How to Make a Fish Weather Vane

Weather is a curious thing for adults and children alike. Make a homemade weather vane with your child. See which way the wind blows with this colorful and whimsical weather vane. This is an inexpensive craft that your older child can make with little guidance.

Things You'll Need

• Clay flower pot
• Two foam meat trays
• 3 bottle corks
• Scissors
• Tape
• Nail
• Hammer
• Permanent markers in a variety of colors
• 1/8-inch diameter, 2 foot long wooden dowel
• Duct tape
• Plastic drinking straw
• Several beads with a 5/8-inch opening

Instructions

1. Cut a 1-inch circle from one meat tray to use as a washer. Cut two rectangular pieces that are 1 1/2-inch for the direction markers.

2. Gently tap a hole, using a nail, in the center of the circle to make a hole. Make holes in the center of the markers and corks the same way.

3. Cut a fish shape from the second tray. Cut the front of the fish smaller than the tail of the fish, so the weather vain will work properly. Color the fish on the front and back.

4. Attach the straw to the fish, vertically. Use tape to attach the straw.

5. Trim the cork to fit in the hole of the bottom of the flower pot. Put the cork in the hole. Put the dowel end in the cork.

6. Put a bead, cork, direction markers two more beads and the washer on the dowel. Put the straw on the dowel, followed by the last cork and remaining beads.

7. Write the N, S, E and W directions on the pot with a permanent marker or paint. Set the weather vain in a spot that is not protected from the wind.