How To Make A Spinner With A Paperclip | Simple DIY Guide

Walk into any classroom during a probability lesson and you’ll likely see kids hunched over hand-drawn spinners, flicking paperclips with mixed results. The pencil method sounds simple — and it is — but the spinner often catches, wobbles, or lands on the same section every time.

That’s where a few small tweaks come in. You can make a working paperclip spinner in about 30 seconds with just a pencil and paper, or upgrade to a brad-based spinner that spins more reliably. This guide covers both methods, plus the fixes that turn a frustrating spinner into a smooth one.

What You Need To Make A Paperclip Spinner

The basic supplies are things you probably already have. A standard paperclip, a pencil with a sharp point, and a piece of paper or cardstock cut into a circle. That’s enough for the simplest version.

But if you want a spinner that doesn’t catch or stop prematurely, add one more item: a brad (paper fastener). Brads are small brass fasteners with two prongs that spread flat. A 1-inch or 1.5-inch brad is the ideal size, per the brad paperclip spinner guide (we’ll link that properly below).

To prepare the paperclip, carefully unfold the long arm so it becomes a straight pointer. Keep the smaller inner loop intact — that loop is what goes over the pivot point. If you bend the arm too much, the spinner won’t rotate evenly.

Why The Pencil Method Sometimes Fails

The paperclip-on-pencil trick is the go‑to for quick classroom activities, but it has a few built‑in limitations. Friction is the main culprit. A dull pencil tip creates drag, and the paperclip can scrape against the paper surface. Understanding why helps you fix it.

• Dull pencil tip: A rounded point increases friction between the paperclip loop and the pencil. A sharp pencil allows the loop to spin with less resistance.
• Paperclip catching on the board: If the unfolded arm drags across the paper, the spinner can stop abruptly. Lifting the paperclip slightly with a small piece of tape under the brad head helps.
• Board moving during spins: Even a gentle flick can shift the paper. Taping the corners of the spinner board to the table prevents that.
• Wobbly pivot with a brad: When using a brad, folding the prongs too close to the head creates an unstable base. Folding them in the middle of the brad gives a low‑profile, balanced anchor.

Most of these issues are easy to correct once you know what to look for. The next sections walk through two reliable methods and their specific fixes.

The Pencil Method: Quick and Easy

Start by drawing a spinner board on paper or cardstock. A simple circle divided into four or six sections works for most games. Label each section with a number, color, or instruction. Cut out the circle.

Place the loop of the unfolded paperclip over the tip of a sharp pencil. Hold the pencil vertically so the tip touches the center of the board. Flick the straight arm of the paperclip with your finger. The paperclip should rotate around the pencil point, coming to rest on a random section.

For a smoother spin, many teachers recommend laminating the spinner board or using cardstock instead of regular paper. The Brad Paperclip Spinner tutorial notes that a sharp pencil reduces friction and makes the spinner more reliable. If the pencil method still feels too bouncy, the brad method is a solid upgrade.

That table shows the trade‑offs. The pencil method is the fastest to set up, but if you plan on spinning more than a few times, the brad method is worth the extra minute.

How To Make A Spinner With A Paperclip Using A Brad

This method takes a bit more time but delivers a spinner that feels sturdy and spins reliably for many rounds. Here’s how to put it together, step by step.

1. Prepare the spinner board. Draw your sections on cardstock or laminated paper. Cut out the circle and mark the exact center with a dot.
2. Fold the paperclip arm. Unfold the long arm of the paperclip to create a straight pointer. Leave the smaller loop intact — that loop goes over the brad prongs.
3. Pierce the brad through the center. Push the brad through the dot from the front of the board. Flip the board over so the prongs are on the back.
4. Place the paperclip over the prongs. Slide the loop of the paperclip over the brad’s prongs (the split metal pieces), not over the brad head. This allows the paperclip to spin freely.
5. Fold the prongs flat and tape the back. Spread the prongs flat against the board. Fold them in the middle of the brad (not at the top) to create a balanced base. Apply a piece of tape over the prongs to prevent the brad from catching on the table.

After these steps, give the paperclip a gentle flick. It should spin smoothly and land on different sections each time. If the paperclip still catches, check that the prongs are folded evenly and that the tape is not bulging.

Troubleshooting A Stubborn Spinner

Even with the right materials, a spinner can be frustrating. The most common issue is the paperclip dragging on the board surface. The brad prongs tape tutorial from TeachingInProgress suggests lifting the paperclip slightly by adding a small piece of tape or a thin washer under the brad head. That tiny gap eliminates the drag.

Another frequent problem is wobbling. If the spinner teeters instead of spinning cleanly, the prongs may be folded unevenly. Refold them so they lie symmetrically against the board. A low‑profile fold (in the middle of the prongs rather than near the head) provides a stable base.

For the smoothest possible spin, create a starter hole in a laminated spinner board before inserting the brad. The hole reduces friction at the pivot point and lets the paperclip spin longer. Laminating also protects the board from wear if you plan to reuse it.

The Bottom Line

Making a spinner with a paperclip is a quick, inexpensive project that works for classroom probability lessons, board games, or DIY craft activities. The basic pencil method takes seconds, while a brad‑based spinner gives smoother, more consistent spins. Both methods are easy to troubleshoot with a few simple adjustments — a sharper pencil, a laminated board, or a lifted paperclip can make all the difference.

If you need a spinner that will last through many rounds, laminating the board and using the brad method is the most reliable option. For a first‑time classroom activity, the pencil method is perfectly fine. The specific fixes here — tape under the brad, folding prongs at the middle, and using a starter hole — come from teacher experience, so they’re worth trying if your spinner isn’t cooperating.