Image: MomJunction Design Team
Spinning toys have a quaint charm to them and are loved by people across generations. The best spinning toys provide ample opportunity for children to get creative and competitive. Whether it is the traditional tops and dreidels or the newer battery-operated toys, children and adults love them and like to indulge in some spinning action.
If you’ve been thinking of adding some thrilling new toys to your child’s toy shed without spending a fortune, bring home some spin toys. Keep scrolling and have a look at some of the best-selling and time-tested options you can gift your child on this list. They come in vivid colors and bright patterns to attract all.
Top Picks
Benefits Of Spinning Toys
- Excellent motor skills – As your little ones hold the spinning toy and spin it, the tiny muscles around their fingers get to work and become strong. With finger exercises, your little one can improve finger grip and even enhance their fine motor skills.
- Learning concepts – Spinning tops and toys make kids learn concepts of physics like force, speed, rotation, and more in the simplest way. They focus on these things and understand the not-so-easy concepts in play.
- Entertainment – Let your child play with a kids’ spinning toy alone or in a group as it will leave no room for boredom. Spinning toys can keep your kids entertained and engaged for long periods. Join your kids for a quick round of spinning a toy or use them as party favors and bring a smile to the faces of other kids.
- Destress – Rotating toys like fidget spinner toys and classic spinning tops are great toys to calm down children who are cranky and have anxiety issues by diverting their attention.
11 Best Spinning Toys
1. Best Durable: Playskool Sit ’N Spin Toy
Do your kids love to whirl and twirl? Here is an amazing spinning toy from Playskool that comes with a spinning base as the seat. Your child can sit and spin to the left or right by holding the attached stationary wheel handle. The handle of this spinning disc can be pushed and pulled up and down for speed control, and your kids can have a gala time spinning on it. Made for children who are 18 months and up, it is a safe indoor and outdoor toy. Get this for your little ones to enhance balancing and coordination skills. To learn more about this skill-building product, check out this review video which explores a tester’s experience.
Pros
- Made with a durable finish
- Unique colorful pattern
- Damage-proof
- Takes less time to assemble
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
- May not balance for long
Remember
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 43,687 satisfied customers on Amazon have said good things about the product.
2. Best Lightweight: Proloso LED Light Up UFO Spinning Tops – Pack Of 15
Any toy that lights up will have children engrossed and this pack of LED spinning tops can be an excellent choice. These spinning tops come with a gyroscope or what you call a launcher. Attach the top to the launcher, twist thrice, and release it on a flat surface by pressing the gyroscope button. Turn off the lights in your room to see the LED lights of the tops glow beautifully. Check out this review video to learn more about this product as a user tests the product.
Pros
- Made of strong and durable ABS plastic
- Can be played indoors and outdoors
- Can be used as party favors
- Fun for all ages and every occasion
- Toy is lightweight and weighs 12 ounces
Cons
- Spin time may be lower than expected
- May require parental supervision while playing
"The vibrant lights of these spinning toys have won my sons over. I'm pleased that the pack had many of these, as they can't endure rough play by three-year-old toddlers. However, they are a fun choice overall."
3. Best Easy-To-Use: Schylling Mini Tin Tops
The old classic spinning tops that you played with as kids now come with a new twist in the form of Schylling Little Tin Tops. It has a tin body and base, making it lightweight toy that keeps spinning for long periods. Make the top spin by pushing down on the plastic handle and watch its graceful spin. As they measure only five inches in size, these twirling toy tops for kids are easy to grasp and move.
Pros
- Safe for children with autism
- Intricate designs with eye-catching colors
- Blunt spinning base and handle
- Twirls with a hustling sound
- Easy to play
Cons
- May not be durable enough
- May be smaller than expected
"I love the colorful details of these tops, and they seem durable too. They make a pleasant whirring sound that instantly catches my baby's attention. Despite their simplistic design, they serve as great entertainers."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It's no wonder that this quality product has earned over 2,532 positive reviews on Amazon.
4. Best With Light Feature: ArtCreativity Light Up Spinning Magic Ball Toy Wand
The ArtCreativity spinning wand has an attractive light-up feature that creates a burst of colors to retain your child’s attention for hours. The wand is 7.5 inches in length while the magic ball has a diameter of three inches and gives out brilliant, colorful changing light patterns to illuminate the room. With a simple push-button operation to activate the lights, the wand has an easy-grip size. Moreover, this handheld spinning toy can be used to relax and soothe your child and encourage imaginative play.
Pros
- Easy to grasp for a child
- Includes wrist strap for portability
- Batteries are included
- Suitable for gifting and party favors
Cons
- May be a bit hard to change the batteries
- May not be suited for rough play
"My daughter loves the attractive lights and spinning function. It comes with pre-installed batteries, which is a big plus. However, the spinning sound is a little disturbing. Overall, it has been a decent pick."
