How to Build a Small Scale Windmill

Create your own small-scale windmill using household materials.

The windmills is one of the oldest forms of so-called "environmentally-friendly" energy technology. Windmills traditionally have been associated with the Netherlands, although other European countries feature historic windmills as well. A modern version of windmill also is gaining popularity as a clean-energy source in the United States. You could make your own small-scale windmill as a visual aid when discussing the physics of wind resistance and transfer of energy. A miniature windmill also makes a fun toy and unusual decoration for a miniature train set.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard tube from a toilet paper roll or paper cup
• 8-inch-square piece of paper
• Paper fastener
• Bead
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Push pin
• Markers
• Tempera paint and brushes (optional)

Instructions

1. Fold an eight-inch-square piece of paper along both diagonals and flatten it out again. The fold lines should make an "X" on the square paper.

2. Measure 1.5 inches out from the center of the paper along each diagonal fold line. Mark the 1.5-inch measurement on each diagonal fold line with a pencil.

3. Cut in from the four corners of the paper square along each fold line. Cut until you reach the pencil mark on each line, then stop. You have now cut four symmetrical flaps into the paper.

4. Poke a hole in the center of the paper with a push pin. Poke one hole in each of the four flaps around the edges of the paper. Poke one hole in the top flap, in the right-hand corner. Poke one hole in the right-hand flap, in the bottom corner. Poke one hole in the bottom flap, in the left-hand corner. Finally, poke one hole in the left-hand flap, in the upper corner.

5. Bend each corner into the center of the square, so that all of the holes line up in the center of the paper. These folds will create the windmill blades. Do not crease the paper during this step: keep the folds rounded. Insert a paper fastener through all of the holes.

6. Insert a bead onto the paper fastener behind the windmill blades. The bead will act as a spacer to allow the windmill to revolve more easily.

7. Poke a hole in the side of a cardboard tube (or an upside-down paper cup), about one-third of the distance from the top. Insert the paper fastener (with windmill blades and bead attached) in the cardboard tube or paper cup, and open the fastener to hold it in place.

8. Decorate your completed miniature windmill with markers, or paint the body with tempera paint.

References

• The Little Experience: Make a Windmill
• DLTK's Crafts for Kids: Windmill TP Roll Craft