Materials
Colored construction paper or heavy white watercolor paper that the children decorate with
crayons
Scissors
Straight pins
New, unsharpened pencils with erasers
Scraps of paper, tape, optional
Instructions
What to do
1. Cut the paper into 7" (18 cm) squares. You can vary the size with a larger square, but the pinwheel
will be more floppy. Don't make it bigger than 8 1/2 " (21 cm).
2. Determine the center of the square. This is done by lightly folding tip number one to tip number
three and tip number four to tip number two. You don't need a strong crease. The center is
where the two folds intersect.
3. Now, using the scissors, cut in on each fold line about three-forths of the way to the center.
Leave the last inch of each fold uncut.
4. With a pin and pencil ready, fold every other tip (you now have eight) into the center and overlap
them. Push the pin through these overlapping tips, through the center of the pinwheel and
into the eraser. Don't let the pin stick out the other side of the eraser. Note: A little paper washer
reinforces the center of the pinwheel. Cut a small circle of colored paper (about 1" to 1 1/2 " or (3
cm to 4 cm in diameter). This doesn't have to be a perfect circle just do it freehand. Put a tape
loop on the back of the circle and press it onto the overlapping tips of paper at the pinwheel's
center. Then insert the pin. This provides extra support at the stress point.
5. Show the children how to make the pinwheel turn by blowing on it. Then let them take the pinwheels
outdoors and see what the wind can do.
More to do
More art: Design a windsock with fabric scraps and streamers. Make a wind chime with wood or
stones.
