See-Through Pinwheels

Why

Harness the energy of the wind! Supercharge pinwheel power with Crayola creativity anytime, anywhere.


Steps

1. Pinwheels are fun to blow indoors, and for parades, picnics, reunions, or other outdoor events. The same technology that makes these festive pinwheels work helps to generate energy around the world.

2. Cut the pinwheel. With Crayola® Scissors, cut a clear vinyl sheet into a square. Cut a diagonal slit from each corner toward the center of the square. Leave an uncut area in the center.

3. Decorate the fins. With Crayola Washable Window Markers, decorate one side of the pinwheel. Add color highlights with Crayola Twistables.

4. With the help of an adult, poke a hole with a thumbtack or pushpin thorough the four tips created by the slits. Poke a hole through the center of the square, too. Use the tack to pick up each corner in turn, sliding the hole on the tack. Poke the tack with the four tips through the center of the pinwheel. Finally, push the tack into the eraser on a Crayola Erasable Colored Pencil. Push down firmly to hold all four corners.

5. Decorate a cover. Shape white Crayola Model Magic to make a decorative cover for the top of the thumbtack. Air-dry the cover.

6. Decorate the Model Magic cover with your Washable Window Markers. Air-dry and you’re ready to go for a spin!

Safety Guidelines

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough With Small Parts— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—

  • Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
  • Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
  • Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
  • If the arts & crafts project involves making small objects, follow the small parts/choking hazards standards: WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years."
  • The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
  • Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
  • Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient. Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic, and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Sharp Point— CAUTION: Contains a functional sharp point and should not be used by children under 4 years. Close adult supervision is required and adult assistance may be needed.

Small Parts— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

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.

Related Crafts

Crafts

 

Supplies

crayola supplies
  • Erasable Colored Pencils
  • Window Markers
  • Model Magic®
  • Twistables®
  • Pointed Tip Scissors
household supplies
  • thumbtacks
  • vinyl sheets

Where & When

"This wonderful craft moves, it’s affordable, uses natural energy, and both boys and girls like it. What could be better?"
Donal M., 4-H volunteer.

"At our quilting bee we are working on a pinwheel pattern. Our kids made these pinwheels."
Hannah C., mother of 9- and 6-year-olds.


Interesting Info

Giant pinwheels or wind turbines, up to 330 feet (100 meters), are used on wind farms to create clean energy. One megawatt generated from a wind turbine can save the emission of 1600 tons of carbon dioxide, 9 tons of sulfur dioxide, and 4 tons of nitrous oxide.