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Description

A challenge to make a spinning top from a stick & twig then have competitions to see who can spin the longest.

Resources

Swiss Army Knife™ (or a sharp blade / small folding saw)
Wooden stick, approximately 2-3cm in diameter and 20-30cm in length.
Small twig
Small footstool
G-clamp (optional)
Small 30cm ruler

Instructions

Gather everyone in a circle and ask them if they know what a spinning top is. You could see if anyone has used one before. Tell everyone that they’ll be making a spinning top out of a wooden stick and have a knife safety briefing
Everyone should head outside and collect or bring in a long wooden stick, as well as some small twigs. The longer stick should be about 2-3cm in diameter (thickness) and 20-30cm in length. People could also collect these during the week and bring them to the meeting.
Have a knife safety briefing, using the information on this page and our knife safety guidance.
In turns, each person should place their stick on a raised area, such as a small stool or wall. Make sure a small part of the stick is hanging over the edge of the footstool.
Place one foot on to the foot stool and use it to hold the stick firmly in place.
Using a penknife or a small saw, cut out small circle or disc from the long wooden stick.
Use the sharp blade of the penknife to carve a hole through the centre of the circle/disc.
Using the penknife, cut a small twig about 4-5cm in length. Make sure you cut off any bits that are sticking out, such as small leaves or branches.
Using the penknife, sharpen one end of the twig and then thread it through the hole in the wooden disc.
The spinning top’s now finished. You could have competition to see whose can spin for the longest amount of time.

Further information and safety advice https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/make-a-wooden-spinning-top/

Tags

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Badge Links

• Outdoors - Game
• Outdoors - Knife, Axe & Saw
• Survival Skills - Knife skills