With little more than an empty oatmeal container and colored paper, you can create a festive decoration that's perfect for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or any patriotic occasion. For younger children, it also provides a science lesson, illustrating the wind's direction and how quickly it can change.

Making a Paper Wind Streamer
Empty oatmeal container, or similar cylindrical container
Blue kraft paper
White kraft paper
Star-shaped paper punch
Craft glue
Double-sided tape
Waxed twine
Red-and-white grosgrain ribbon
Red ribbon
White ribbon
Fine paper punch

1. Remove the bottom of the container. Measure and cut the blue kraft paper to fit inside and outside the container. The paper should come right up to the top and bottom lip of the container. Lay the double-sided tape to the three edges of the paper on the wrong side, and affix it to the container's interior.

2. Using the star-shaped paper punch, create stars from the white kraft paper, and glue them onto the second piece of blue paper. Lay the double-sided tape to the three edges of the paper on the opposite side, and affix to the container's exterior. With the fine paper punch, punch four holes at the north, south, east, and west points of the container's top. Thread a piece of waxed twine through one hole and its opposite hole, and tie in place. Repeat for remaining holes.

3. Cut lengths of the red and white ribbon to create streamers, and glue them at the bottom edge of the container. Lay double-sided tape all the way around the top and bottom edges of the container, and adhere the red-and-white grosgrain ribbon.

Paper
Kate's Paperie