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Three DIY Windmills craft on white backgroubd.
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5 from 9 votes

DIY Paper Windmill that Spins

A step-by-step tutorial for making a beautiful paper windmill that spins! Sometimes called a DIY pinwheel, this is a fun and simple Spring craft for all ages.
Active Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Yield: 1 craft
Author: Rachel
Cost: $8

Equipment

  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Hole Punch
  • Pencil

Materials

  • 1 Colorful Paper or Craft Foam
  • 1 Dowel Rod 3/16 diameter or larger
  • 1 Pipe Cleaner
  • 1 Paper Straw
  • Tape

Instructions

  • Using a ruler, lightly draw straight lines from corner to corner diagonally. The lines will intersect at the center point. Punch a hole in the center wide enough for the straw to pass through. I use a hole piercer and widen the hole. Cut the lines, leaving about ½ inch from the hole intact.
    Colorful craft paper marked by hands with pencil and metal ruler on white surface.
  • Using a hole punch, punch holes in one side of each corner. Make sure your holes are always on the same side of each corner. (The photo shows me pointing to the location.)
    Colorful scrapbook paper with a paper piercer at one corner.
  • Cut the straw to about 1.5-2 inches depending on how wide you want the folds of the pinwheel. Wider folds will grab air more easily. Using scissors, cut one tip of the straw in 6 sections so it splays outward (pictured). This makes sure the pinwheel won't fall off the straw.
    Closeup of a cut drinking straw.
  • Fold one corner of the sheet of paper into the center, lining up with the center hole. Put the straw through the hole. Work your way around the corners clockwise putting the straw through each hole. Then thread through the back hole.
    Closeup of paper windmill showing straw core.
  • Just like with the first end of the straw, cut the second end to widen it. The pinwheel paper should be secured on the straw.
    Back of paper pinwheel with straw attachment.
  • Fold the pipe cleaner in half and twist tightly. Thread the pipe cleaner through the straw. Wind the front tip around to secure the pinwheel. It spins better if the pipe cleaner hairs that will be inside the straw are trimmed down with scissors.
    Paper windmill with pipe cleaner through it.
  • Cut another ½ inch of paper straw and thread behind the windmill. Make sure everything is a little loose to allow for spinning. Wrap the back end of the pipe cleaner around the dowel rod tightly.
    Backside of a paper craft showing attachment.

Notes

General Tips and Variations
  • 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 is 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 that 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.