Ever wondered how to make windsocks with the children quickly, easily and cheaply? Well, this windsock craft is so easy to do you’ll be ready to take it outside to play with in just minutes!
Another great thing about this rainbow windsock craft is that it’s made from an up-cycled plastic milk jug so you and the kiddies can have fun and be doing your bit for the environment at the same time.
The milk jug base means the windsocks are perfect for little hands to hold on to easily and it’s like having handheld kites.
We used rainbow ribbons for our windsocks because they’re so bright a cheerful and it’s coming up to St Patrick’s Day, but you could of course use any colours you like.
Children will love running around and twirling seeing the kites’ rainbow tails trailing out behind them. These really are such colourful and fun windsocks to make and play with.
Supplies To Make Your Own Windsock
(This post contains affiliate links.)
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- A clean and dry plastic milk jug
- A selection of ribbons UK / US
- Kitchen Knife
- Scissors
- Stapler
How To Make Rainbow Windsocks
Making a windsock is a great task for big kids to do independently and even if they’re too big to want to play with it themselves they can always make it for a younger friend or sibling or just hang it up outside as a garden ornament!
My 10 year old made this one successfully without any help what-so-ever. Younger kiddies might need a bit of a helping hand in places.
First he cut the bottom off the milk jug. He chose to saw through it with a bread knife and it worked really well. You could use a little hacksaw or even snip through with scissors.
Then he measured out and cut off lots of lengths of ribbon. You can make these as long or short as you like. He chose an arm’s length as his guide.
Finally he just stapled them on all the way around the edge. Hey presto your hand-held kite/windsock craft is finished! How easy was that?
My youngest son has loved running around with it outside and it inspired lots of turning, spinning, leaping and dancing.
“I love how it inspired his physical movement and self expression.”
Windsocks – What Are The Children Learning?
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- Making windsocks is a super activity for older children to think through and problem solve how to achieve a finished piece. I told my son that I wanted to make a windsock using the milk jug and ribbons. I left it to him to work out how to cut the jug, measure out the number and lengths of ribbon and how to attach them.
- If you’re working alongside younger children then it’s a great activity for talking about colours. You can see a list of relevant colour learning ideas in my Rainbow Sensory Bottles post.
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There are lots of opportunity for maths too:
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- Can the children decide how long they want their ribbon to be?
- Do they want the ribbons all the same length or different lengths?
- How can they measure the ribbon?
- Perhaps they’d like the ribbon as long as their arm or as long as Daddy’s foot?
- Older children might like to measure the ribbon out using centimetres.
- Can the children cut the ribbon? It’s a bit trickier than paper!
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How about a bit of Scientific Testing?
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- What’s the best way to attach the ribbons? Glue, Sticky Tape, Masking Tape, or Staples? Perhaps they’d prefer to make holes and tie the ribbon on?
- Which method will last the longest and why?
- Which method will be best in the rain?
- Is there an optimum number of ribbons?
- Where is it best to attach the ribbons?
- Could the tails be made out of different materials? How about, paper or strips of plastic bag?
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I love crafts like this where there are lots of different ways of doing it. There is no right or wrong.
I think when we’re working on arts and crafts with children it is important to remember that it’s about children’s individual creativity and very much the process, not the finished product!”
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More Fun Sensory Play Ideas To Try:
Teresinha Nolasco says
Hello Emma, what a beautiful testimony of your profile! Sorry for english, need a translator to write to you, then something must be out of place.
You have three beautiful children and sure enough, the joys of his life.
I, like you I also think when my little girl of nearly eight years, becoming a young lady and no longer need to hold my hand … Let’s enjoying this precious time with them …
I’m following your page. Today I shared my “Wand Soap for Maria” this idea Wind Sock. Simple and creative! Loved it!
I also have a blog with the same name: Wand Soap for Maria, visit it will be a pleasure.
Kisses and many blessings in your life!
Teresinha Nolasco
Minas Gerais/Brasil
Hussain says
Pretty Work …
Keerti kailas says
That is a quick craft and interesting. Like it.
