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Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Wonderful Wind Experiments for Kids

Wonderful Wind Experiments for Kids

Modified: Dec 29, 2022 · Published: Sep 13, 2021 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Following my weather-themed science experiments, I have a collection of wind science experiments to share today!

Learn about renewable and non-renewable energy. Make an anemometer to measure wind speed, a wind vane to work out which way the wind is blowing, pinwheel, storm in a jar and lots more!

What is wind?

The wind is a natural movement of air across the surface of the Earth driven by energy from the sun. It can range from a light breeze to a dangerous hurricane or tornado.

Wind forms when air moves between areas of different air pressure. The bigger the difference in air pressure, the stronger the wind!

What causes differences in air pressure? Temperature is the most significant factor. Cool ( dense ) air gives areas of high pressure, and warm ( less dense ) air gives areas of low pressure. Warm air rises, and cool air moves in to replace it, creating wind!

Wind as renewable energy

The wind is one example of a renewable energy resource. Renewable energy sources can be used over and over again. These are sometimes known as clean energy sources.

How do wind turbines work?

Kinetic energy from the wind is transferred to blades which turn, driving a generator to produce electricity.

Image of a wind farm showing wind turbines in a row
Wind Farm

Wind Energy

Advantages of wind power

Wind is renewable, which means it doesn’t run out, it’s free (though there is a cost to the turbines ), and no pollutants are produced.

Disadvantages of wind power

Turbines can be unsightly and noisy.

Wind farms depend on wind, if there’s no wind, the turbines don’t turn, and no electricity can be produced.

The initial cost of building wind farms is high.

Many turbines are needed to produce as much power as a non-renewable power plant.

Wind Experiments for Kids

Make a wind vane

Find out what direction the wind is blowing by making your own wind vane!

homemade wind vane made with a pencil, straw and cardboard
Homemade wind vane

Make a Wind Chime

We had great fun making this wind chime from recycled materials for The Clangers a few years ago.

Image of instructions for making a wind chime - clangers themed

Design a windsock

Windsocks are used to work out which way the wind is blowing.

Image of a red and white windsock on a cloudy day
Windmill cone on a pier in a seaport in a storm

Happy Hooligans has a brilliant windsock made from a Pringle’s can!

Tornado in a Jar

Find out how tornados form and the damage they can cause with a tornado in a jar!

Image of a tornado in a jar with a background of a real tornado

More wind experiments for kids

This wind activity using a small fan is great from Preschool Toolkit.

Find out how fast the wind is blowing with this DIY anemometer from There’s Just One Mommy.

Design and build a wind-powered car. These can be made using a base like my balloon-powered car but with a sail instead of a balloon.

It’s not just Earth that has wind; Neptune has some of the strongest winds in the solar system, reaching up to 1500 miles per hour!!

In This IS Rocket Science, we made a wind sock to learn about windy Neptune!

Image of a girl holding a homemade wind sock dressed as an astronaut

Wind Facts for Kids

Air is made up of lots of different gases. Air on Earth is mostly nitrogen and oxygen!

Wind is caused by differences in pressure. Strong winds form when air moves between two areas with a big difference in pressure.

The effects of increasing wind speeds are measured on the Beaufort scale!

Tornados have the fastest speeds at ground level reaching speeds of up to 300mph!

Wind speed is measured in knots.

Saturn and Neptune are the windiest planets.

Collage of a wind sock, a DIY wind vane and a tornado in a jar.

Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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