Pro Tip5. Best BPA-Free: Fat Brain Toys Spinny Pins
Looking for the perfect spinning baby toy for your toddler? Turn your gaze towards the Fat Brain Toys Spinny Pins that wobbles and spins. A set of five wobbly spinny pins measuring 3.75 inches in size snugly sit in the 7.5-inch slots of the wobbly bowl. Each of the spinny pins is brightly colored, so your child can learn colors by sorting and arranging them in the matching slots of the bowl. The tilted bowl has a hidden chime and makes a pleasant sound as it moves. With this toy, you can improve sensory and fine motor skills of your little one. Before buying this spinning toy set, have a look at this review video which explores a tester’s experience.
Pros
- BPA-free material
- Weighted base for long spinning
- Blunt edges for safety
- Patterned for comfortable grip
Cons
- Pins may split upon playing for a long time
- May develop rust if it comes in contact with water
"This toy is well-designed for my kid's little hands, and the bright colors captivate his attention. I'm happy with the play value it offers, fostering independent play. A solid choice to keep little ones entertained!"
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 836 independent reviewers on Amazon have acknowledged the product's durability and functionality.
6. Best Eco-Friendly: Shumee Spin Tops – Pack Of Three
Shumee Spin Tops are made of natural wood and these tops are smoothened to perfection and are painted with lead-free bright colors. The spinning base is designed to spin over any flat surface and keeps the momentum going for quite a long time. If your child has a hard time concentrating on something or feels anxious, you can use these handmade wooden spinning tops as fidget spinner alternatives to relieve stress and anxiety. They can also be used by adults to relieve childhood days.
Pros
- Long grasping handle and angular tip
- ASTM-certified for safety
- Develops curiosity
- Quality spinners for fine motor skills
- Also available in an animal theme
Cons
- Tip may lose sharpness quickly
- May not have a weighted base
"The craftsmanship of these wooden tops is commendable. They require a little practice to master a smooth spin but offer great play value and serve as an excellent educational tool. My eight-year-old finds them fascinating."
7. Best For Bathtime: Sassy Whirling Waterfall Suction Toy
Keep your child entertained during bathtime with the colorful Sassy Whirling Waterfall suction toy. Its suction cup sticks well to the bathtub floor, wall, or any smooth surface. Your child can pour water over the whirling toy to spin it, which in turn, can encourage STEM learning by teaching them the concept of cause and effect. In addition, the clear center of the toy contains beads that make a rattling sound with each spin, stimulating your child’s sense of hearing.
Pros
- Durable
- Pre-assembled
- Does not require batteries
- Increases curiosity and interaction
- Improves sight and color coordination
Cons
- Suction may not be as strong as expected
- May be slightly heavy
"It has become my little one's new favorite–proving to be a delightful distraction during bathtime. While the suction mechanism is weaker than I expected, its robust build compensates for it. I would recommend it for its engagement and beautiful design."
8. Best ASTM-Certified: Ipidipi Toys Spinzee UFO Spin Toys – Pack Of 12
If you are in search of cute little toys that keep your little ones happily engaged, the Ipidipi Toys UFO Spin Toys are just perfect. Fix the spinning top to the handle, turn it four times, and release it to watch them twirl. The design of this spin toy for stress relief is inspired by UFOs, and the body of the toy spins and lights up. Available in a host of funky and vibrant colors, this trusted spinning toy is sure to brighten your kid’s day.
Pros
- Quality LED lights
- ASTM-certified for safety
- Great for children aged three
- Works as party favors or classroom rewards
- Helps children relieve stress
- Best for playing in the dark
- Develops intelligence
Cons
- Toy may come with a brittle finish
- May not suit long-term play
"These light-up tops have been a fun addition to my son's birthday party bags and were a hit among the kids. I am impressed with their durable build–enduring rough play easily."
9. Best Colorful: VTech Learn and Spin Aquarium
The VTech Learn and Spin Aquarium is a colorful and interactive spinning toy that will capture your child’s attention. By pushing the spout, your child can explore aquatic animals swimming and spinning together. The toy has three colorful buttons that your child can press to learn animals, colors, and numbers and play music. With over 45 songs, sounds, melodies, and phrases, this spinning gadget offers plenty of opportunities for visual and auditory stimulation, and it also features lighting effects to further engage your child’s senses.
Pros
- Made of quality plastic
- Sturdy and durable
- Hones fine motor skills
- Includes batteries
- Spinning sensory toy
Cons
- Songs may become a bit repetitive over time
- Some may find it a bit small
"My kids are charmed by this toy's engaging features–especially the island-themed tunes. It is a delightful find for a fun and educational playtime. However, a volume control button would have been better."
