Welcome to a Series of experiments using basic items around the house that help you measure the weather outside your own front door!
Each experiment also includes a quick trick for measuring that part of the atmosphere! Tag me on social media photos and data as you track the weather outside your own front door!
HOW TO MAKE A WIND SOCK
What you need:
- Plastic Bottle
- Whole puncher
- String
- Plastic bag
- Ribbons or streamers
What to do:
- Cut a 2” ring from a plastic bottle. Find a plastic water bottle or soda bottle. Cut the bottle in half using a pair of scissors or craft blade.
- Punch 2 holes into the plastic ring. Use a hole puncher or an awl to make the holes. Make sure that the holes are across from each other, or the windsock won’t hang evenly.
- Cut String and tie it on for the handle.
- Cut approximately 1” wide strips from a plastic bag. Spread a plastic bag out flat on the table. Use a marker and a ruler to draw 1 inch wide stripes across the bag from top-to-bottom. Cut along these lines with a pair of scissors. Make sure that you cut through both layers of plastic.
- How many strips you cut depends on how many strips you want your windsock to have. Plan on having about 7 strips. Use different colors of plastic bags to make a rainbow windsock. Or try party streamers, ribbon, even cellophane!
- Hang the windsock from a hook. You can hang it anywhere you want, but outside on a windy day would be the best. If there is no wind, test it by using a fan instead. Because it’s made from plastic, you don’t have to worry about it getting wet or damp!
Which direction is the wind coming from and what does that say about the weather headed your way? Wind from the north brings colder air and wind from the south brings warmer air. Is their water nearby and is the air over that water influencing the air blowing toward you?! Is the wind fast or slow— and how does the wind feel to you?
Windsock History: Even though the Japanese first designed windsocks for celebrations… As early as the year 150 A.D Romans began to use windsocks – to measure wind by making them on military banners.
Wind Quick Trick Tip: Look around! You can always use a nearby flag or even the leaves on the trees to get a general idea of the way the wind blows!
