his head.

Spool Dolphins Spool Dolphins - Make this spool dolphin including fins and tail.

Spool Hippos Spool Hippos - Learn how to make your very own hippo with an empty spool thread and some creativity.

Altered
  Ribbon Spool Tutorials  : Spool Crafts Ideas for Kids Altered Ribbon Spool Tutorials : - - Here are the general directions if you want to recycle some of your empty ribbon spools.

Back
  Massagers  : Spool Crafts Ideas for Kids 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  : Spool Crafts Ideas for Kids 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 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  : Spool Crafts Ideas for Kids Clay Pot Pumpkin Bell Crafts : - - Make this cute pumpkin bell using a terra cotta clay pot and a few other supplies.

Clothespin
  Snowmen  : Spool Crafts Ideas for Kids 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  : Spool Crafts Ideas for Kids 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.

Plastic Spools Crafts 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  : Spool Crafts Ideas for Kids 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 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! Empty Ribbon Spools? Make a Cake! - - I recently organized my ribbon and had tons of empty ribbon spools.

From
  Spool-Knitting to Loom Knitting   : Crafts with  Spools for Children 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 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 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   : Crafts with  Spools for Children 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   : Crafts with  Spools for Children 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) 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   : Crafts with  Spools for Children 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   : Crafts with  Spools for Children How to Make an Easter Bunny Dolls : - - This handmade doll can be personalized for any occasion by simply choosing different fabric.

Kachina
  Dolls   : Crafts with  Spools for Children 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 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 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   : Crafts with  Spools for Children 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   : Crafts with  Spools for Children May Day Baskets : - - Keep scrolling there are eight different ideas....

Mod
  Ribbon Spool Display Cubbies    : Crafts with  Wooden Spools 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 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 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    : Crafts with  Wooden Spools 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    : Crafts with  Wooden Spools 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    : Crafts with  Wooden Spools 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    : Crafts with  Wooden Spools 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!

Wooden Spools Crafts 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    : Crafts with  Wooden Spools 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    : Crafts with  Wooden Spools 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 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    : Crafts with  Wooden Spools 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    : Crafts with  Wooden Spools 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    : Crafts with  Wooden Spools 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 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 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 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 Sailboats : How to Use Thread Spools for Making Crafts - – Kids learn to trust God in the storms of life.

Wooden Spools C 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  : How to Use Thread Spools for Making Crafts 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  : How to Use Thread Spools for Making Crafts Spool Angels : - In this tutorial you will learn how to make an angel out of thread spools.

Spool
  Christmas Ornaments  : How to Use Thread Spools for Making Crafts 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 Figures 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  : How to Use Thread Spools for Making Crafts 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  : How to Use Thread Spools for Making Crafts 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  : How to Use Thread Spools for Making Crafts 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  : How to Use Thread Spools for Making Crafts 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  : How to Use Thread Spools for Making Crafts Thread Spool Dolls - Turn thread spools into quick, kooky characters.

Vintage
  Spool Peg Racks  : Alternative Uses for Wooden Thread Spools 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  : Alternative Uses for Wooden Thread Spools 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  : Alternative Uses for Wooden Thread Spools 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  : Alternative Uses for Wooden Thread Spools Wind & Rain Projects for Kids - An anemometer is an instrument for measuring wind force and velocity/speed.

Wired
  Creatures - Caterpillar Bracelets  : Alternative Uses for Wooden Thread Spools 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  : Alternative Uses for Wooden Thread Spools 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  : Alternative Uses for Wooden Thread Spools 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.

 


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