The Four-Sail Windmill Turns in the Wind

In groups of four, children form the sails of a windmill around a cone and turn at the speed of the wind their friends blow. It builds speed control, keeping a shape while moving, and taking turns.

How to play

1. Look at a windmill: it has a center and four sails that turn together (1 min).
2. In groups of four around a cone, arms stretched out to the sides and all facing the same way, make the windmill's cross (2 min).
3. The other kids are the wind and blow gently, "whoo": the windmill turns slowly without breaking the cross (2 min).
4. Strong wind: the windmill turns a bit faster; no wind: it stops (3 min).
5. Change direction and switch windmill and wind roles (3 min).
6. The wind dies down and the sails slowly lower their arms (1 min).

Rules

• My hands don't touch the cone.
• I turn at the same speed as the other sails.
• If there's no wind, I stop.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child is the center of the windmill instead of the cone, moving their arms with the turning.
• Visual impairment: the child turns with a hand on the shoulder of the friend in front.
• Autism: the child starts as the wind, with no contact, and then chooses whether to be a sail.

Learning goals

• Control movement speed.
• Keep a shape while moving.
• Coordinate the turn with friends.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 4

Teacher tip

Mark each sail's starting spot with chalk. If the wind blows too hard, the windmill falls apart: make it clear that strong wind means "a little faster", not running.

More main activities for Elementary