How to Make a Pinwheel in Preschool

Help your preschooler create her very own pinwheel.

Preschool is a wonderful time for young children to explore the world around them through arts and crafts. Help your students create a pinwheel to take outside on a breezy day. They can also be made to help celebrate any holiday; simply use paper in traditional holiday colors. Send the pinwheels home with the children at the end of the day or week to enjoy at home. These pinwheels require a bit of teacher help, as they require cutting with scissors.

Things You'll Need

• Card stock
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Push pin
• Pencil with eraser

Instructions

1. Lay a square piece of paper on the table. If you can't find a square, cut 2 1/2 inches off the long end of an 8 1/2-by-11-inch sheet of paper.

2. Draw two intersecting diagonal lines on one side of the paper, from corner to corner. It should look like a big "X."

3. Cut along the lines, leaving 3 inches on each line uncut in the middle.

4. Bring the corners of the paper to the middle so they slightly overlap. When the paper is lying flat on the table, use either the left or right corner of each triangle shape. No matter which corner you choose, use the same one from each triangle. Do not press them flat; leave them slightly poofy.

5. Push a straight pin through all four corners and the back of the square of paper. Secure the pin into the eraser on the pencil. Don't push the pin all the way through the eraser; the tip should stay embedded inside. This keeps it safe and allows enough room for the pinwheel to spin.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow the children to color or paint on the paper prior to creating the pinwheel. They can also put stickers on after it is made.

References

• Womans Day: How to Make a Pinwheel
• Pinwheels for Peace: Pinwheel Template
• Martha Stewart: Clothespin Pinwheel

Resources

• Nick Jr.: Dora's Paper Plate Pinwheels