Party Pinwheels

crayola supplies

• Crayons
• Erasable Colored Pencils
• Blunt-Tip Scissors
• Construction Paper

household supplies

• dowel stick (optional)
• brass paper fasteners (optional)
• thumbtacks

Why

Getting the wheels turning at your next party is a breeze with party pinwheels. Children color each panel a different color and watch a rainbow dance in the wind.

Steps

1. 1. With Crayola® Scissors, cut a piece of construction paper into a square. Fold it diagonally in half (corner to corner). Open it back up and fold the paper diagonally across the other two corners. Open the paper to a flat square again. You should now have an X folded into the square.
2. 2. Decorate all four sections of the paper on both sides. Use any colors and patterns you like with Crayola Crayons.
3. 3. Cut the paper-starting at each corner-along the four fold lines. Stop cutting about a thumb's width away from the center on each line. Gently bend the long point from each cut triangle across the center.
4. 4. In the center where the points cross, poke a thumbtack (ask an adult for help) through all the paper and then into the dowel stick or pencil. OR poke a brass paper fastener through the layers. Wrap the end of the paper fastener around a dowel stick or pencil. Tape the fastener in place.
5. 5. To start your pinwheels, turn the paper wheel around a few times to loosen it so it can spin. Then watch the colors dance as the breeze or your breath catches your creation.Adult assistance may be needed!

When & Where

"This is a great project to do with friends at a picnic or a party held outside."
- Teixeria R., dad of 7-year-old.

"A sure thing for parties from now on,"
- Lauri B., mom of kids ages 5 and 7.

Interesting Info

Do you know the colors of the rainbow? They are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. If you color a pinwheel with two or three primary colors such as blue and yellow (the other one is red), and the wind blows fast enough, your eyes will see green.

Safety Guidelines

Adult Assistance is required for this arts & crafts project.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points

© 2000 - 2006 Binney & Smith, Inc.