How to Make Snowflake Wind Chimes

These snowflake wind chimes are simple enough that kids can make them, but beautiful enough that many will enjoy them. Not many supplies are needed and the decoration will be appropriate all winter, not just during the holidays. Everyone can make their own.

Materials:
craft sticks or popsicle sticks
wood glue
sparkly yarn
small jingle bells
acrylic craft paint
paint brushes
glitter

Instructions:
The first thing you'll need to do is paint the craft or popsicle sticks. Light blue or silver paints work well for this particular craft. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle some glitter onto the craft sticks. This will make the snowflakes glimmer. Allow the paint to dry before continuing with the wind chime construction.

Once the paint dries, kids and parents can glue the sticks together in a snowflake pattern by first creating an 'x' and then a plus sign and gluing them one on top of the other. Set those snowflake pieces aside and allow the glue to dry.

While the glue is drying, take four-foot long strands of yarn and consecutively tie jingle bells down the strand. Three or four is a good amount for each strand. Tie a knot around each while placing it to secure its spot on the string. They should be at least two inches apart and not too tight, so that the jingling sound can still be made as the string moves back and forth.

Once the snowflakes are dry, tie four strands of jingle bell-accented yarn to each in different spots -- two on the left and two on the right. Take another piece of yarn and pull it around the center by weaving in and out on each side until the two sides of yarn meet coming up toward the top. Tie two knots at that top area in the back to secure it.

To hang the snowflake wind chimes, either tie them around a branch or create a knotted loop at the top to hang them from a hook or other area. Other suggestions include hanging them from planter hooks, on front doors, in a garden shed or greenhouse, or on a backyard fence.