Spinning Plates

Spinning plates are classic circus props often used by clowns with great skill and comedy. But you don’t need to be a clown or have great skill to learn to plate spin. The plastic moulded plates we stock are shaped and weighted to make plate spinning as easy as possible. This means that these props make great children’s toys that can be used indoors or out and help develop hand-eye co-ordination and balance. We also find parents get hooked too! Spinning plates are ideal for children’s circus skills workshops.

We stock two types of plastic spinning plate, one from Cathy’s and one from Play. Both these plates have concave middles for the plate spinning stick to slot into. The shape helps the stick to stay in place. There is also a lip towards the outer edge of the underside off the plate which stops the stick from slipping out from under it. This allows you to speed up the plate more easily.

We also stock aluminium plates which are harder to use and aimed at performers more than as a kids toy.

There is a knack to getting the plate started (or you can just push it with your hand) but mastering this technique is fun and addictive! Once the plate is spinning you can do tricks with it like balancing the stick on your body or throwing and catching the plate. Cathy has published a booklet telling you how to do these and other tricks. Also, check out this amusing plate spinning tutorial.