Spring's gentle breezes can inspire creativity for simple projects. One such creative project is creating a pinwheel. Using the simple premise behind this long-loved children's toy, one can craft an ornamental pinwheel for a lawn or garden. With some simple supplies, touches of color and eye-catching motion can accentuate even the most mundane lawn or garden spaces.

In addition to the simplicity and charm of this project, it's also a great way to engage young children, not only for creative enrichment's sake, but also as a keepsake and memento of their childhood.

Determine the size of the pinwheel. The most aesthetically appealing typically stand twelve to fifteen inches from the ground. However, there is no hard and fast rule. So long as the dimensions of all supplies, which will simply include paper, a thumb tack or prong, and a dowel, are comparable, then all creative touches are up to the crafter.

Start by using paper with a wax or metallic coating. These are best to withstand outdoor elements to which the pinwheel will likely be exposed, including sunshine, heat, rain, dew, and wind. This manner of paper may be found in a local craft store, typically in the scrap booking or wrappings section. The advantage of these sections is variety. Colors and patterns abound! Or, if solids are preferred, children can be engaged in designing and adding their own creative patterns or applying colors using non-toxic waterproof markers or paints suitable for the outdoors. It may be possible to use everyday paper, like copy or construction paper, if it is laminated.

Once the type of paper has been selected and the colors or design applied, if desired, use a ruler to draw straight diagonal lines from corner to corner. In other words, an X should be reflected in the square's center. This is accomplished, of course, by the diagonal lines, which should extend from the upper left corner to the lower right corner and from the upper right corner to the lower left corner.

Use a pair of scissors to cut along the lines, being careful to cut only about three- quarters of the way to the center point, or the intersection of the X. This should include a total of four cuts. Then, fold each cut toward the center point, overlapping each other.

Once the cuts overlap, insert a thumb tack through them. Secure the pinwheel by pushing the tack into the very-near top section of a pre-cut wood dowel. As an alternative to the use of a thumb tack, consider the use of a metal prong instead. This is accomplished by overlapping the cut sections of paper, as described above, but instead of securing it with a thumb tack, use a metal prong to insert through the center point and then fasten either side of the prong around the dowel by encircling it.

For additional creative touches, the dowel may be painted, patterned, stenciled, engraved, or ribbon-wrapped.

When the pinwheel is completed, push the lower end of the hardwood dowel into the ground in the desired location, and enjoy watching spring's gentle winds add a little charm to any lawn or garden!