In the spring and in the autumn, the weather gets gusty. Take advantage of all that wind to experiment with some wind based science projects. Here are 25 ways you can look at the wind with your children. Take one or two from each category, and you will have a nice wind science unit!
Wind Science Experiments
Observing the Wind
Studying the wind can be as simple as going out to blow bubbles (our giant bubble solution), or you can take the time to measure its strength, speed and direction with one of these fun projects. Observation is the most basic and important science skill, and it's always best to start with nature.
- Home Made Anemometer with cups from Just One Mommy
- Observing the strength of the wind from Preschool Toolkit
- Measuring Direction of the Wind from Hand Made Kids Art
- What the Wind Blows from Things to Share and Remember
Demonstrations about where wind comes from
We don't know exactly what causes and controls the wind, but we have figured out some of the factors. Here are some fun demonstrations that show what influences wind production.
- Weather Demonstration while Cooking Dinner from Thriving STEM
- Weather Vane Experiment
- How Temperature Effects the Wind via Coffee Cups and Crayons
- Kitchen Supply Hurricane Model via Preschool Powol Packets
- Ocean Current Experiment via Adventures in Mommydom
Fly a Kite!
I love these discussion questions for while you are flying your kites! from KCedventures, and I found to perfect options for making your own kites.
- Newspaper Kite (Simple) from Buggy and Buddy
- Waxpaper Kite (Beautiful and more Complicated) from Red Ted Art
Make a Windsock!
You can keep an eye on the weather in your yard all day with one of these beautiful windsocks. Consider asking your children to write a journal describing the actions of the windsock.
- Easy Plastic Bag Windsocks from Thriving STEM
- Windsock Craft for Preschool from 123 Homeschool 4 Me
- Rainbow Windsocks from Kinds Craftroom
- Waterbottle wind spirals from Happy Hooligans
- Rainbow Wind Streamers from Toddler Approved
- Paper Windsocks from Sand in My Toes
- Ribbon Wand from One Perfect Day
Engineer a Vehicle!
Take your learning one more step and harness the wind's energy for your own engineering project. Ask for a scale drawing to incorporate some math. Here are some fun wind engineering projects to try.
- Wind Power Cars from Hand Made Kids Art
- Tissue Paper Gliders from Sugar Aunts
- Helicopter Pinwheels from Buggy and Buddy
- Windpowered Boat from Capri +3
More Fun Wind Projects!
These didn't fit a category, but they would make great summative projects for your wind unit!
- Windchimes
- It's a Windy Race to Make Kids Silly from Hands on as We Grow
- Wind powered wench engineering from STEAM powered family
- Feather Art from Hands on Kids Art
- Plastic Pinwheels from Red Ted Art
Read and Do a Project!
- Free Printable to go with Christian Rosetti's "Who Has Seen the Wind?" from JDaniel's Mom
- One Windy Day book activity for preschoolers
>> FREE 40 page weather unit PreK-4th Grade <<
It was fun finding all these great wind projects. I'm looking forward to trying out a few new things with my own kids. I hope you have fun putting together your wind study this season!
Christy McGuire is a former AP physics teacher, and current mother of 4. She and her children enjoy exploring science and math together. Head over to Thriving STEM to find more science, technology, engineering and math ideas to use with your kids. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
