How to Make a Pinwheel

Homemade toys are sometimes seen as a thing of the past – but there’s no reason it should be that way! Use these instructions to make a pinwheel and enjoy a fun, outdoors toy.

1. Cut a square of stiff paper or poster board, about 10 inches by 10 inches (or whatever size you prefer.) A file folder makes a big, sturdy pinwheel like the one shown here.
2. Draw light diagonal pencil lines from corner to corner (to form an X), then cut in from each corner up to about an inch and a half from the center point where the lines cross.
3. Punch four holes into the tips, near the points.
4. Fold each tip into the center and thread them through a 1½- or 2-inch screw. (Put a washer of some kind on the screw first — we used a flattened aluminum tealight.)
5. Screw the pinwheel to a stick or sturdy twig.

Head outside — Your pinwheel is ready to spin!