Melissa Lee says
OMG!! This is So Beautiful!!! Thnx for creating this piece of diy, will try on my kids! 🙂
Claire says
I have a sick little guy home with me today, so we’re doing this cute craft together! Thanks for the creative idea and for entertaining us on a sick day!! 🙂
Leila - Mud Mud Marvellous Mud says
This is a great idea and like you say so many ways to learn with it. I love your point at the end about the process being more important than the end product. So true. Thanks so much for sharing at the Outdoor Play Party
Heather says
Adorable idea! I love your rainbow theme lately! Thank you for sharing. Pinned.
Emily @amummytoo says
This is so lovely and we have a huge box of ribbons so can try this soon. Pinned!
Carolyn says
These are so beautiful! I love the ribbons blowing around!
Emmys Mummy says
Emmy would love this! Must try.
Shell Louise says
This is a great idea and I love your photos 🙂
Emma "My Little 3 and Me" Smith says
Thank you Shell.
Tat says
We have constant winds around here, so this is definitely something that will be well received.
Anik says
I love it!! It is so simple and so fun! And it’s recycled which is important. I will make one for my Mr Frog for sure!
anna says
I love the look of these, the ribbons dancing in the wind are so pretty – I would even play with it myself (for the kids benefit of course 😉 )
hannah staveley says
Ohhh wow this is amazing .x
Kara says
Never thought of using a bottle – great idea!
Liska @NewMumOnline says
I love your words surrounding this as much as the ideas. The photos too are so colourful and fun; full of life. So special, and yet so simple. The way you explain how it can be done with younger and/or older kids is so thoughtful and insightful. Even me (terrified of craft) could do this.
Liska xx
Emma "My Little 3 and Me" Smith says
Awww Liska, what lovely things to say. Thank you. And give it a go…I promise this is sooo simple anyone could do it! 🙂
Mummy of Two says
Such a great idea! So easy to make but effective and fun!
Bek says
Love it! We would love to do that. Thank you!
jenny says
That’s so sweet. I might try making one without the use of a stapler though, haven’t got one of those in my craft box!
pinkoddy says
This is such a gorgeous idea. I love how cheery the rainbow coloured ribbons make it.
Mammasaurus says
This is so effective – it looks fab!
ninjacat.co.uk says
what a great craft project
Angela Spicer says
That’s a great idea, looks so simple too
Kizzy says
What a great idea!
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says
I love this simple yet so effective idea! Its great 🙂
Emma says
such a great but simple idea. I need to task dyl with making one for erin!
You Baby Me Mummy says
Great idea, really simple but effective. Fab pictures too x
Charlotte says
That’s awesome, I didn’t realise that’s what a windsock is I thought they were the cylinder shaped fabric thingies! But it’s beautiful, absolutely love the colours of the ribbons and so perfect for current weather!
Emma "My Little 3 and Me" Smith says
They are just what you think they are Charlotte, but it seemed like the best description for these too, so I nabbed it. 😉
Oana79 says
So much fun, so colourful and so simple! Great post!
Katie Albury says
Amazing! I hope your kiddies know how lucky they are to have such a creative mumma!
Katie x
Emma "My Little 3 and Me" Smith says
What a sweet comment Katie, thank you.
Amanda says
What a fantastic activity – thanks for sharing all the ideas for exploring different areas like maths and science 🙂
TwinsplusTwo says
Great idea with lots of extension suggestions 🙂
Ashley says
How funny! I have actually been saving milk jugs to do this and haven’t had the time yet! Glad to know it turns out beautifully!
Emma "My Little 3 and Me" Smith says
Lol, great minds and all that! Hope you have as much fun with it as we did.
mellissa williams says
What a great craft activity to keep your little ones busy.
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com says
What a great idea! We have some very high, windy parks near us, so this kind of thing would be perfect for my two. They’re a little young to be making it themselves, but that gives me the perfect excuse to pitch in.
Emma "My Little 3 and Me" Smith says
Absolutely!