2 Simple Ways to Make a DIY Wind Vane

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Plus, learn what causes the wind to blow in certain directions
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Wind vanes are simple weather tools that help you determine the direction the wind is blowing. You can see them on the tops of buildings, where the wind isn't affected by the many objects close to the ground. In this article, we’ll show you 2 easy ways to make your own wind vane for science projects, weather experiments, or just for fun! We’ll also explore what makes the wind blow and some more fun facts about wind vanes . Keep scrolling to learn more!

Making an Easy Wind Vane: Overview

  1. Cut a small triangle and square out of a piece of thick paper.
  2. Make a small slit in each end of a straw.
  3. Slide the triangle and square into the slits to create a wind vane arrow.
  4. Push a pin through the center of the straw and into the eraser of a pencil.
  5. Push the writing end of the pencil into a large ball of soft clay.
  6. Mark the 4 cardinal directions on a paper plate.
  7. Press the clay into the center of the plate to complete the weather vane.
Section 1 of 4:

Making a Simple Paper Wind Vane

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    These shapes will make the point (triangle) and back (square) of your wind vane arrow. Use a ruler as a straightedge and outline an isosceles triangle about 4 cm (1.6 in) tall and 5 cm (2.0 in) wide at the base. Then, outline a square about 7 cm (2.8 in) long on each side (it’s OK if your measurements aren’t exact).
    • Use sturdy paper like a manila folder, index cards, poster board, cardstock paper, or an old cereal box.
    • Use colorful paper or decorate your cutouts to give your wind vane a little bit of flair!
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    Hold your scissors parallel to the straw. Then cut an even slit through each side so that your arrow pieces will slide onto the ends of the straw. [1] Although they don’t need to be exact, your slits should be about 1 centimetre (0.39 in) long and directly opposite each other so you can stick the paper in them.
    • The slit should go through both of the side walls on each end of the straw.
    • If you have a drinking straw that bends, cut off the bendy part. Then, cut slits in the remaining straight section.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    Put the triangle on one end of the straw with the point facing out. Then, slide the square onto the other end. When you’re finished, your straw will look like an arrow! [2]
    • If the triangle and square won’t stay in place, put a dab of glue onto the paper before you slide it into the straw. Hold the paper in place for about 1-2 minutes to let the glue dry.
    • Or, you can tape the triangle and square in place for a quick fix.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    Find the center of the straw, then push the point of a straight pin through it. Keep pushing until the pin exits the bottom of the straw. Then, push the point of the pin into the center of your pencil’s eraser. [3]
    • Be careful when handling the stick pin because it could poke you. If you're having trouble getting the pin to go into the eraser, ask an adult to help you.
    • Make sure the straw doesn't touch the eraser. The straw needs to spin freely in order for your wind vane to work.
    • If the straw won't spin when you blow on the paper square or if it falls over, remove the pin and reposition it. Try sticking the pin closer to the center of the straw.
    • If this doesn’t help, trim the paper on the side of the arrow that’s falling over. For instance, you might make the square smaller.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    The clay makes a quick and easy base for your wind vane. Roll the piece of clay into a ball, then press the point of your pencil into the clay. The clay will act as a weight to keep your wind vane in place. [4]
    • If your pencil keeps falling over, make your clay ball bigger to support it.
  6. Write North (N) at the top of the plate. Then, go clockwise (to the right) and write East (E) on the right side, South (S) on the bottom, and West (W) on the left side. [5] If you’d like, add Northeast (NE) halfway between North and East, Southeast (SE) halfway between East and South, Southwest (SW) halfway between South and West, and Northwest (NW) halfway between North and West.
    • Use abbreviations to mark the directions so that they’re easier to fit on the plate.
    • Tip: To place the cardinal directions exactly, draw 2 perpendicular lines to make a plus sign shape on your plate. The endpoints of each line are your primary directions!
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    Press the bottom of the clay ball onto the center of the plate. Then, use your fingers to push down the edges of the clay to root it in place. This will keep your wind vane in the center of your plate while you use it to measure the direction of the wind.
    • If you like, you can add more clay around the base of the ball to help keep it in place.

