We made this craft with kids after reading J. Samia Mair’s, The Perfect Gift. We found this activity to be fun for kids ages six and up.

HERSHEY’S Pinwheel

Materials:

• sharpened pencil
• scissors
• white construction paper
• paper fastener
• plastic drinking straw
• crayons
• colored pencils or markers

Instructions:

1. Cllick here to Print the Pinwheel Pattern. Teachers can reproduce this pattern on white construction paper with a copy machine. Be sure to cut the construction paper to 81/2 in. by 11 in. If you are working at home, print the pinwheel pattern. Cut the solid lines. Lay it on top of the construction paper lightly paste the corners down.

2. Cut-out the pinwheel on the solid lines only.

3. Decorate both sides of the construction paper pinwheel.

4. Cut the dotted lines from the four corners to the center circle. Try not to cut into the center circle.

5. Use the sharpened pencil to poke a hole through the four tiny dark circles. The pencil point also works well to poke a hole into the straw. Carefully push the pencil point through the straw about 1/2 inch from the top.

6. Make the tiny holes on the four points meet at the center circle.

7. Push the ends of the paper fastener through the holes on the pinwheel. then push the fastener through the center circle.

8. Place the straw on the back side of your pinwheel and push the ends of the fastener through the hole in the straw. Open-up the fastener by flattening the ends in opposite directions.

Now you are ready to try-out your beautiful pinwheel. All you will need is a little bit of wind to make your pinwheel spin round and round. Have fun!

Hint: If using pinwheels as a centerpiece for a fun summer party, glue a brightly colored wrapped Hershey Kiss or mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in the center of the pinwheel.  Then fill bright colored beach pails with candy to help the pinwheels stand.

* We found this neat craft idea using the following two websites

http://www.hersheys.com/kisses/crafts/?ICID=KISS1005

http://www.janbrett.com/piggybacks/piggybacks_the_hat_pinact.htm