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How to Make a Weather Vane for Children

Weather vanes are one of the oldest tools used by people to help predict the weather. Early civilizations noticed how wind seemingly brought with it rain or snow and took away clouds. They could look far out and see what was around them and realized the wind, if blowing in the right direction, would bring it to them. It is only natural they created a tool to show the direction of the wind and by extension the upcoming weather. Using only common household items it is a simple task for all ages to make a weather vane for children.

Things You'll Need

Large Styrofoam deli tray
Permanent marker
Scissors
Wire hanger
Bar of soap
Wire cutters
Coffee stirrer straw
Tape

Instructions

- 1
  Draw a large arrow with a wide back end (and perhaps a rooster) on the Styrofoam tray with the permanent marker and cut it out with the scissors.
- 2
  Cut the long, straight portion from the bottom of a wire hanger using the wire cutters.
- 3
  Cut a 1-inch section off the coffee stirrer straw and tape it to the back of the Styrofoam. Wrap a 5-inch piece of tape around the wire hanger so the Styrofoam can freely rotate about the wire but not fall to to the bottom.
- 4
  Stick the entire assembly into a bar of soap to act as a base. Once placed outside, it will pivot about the tape and straw toward the direction of the wind.

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