    Variation: As another alternative, put the pencil through a foam cup to keep it in place. Turn the cup upside down, then poke the straw through the bottom of it. For added support, fill the cup halfway with rocks or sand, put a lid over it, then use masking tape to secure the lid.

  8. Use a compass or compass app to find the direction of North, then point the North side of your weather vane in the same direction. Next, watch for your wind vane to start spinning. It will point in the direction the wind is coming from.
    • Remember, if you move the container, you'll need to use a compass again so you can line the North side of the wind vane in the right direction.
    • Where’s the best place to put a wind vane? Stand in an open area away from walls and large objects that could block or scatter the wind. [6] For the best results, try to put the vane up as high as you can! For example, a balcony will give you more accurate results than the ground (just make sure to have an adult with you if you’re adventuring up to high places).
    • How to read a wind vane: The point of your arrow (the triangle) will point in the direction the wind is blowing from . Say you see the arrow pointing straight East—that means the wind is blowing from the East to the West. [7]
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Section 2 of 4:

Constructing a Weighted Wind Vane

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    Do your best to make the arrow as even as possible, but don’t worry about making it perfect. Make 1 side of the arrow a triangle point and the other side a square. Draw the square bigger than the triangle. Then, cut the arrow out. [8]
    • Use colorful or painted cardboard if you want to decorate your wind vane.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    Put a coffee or soup can down on top of your cardboard, then use a pencil to trace around the rim. Next, cut along the outside of the line of the circle so that the cardboard piece is slightly larger than the rim of the can. [9]
    • Any medium, large, or extra large can will work for this project. A coffee or soup can will be easiest to use because they're big and open at the top.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    Use your scissors to carefully poke a pencil-sized hole in the center of your cardboard circle. It’s okay if the hole is a little smaller than the pencil (it will widen when you push the pencil through it). [10]
    • Ask an adult to help you make the hole if you’re having trouble.

    Variation: If you want your wind vane to be personalized or artsy, paint or decorate your circle. Use craft paint or markers to add color, or glue a piece of colored or printed paper to the circle.

  4. Start with North (N) at the top of the circle. Moving clockwise, write East (E) on the right side of the circle, South (S) at the bottom of the circle, and West (W) on the left of the circle. [11] Then, go back and write Northeast (NE) exactly halfway between North and East, Southeast (SE) halfway between East and South, Southwest (SW) halfway between South and West, and Northwest (NW) halfway between North and West.
    • To make things easier, abbreviate the directions by using their initials.
    • Tip: To place the cardinal directions exactly, draw 2 perpendicular lines to make a big plus sign on your plate. The ends of each line are your 4 primary directions.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    Insert the end of the eraser through the hole in the cardboard, then push the pencil down through the hole. Go slowly so that the hole in the cardboard doesn’t widen too much. [12]
    • Push the pencil through from the top of the circle (where your direction markings are) so that the unsharpened end is sticking up.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    Use your hands to mold the clay into a ball. Next, press the eraser into the clay ball. Mold the clay around the eraser so it stays in place. [13]
    • The clay will act like a weight that holds the pencil upright while you’re using your wind vane.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    Add enough sand or gravel to fill up about half of the can. This will make the can sturdy so it stays in place while you use the wind vane. [14]
    • You can use any heavy items to weigh down the can. For instance, marble or coins would also work.

    Tip: If you want your wind vane to look nice, paint or decorate your can before you put the sand or gravel into it.

