Observe Wind With a DIY Windsock
Help your child observe or “see” wind with a windsock made from materials found in the recycling bin.
While You Play
As you craft your windsock, discuss wind and weather patterns. Ask your child how they know it’s windy. What happens outside when it’s windy? What do you see? Trees sway in the wind and leaves that have fallen swirl or rustle. What do you hear?
Before you hang your windsock, blow on it as hard as you can. Think about different types of weather and how they might affect the windsock. What might happen to the windsock when it rains outsi
Materials
Directions
Cut a ring from the soda bottle. (Note: The edges may be a little sharp, so let an adult do this step.)
Direct your child to cut 1-inch wide strips out of the plastic bags. If you have colored bags, you can use a variety to make your windsock multicolored. (An adult may also need to help with this step.)
Fold each strip in half and thread the folded end through the soda bottle ring. You should have a loop on one side of the ring and the tails on the other.
Thread the tails of the plastic strip through the loop and pull gently. Repeat with all of your plastic strips until the soda bottle ring is completely covered.
Tightly tie each end of the string around the soda bottle ring and use the loose string to hang your windsock on any hook. Hang securely and start to make your observations on different days!
Use the observation printout to track how the windsock blows over time. Which way does the windsock blow each day? Check in the morning and in the evening before bed. When is it windiest?
Valerie Deneen is the author of "Inner Child Fun," where she inspires parents to spend more quality time with their kids and less money doing it. Inner Child Fun celebrates simple pleasures for all ages—with more than 1,000 frugal and creative projects that are sure to bring out the kid in you too!