How to Make a Wind Sock

Traditionally, a wind sock was used to tell the direction or force of the wind. Now wind socks are often used as decorations for holidays or special events, or just to celebrate spring. Make a wind sock with your children to let their creativity soar; the outcome will blow them away.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard box
• Scissors
• Construction paper
• Crepe paper
• Heavy-duty string

Instructions

Body of the Wind Sock

1. Use scissors to cut out the bottom of the cardboard container, leaving openings at both ends of the container.

2. Cut a piece of construction paper big enough to wrap around the container. Glue the construction paper onto the container, covering it entirely.

3. Cut several designs and shapes out of different colored construction paper, tailored to the type of wind sock you're making: for Independence Day, try different colored stars; to celebrate spring, go with flowers. The possibilities are endless.

4. Glue the shapes and designs onto the cardboard container.

5. Cut out streamers using the crepe paper. Glue each streamer to one end of the container to form the bottom of your wind sock.

Hanger for the Wind Sock

1. Go to the top part of the wind sock and punch a hole in the center of each side of the container, ½ inch from the top.

2. Cut two 12-inch pieces of string.

3. Tie a big knot at the end of one piece of string. Thread the string's other end from inside the container out through one of holes. The knot should prevent the string from pulling all the way through.

4. Thread the string through the hole on the opposite side of the container, this time from the outside in. Knot the end of the string on the inside--so that it matches the first end. You now have a string handle.

5. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 with the other string, threading it through the two unused holes.

6. Tie a longer piece of string to the center of the two string handles. Use it to hang your wind sock anywhere you want to show it off--perhaps a window, front porch or fence post.