Category: Wind

Candle in the Wind

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Candle Wind (3)

Now that we’ve the got the wind in our sails (haha), we’re having lots of fun finding out about other properties of wind. Will wind be able to travel around an obstacle in its way? This experiment is an easy illustration of the fact. Parents be aware: You will need a candle with a flame for the experiment to work. Supervise very closely, and only do so if you know your children won’t touch the flame.

Candle Wind (1)

To start, light a small sturdy candle, and place behind an object with square corners – a vase worked well for this step.

Candle Wind (2)

Travis huffed and puffed, but the wind couldn’t reach the candle this way. Onto the next attempt!

Place an object with round sides between your child and the candle, such as a water glass.

Candle Wind (5)

The wind will make it around the sides and poof – out goes the candle.

Candle Wind (4)

Looking for more windy fun? Check out our recent experiment with hot air spinners.

 

Plastic Bag Kite

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Plastic Bag Kite (2)

We are thankful that so far the only impact from Tropical Storm Hermine has been an increase in wind speed… Was surprised when we woke up to a lovely blue-sky day, even though the winds are starting to whirl. To get us outside before clouds or rain roll in, I decided it was the perfect day for a kite!

All you need for this fantastic craft is a plastic bag, scotch tape, plastic straws, and floss. I won’t walk you through it step-by-step, as I simply copied this easy-to-follow how-to video. The assembly of the kite is for adults, but your toddler will love watching, and the materials involved (straws, floss, tape) are sure to delight.

Plastic Bag Kite (1)

Kite in hand, Travis and I headed out to the courtyard, where the gusty breezes easily lifted the kite.

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The wind was still gentle enough that Travis could take a turn holding the string!

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Oh no, kite down!

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Hard to take pictures while flying one-handed, but I managed a few good shots:

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I never would have guessed a plastic bag could turn into something so whimsical.

Wind-Themed Day!

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Wind theme (6)

We had one of our “theme” days today, basing several games and other activities on the concept of the wind.

As a fun craft to start, we made a homemade windsock. The craft couldn’t be simpler: Have your toddler apply a thick layer of glue around the inside rim of an empty paper towel tube.

Wind theme (1)

Attach long streamers to the glue, and let dry. Once the streamers are set, take the wind sock outside to see how it flutters and catches the wind.

Wind theme (3)

While Travis held the windsock, I also showed him how today’s strong gusts made our pinwheel whip around, without us having to blow like we do indoors. A magical moment of the day.

Wind theme (5)

For some silly gross motor play, you can take turns pretending to be the wind. One person huffs and puffs as the other turns in a big circle!

We continued the fun at bedtime with two storybooks about wind (Like a Windy Day; The Wind Blew), and then enjoyed our latest evening ritual – “blowing” off all the lights on a count of 1-2-3 before bed, and giving his nightlight a gentle blow to illuminate it.

The perfect lullaby to cap things off? Rock-a-Bye-Baby of course!

Wind Sock maybe.JPG