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How to Make a Wooden Pinwheel Chart for Kids

In 19th century America the wooden pinwheel fell under the category of "whirligig," which referred to any wind-driven toy. In the middle of the 20th century it became difficult to find wooden pinwheels; they were being replaced with plastic models with intricate designs. You can combine modern patterns with a traditional model by making a wooden pinwheel chart. Your chart can include anything you would like to teach your children about.

12-inch long by 12-inch wide by 1/4-inch thick bendable plywood
Pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Wood glue
Colored markers
36-inch long by 2-inch thick dowel.
1.5-inch long nail
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Draw a line down the center of the bendable piece of plywood. Draw another line across the center of the plywood to create a cross.
- 2
  Cut along each of the four lines. Stop cutting when you are 2 inches away from the middle of the cross. The plywood is now cut into four equally-sized triangles.
- 3
  Locate the triangle in the upper right portion. Bend the top left corner of the triangle down and glue it to the center of the piece of plywood.
- 4
  Locate the triangle in the bottom right portion. Bend the top right corner of the triangle over and glue it to the center of the piece of plywood.
- 5
  Locate the triangle in the bottom left portion. Bend the bottom right corner of the triangle up and glue it to the center of the piece of plywood.
- 6
  Locate the triangle in the top left portion. Bend the bottom left corner of the triangle over and glue it to the center of the piece of plywood.
- 7
  Allow the glue to dry for thirty minutes.
- 8
  Draw the chart onto the pinwheel with colored markers. Use a chart that is easy for your kids to understand but relates to the environment or solar system. For example, color code each side of the pinwheel to represent the countries that use wind power. Or use each side to detail one lunar cycle.
- 9
  Nail the center of the pinwheel to a point 3 inches from one end of the dowel.

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