Q&A for How to Make a Wind Vane

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.

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.

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.

Make the the top lighter and the bottom heavier. This will allow it to move more easily.

Most weather-vanes are made out of stamped sheet metal -- not something easily done by people without expensive machinery. Make the arrow lighter, and give it more surface area for the wind to grab onto. Add bearings to help it turn more easily.

The wind vane will show you the direction of the wind. It will show north, east, south, west, and the directions in between.

Yes, using a water bottle with water of course, glitters and joy, and if you shake it in a rotating way a tornado happens in the bottle.

Follow the instructions listed in the article above.

Use markers or glitter glue.

You could use a piece a wood instead.

Yes, you can. The vane will work as long as the chopstick is lighter than the pencil or rod you use, as well as whatever base you have.

It says in the article to use a cardboard box.or anything else that's a little sturdy. Wood could be another option.

Yes. It is just much harder to push the pin through the skewer than it would be a straw.

You could use a rod you can poke a pin through. It doesn't really matter if you use a straw or not. You could even take a cardboard cutout of an arrow.

You can use whatever adhesive you have. Here, the pin is used to hold the straw to the stand. You could also use tape or glue.

Since the pencil is tightly fitted with the rubber and straw, it can move freely. It will move with ease.

Yes, it will work. In this case, the size of the straw doesn't matter, unless it is really small or too small to experience the wind.

For the arrow and the compass. Is that what you were going to use it for? If you are worried about your cardboard getting wet, then this would be water resistant.

Yes. It doesn't really matter for that, as long it is strong. You could also use foam.

Air temperature is measured with thermometers. If the sun shines on the thermometer, it heats the liquid. Then the reading is higher than the true air temperature. Also, when you take the thermometer outside, give it enough time to adjust to the outdoor air temperature.

A paper cup can also be used, or any other light object that would trap the wind passing.