How to Make a Weather Vane

We are starting to see some signs of spring around here! So we have been talking more about the weather and all the fun activities that we are looking forward to this spring. As part of this conversation, we started to talk a little bit about the wind and how at times even with the sun shining the wind can make it feel cooler. So, we decided that it would be fun to make a weather vane so we could monitor the wind ourselves.

Two homemade weather vanes pointing towards the north west.

Learning about the Weather

What is the purpose of a weather vane? It is simply to learn about the direction of the wind. It does not tell us much more than that, such as wind speeds or force. So we talked about why that might be helpful and who might use that information. First, we talked about how we could use our weather vane for information at home, such as which curtains to close outside if it is windy. Then we talked about people like pilots and how it would be helpful to know which direction the wind is blowing when flying an airplane. We talked about paper airplanes and which direction they would fly further based on the wind.

Modeling clay, straight pins, straw, marker, and scissors on a paper plate with red construction paper underneath.

Supplies for a Weather Vane

How to Make a Weather Vane

Flip a paper plate to the backside, mark it with North, East, South, and West.
Cut your straw on either end to create a slit that you can slide construction paper into.
Cut your construction paper into a triangle and another piece into a rhombus.
Place your triangle into the front of the straw and your rhombus into the back of the straw.
- When assembled, your straw should look like an arrow.
With adult assistance, place the straight pin through the straw in the center and into the eraser of the pencil.
Take a piece of modeling clay and place it in the center of the unmarked paper plate.
Place the marked paper plate on top with the markings up, creating an open space between the plates.
Stick the point of the pencil through the center of the plate and into the modeling clay.
Take your weather vane outside and see which way the wind is blowing!!