Here is a little something colorful to hang outside as the weather starts to warm up.
You will need:
- Foam paper, any color(s)
- Stapler
- Glue
- Paper streamers and/or ribbon
- Scissors
Good to have:
- Markers
- Glitter or glitter pens
- Embellishments (cut-outs, buttons, beads, sequins, etc)
The Project:
In advance, cut a rectangular strip of foam paper for the main body of the windsock. You can make your rectangle any size (taller, shorter, longer, etc), and simply wrap it around to form a tube to determine what looks best to you. Lay the rectangle flat in front of your child and let them decorate it as they wish. After they are done decorating the front and everything is dry (today my three year old learned that glitter glue is tricky to remove from the table), attach varying lengths of ribbon and/or paper streamers to the back side with a dab of glue. Once it is all dry, bring the two sides together and staple it shut in a tube shape. Attach some ribbon or string to the top, and hang it outside.
Tips:
- You can cut a design along the top and bottom edges (like a zigzag or a wave) or leave them straight; try to make sure they will match up when closed in a tube shape, though.
- My son had a blast decorating with markers, but had I thought about it before hand, I would have loved to cut some shapes (or use the pre-cut foam stickers) to decorate with as well. We did punch a few foam shapes with decorative hole punches. You could also trace cookie cutters or print clipart and pictures on the foam paper.
- You can make this a seasonal project by using shapes cut from additional foam paper (or pre-cut stickers) to decorate the body of the windsock and then using coordinating colors of ribbon and streamers.
- Names would be a great idea! Each child could use letter cutouts to make their own personalized windsock to hang in their rooms or outside.
- Keep in mind that some glue, markers, and other items used on this project are not weather proof, so take care of it accordingly.
