How To Make A Pinwheel [+ free printable template!]

Make a paper pinwheel in just minutes with this free pinwheel template! This easy printable pinwheel craft is so easy to make: just print, cut, and fold (or use the free SVG file in your Cricut!)


Paper pinwheels are the perfect thing for summer; they’re so much fun when the weather is nice! You can set them up on a porch or in a window box to brighten up your view. And pinwheels are easy to make, so you can have the kids help you make a bunch for a block party or barbecue to keep them entertained! Today I’m going to show you how to make a simple pinwheel with just a square of colored paper!

You can use this easy pinwheel template to make pinwheels out of any paper you have laying around the house, or you can make pinwheels with a Cricut or other cutting machine using the free pinwheel SVG file. Both the printable template and SVG file are available for free at the bottom of this post.

Learn how to make paper pinwheels in minutes with this large pinwheel template

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How To Make A Pinwheel

These pinwheels will take you less than five minutes to make, and you can make them in any color you want, or print out the patterned pinwheel templates to make your own fun patterned pinwheels.

Tools You Need To Make A Pinwheel

Pinwheel Materials

  • colored paper
  • bamboo skewers
  • thumbtacks
  • small beads
  • easy pinwheel template (download the pinwheel SVG file or printable template at the bottom of this post)

How To Make Pinwheels With A Cricut

Before you start cutting out the pinwheel, stick the non-pointy end of the bamboo skewers into a small glass of water. Once the skewers soak up some water, it will be easier to push the thumbtack into the skewer to attach the pinwheel, and the wood won’t splinter.

Soften bamboo skewers with water to use as base for paper pinwheels

While the skewers are soaking, use your Cricut to cut out the pinwheel template from a piece of paper. Start by opening Cricut Design Space and uploading the free pinwheel SVG file to a blank project. Here are step by step instructions on how to upload your own SVG file to Cricut Design Space if you need them.

Use your cricut maker to make simple paper pinwheels with free svg file

You can resize the pinwheel template by clicking on it and then changing one of the Size dimensions in the menu at the top. Be sure that the aspect ratio is locked so that the whole thing stays square (if the little lock icon above the Size fields is open, just click it once to lock it again.) You can also duplicate the shape if you want to cut out multiple pinwheels all at once.

Click the big green Make It button at the top right of your screen.

Send pinwheel template to cricut maker

If the preview looks good, click Continue. Select the material you are planning to use, and then follow the on-screen instructions for loading the correct blade into your machine and loading the cutting mat into the machine. Once the mat is loaded, press the flashing Go button to begin the cut.

Cut out paper pinwheel templates with your cricut maker

Unload the mat when the machine is finished, and carefully peel the cut out pinwheel templates off the mat.

Assembling The Pinwheels

If you want to cut the pinwheel template out by hand, carefully cut along the dotted lines, and poke holes using a thumbtack where indicated on the template.

Gather your cut out pinwheel templates, the bamboo skewers, thumbtacks, and small beads.

Bamboo skewers free paper pinwheel templates and pushpins to make paper pinwheels

Take one spoke of the pinwheel and push the thumbtack through the hole from the back. Bend the next spoke over and push the thumbtack through the hole on that spoke as well.

Fold paper pinwheel template to make pinwheels

Continue pushing the thumbtack through each individual spoke until the thumbtack is through all four spokes.

Push the thumbtack through the hole in the center of the pinwheel, then slide the small bead onto the thumbtack at the back of the pinwheel.

Use a small bead as a spacer when making paper pinwheels

Then push the thumbtack into the wet end of the skewer. If you need to, you can gently tap the front of the thumbtack with a hammer. Keep pushing the thumbtack into the skewer until the skewer touches the small bead on the thumbtack.

Attach paper pinwheels to bamboo skewers with a push pin

Soaking the skewer in water should keep the wood from splitting at this point, but if your skewer does split, don’t worry! Just add a small dab of hot glue to make sure the thumbtack stays in place.

Be sure not to cover the bead with glue! The bead helps space the pinwheel away from the skewer, allowing the pinwheel spin freely without getting caught on the skewer as it turns.

And now you know how to make a pinwheel!

