Making Pin Wheels With The Kids

The kids have been on Spring Break and now they’re Off Track for a couple more weeks. We’ve been trying to do things to keep busy. The weather hasn’t been cooperating, so today we made pin wheels.

Spring Crafts 2010 021

We gathered the supplies we needed, then got busy creating.

Spring Crafts 2010 002

You can cut the paper any size you like as long as it’s square. We cut ours 6 x 6.

Spring Crafts 2010 003

Use a ruler and draw two lines from corner to corner.

Spring Crafts 2010 015

Like this, then trace around a quarter for the center of the pinwheel.

Spring Crafts 2010 011

Ammon’s showing you how.

Spring Crafts 2010 001

Cut all 4 lines to the circle. Don’t cross the circle. Erase the lines, because if you cut like my 6 year old they might show when you put the pin wheel together.

Spring Crafts 2010 007

Use a floral pin to make the pin wheel. Start at one of the points of a triangle and push the pin through the paper.

Spring Crafts 2010 006

Take the second triangle and push the pin through in the same place going in the same direction.

Spring Crafts 2010 005

And then the third.

Spring Crafts 2010 004

And forth. Then push the pin through the center to form the pin wheel. As you can see, it’s much more appealing if you use 2 sided paper.

Spring Crafts 2010 009

Push the pin through the pencil eraser.

Spring Crafts 2010 012

Then bend it down so the pin doesn’t stick the kids.

Spring Crafts 2010 013

Ta-Da! Ammon’s pin wheels.

Spring Crafts 2010 014

Zach’s pin wheels.

Spring Crafts 2010 016

Emilee’s pin wheels.

Spring Crafts 2010 019

We decided to use them as a centerpiece for a while. Pretty cute, huh?

Spring Crafts 2010 020

I found this galvanized metal box downstairs. It had a lid on it, so I just sat it aside and used the bottom. I filled the box with dried white beans to hold the pin wheels up.

Spring Crafts 2010 018

Didn’t the kids do a great job? Okay, we are so ready for nice weather to come our way. At least the pin wheels brighten the table.

Spring Crafts 2010 010

These were really fun and easy to make with the kids. Do you think your kids would like to make some too?

{ 24 comments… add one }
  • Beth Grasteit April 10, 2010, 3:05 am

    Your pinwheels look great! Here are some pinwheel patterns if you are interested in doing this again another day.

    http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/04/pinspinners.html

  • Beth Grasteit April 10, 2010, 3:08 am

    Oh, and your kids may enjoy making these paper houses, while at home. 🙂

    http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2010/04/just-something-im-sharing.html

  • Suzanne April 10, 2010, 7:15 am

    The pinwheels are beautiful! I love the paper choices. Perfect as a spring centerpiece!

  • Susie April 10, 2010, 10:50 am

    How much fun! They remind me of summer….love it~

  • kimbowest April 10, 2010, 1:32 pm

    these are adorable! love them~

  • dena pickle April 11, 2010, 7:24 am

    How Fun! The kids just look so proud too! Thanks for sharing!
    Dena

  • neli April 11, 2010, 4:44 pm

    So so sweet!!!!

  • CraftyMummy April 11, 2010, 7:48 pm

    Great idea! I have kids on holiday too, so I think that will keep us busy this afternoon 😉

  • Cheryl April 12, 2010, 5:55 am

    Those are really cute. I just got some pretty paper so I’ll have to do them – my 7 yr old is a huge pinwheel fan. Thanks for linking up to Craftastic Monday!

  • Kaysi @ Keeping It SImple April 12, 2010, 10:17 am

    What a great idea! Thanks for it, I’m going to make these with my boys!

  • Maryanne April 12, 2010, 2:42 pm

    Those are so fun! I love that star paper – what a great idea to make with scrapbook paper. I’d love if you linked this up to my Scrappy Saturdays: http://myscrappygifts.blogspot.com/2010/04/8th-scrappy-saturdays.html

  • Kendall@Finesse Your Nest April 13, 2010, 12:18 pm

    Very cute! I wish I could get mine to sit still long enough to do a craft with me (*sigh) It’s such a cute centerpiece. I think they would also make really cute “bows” for wrapped gifts. Thanks for linking up to Shop The House Sunday!

  • The Persimmon Perch April 13, 2010, 1:35 pm

    So fun! What a great project for this windy weather here in OK! Thanks for sharing with Made it Monday! Jules

  • Megan @ Meanwhile, back at the ranch April 13, 2010, 7:47 pm

    Those are so pretty and fun! My kids love pinwheels, but I make them call them whirlygigs because that sounds funnier coming from their 2 and 4 year old mouths. 😛 I’ve been meaning to get some floral pins anyway, we’ll have to whip up a few one of these days. Thanks!

  • MessyMissy April 13, 2010, 8:02 pm

    That’s great!! Thanks for the tutorial.

  • Jeanine at One Cheap B*tch April 14, 2010, 7:58 am

    You guys make it look so easy! They all turned out wonderfully!

    Jeanine

  • Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage April 14, 2010, 8:55 am

    Cute pinwheels and cute kids! 🙂

  • Jennifer Juniper April 14, 2010, 1:52 pm

    Super cute! I saw some mini-pinwheels as cupcake picks once and I’ve always loved it 🙂

  • Bobbie April 15, 2010, 4:12 pm

    That is adorable! I would love for you to come over and link up to check me out saturday http://www.iamonly1woman.blogspot.com

  • Queen of Dreamsz ~ The Art of Stuff April 15, 2010, 6:12 pm

    I just love pinwheels and your project is just perfect and looked like the kids has a great time. ♥

    I’m visiting for Get Your Craft on Thursdays. I’d love for you to come by for a visit when you have a moment. ♥

    Have a lovely day…

    Hugs,
    Stephanie ♥

  • Katie April 15, 2010, 6:28 pm

    These are really fun looking! I like how you bent down the pin. I’ve seen them made with push pins and always thought those would be fun but so dangerous to have around my little one. I wonder if I could put a bit of tape around the end to make it even safer. Would it still work, hmmm….

  • Becca April 16, 2010, 9:52 am

    I might need to make these with my kids after school today! Great idea and made with things I know I already have! Thank you so much for linking up at my party. I’ll do it again next Friday. I’ll be looking forward to your party next week. I’ve been reorganizing my classroom now and I have book organization to post about.

    Becca

  • lori April 16, 2010, 3:43 pm

    Great pinwheels. Love tthem

    Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thursday. Please join me next week for another great party!

  • Stacey @ Fun to Craft April 19, 2010, 6:50 pm

    I love these! They are so fun and springy! Thanks for sharing at ‘Look at me, I’m SO Crafty!’ at Fun to Craft.

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv badge

About Me | Disclosure Policy | Copyright Policy | Privacy Policy | Contact Me