Wind Activity Page
| From Connections, May-August 2010 Download and print this page to complete the activities and check out the bonus activities. |
Bonus Activities
Make a Pinwheel
Supplies:
7-inch-square piece of paper
Scissors
Pencil with an eraser
Pushpin
- Fold the paper in half so it forms a triangle. Unfold.
- Fold the paper again so it forms another triangle. Unfold. There should be an X folded into the paper.
- Cut along each folded line from the outside edge, toward the center of the X, stopping about one inch from the center.
- Fold the right corner of each outer section in toward the center. Secure the corner tip to the center with the pushpin.
- Push the point of the pushpin into the eraser.
- Blow on your pinwheel, or take it outside on a windy day.
Blowing in the Wind
Discover wind direction by:
- Blowing bubbles outdoors and watching where the breeze carries them
- Releasing milkweed or dandelion seeds and watching where they float to
- Holding up a piece of thread or long hair and watching what direction it goes
Classified Information
Next time you go outside to explore, try to classify the wind by matching your observations using this chart.
| Wind Classification | Your Observation | Wind Speed (mph) |
| Calm | Smoke and milkweed seeds drift straight upward | less than 1 mph |
| Light Air | Smoke and milkweed seeds drift sideways | 1-3 mph |
| Gentle Breeze | Leaves rustle | 4-7 mph |
| Moderate Wind | Leaves blow about | 13-18 mph |
| Strong Wind | Branches bend | 25-31 mph |
| Severe Wind | Twigs break off trees | 39-46 mph |
| Gale | Some trees fall | 55-63 mph |
| Hurricane | Severe damage | 73+ mph |