Crafts and Games 
Whirligig

The whirligig, or buzz saw, will spin and hum while you pull your arms apart and push them together.  See how long you can keep it going! 

• a piece of string about twice as long as your arm
  
• a large button with two holes

1.  Thread the string through the button holes and tie the ends in a knot, forming a loop.

2.  Hold each end of the string so that the button hangs slack in the middle.  Swing the button in a circle to tightly wind up the string.

3.  Pull your hands apart and push them together again.  Watch the button whirl and sing!

*Once you’ve made a whirligig with a button, try making one with a cutout wooden disk, about 3 inches in diameter and ½ inch thick.  Make sure that the holes are centered in the disk so that the whirligig spins evenly.  If you drill small holes around the edge of the disk, the whirligig will make a louder humming noise.  Paint swirling designs on your whirligig and watch it spin!

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