How To Make Paper Windmills

Pinwheels, or paper windmills, are a family-friendly paper craft, and we have done lots of them around here! Paper pinwheels, Recycle Planters Craft, and Marshmallow Pops are some of my family’s favorite Spring Break crafts. Choose colorful craft paper and spend an afternoon creating magical memories.

These are wonderful touches of whimsy to include in your Spring decor, or to add to an Easter table setting. They’d also make sweet favors for a baby or wedding shower!

And really, pinwheels are so simple to make. Follow my step-by-step tutorial for a no-fail finished product. I’m even sharing how to make them spin! Have a young scientist in the house? This is the perfect STEM craft to experiment with wind power. It’s super fun to explore different ways to make your paper windmill spin.

Materials List

Below is an overview of what you will need to make these super easy windmills.

• Ruler
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Hole punch – one that will punch holes big enough for a straw to go through.
• Tape
• Colorful paper or craft foam square – these are 6×6 inches.
• Sturdy dowel rod – diameter around 3/16 inch
• Pipe Cleaners
• Paper Straw
• Spacer bead – optional, but it can help it spin better.

Step by Step for a Simple Windmill Decoration

***Complete directions for a windmill that spins with step-by-step photos are in the tutorial card at the bottom of this post, which can print out. However, if you just want a windmill decoration that doesn’t need to spin, you can use this variation.

Follow steps 1-2 in the card to make the paper shape and punch holes through it. Work your way around the corners clockwise, folding them up and putting the brad through each hole.

Once you have the brad through all four corners, push the center down and push the brad through the hole in the center of the back of your paper and secure. Tape or glue your pinwheel to a dowel rod or bamboo skewer.

Here’s one that I did as a table centerpiece for easter:

I love using double-sided patterned paper as it creates a fun effect. To make an arrangement like this, use Styrofoam or floral foam to stand the pinwheels up. I cut the dowel rods to varying heights.

Quick Tips

I have tried so many ways to improve these for maximum spinning action and durability, while keeping it as simple and fast as possible to make. So I have some tips and variations that might work better depending on your situation.

• Trimming off the pipe cleaner hairs that go inside the inner pinwheel straw helps it spin more.
• Putting a smooth spacer bead at the front, and then curling the pipe cleaner around it can help if the pipe cleaner to too tight.
• For a sturdier windmill craft, use a long nail or screw instead of a pipe cleaner. You will need a heavier dowel rod so it won’t split. Paint the tip or cover with a screw cover.
• Alternatively, you can use a metal eyelet through all of the holes instead of a straw. This works very well because there are less points of friction, but the folding can be challenging.
• If the pipe cleaners are sliding down the dowel rod, you can tape them in place.