Turn your old, scratched CDs and DVDs into vibrant CD Wind Spinners for your deck, patio or balcony.
We made the most gorgeous outdoor ornaments the other day using a bunch of old cds I had in the craft cupboard.
Now, we’ve made quite a few awesome crafts from our old CDs over the years, but I think these CD wind spinners might just be my favourite yet.
You should see the way these decorated cds spin and swing in the wind! When the cd catches the breeze, they twirl around so quickly they become a colourful blur. Then they slow down, unwind, and start spinning again in the other direction.
I love how the sunlight bounces off the reflective surface of the cd too! They’re just so cool and gorgeous. I can’t get enough of them!
Our wind spinners are also really easy to make, and kids of all ages will get into the process!
To make our CD Wind Spinners, you’ll need:
- old cds or dvds
- school glue
- craft gems, jewels and sequins, buttons etc.
- fishing line
How to make your wind spinners:
Simply cover the surface of your cd or dvd with assorted, colourful craft gems and jewels.
Younger children will likely place their decorative gems randomly all over the cd, while older kids may want to use create defined patterns and/or designs.
The preschoolers tapped their glue onto their cds with paintbrushes, and then placed their gems in the glue spots.
I decided to make a mandala-like design on my cd so I swirled a spiral of glue all over my cd and then placed my gems and buttons in a circular patterns starting at the inside of the disk and working my way to the outer edge.
I think this little project would be a terrific birthday party activity or a summer camp craft.
A cd wind spinner would also be a lovely gift for a child to make for a friend or parent or grandparent.
Looking for a group project to make with old CDs?
Check out the painted CD garden mobile my daycare hooligans recently made for our outdoor play space!
More outdoor ornaments for kids to make:
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
Lori
Beautiful… but won’t the gems, buttons, etc. just fall off after the glue washes away in the rain?
Ashley
You could probably use a clear outdoor weather proof varnish that would protect the gems for a long time.
Annik
How do you tie the fishing line on? Do you just thread the fishing line through the CD? Looks that way but wanted to make sure it’s really that easy. 🙂
happyhooligans
For some I put it through the hole, and knotted the two ends at at the top so it was just one big loop of line. For others I knotted just above the cd and again where the lines end.
Kristina @ School Time Snippets
We made Glitter Birds over Christmas using a CD and put it on our Christmas Tree– it would also be cute outside {protected from rain}! My kiddos had a blast with the birds, I know they’d love this project, too!
Ashley
These are pretty, and simple for kids of all ages to make, perfect for my three kids to do together. We have a pile just waiting for craft time.
Memere
I used some CD discs I had old games that I no longer wanted, I glued the jewels, buttons etc.. on the side that was not shiny, so that when it spinned it would scare the deer from entering my garden. Otherwise I would decorate both sides. I volunteer at my grandsons school so I have decided to discuss this with the teacher as an activity. Thank you for reminding me.
happyhooligans
What a brilliant solution to a pesky problem!
Katherine
What is the best glue to use? We will be making them for the staff of our church and I need them to last.
Jackie Currie
We just use white school glue, Katherine.
jane
What a lovely craft idea to do with my Great Granddaughter, many thanks
Annette
I’m planning to use this with special needs adults in my library. Various local “ARC” group come here all week long, and it is good to have something for them to do.