DIY 4th of July Pinwheels

Sparklers can cause some pretty nasty burns on little hands, so instead of sparklers this year, make them these pretty 4th of July pinwheels – or just make them for fun and decorations!

What You’ll Need:

• Double-sided patriotic patterned scrapbook paper
• Wooden dowels
• Straight pins
• Beads
• Hot glue gun and hot glue
• Double-sided tape
• Scissors
• Star stickers
• Spray adhesive (if needed)
• (Optional: Plain white scrapbook paper to decorate yourself or by kids)

Directions:

1. To create dual-sided pinwheels, gather your double-sided scrapbook papers in patriotic colors, or create your own (better yet, have the kids decorate them and have them involved in the celebration!). Use the spray adhesive to adhere them together.
2. Cut paper into square shapes – 8-in and 6-in squares – to create different sized pinwheels.
3. Fold squares in half diagonally to create a triangle, then press to crease.
4. Open the triangle and fold diagonally the opposite way, then press to crease.
5. Open up the triangle and flatten out the square.
6. Cut along each diagonal fold three-quarters of the way to the center.
7. Pull the tip of every other corner toward the center. Use double-sided tape or white craft glue to adhere the first tip to the center, then each folded-in tip on top of each other. When you finish, you’ll have the pinwheel shape.
8. If you want your pinwheel to spin, skip to step 10. If not and will be used for decorations only, hot glue the pinwheel to your wooden dowel. Skip cutting down wooden dowels from the hardware or craft store and use inexpensive flag dowels (removing the flags, of course).
9. Finish your pinwheel with a decorative star sticker in the center.
10. If you want your pinwheel to spin, you’ll need to push a pin through the center (a straight pin works), then a bead beneath the pinwheel. You’ll drive the pin into your dowel with a hammer.
11. If needed, fold over (or cut and then fold over) any part of the pin that sticks through to the back to prevent injuries.