Where Is the Wind Going? Try a DIY Weather Vane

Take your child outside to make observations about the weather. (“Are there clouds in the sky? Are the clouds moving? Can you feel the wind? Where is the wind blowing?”)

Next, have your child find North using a compass (or you can simply point out North if you know where it is). Then, write North, South, East, and West on a square piece of cardboard. This is a great time to introduce your child to ways we (even as adults!) can remember the order of directions to help find our way in the world. Try mnemonic devices like Never Eat Sour Wheat, or point out that West and East spell WE on a compass.

Cut a notch into each end of the straw.

Cut an arrow and a tail out of construction paper, then slip them into the slits on the straw.

Place a piece of clay in the center of the cardboard, and stick the tip of the pencil into the clay.

Use a pin to fasten the straw to the top of the eraser. Make sure it’s centered. You may also want to wiggle the pin back-and-forth a bit to make sure the arrow can spin easily.

Now observe! The arrow will point to the direction the wind is blowing. To help your child get a sense for how weather changes, try recording the wind for a week in a journal. (“Did the wind change direction? Did it blow in one direction more often than others?”)