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How to Make an Easy Whirligig From Wood for Kids

Whirligigs are cute creations that spin in the wind. They are great for lawn decorations, on patios, and as weather vanes. Kids can make whirligigs to get lessons in simple woodworking, because there are already so many templates for whirligig designs. You can make a whirligig that looks like a fish, a bird or anything you can imagine, or make a more traditional spinning circle with a spiral design. Plus, most home woodworking shops have all the supplies you need.

Things You'll Need

Birch wood
Pencil
Design template
Safety goggles
Jigsaw or scroll saw
Desk clamps
Sandpaper
Propeller hardware
Drill
Pole

Instructions

- 1
  Draw the design you want on the birch wood. Birch is great for whirligig kids projects because it is light, soft and inexpensive. Draw anything you want, though bear in mind that all of the details have to be cut out of the wind. Start simply and as you get more advanced, create other whirligigs with more detail. For example, if you want a fish design, draw the outline of a fish with eyes rather than every scale on the fish.
- 2
  Put on your safety goggles. Lay the birch wood in the jigsaw.
- 3
  Place your wood on the scroll saw. If you are using a jigsaw to cut the shape, use clamps to suspend the wood so that the reciprocating blade can cut through the wood. Turn on the power saw and cut the shape you drew out of the wood. Follow the lines as closely as you can. When you finish, turn off the machine and sand any rough edges with a rough grit sandpaper, such as 200 grit.
- 4
  Put the design back in the clamps. Drill a hole through the design where you wish to insert the hardware of the propellers. For example, if you have a fish, drill near the center of the fish where the propellers, which are like spinning fins, are to go.
- 5
  Insert the axis that come with the propeller kit through the hole you just made. Connect the propellers to the axis by following the instructions of the kit. If you want to paint the wood and the propellers, do so before putting the propellers on the design.
- 6
  Drill a hole through the bottom of the design. The pole is going to go through this hole. Make sure the hole is wide enough to fit the pole you bought. Mount the whirligig, propellers and all on the rod. Stick the rod outside in the yard, on a patio, or anywhere else and watch the wind move the propellers.

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