THE IDEA: Make a wind streamer
I learned about fairy wind streamers from one of my most creative nature friends, Marghanita. I love them for their simplicity; all you need are a few strips of old material and a stick and you’re ready to go.
Don’t let the name fool you – you don’t need to wait for a breeze to enjoy wind streamers. The Explorers had a blast running around with theirs with little wind to speak of.
OUR NOTES FROM THE FIELD
The first thing we needed to make our wind streamers was a suitable stick. These were easy enough to find, as we were in Yosemite at the time with a meadow as our backyard.
Once everyone had their sticks, they added strips of fabric I’d pre-cut just for the occasion by wrapping them around the stick and tying a knot.
Although one strip alone is ample, the kids wanted to put as many on their sticks as possible. The results were beautiful. All that was left to do was to help the streamers take flight by running with them through the meadow.
I made sure to remind the kids that their creations were indeed magical wands that could be used to help the forest fairies. That seemed to make their nature adventures that afternoon all the more fun.
TAKE-HOME TIPS
When it comes to nature crafts, it doesn’t get much easier than this. For best results:
- Recycle old materials. You can use just about anything as strips for your streamers. If possible, choose colorful fabrics – kids seem especially drawn to them.
- Allow for creativity. One strip is plenty to create a wind streamer, but some kids (like mine) prefer more. Some may even want to add things from nature, like a feather or a flower. The more creative, the better!
I love its simplicity, too. What more than a stick do you need for hours of fun?
Love this idea for all ages. Simple enough for the young ones and the older ones can wrap the stick to create a beautiful hiking stick.
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@Colleen: Nice to meet you! You should try the streamers with your kids — it's so simple!<br /><br />@Crystal: I love your idea to add music to the streamer playing!
What a simple but lovely idea! When I was still teaching preschool, we had these store-bought streamers, with long nylon ribbons. The children loved playing with them, and sometimes I'd bring a portable CD player outside so the children could dance to the music with their streamers. Making them yourselves is so much better — I love this idea and have to try it with Shane!
Great idea! The streamers look like fun! Am enjoying your blog.<br />Colleen
@Catherine: Hope you have fun making wind streamers!
My son is going to love this idea. He is very interested in wind at the moment (and knot-tying). We will try it today as we are home all day.
@Juliet: Thanks for the idea for older kids. I actually think the little guys would love it to, though they wouldn't be very safe about it! 🙂
Just lovely! I like adding streamers to balls on rope for swinging around too. I little more complex but good for older children.