Three finished colored pattern paper pinwheels on a wooden table. (vertical image)

March goes out like a lion

They say if March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb. WELL, we have 30 mile an hour winds here today, and a light SNOW!! March is growling like a lion where we live.

With this wind I thought that learning How to Make Paper Pinwheels for Spring was the craft for the day!

Did I mention that this is an easy peasy paper craft? Well, it is!! Remember making these as a kid? The grands need that same memory!

Pattern papers, scissors, wooden dowel, glue stick and pipe cleaners on a wooden table.

How do I make a pinwheel with paper?

Grab some construction paper, scrapbooking paper, or plain computer paper. A little heavier weight paper works better if you have it.

Origami paper windmill.

Technically this is origami, it is paper folding in a VERY simple way. Origami paper can be used as well.

Person holding a folded piece of orange pattern paper with scissors near.

DIY paper pinwheels

Fold the paper in a triangle and cut off the excess. When you open it up it is a square shape.

Fold the paper into a triangle the opposite direction and open.

Cut from the corner into the center of the square along the fold- BUT stop about 1 inch from the center. Repeat cutting from all four corners.

Pull one corner (the same corner) from each of the cut triangles towards the center of the square and glue down.

Push a thumb tack into the center of the pinwheel and secure it onto a dowel rod or a pencil.

Tip: If you want the pinwheel to turn, leave a bit of space between the head of the thumb tack and the dowel.

White backside of pattern paper showing cutting four diagonal lines towards center.

How to make paper pinwheels without pins

If you have a little and don’t want to use a thumbtack or push pin, you can attach the pinwheel to the dowel with a pipe cleaner.

After gluing the flaps to the center, punch a hole in the center of the pinwheel with a hole punch.

Twist the end of the pipe cleaner into a ball that won’t pull through the punched hole.

String the pipe cleaner through the hole from the front of the pinwheel and then twist the rest of the pinwheel around the dowel rod or pencil.

Person taping sides of orange paper pinwheel with scissors and glue stick near.

Paper pinwheel decorations

So, it was a good day to learn how to make a pinwheel out of paper! Don’t you think?

These take minutes to make, and the kids will enjoy bringing them out in the spring breeze. They would make amazing decorations for a spring birthday party or party of any sort.

They would also make a nice quick craft if studying "wind" in school or homeschool.

DIY Paper Windmills

Some people call these paper windmills. They do remind me of the windmill we have. My grandma made a quilt with a windmill design with triangle pieces of cloth. Come to think of it, my mom made a pinwheel cookie recipe, too. Lots of pinwheels we could try!

Person making green paper pinwheel, twisting sparkly pipe cleaner on a pencil.

Wind

As the wind made our windows rattle, I asked myself the question…what is wind good for? My favorite answer is that a gentle breeze dries clothes on the line. That still isn’t a good answer for 30 mile an hour wind though!

Pro Tip: NEVER hang your clothes out on a day with 30 mile an hour winds! 😉

Hoping your April comes in like a lamb!

Here are some other spring craft ideas you may enjoy.

Three finished colored pattern paper pinwheels on a wooden table.

Enjoy!

If you try this craft, let me know! Go ahead and leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.

Come join the fun at www.WelcomeToNanas.com

How to Make Paper Pinwheels for Spring

Shelly

How to Make Paper Pinwheels for Spring is an easy kids craft that also make great party decorations for any occasion!

Print Pin

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Type Art Project

Cuisine Art Project

Yield 1

Equipment

Scissors
Hole punch (optional)

Items Required

1 piece Paper- 8.5x11 scrapbook paper, construction paper, origami paper, card stock
1 Glue stick
Thumbtacks
1 Dowel rod or pencil
Pipe cleaners (optional)

Instructions

Fold the paper in a triangle and cut off the excess. When you open it up it is a square shape.
Fold the paper into a triangle the opposite direction and open.
Repeat cutting from all four corners.
Pull one corner (the same corner) from each of the cut triangles towards the center of the square and glue down.
sh a thumb tack into the center of the pinwheel and secure it onto a dowel rod or a pencil.
If you have a little and don’t want to use a thumbtack or push pin, you can attach the pinwheel to the dowel with a pipe cleaner.
After gluing the flaps to the center, punch a hole in the center of the pinwheel with a hole punch.
Twist the end of the pipe cleaner into a ball that won’t pull through the punched hole.
tring the pipe cleaner through the hole from the front of the pinwheel and then twist the rest of the pinwheel around the dowel rod or pencil.