![[Childcare] Fun Wind Play: Kite Flying, Pinwheels, and Hand Fans](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/2J4pC243QW0/maxresdefault.webp)
[Childcare] Fun Wind Play: Kite Flying, Pinwheels, and Hand Fans
We’ve gathered a collection of wind-themed activities perfect for childcare settings that you can enjoy while feeling the breeze.
In addition to classics like kite flying, pinwheels, and the traditional children’s song “Ue kara Shita kara,” there are wind-inspired art projects and games that create wind with a handheld fan.
From 0-year-old babies experiencing wind for the first time to older children in the preschool classes, everyone can have fun.
Activities that use wind might seem a bit tricky, but they’re easy to try and really engaging—so give them a go and copy these ideas!
As you play, you might even come up with your own original games.
[Childcare] Fun Wind Play: Kites, Pinwheels, and Fans (1–10)
Flitting along so fluffy♪ Parachute
A fluffy parachute that rides the wind and drifts down.
It’s a wind-play activity that excites not only kids but adults too.
First, cut a plastic bag into a 20 cm by 20 cm square.
Tie kite string to each of the four corners, then gather and tie the four string ends together.
Put that into a toilet paper tube and secure it with tape, and your parachute is ready.
Next, make a launcher using newspaper, a chopstick, and a rubber band.
Whether indoors or outdoors, take your time observing how it gently floats as it catches the airflow.
Wind and Paint
On a windy day, how about hanging a large, pure white sheet of paper or fabric outside with a string? Prepare paints and pens, and let the children draw whatever pictures or colors they like.
They can watch and touch the paper or fabric flapping in the wind, or even jump at it.
It’s also nice to watch the wind blow as the paint dries.
With just a blank sheet or piece of fabric and the wind, children can enjoy themselves freely to their hearts’ content.
Watching them, you might make some new discoveries yourself.
Scarf Dance: “The Wind Is Calling”
Scarf Dance “The Wind Is Calling,” where you dance while fluttering a scarf in your hand as you catch the breeze.
Swing your arms forward and back, twist your body, raise your hands and spin around—using your whole body in big movements to enjoy dancing while feeling the wind.
As the scarf flutters, your movements look even larger, so it’s great to include as a performance for a school play or sports day! Enjoy how the scarf’s motion changes with the way the wind blows, and dance with your arms and legs stretched wide.
from top and bottom
The children’s song “Ue kara Shita kara” is a wind-play activity that delights kids now as much as it did in the past.
Prepare the largest piece of cloth you can, and sing while shaking it broadly.
If you have a big cloth, two adults can each hold a corner and do it over a group of children for an even more dynamic experience.
Of course, using a small cloth with stuffed animals is fine too.
With each shake, the children become fascinated by the soft, airy movement they can feel.
Watching those expressions has a way of making adults feel gentle and calm as well.
Chimney Balloon-Flying Game
Soft, floating balloons don’t hurt even if they bump into you, making them a perfect toy for little kids.
Here, we’ll introduce a game where you use a fan to send balloons flying.
First, tie a string to a plant stand you can buy at a 100-yen shop, wrap an A3-size PP sheet around it, and stand it upright to make a tube.
Stuff balloons into the tube, and your setup is ready.
At the count of “Ready, set, go!”, everyone fans upward from below to launch the balloons and play.
Try turning it into a game by asking, “Who can get the most balloons out?” and have fun!
Spinning octopus
How about making a “Whirly Kite” that’s easy to put together and spins in a curious way? You’ll need colored pens and kite string, colored construction paper, scissors, a hole punch, and so on.
First, draw lines to divide the paper into three equal horizontal strips and cut along the lines.
Don’t cut off the ends—leave them connected to make one long, narrow strip.
Punch holes at both ends and thread the string through.
Then draw whatever pictures you like and create your own cute, original kite.
When it catches the wind and lifts, the kite spins around in a fun way that will keep kids entertained without getting bored.
Wind play you can do at home
These are wind-play toys recommended for little children who love fluttery or gently swaying things.
First is a simple one: a bag with strands of raffia ribbon (suzuran tape) attached.
It’s very basic, but little kids are fascinated by the colorful ribbons fluttering around.
They’ll enjoy it in their own way—running while holding it or chasing after it.
The other is balloon play.
Just tie a length of kite string to the knotted part of a balloon and use it like a kite, but if you add a face to the balloon, the kids’ reactions change completely.
Be sure to head outside the playground and run around while feeling the wind.
Simple wind play
As an easy way to play with the wind, how about trying different kinds of tapes and strings? First, paper tape: bunches of colorful tape fluttering in the wind will spark children’s curiosity about the wind.
Second, vinyl (suzuran) tape: kids can also enjoy the process of splitting it to make fringes.
Third, a simple kite: just tie a string to the handle of a plastic bag and it’s done.
All of these are great for running with in the playground, and on bad-weather days you can use a fan to play indoors.
It’s nice that they’re all compact tools.
wind turbine
A wind-powered car that even kids who love crafts will be thrilled with—it runs when it catches the breeze.
Materials: an empty can, two paper plates, paper, tape, scissors, a ruler, and a pen.
First, tape the can to the back of a paper plate.
Encourage them with tips like, “If you stick it in the center, it will spin smoothly.” Attach the other plate the same way to make the wheels.
The size of the blades that catch the wind will vary depending on the size of the can and plates.
Make five blades and tape each one on firmly, and it’s done.
It’s also a great prompt to think about airflow—ask, “From which direction does the wind make it run best?”
[0-Year-Olds] What Is Wind? Mysterious and Fun Wind Play!
![[0-Year-Olds] What Is Wind? Mysterious and Fun Wind Play!](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fkqedEYiThw/sddefault.jpg)
This is an easy wind-themed activity recommended even for infants.
All you need is a piece of cardboard with thin strips of vinyl tape attached and a large fan.
When you flap the fan, the colorful vinyl strips flutter in the air, capturing the children’s interest.
It may seem ordinary to adults, but to children it’s something mysterious and fresh—“What is that?” Try commenting, “It’s swaying in the wind—so pretty,” or “It feels cool when the wind blows.” If possible, connect it to experiences outside the classroom too by saying things like, “You can feel the wind blowing, can’t you?”