Breezy Bird: Hummingbird Windsock

Hang this hummingbird out to play on an extra-windy day!

Craft by Michele Reyzer; art by Greg Hudson

What You Need

  • empty oatmeal container
  • pair of wiggle eyes
  • green, white, and red craft foam
  • glue
  • hole punch
  • marker
  • pipe cleaner (cut to 7” long)
  • ribbon
  • string or elastic cord

What You Do

  1. Prepare the container.
    Remove the lid and bottom from the container.
  2. Cover the container.
    Cut a piece of green foam large enough to cover the outside of the container. Wrap it around the container and glue in place.
  3. Create the head.
    For the head: Cut a half-circle from green foam and glue it to the top of the container, as shown. Glue on wiggle eyes.
  4. Create the bill.
    For the bill: Bend the pipe cleaner in half. Push the two ends into the foam above the container’s rim about half an inch. Then twist them together in back to secure in place.
  5. Add the feathers.
    For the breast and throat feathers: Cut an oval shape from white foam. Glue onto the container about one inch below the head. Cut circles (each about the size of a quarter) from red foam. Glue them onto the container in an overlapping pattern.
  6. Create the wings.
    Cut two wing shapes from green foam. Draw feather designs on them, as shown, and then glue in place.
  7. Add the ribbons.
    Cut the ribbon into long strips and glue them inside the bottom end of the container.
  8. Hang the windsock.
    To hang your windsock: Punch two holes on opposite sides of the container. Knot a piece of string at each hole, and then tie the loose ends together in a knot at the top.Note: This bird is a ruby-throated hummingbird. Hummers come in many different kinds and colors. You can decorate your windsock with any colors you like.