Quick fact10. Best Rattling Babysun Sassy Wonder Wheel Activity
Sassy’s spinning wheel is colorful, makes rattling noises, and has different-sized beads to capture your child’s attention. The wheel has a transparent frame and mirrors on one side, allowing the child to clearly see the colorful beads inside. Its spinning motion helps improve the child’s hand-eye coordination by encouraging them to tug and bat the wheel. Moreover, the wheel has a suction base, enabling you to attach it to different surfaces. Suitable for babies aged six months and above, this manually propelled wheel can provide many hours of fun.
Pros
- Multicolored for enhanced visual tracking
- Helps improve fine motor skills
- Encourages tactile exploration
- Includes click-clack rings
- Groove-equipped wheel
Cons
- Suction power may be lower than expected
- May not be easy to clean
11. Best Minimalistic: Adena Montessori Full-Size Spinning Drum
Measuring 11 x 6.3 x 8.3 inches, the spinning drum by Adena Montessori can fascinate children of all ages. Made of durable plywood, the minimalistic wheel features red, yellow, orange, blue, and green slats to capture your little one’s attention. It also features a bell that makes sounds upon rolling the drum, encouraging the child to move it faster. According to the reviewers, you can use this drum to teach children about different colors, develop their visual tracking skills, and exercise their hand movements.
Pros
- Helps develop hand-eye coordination
- Has smooth, rounded edges
- Non-toxic, water-based paint
- Has a stable base
- Ideal birthday gift
Cons
- Hardware may be slightly flimsy
- May be bigger than expected
"This spinning drum toy keeps my little one engaged with its visually engaging features. I found it great for encouraging tummy time and sitting up."
How To Choose The Right Spinning Toys For Kids?
Getting a spinning toy in vibrant colors may not be enough, so here are some aspects you need to take a look at before getting a spin toy for your little ones.
- Size: The ideal size of spin tops must be 2-5 inches. If you have a toddler, avoid getting spin toys that are too tiny (1-1.5 inches). There might be a problem when little kids put such toys into their mouths and choke. Get spinning toys that are lightweight and a little big in size for them to hold easily. If you have bigger kids who love to watch the tops spin fast, get them small tops that are light in weight, and watch them enjoy endlessly.
- Material: Most spin toys are made of wood and plastic, while some have metal bodies. You need to choose a spinning toy that is safe for your kids. Spin tops made of ABS plastic can be durable just like wooden ones. The ones made with are generally not recommended as some of them might be toxic. Pick a toy that is made with safe materials and painted with non-toxic and natural colors that do not fade.
- Spinning action: There are spin toys that come with a spinning base or even a spinning top with a handle. Some spin toys can carry your kids and spin along. While a few work on their own, some use batteries and some are even powered by the wind. Consider ones that have a long spinning time to ensure hours of fun.
- Additional features: Some of the common additional features to the spinning tops are the lights, changing color patterns, external gyroscopic handles, and more. While classical vintage tops and toys are a lot of fun, a spin toy with additional features could be more exciting for kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the right age to use spinning toys?
The right age to use the spinning toys is six months and above. However, ensure that the toy is large enough and doesn’t fit in your baby’s mouth to prevent choking (1).
2. Are spinning toys safe?
Spinning toys are safe only when they are made from non-toxic materials and have burr-free edges. To be completely sure, check if the toy is labeled as non-toxic (1).
3. How long does a spinning top’s spin last?
The spinning time of a top may last five to eight minutes. It slows down when the friction is reduced.
4. Do spinning toys reduce stress?
Certain spinning toys, like fidget toys, can act as a stress buster and enhance concentration in your little one.
5. Do spinning toys break easily?
Yes, spinning toys can break if they are not handled properly, are flimsy, or are made from fragile material.
The best spinning toys can help children develop their motor skills and keep them engaged for hours. However, ensure that any spinning toy you purchase is of an appropriate size so that it does not become a choking hazard. Also, ensure it is made from non-toxic materials that do not harm the child or the environment. Further, opt for spinning toys with blunt edges and smooth, splinter-free surfaces to prevent hurting the child. You could also choose spinners with LED lights to capture your child’s attention for longer.
Infographics: How To Ensure Safety When Playing With Spinning Toys
Spinning toys have evolved over the years to meet the requirements of newer generations. While high-quality and well-designed spinning toys are generally safe, it is imperative to follow certain precautions when playing with them to ensure a safe and satisfying experience. Check out the following infographic to learn how to use spinning toys properly.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose’s experience lies in reviewing toys and gifts, and has a knack for researching and finding high-quality toys for kids. She researches multiple portals, different best-selling toys for each age group, and user reviews to determine the best consumer-tested options. This list includes some of the best spinning toys for children that are safe, engaging, and durable. In addition, she has described the features of each of these toys and included a buying guide to make it easier for parents to pick the right one for their children’s spinning toy collection.
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