Activities that will blow you away!
Just like the rain and cold, wind is no reason to stop playing outside and connecting with nature. But it can be one of the more confronting weather patterns to adjust to! Here are 3 activities to help you and your child embrace and learn more about windy weather.
Blow bubbles
Blowing bubbles is an all-time favourite for little ones, and never seems to truly lose its appeal. Such fun to be had – blowing, chasing, popping! Blowing bubbles is a great way to learn about the wind. On a still day, the bubbles may slowly drift upwards before floating back down and gently landing or popping in the air. But what happens on a windy day? Is it easier or more challenging to blow bubbles? Do the bubbles last as long? Do they fly away in a gust of wind, or pop before they have a chance?
Fly a kite!
A fun way to make the most of a windy day, is to fly a kite. All you need to make your own, is some craft paper or a paper bag, sticky tape, string and sticks (2 thin sticks – 1 long and 1 shorter, will work best).
Diamond paper kite:
1. Cut your paper into a diamond shape
2. Attach some pieces of paper or string to the bottom point of the stick or paper, to create a “tail”
3. Attach one long piece of string to the top end of the diamond, which you’ll hold onto as it flies
Optional: (Using sticks will help your kite stay flat and “catch” the wind)
4. Use string to tie 2 thin sticks together in the middle
5. Use sticky tape to attach the sticks to the underside of your paper
6. Tie one long piece of string around the middle where the sticks connect, which you’ll hold onto as it flies
Paper bag kite:
1. Attach 4 pieces of string to the open end of your paper bag
2. Tie all 4 pieces together, and attach another long piece of string to the knot
3. Decorate the bag however you like, just make sure it doesn’t get too heavy!
Head outside and test your new kite out! Although the goal is to watch the kite soar in the wind… don’t get too caught up if this doesn’t happen. There is plenty of fun to be had for toddlers running around with the kite trailing behind them, and an older child will learn a lot from some trial and error in getting a kite that is “just right”.
Make a wind spinner
Another way to spark children’s curiosity in the wind, is to make something which catches their attention and that they can observe each day. Use a paper plate (or round piece of card) and cut in a spiral shape. It will end up looking a bit like a snake at this point! Decorate however you like, and then use some string or twine to hang it up somewhere outside. The spiral will twist and spin in the wind, which is quite mesmerising to watch!
