Patriotic Wind Catcher

by Lori Greco

4 Materials

$3.00

30 Minutes

Easy

These patriotic wind catchers are a fun and easy craft that can be used as party decorations. It’s also a great summer project to do with the kids. These flag wind catchers look so fun when they’re blowing in the wind. And they would be perfect for July 4th celebrations.

Here are the materials you’ll need:

• cardboard toilet paper roll

• blue paper

• about 3 yards of each: red and white ribbon (I used 3/4″ wide ribbon)

• white or silver star stickers

• scissors

• glue or spray mount

• 1/8″ hole punch

• clear fishing line or ribbon for hanging

Cut the blue paper so that it wraps around the cardboard roll and glue it to the cardboard.

Cut 6 strips of each color of ribbon - red and white - to 18″ long. Set aside.

Using your hole punch, make 12 holes around the bottom edge of the roll trying to space them as evenly as you can.

Tie the ribbons through the holes, threading them through from the outside. Tie a knot in the end of the ribbons on the inside of the roll and let them hang down.

Continue to tie the ribbons, alternating red and white.

When done, attach the star stickers to the blue paper. I got these stickers at Staples in the teachers section – they have a silver shine to them and I think that makes them even better than plain white. My daughter put the stickers on and without realizing it she put 50 on – she thought it was so cool that this amount of stars was the same as on a real flag!

Punch two small holes opposite each other at the top of the wind catcher. Thread fishing line or ribbon through it for hanging and tie.

Hang in an area where they can blow nicely in the wind. I love grouping a few of them together – so fun! We put ours on a plant hook but they could work hanging on a fence post or tree branches.

Enjoyed the project?

You can do it! Saved to your projects

Toilet paper rolls (recycled)
Construction paper (Staples)
Red and white ribbon (Joann Fabrics)
Silver star stickers (Staples)

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1 question

Patti on Jun 15, 2017

I think this is a great idea. But what happens when it rains?

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3 of 44 comments

Dale on Dec 31, 2021

i'm going to try this idea, maybe using blue plastic cups so that the rain would not be an issue

4 Reply
- Tex62323687 on Apr 28, 2022
  
  Yes what a good idea.cause it would take me forever to get 20 or so toilet rolls I recycle ha hahaha
  
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Leslie on Jun 11, 2022

This is a fun project for kids but also for adults and the suggestion to use PVC pipe or similar is great. Not sure if tin cans will rust, but that might be interesting too. I think an odd number of these would make a great holiday door hanging with a couple of small crossed flags, a bow, and maybe Old Glory and a state flag if a small one can be found. OR, make one.
Just an aside to all those people that come down hard on what appears to be "stupid" questions but are not and just asked for clarification. This form of communication is not easy for transmitting emotions and that is why I would think, emoticons like a smily are used. The post may or may not be a joke and the benefit of the doubt is always a good path to take unless the comment is obviously derogatory. I was always taught that there were no stupid questions, just ones that may be important not asked. I do think a lot of the people on this site are veteran crafters and artists but there are also a whole lot of new people that are newly dipping their toes into the waters. Please be less mean and more understanding. Becoming a Maker can be daunting and helping someone out is always a good thing. On the other hand with mean comments you could be discouraging someone with beautiful talents that are hidden.

5 Reply