  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    Hold the top part of your pencil, near the unsharpened end. Then, lower the clay ball end into the can until it reaches the sand or gravel. Next, use your free hand to slowly lower the cardboard circle until it rests on the rim of the can. [15]
    • If you want, you can push the clay ball down into the sand or gravel to make it extra sturdy. Or, place the clay on the very bottom of the can and add sand on top of it to stabilize the pencil.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Wind Vane
    Lay the pen cap vertically over the center of the arrow. Then, apply 3-4 strips of masking tape over the pen cap to hold it in place. Finally, set the pen cap over the top of the unsharpened pencil to complete your wind vane. The arrow should be able to spin horizontally. [16]
    • Make sure the pen cap feels secure on the arrow, but loose enough to spin freely.
    • Don’t put any tape or glue on the pen cap when you put it onto your pencil, or your vane may not spin very easily.
  10. Use a compass or compass app to find the direction of North. Then, adjust your wind vane so that the North end is facing the right direction. Next, watch the wind vane to see which direction the wind is blowing. The arrow will point in the direction the wind is blowing from. [17]
    • If you move around while using your wind vane, don't forget to use your compass to make sure your wind vane is positioned correctly.
    • Why does the wind vane point to where the wind comes from ? The force of the wind acting on the back square of the arrow is greater than the force on the front (the triangle) since the square has a larger surface area. This forces the tip of the arrow to point into the wind. [18]
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Section 3 of 4:

What causes wind?

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  1. Differences in atmospheric pressure cause wind to blow. Most of the time, wind blows from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas. These areas are caused by uneven heating across the Earth from the sun. At the Equator, the sun warms the land and water more than other areas, causing warm air to rise and migrate toward the poles ( a low-pressure system). At the same time, cold and dense air from the poles toward the equator replaces the heated air (a high-pressure system). [19]
    • The boundary between these two pressure areas is called a front. When fronts collide, they create complex weather patterns that produce wind!
    • On Earth, most prevailing winds (winds that blow from one direction) move East-West rather than North-South. This is because of the Coriolis effect—the Earth’s rotation causes wind systems to twist counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Section 4 of 4:

Fun Facts About Wind Vanes

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  1. A wind vane is a tool for measuring wind direction. Most wind vanes have 2 parts: a pointer (usually an arrow) that points toward the direction the wind is coming from, and a tail that points in the direction the wind is blowing. Wind vanes (also called weathervanes or weathercocks) are some of the oldest weather tools ever used. Some of the first known wind vanes were fabric banners attached to medieval towers to show the direction of the wind (similar to a wind sock). [20]
    • In fact, the word “vane” comes from the Old English word for “flag” because they were originally made of fabric.
    • Knowing the direction of the wind was important for farmers, fishermen, armies, and sailors to carry out their work (and it still is!).
    • Some evidence suggests the ancient Mesopotamians may have been using wind vanes about 4,000 years ago, but this is still up for debate. [21]
    • Confirmed sources also tell us that the ancient Chinese and Greeks were definitely using wind vanes by around 2,000 years ago. One famous example is a large wind vane shaped like Triton, the Greek god of the sea, that sat on top of the Tower of the Winds in Athens in 48 BCE. [22]
    EXPERT TIP

    Nitzan Levy

    Sailing Instructor
    Captain Nitzan Levy is a Sailor, Social Entrepreneur, and the Founder of Sailors NYC, a recreational sailors’ club based in Jersey City, New Jersey that specializes in cruising boats and a variety of community programs. Capt. Levy has over 20 years of sailing experience and has sailed in many places around the world including: the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, The Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean. Capt. Levy is a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Master of vessels up to 50 Tons with Auxiliary Sail and Assistance Towing Endorsements. Capt. Levy is also a NauticEd Level V Captain Rank Chief Instructor, an American National Standards Assessor, an SLC instructor, an ASA (American Sailing Association) Certified Instructor Bareboat Chartering, and an Israeli licensed skipper on Boats for International Voyages.
    Nitzan Levy
    Sailing Instructor

    On boats, we mainly use what we call the Windex. The Windex is an arrow on the top of the mast, and it flips around to show you where the wind is coming from. So based on that, you can trim your sails accordingly.

