Rainbow Wind Socks Revisited

This week I am filled with warm, fuzzy feelings of nostalgia and awe. You know how kids get SO excited for their birthdays? They wait and wait and wait and FINALLY it arrives and (as far as they’re concerned) it’s the greatest day ever and the whole world is revolving around them. Well, that’s a little taste of how I’m feeling this week.

Not about MY birthday.
(I have discovered that after 30 birthdays begin to lose their luster.)

No, I’m excited about my BLOG’S birthday. That’s right! Kinder-Craze will officially be 1 year old this Wednesday. It has been such an exciting year and I have some fun things planned to share with you (including a very fabulous giveaway!)

But right now, I am living in nostalgia and anticipation.

I recently scrolled back to my earliest posts… way back when I was happy to have 6 followers and I referred to Kinder-Craze as my “lil’ baby blog.” The first project idea I shared was of Rainbow Windsocks. When I looked back at that post, I was simultaneously filled with pride and a little bit of horror at the opening photo for the post.

Spring will be here soon, St. Patrick’s day is once again just around the corner, and I have recently decked out my classroom with the same wonderful windsocks. This time I had a better camera on-hand so I treated myself to a little bit of memory-filled fun recreating one of my first blog posts. Without more adieu, I bring you Rainbow Windsocks Version 2.0!

Rainbow Windsocks Version 2.0

The basics of this project are very simple. Students paint a rainbow onto traced arches on a 12×18″ sheet of white construction paper. Once the paint is dry, join the paper edges to form a cylinder and secure closed with 4-5 staples along the seam. Staple crepe paper streamers in ROYGBV order around the bottom rim of the windsock and hang with fishing line.

Getting Started

Use an old folder to create a template. Keep the folder folded, start at the seam, and draw half-arches with a pencil that extend outward from the lower left-hand corner, spaced about 1″ apart. Use scissors to cut along each of the drawn arches. Open the folder, place it atop a white sheet of 12×18″ white construction paper, and trace!

Students used foam brushes to speed the painting process along (and save this busy teacher the task of cleaning up!)

The Finished Product

How beautiful are these finished windsocks? I love that the rainbow decor coordinates with St. Patrick’s Day and can last right through Spring!

If you’re dying for a comparison to last year’s topic, you can find read the original Rainbow Windsocks blog post. The photos are a little rough, but it’s a good source for a few additional tips and tricks.