Ring in Spring

Back-to-nature projects from FamilyFun

In This Article

Whirling Bird

Whirling Bird Is a bird in the hand really better than two in the bush? We like to think so. True, our bird can't sing a note, but as a tagalong playmate he more than makes up for his silence. Take him for a run, and his propeller goes all atwitter, his colorful body dancing through the air. The cost? You can make him for chicken feed.

MATERIALS

Thin cardboard
Craft knife
Markers
Plastic from milk jug (cut in a
1 1/2-by-8-inch strip)
Straight pin or thumbtack
Cork
1 yard of string
Dowel (about 3/8 inches in diameter and 18 inches in length)
2 colored rubber bands

1. Cut a bird shape from the cardboard and decorate with markers.

2. To form the propeller, fold the plastic strip in half (along the dotted centerline), then fold down each side diagonally to the right (along the slanted dotted lines). Pierce the center of the middle crease with a pin, then press the pin into one end of the cork so the propeller spins freely.

3. Cut a 1/2-inch-deep slit across the other end of the cork, and slide the tail end of the bird into the slit.

4. Punch a hole in the bird's beak and tie on the string. Tie the string's other end to the dowel, wrapping rubber bands around the dowel on each side of the knot to prevent it from sliding off.

TIP: Run into the wind at a moderate but steady speed to get the best twirling action.