Savor the last moments of summer with this simple nature craft that is not only fun to make, but brings a twinkle of summer peace, too.
What You Need
- 5 twigs (found on the ground)
- sandpaper or a sanding block
- craft paint (in several colors)
- 5 small screw eyes
- twine
- metal coat hanger
What You Do
- Hunt for twigs! Look for fallen twigs on the ground. They can vary in shape and size, but make sure each one is 8 to 10 inches long.
- Sand the bark off the twigs with sandpaper. You’ll want the sticks to be smooth so the paint will stick to the wood.
- Paint the twigs with craft paint. Get creative! Try painting designs, color alterations or even a rainbow. Then let your painted twigs dry.
- Screw one small screw eye into the end of each stick.
- Tie the twine onto a screw eye with a knot. Attach the other end of the twine to the bottom of the metal hanger with another knot. Repeat this step for all painted twigs.
- Hang your wind chime outside (with assistance from an adult) and listen to the melodic, peaceful tunes as your chime rustles in the summer breeze.
A big thanks to Jackson for demonstrating this project!
The YMCA of Austin encourages exploration, education and appreciation of our environment, and we believe that starts by engaging young minds in both fun and educational activities in the outdoors. Each summer, we offer more than 20 camps across Travis, Hays and Bastrop counties, where kids will have the opportunity to build self-confidence, independence and creativity in the Austin community.
