Looking for a fun way to combine art, science, and engineering for kids? This printable DIY pinwheel project is the perfect hands-on STEM activity to explore wind energy, motion, and design—all while getting creative with coloring! Plus, we’ll explore how this simple toy compares to a real-world windmill.
Simple DIY Pinwheel For STEM
Field of Science: Physics, Engineering
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Concepts Explored: Wind energy, motion, force, mechanical engineering, energy conversion
This pinwheel spins when wind pushes against its blades, demonstrating how moving air (wind) can create motion. The same idea is used in real windmills and wind turbines to produce energy, just on a much larger and more complex scale!
🔎 Explore more fun mechanical engineering projects for kids.
Supplies Needed
- Printable pinwheel template
- Scissors
- Straight pin or push pin
- A pencil with an eraser
- Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
How To Make a DIY Pinwheel
Watch the video!
💡 Make the paper rocket here or the thaumatropes here.
- Color your pinwheel. Add designs or use our pre-decorated pinwheel template.
- Cut out the square.
- Cut along the black diagonal lines, stopping at the center dot.
- Gently bend (don’t fold) every other corner toward the center dot to form the blades.
- Line up the holes and secure with a straight pin through the center.
- Push the pin into a pencil eraser.
🔎 Tip: Blow gently on the pinwheel or take it outside to see how the wind moves it! You can also set up a small indoor fan to test the “spin”.
Windmill vs Pinwheel Science Information
Wind is moving air that can push on objects, applying a force that causes motion. In the case of a pinwheel, the blades are angled to catch the wind. The pinwheel spins around the center point as the wind pushes on each blade. This is an example of kinetic energy, the energy of motion.
🔎 Learn about potential and kinetic energy!
Windmills use this same principle but for a purpose—they harness the wind’s kinetic energy and convert it into mechanical or electrical energy. While your pinwheel is just for fun, real wind turbines use large blades connected to generators to help power homes and cities! Make your own DIY windmill.
🔎 Learn about force and motion with a free printable pack!
More Science Facts for Kids
- Wind is a natural form of renewable energy.
- Wind turbines usually have three blades and can be over 300 feet tall!
- Windmills have been used for centuries to pump water and grind grain.
- Pinwheels help show how the shape of the blades affects how well they spin.
DIY Pinwheel Science Project
🔎 Make sure to explore the scientific method for kids, write a hypothesis, and choose a variable!
- Ask a Question: What pinwheel shape spins the fastest?
- Make a Hypothesis: IF the blades are longer, THEN the pinwheel will spin faster.
- Test It: Adjust the size or shape of the blades to create different pinwheels. Try flat blades instead of curved blades. Spin them in front of a fan and observe the results.
- Record Data: Measure the number of spins in 30 seconds or how long it takes to stop.
- Draw a Conclusion: Which design worked best and why?
Related Science Activities
- Paper Helicopter Experiment
- DIY Wind Turbine
- Make a DIY Wind Vane
- Build a Wind-Powered Car
- DIY Anemometer to Measure Wind
- Make a DIY Windmill
Printable Science Projects For Kids
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