Spinning paper earth craft

Create a spinning paper earth craft using our printable template. This is a fun STEM craft you can make for Earth Day, or to support learning about our planet at any time of year.

Get your copy of the template here

Every time I see a photograph of Earth taken from space I’m floored by just how stunning our planet looks from a distance. It’s a little tricky to recreate an exact replica of this icon from paper but I’ve done my best!

This 3d paper Earth craft has all the major continents recreated in simplified line art which makes them quicker and easier for kids to colour in.

If you don’t have time (or maybe the patience) to colour all the shapes there is also a full colour version of the template.

The craft includes four perspectives of Earth which can be glued together in a “cross” format, with each side acting like a blade on a windmill. When you hang the finished craft in a space where it can catch the wind (e.g. in front of a window or or in an undercover outdoor area) it will spin on it’s own just like our real planet does.

In addition to the template you’ll need some string and a few beads to weight the string down at the bottom so that it spins better.

This paper craft is super easy to cut out and glue together and makes a fun craft for kids aged 6 age and up (approx, depending on the level and ability of the child).

How to make a spinning paper earth craft

You will need:

• The earth template, available in both our printables store and our TPT store
• Green and blue markers, pencils or crayons
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• String for hanging
• Wooden beads
• Optional needle threader and large-eyed needle for threading the beads onto the string

How to:

1. Print the template onto plain white paper.
2. Colour in the four different angles of Earth
3. Fold the page down the centre line both forwards and backwards, then unfold and cut the shapes out. It is a good idea to glue them together as you go.
4. Fold each earth shape in half, then match the corresponding letters together and glue the earth shapes back to back. Before gluing the final side together place a piece of string down the centre. Stick a piece of sticky tape over it to keep the string in place. Glue the final side down.
5. Thread beads onto the base of the string. This will keep it weighted down so it spins better. If the beads have a narrow hole you might need to use a needle and needle threader to thread them onto the end.
6. Tie a loop in the top of the string and hang somewhere where it can catch the breeze (preferably under cover).

The finished earth paper craft looks so pretty spinning in the wind! 

We have more Earth Day themed crafts coming up over the next couple of weeks so stay tuned.

More Earth Day ideas for kids

• Make a gorgeous scrunch-dyed paper towel earth sun catcher
• Kids can make their own I can help the earth pop up book using this printable template
• Kids can learn about the plastic waste in our oceans while making an adorable “Mr Squidy” recycled plastic squid craft
• Head outdoors and create some eco-friendly earth art. This is a fun collaborative art project for kids.