whirl·i·gig Noun(h)wərlē, gig 1. A toy that spins around, for example a top or windmill. 2. A thing regarded as hectic or constantly changing.
We made little pumpkin whirligigs for craft day this week {which we did yesterday because we haven’t been to the beach all week and the kids are dying to go today!} and they were a hit! 🙂
How to make your own pumpkin whirligig:
1. Make yourself a template and cut out 5 pumpkins from some sturdy paper you have on hand. I used patterned paper and for the kids we used construction paper – I think the heavier weight paper works better. Mine was more spinny. 😉
2. Using a template will help make sure all your pumpkins are the same size. It’s also important that your pumpkins are symmetrical. If you fold your paper in half, trace half your pumpkin template on the fold and then cut out, when you unfold it you should have symmetrical little pumpkins.
3. Once you have your 5 pumpkins cut out {you can do more than 5 if you want, totally up to you} grab yourself some string and a gluestick or two and you’re ready to put your whirligig together.
4. If you made your pumpkins using the method described above {cutting them on the fold} your pumpkins should be folded in half already. If not, go ahead and fold them all in half. Start by glueing half of one pumpkin to half of the next pumpkin.
5. Continue attaching one half of each pumpkin to the next. Before attaching your final pumpkin, place a length of string in the center. This is how you’ll hang your whirligig when you’re finished. Now glue that last pumpkin to the first one. Make sure all the surfaces are attached really well and that the string is glued securely in the center and you’re done.
Hang your cute pumpkin whirligigs up somewhere where you can enjoy watching them spin!
I didn’t get any images of the kids finished pumpkins, but they drew jack ‘o lantern faces on theirs and they loved that part! Like I mentioned, the thicker weight paper worked better than the construction paper we used for theirs. Theirs just flapped wildly in the wind and I couln’t get a good shot of them.
Have a great weekend everyone!
See you back here for Simple Things Sunday!
PS. Don’t forget to enter the darling Coco Prints giveaway going on right now!
PSS. I’m looking for guest posters to share some friday craft day fun with us!
If you’re interested, shoot me an email with the subject “friday craft day” and include a link to one of your past projects along with a brief introduction and you could be featured on Simple as That!
🙂
I’m linking up with these fabulous blogs:
skip to my lou, tip junkie, todays creative blog, funky polkadot giraffe, sugar bee crafts, night owl crafting, reasons to skip the housework, design dazzle, sugar and dots, the trendy treehouse, ginger snap crafts, someday crafts, paisley passions,
Bonnie says
These are just too cute!! Plus your photos are amazing! Love your blog! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Phyllis says
I love this. We are definately going to make some, and I am going to pin it. Thanks.
Jamie says
What a cute idea- and something different.
Julie says
What a cute project!!! I’m loving all the fall posts that I’m seeing today. This post though is something different & ADORABLE!! Best of all, kids can make them too! Good job!!!!! So glad you shared this one 🙂
Barb says
That is such a simple but fun craft! I may have to try this myself!
Becca says
Great project! It gets me in the mood for fall. I host a linky party every Friday, called Home and Family Friday. I’d love it if you’d link up and come join us!
Becca
becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com
kiki comin says
perfect. my kids are going to love it.:)
Kim says
so cute! Looks like your kiddies are having fun too 🙂
April says
Darling pumpkins! You are having lots of fun with your kids! That’s great.
TidyMom says
So simple and cute Rebecca!!
Thanks for linking up! I featured your post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2011/fall-crafts-and-recipes/
Have a great weekend!
Lolly Jane says
We also featured this absolutely darlin project… going live this weekend 🙂
Happy Friday Rebecca!
XO
Kim @ Too Much Time says
So sweet- Awesome. I featured it today. Come grab check it out and grab a button!
Kim
http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/2011/09/good-morning-sunshine_26.html
Amanda says
Just stopping by to let you know that I have featured your project on Fun Family Crafts today! You can see it here
http://funfamilycrafts.com/pumpkin-whirligig/
If you have other kid friendly crafts, I’d love it if you would submit them 🙂 If you would like to display a featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above.
Sarah says
this is simply beautiful