Wind Chime

We have seen and felt the wind this week so now it was time to take a moment to stop and listen. Its funny how long it took to capture only the sounds of our chimes… we kept getting interrupted by cars, dogs, neighbors and airplanes. It can be so noisy in the bustle of the day but when you do find that moment of peace and can hear only nature – it’s music to your ears.

Unfortunately this platform does not support video but if you would like to see our wind chimes in action check out my Instagram @preschoolforyou  🙂

What you need:

• Mason jar lids (without the middle circle part)
• Contact paper
• Flowers
• Twine
• Bendy stick
• Scissors
• Hole Puncher
• Glue

What to do:

1. Cut circles out of the parchment paper the same size as the middle of your mason jar lid. You will need two circles for each lid.
2. Fill the circles with flowers and/or items from nature. *Helpful tip: The night before you plan to do this project, press your flowers to help them lay flat on the parchment paper.
3. Place another parchment paper circle on top of the one with flowers to seal.
4. Punch a hole in the top of the circle.
5. Glue the circle inside of the mason jar lid.
6. Tie a piece of twine to the lid.
7. *Repeat steps 2-6 for as many “chimes” as you want.
8. Take your bendy stick and tie it in a circle.
9. Tie the lids onto the stick. *When I first did this project I wasn’t happy with the amount of sound it made so I added some hollow mason jar lids in the center and it made it much better! You could also add other metal objects such as old silverware or nails, screws, etc.
10. Once all your chimes are tied into place hang outside and wait for the wind to blow!

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Tiny Boat 💨⛵️

This simple boat was so much fun and a great lesson in the power of wind. I grew up sailing with my dad on our own tiny sailboat and I’ve always loved it – there’s just something about the moment when the wind hits the sail and you zoom across the water – it really shows the beauty of Mother Nature ✨

What you need:

• Mason jar lid
• Small piece of clay or play-doh
• 2 sticks (one shorter than the other)
• Coffee filter
• Scissors
• Glue

What to do:

1. Place a small dab of clay in the middle of the mason jar lid.
2. Put the longer stick in the clay and secure with glue.
3. When the stick is sturdy, glue the other stick perpendicular to the other one.
4. Cut the coffee filter in a triangle shape with the sides the same length as the sticks.
5. Glue the coffee filter triangle to the sticks.
6. Let dry completely.
7. Test it out in a puddle or a sink!

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Windy Leaf Painting

After reading “Fall Leaves Fall” by Zoe Hall we began a simple art activity – which became so much more! It all started with painting leaves. While painting we were observing the wind blow the leaves around our yard. After many questions about the power of wind I decided to show them how it works up close!

What you need: Leaves, paint, hair dryer

What to do:

1. Read a book about leaves (Here’s a link to some good ones: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/leaf-books-for-kids/)
2. Go outside and collect some leaves – the bigger the better! While searching talk about wind: how it moves, how it effects the leaves, where it comes from, etc.
3. Pour a few droplets of paint on a leaf.
4. Use the hair dryer to simulate wind to move the paint around. *Make sure you hold on tight to the leaf so it doesn’t blow away!
5. Discuss how the “wind” moves the paint around. Try to mix colors, make cool designs, and have fun!

Sorry I don’t have more pictures (and this site doesn’t let me post videos), but this activity is really all hands on deck or it can be a big mess!