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    Home » Wonderful Wind Experiments for Kids

    Wonderful Wind Experiments for Kids

    September 13, 2021 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Following on from 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?

    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 different in air pressure? Temperature is the biggest factor. Cool ( dense ) air gives areas of high pressure and warm ( less dense ) air areas of low pressure. Warm air rises and cool air moves in to replace it creating wind!

    Wind as renewable energy

    Wind is one example of a renewable energy resource. Renewable energy sources can be used over and over again. There are sometimes knows as clean energy sources.

    How do wind turbines work?

    Kinetic energy from 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 ( thought there is a cost to the turbines ) and no pollutants are produced.

    Disdvantages of wind power

    Turbines can be unsightly and noisy.

    Wind farms are dependant 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.

    Lots of 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 storm windy weather

    Happy Hooligans has a brilliant windsock made from a Pringles 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 September 13, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

    « What is the Beaufort Scale?
    Top 10 Science Experiments for Halloween »

    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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