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  • Question
    What does a wind vane measure?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Wind vanes measure the direction that the wind comes from (e.g., if the wind is blowing from the north, the pointer will point north, into the wind). You need a different kind of tool, called an anemometer, to measure wind speed.
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    How does a wind vane work?
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    Wind vanes work by catching the wind and spinning around, so that the arrow points to the direction that the wind is blowing. The wider end of the arrow acts a bit like a sail, since the wind pushes it and forces the vane to rotate.
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    What kind of materials do you need to make a wind vane?
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    Traditionally, wind vanes are made of metal. However, you can make a simple wind vane with materials such as a pencil or stick, drinking straw, and cardboard.
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      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Make sure you're using rocks or something heavy enough to weigh down the cup. I tried to fill the cup with lima beans and it blew away.
      • If it points to the east, the wind is blowing east to west.
      • If you don't have a pencil, you can use a stick.
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      Things You'll Need

      Simple Paper Wind Vane

      • Sturdy paper (index cards, manila folder, poster board)
      • Pencil (for drawing)
      • Scissors
      • A drinking straw
      • Paper plate
      • Clay
      • Pencil with an eraser (for wind vane)
      • A pin
      • Glue
      • Permanent marker
      • Compass

      Weighted Wind Vane

      • Cardboard
      • Pencil (for drawing)
      • Scissors
      • Unsharpened pencil (for wind vane)
      • Clay
      • Empty coffee can or soup can
      • Sand or gravel
      • Permanent marker
      • Compass
      • Masking tape
      • Pen cap

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.sciencing.com/simple-weather-vane-cub-scouts-4793040/
      2. ↑ https://www.sciencing.com/simple-weather-vane-cub-scouts-4793040/
      3. ↑ https://www.sciencing.com/simple-weather-vane-cub-scouts-4793040/
      4. ↑ https://www.sciencing.com/simple-weather-vane-cub-scouts-4793040/
      5. ↑ https://www.sciencing.com/simple-weather-vane-cub-scouts-4793040/
      6. ↑ https://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/gather_data/windvane.htm
      7. ↑ https://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/gather_data/windvane.htm
      8. ↑ https://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/gather_data/windvane.htm
      9. ↑ https://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/gather_data/windvane.htm
      1. ↑ https://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/gather_data/windvane.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.sciencing.com/simple-weather-vane-cub-scouts-4793040/
      3. ↑ https://www.sciencing.com/simple-weather-vane-cub-scouts-4793040/
      4. ↑ https://www.sciencing.com/simple-weather-vane-cub-scouts-4793040/
      5. ↑ https://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/gather_data/windvane.htm
      6. ↑ https://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/gather_data/windvane.htm
      7. ↑ https://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/gather_data/windvane.htm
      8. ↑ https://www.sciencing.com/simple-weather-vane-cub-scouts-4793040/
      9. ↑ https://www.sciencing.com/simple-weather-vane-cub-scouts-4793040/
      10. ↑ https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/wind/
      11. ↑ https://www.athensswcd.org/uploads/3/0/1/0/30105193/the_science_behind_weather_vanes.pdf
      12. ↑ https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/64/10/1520-0477_1983_064_1141_wviama_2_0_co_2.pdf
      13. ↑ https://www.sciencing.com/differences-between-wind-vane-anemometer-4801/
      14. ↑ https://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/gather_data/windvane.htm

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make your own wind vane out of paper, start by cutting a triangle and a square out of a piece of thick paper. Make the square slightly bigger than the triangle. Then, cut a short slit into both ends of a drinking straw, and stick the triangle and square into the slits on opposite ends. Next, push a pin through the center of the straw and into the eraser on a pencil. Finally, poke the tip of the pencil into an upside-down foam cup to hold it in place, and write the 4 primary directions on the sides. When you take your wind vane outside, you'll know which direction the wind is blowing by looking at the direction the triangle is pointing in. To learn how to make a wind vane using cardboard and clay, scroll down!

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