Make a Cardboard Windmill
Windmills feature a set of fins, known as the sail, which turn by the power of the wind. In many cases, a windmill uses an internal turbine to capture the energy of the wind and harness it. Wind energy powers towns and provides electricity around the world. Using simple household materials, such as an empty cardboard milk carton, a box lid and a drinking straw, you can recreate the wonder of a windmill at home. This is an ideal craft for children, especially those learning about alternative energy sources.
Things You'll Need
- Box lid
- Compass
- Ruler
- Colored paper
- Glue
- Metal brad
- Thumb tack
- Milk carton
- Sand
- Drinking straw
- Tape
- Cork
Instructions
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1
Draw a circle on a box lid with a compass. The circle should be about 12 inches in diameter. Divide the circle into seven equal wedges with a ruler. Cut the circle apart.
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2
Trace the shape of each cardboard wedge on to a piece of colored paper. Cut out the paper wedges and glue them to the cardboard surface.
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3
Place the wedges flat on the table to recreate the original circle. Attach all the pieces together at the center with a metal brad. Secure it further with a dab of glue. This creates the windmill’s sail.
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4
Fill the bottom of a milk carton with about 3 inches of sand. Cut small holes parallel to each other in the right and left sides of the milk carton with scissors.
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5
Place the drinking straw through both of the holes. Insert the sail’s metal brad into one end of drinking straw. Secure with a piece of tape.
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6
Push the other end of the straw into a cork.
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7
Tie a piece of thread around the cork, leaving a long end dangling down. Tie a push pin to the other end. Blow on the sail and watch how the tack moves up and down, as a turbine does on a windmill.
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References
- Photo Credit windmill image by Bruce Allinson from Fotolia.com
