Wind Chimes Tutorial (Sunday School Craft)

Over the next two weeks, I will be teaching a Sunday School rotation on Acts 2. We've had the kids all in one class this month. We've taught two lessons in this rotation already. The first was Drama. I was on vacation, Linda taught and did a great job! (I know because one of our 1st graders could tell me the main part of the story the next week!)

This past Sunday was a special day at our church. We officially merged with a larger church. I taught a mini class on our story in Acts 2, focusing on sharing the Good News while the moms and dads were fellowshipping and getting to know each other. The "big" project was to make balloon kites (helium-filled balloons with scriptures and an invitation to our church on the "tails"). After we made them, we let them go outside. I hope they land near enough to the building so people who find them will come visit. 

If you are interested in my lesson plans for a rotation-style curriculum, click here to go to the Sunday School page on my website. 

If you are interested in learning more about rotation-style Sunday School, go to www.rotation.org.

We have a craft project to do this month that will take a bit of work each of the next two weeks, so we are once again combining all ages for these two weeks. We will do part one of the craft then go to a new room for the Science rotation where we will discuss the wind in our story and experiment with Bernoulli's principle and air pressure.

Our craft is to make wind chimes, so when we hear them (in Oklahoma, that will be OFTEN!), we will be reminded to tell others the Good News of Jesus.

These take some prep work on behalf of the teacher/parent/children's minister/adult-type person. But its a great project to do with kids. My kids, who have seen me preparing the various parts and making the "sample" set cannot wait. In fact, my 12 year old wants to make her own set even though she is in youth group. (Mommy points!) I looked at lots of wind chimes on Pinterest (LOVE!) but ended up making my own design.

Here is how I made the example pictured above:

Materials List:

* String or heavy fishing line. (Fishing line is easier for young kids to use when stringing beads.)

   + 1 long piece  - the length of both cans plus 13 inches.
   + Short pieces - the length of the smaller can plus 3-4 inches.
     The number of short pieces is the number of holes you made around the can. I have 8.

* Beads (we are using pony beads)

* Hammer & large nail or awl or ice pick - Or can opener (see Advanced Preparation)

* Clean cans from soup, etc. Two different sizes per child. Smaller can should fit inside larger can.

* Paint

* Paint smocks

* Paint brushes

* Newspaper or something to protect tables (This would be a great outdoor project!)

Advance Preparation:
1. Make holes in cans. You can use a hammer and a nail. I used a seam ripper instead of a nail for some, but I quickly broke it. (boo!) I also used a can opener for some. An awl or ice pick would probably work well, too.

2. Paint both cans as desired. If you want this to hang outside, use paint that will be weather proof. You can also skip the painting or use Sharpies, paint markers, etc.

The kids loved painting the cans. I was surprised by how long it took.

When dry: (We are doing this next week.)

4. Make and attach the beaded fringe to the larger can. These beads will bang against the lower can and make the noise. The beads clanging against the can is actually quite pleasant - not loud and tin-y like cans banging together.

   * Add (3-5) beads on the string.
   * Tie the string so the top bead dangles 2-4 inches down from a hole in the large can.
   * Repeat until all holes have strings.
   * Cut off excess string.

5. Attach the string to the large can.

     * Thread the string through the hole on the top of the large can. (The "fringe" is at the bottom.)

     * Tie a single bead onto the string below the can about 9 inches from the top of the string. 

           This is a stopper or place holder so the can will stay in place on the string. It won't be seen.

           Tie it with a double knot around the bead so it won't slide. 

6. Add decoration to the top string as desired.

7. Tie a large (3-4 inch) loop in the string so it will hang later. 

8. Attach the smaller can.

     * Thread the string from the large can through the smaller can. (The open end is the bottom.)

     * Push the smaller can inside the larger can.

     * Thread a bead onto the string and tie it so the bead is 2-3 inches below the large can.

         This is another place holder bead so the can will stay in place on the string. It won't be seen.

           Tie it with a double knot around the bead so it won't slide. 

9. Add a "clapper."

     * Add a few beads to the bottom of the long string

     * Tie the string around one final bead. It should hang down an inch or two below the lower can.

     * Cut off any excess string.

Hang your completed wind chimes and listen!