Printable pinwheel templates to make paper pinwheels from any color paper

This pinwheel pattern makes it super easy to make pinwheels in any size or color: perfect for 4th of July, birthday parties, and more!

Paper pinwheel craft with free paper pinwheel template
Easy pinwheel template for making paper pinwheels

Free Printable Pinwheel Template and SVG File

Printable pinwheel templates to make paper pinwheels from any color paper

How To Make A Pinwheel [+ free printable template!]

4 from 4 votes
Learn how to make a paper pinwheel in just minutes with this free pinwheel template! This easy printable pinwheel craft is so easy to make: just print, cut, and fold (or use the free SVG file in your Cricut!)
Active Time 3 minutes
Cricut Cutting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Yield 1 pinwheel
Cost $2

Materials

  • 1 sheet colored paper
  • 1 bamboo skewer
  • 1 small bead
  • 1 thumbtack
  • 1 pinwheel template (available for download on this post)

Instructions
 

How to make pinwheels with a Cricut

  • Stick the non-pointy end of the bamboo skewers into a small glass of water to soften them.
  • Open Design Space and upload the pinwheel svg file.
    Free paper pinwheel template svg file
  • Resize or duplicate the shape as needed, then click the green Make It button.
    Use your cricut maker to make simple paper pinwheels with free svg file
  • Preview the mat and click Continue if everything looks good. Set the material and follow the on-screen instructions to load the correct blade and load the cutting mat into the machine.
    Send pinwheel template to cricut maker
  • Once the mat is loaded, press the flashing Go button to begin the cut. When the cut is finished, carefully peel the cut out pinwheel off the cutting mat.
    Cut out paper pinwheel templates with your cricut maker

Assembling the pinwheels

  • Take one spoke of the pinwheel and push the thumbtack through the hole from the back. Bend the next spoke over and push the thumbtack through the hole on that spoke as well.
    Fold paper pinwheel template to make pinwheels
  • Continue pushing the thumbtack through each individual spoke until the thumbtack is through all four spokes. Push the thumbtack through the hole in the center of the pinwheel, then slide the small bead onto the thumbtack at the back of the pinwheel.
    Use a small bead as a spacer when making paper pinwheels
  • Then push the thumbtack into the wet end of the skewer. If you need to, you can gently tap the front of the thumbtack with a hammer. Keep pushing the thumbtack into the skewer until the skewer touches the small bead on the thumbtack.
    Attach paper pinwheels to bamboo skewers with a push pin

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Jessi Wohlwend

I believe that anyone can do crafts and DIY projects, regardless of skill or experience. I love sharing simple craft ideas, step by step DIY project tutorials, cleaning hacks, and other tips and tricks all with one goal in mind: giving you the tools you need to “do it yourself”, complete fun projects, and make awesome things!

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Reader Interactions

  1. CArol sharritts says

    5 years ago

    I need a lot of pinwheels to put in my yard. My yard has been torn up by moles or voles. My pest company said they don’t like vibrations like from pinwheels , so I am willing to try it. Making them will be. mucH more economical..
    Thank you for the te,mplate and instructions,
    Carol

  2. Michele @ Our Rosey Life says

    10 years ago

    My Girlies would love these pinwheels! The little bead between the tack and the pinwheel is genius. It would be cute to make these in miniature as cupcake toppers too. Ohhhh… the endless possibilities!

  3. Karen Marie Kedzuch says

    10 years ago

    Jessi,
    I have always loved Pinwheels. Thanks for sharing the way to make them at home.
    SC Love,
    Karen Marie
    Dragonfly & Lily Pads

  4. Kim (TheKimSixFix) says

    10 years ago

    These would be so fun to make with the kids!

  5. Kelly Hedgespeth of Simply Kelly Designs says

    10 years ago

    Love the pinwheels! I think they would be fun to dress up the garden with.

  6. Melanie says

    10 years ago

    I like making pinwheels! Thanks for the tutorial!

  7. Trisha D. says

    10 years ago

    I totally see these used at parades this year, what a great way to stand out in the crowd with something homemade. Perfect tutorial, especially loved the tip on letting the skewers soak in water for a bit.

    Hopping through all the drool-worthy silhouette projects is totally my favorite part of Silhouette Challenge day!! Off to go pin away!!

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