Our home is situated on the slope of a hill and for some reason, by mid afternoon, the wind seems to hit us directly, making outside play with my toddler a bit tricky at this time of day. This of course is quite frustrating, especially since when we do attempt to go out into the end, one of us usually end ups with a nasty cold. One day my kid was on the fidgety side and I knew it was time for me to intervene and keep him busy indoors, so, I had a brainwave - our situation called for a fun indoor activity that could help my tot learn all about what wind is and how it works, age appropriately of course!
While I am awesome at coming up with ideas, I usually tend to ask Google for help on improvising them. I scoured the web and came across an activity where a lot of movement was involved (good to burn off some energy).
Teach Toddlers About Wind: Have A Windy Race
To do this activity you need to raid your cupboard for two very basic things:
- Paper plates
- Serviettes or tissue paper
Instructions:
Grab some tissue paper or tissues and let the little one/s help you tear them smaller pieces, about the size on an adult's hand (toddlers LOVE tearing and destroying things, well mine does anyway!). Then, get them all excited and tell them that you are going to have a "windy race".
Here's how it works:The aim of the game is to move the tissue paper to a finish line or designated point using wind, wind that you create by fanning your paper plate. Explain to the toddlers in very basic terms that by moving their fan they create wind, and that if they move the fan behind the tissue paper, the wind they are making will move (blow) the tissue paper along.
What is wind? An explanation for toddlers:
Wind is air in motion. It is produced by the uneven heating of the earth’s surface by the sun. Since the earth’s surface is made of various land and water formations, it absorbs the sun’s radiation unevenly. Two factors are necessary to specify wind: speed and direction. - http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-wind.htm
This activity can be followed by some quiet time, like a crafting exercise!
Make Your Very Own Windsock
A windsock is a utensil that is used to show the direction and strength of the wind. Making a windsock with your kids and then hanging them outside in the yard will further help youngsters wrap their heads around the concepts of wind.
For this simple craft activity you will need the following:
- A toilet roll/paper/an empty tin
- Ribbons, streamers or tissue paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- String
- Staple gun
- Paint (optional)
If you do not have a tin or toilet roll, then you can use paper to make a cylinder, securing it in place with glue. You can paint and decorate your cylinder just as you please, the more bright and cheerful it looks, the better! Glue long pieces of ribbon, streamers or strips of tissue paper on to one end of your cylinder. On the other end, staple a piece of string on to two opposite sides of the cylinder, so that it can be hung from a tree's branch.
Source Link: https://handsonaswegrow.com/windy-race-silly/
Kids are never to young to learn about science and the amazing ways of the world. There are so many age appropriate activities that you can do with them that will open their minds as well as set a foundation for further and future learning. My little guy enjoyed this little bit of fun and when the wind hits his face he blows back at, making his very own wind.
Much love - 
@sweetpea
@sweetpea(bringing you original content)