"DIY String Toy Tutorial: How to Make Your Own Fun and Easy String Toys"

I recently came upon a YouTube video featuring vintage mechanical string toys. The simple mechanisms used in these toys fascinated me . So I tried to make one out of foam board or cardboard. Guess what? It really worked. Not only are these toys fun to make and play with, but they also teach young minds about how simple machines work. Whether you're a parent looking for a fun activity to do with your kids or a curious maker, this tutorial will give you the tools and knowledge to create your own pull-up string toys.

Now what are you waiting for? Grab your materials and let's get started!

"Don't have time to read the tutorial? Watch my YouTube video for a step-by-step visual guide on how to make your own pull-up string toy!"

Supplies

Materials Required for the build :

• Nylon Thread
• Foam Board
• White glue
• Straw [ Here, I used the hollow tube part of the cotton swab.]
• Scissors
• Craft Knife / Blade
• Acrylic Paints
• Compass
• Ruler

Optional tools/materials :

• Tweezers
• Paper tape
• Googly eyes

Step 1: Cutouts for the Spool

Cut out the sections for the spool with reference to the attached PDF. The center holes in the cutouts are made with the help of a pencil. We will be using the cotton swab's hollow tube portion as the spool's **shaft.

Step 2: Gluing the Spool Cutouts

Now we will glue the spool cutouts one by one onto the **shaft as shown in the picture. As a result, we created a dual spool with smaller and larger groove sections. We will apply a layer of glue to the foam cutouts to increase their strength.

Step 3: Cutouts for the Spool Holder Part 1

We'll now make the components required to secure the spool. The pdf file attached to step 1 contains the holders' templates.

Step 4: Cutouts for the Spool Holder Part 2

The required spacers are cut out of foam board and glued to the holder section as shown in the pictures. 

Step 5: Gluing the Layers

We will now glue the remaining spacers in place and attach the straw to the holder as shown in the images (in this instance, I utilized the hollow tube portion of the cotton swab as the straw).

Step 6: Attaching and Securing the Spool

After the glue has dried, we will attach the spool to the holder and glue the cover in place. Next, we will cut the spool's protruding ends. In order to reinforce the mechanism, we will also apply a layer of glue over it.

Step 7: Winding the Spool

Once the mechanism is finished, we can begin winding thread onto the spool. Select a strong thread that won't easily break or fray. Measure out the desired length, in this case 40 cm, and tie one end of the thread to the spool. Wind the larger groove and secure the loose end of the thread with paper tape so it doesn't pull in. Wind only one loop in the spool's smaller groove, in the opposite direction as the bigger groove, leaving the remainder of the thread unwound. As a result, when we unwind the thread in the larger groove, the thread in the smaller groove will wind up.

Step 8: Securing the String Ends

We need something to retain the string's free ends so that we can tauten it. To do this, we will cut out circles from the foam board and join the ends of the threads to them as seen in the pictures. With this, our mechanism is complete.

Step 9: Designing the Cover

Once the mechanism is finished, you may begin creating the toy's cover template. I began drawing the design after tracing the mechanism's borders onto the foam board. Go crazy with your design; in this case, I've created a simple hot air balloon. A handful of the sample designs are also included in the PDF attachment. Cut out the pattern once it has been sketched, and it is now ready for painting.

Step 10: Ready to Play

Once we have the cuts, we'll paint and attach them to the mechanism. You could add glitter, googly eyes, and other decorations to make it look even more fun.

And that's a wrap! I hope you had fun learning how to make your own pull-up string toys.

Thank you for reading, and tag along for more amazing projects.