How to Make a Pinwheel with Preschoolers
Pinwheels are beautiful, hand-held crafts that are ideal to make with preschoolers. Kids can create pinwheels in many different designs or with a specific theme. To make pinwheels with preschoolers, you need only a few supplies and some patience, because preschoolers will need help with this activity. The easiest way to make a pinwheel is by starting with a pinwheel template. These are available through many websites, including DLTK (dltk-holidays.com).
Instructions
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Choose a template to use or make your own. If you choose a template, print enough so that each child receives one. To make your own, cut out large squares of paper and allow the children to decorate them.
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Make the pinwheels sturdier by having the children decorate two squares of paper. Insert a piece of poster board in between the two halves. If using the template, fold the paper in half on the line and insert the poster board between the two sides.
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Glue the sides together after inserting the poster board. Show the children where the glue should go and how much to use, so that they can glue it themselves. Each child should have a square shape that will turn into the pinwheel.
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Ask the children to cut the diagonal lines marked on the template. If you are not using a template, have the children cut lines from each corner toward the center of the square to make four triangular shapes. Make sure the kids stop each cut at least half an inch from the center. If necessary, draw dotted lines on each child's craft so they don't cut too far.
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Bend one corner of each triangular shape toward the center dot. The children should do this four times, once by each cut, to make four bends. Ask them to be careful not to crease the bent paper so that an open gap remains underneath each bend. Each corner should be aligned directly over the center dot so they can be secured down.
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Place a push pin through the pinwheel directly in the center. The pin should go through all four corners that were bent over the center dot. Place an unsharpened pencil behind the pinwheel and push the pin all the way through the pencil eraser. The pencil makes the pinwheel's handle.
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Spin the wheel. The pinwheel should easily spin around.
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References
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- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
