Spinning and Twirling: A Waldorf Wind Wand

Waldorf calls them Wind Wands. Jack calls them Ribbon Kites. I think they would have to be the simplest and cheapest, and possibly most beautiful play thing I have made.

I made about ten of them last Christmas as gifts for all my friends’ children; each one cost $2 and took about 5 minutes to make. But I just LOVE them. We take them to the park on windy days and run and twirl and spin and giggle as our ribbon kites fly behind us. So simple, so beautiful.

All you need is a wooden curtain ring and some ribbon. I decided on four different shades of the same colour; Jack chose pink, but I also made blue, green, yellow and my favourite, purple. I used two metres of each shade so they would be nice and long and whimsical. Simply fold the ribbon in half and loop through the curtain ring. Easy.

Sarah has one too. Hers was given to us as a party favour but I had to alter it just a little; the ribbon is tied in double knots rather than looped so she can’t take it off.

Wonderfully simple fun. I have a go too, you’re never too old to twirl, I say.