Paper Fish Wind Direction Indicator

Inspired by airport wind cones and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) paper lanterns, the idea for a paper fish wind direction indicator was born. Artistic and functional, create this paper fish and hang on top of a patio or yard post and watch the fish fly as the wind passes by. Customize and make it decorative by choosing paper colors that will compliment the outside landscape. This is meant to be a DIY hour-long project to make and serve as a less expensive alternative to fish-themed windsocks available for purchase. It is recommended that the entire tutorial is reviewed before attempting to reduce build time.

Before starting this project, please collect the following items to use for this project:

1. At least three sheets of regular-sized paper (your choice of color and thickness)
2. Pencil
3. Ruler
4. Stapler (with at least ten staples)
5. At least 5-ply string
6. Scissors
7. Single-sided Tape

Take two sheets of paper- this will be the color of the main body of the fish.

Measure an inch thickness four times across the shorter length of one of the sheets of paper.

Measure an inch thickness six times across the longer length of a different sheet of paper.

Mark lines across length of the paper for the inch thicknesses measured. Reference image.

Use scissors to cut along the lines created.

The end result should be four long, inch strips and six short, inch strips.

Set the extra paper aside.

Time to create paper chains. Locate the four long paper strips.

Mark a 1/2 inch on one strip, 1.5 inch on two strips, and 2.5 inch on one strip.

One by one:

Bend paper chain so that end furthest away from marking overlaps measurement mark.

Tape inside of overlap.

Staple on outside overlap.

When finished there should be four paper chains as shown in image.

Time to create more paper chains. Locate the six short paper strips.

Mark a 1/2 inch on two strips, 1.5 inch on one strip, 2.5 inch on one strip, 3.5 inch on one strip, and 4.5 on one strip.

One by one:

Bend paper chain so that end furthest away from marking overlaps measurement mark.

Tape inside of overlap.

Staple on outside overlap.

When finished there should be six paper chains as shown in image.

Arrange paper chains according to size, one of the largest short paper chains leading, all largest to smallest long paper chains following, and the rest of largest to smallest short paper chains following to match fish body profile.

Cut four, 30-inch strings from string stock.

One by one, string each paper chain to each of the four strings by:

Beading paper chains through cut string.

Tape string to inside of paper chains, leaving about 1/4 inch string gap between each chain.

Ensure that every time string is added, it is about 1/4 of the circumference of the paper chain away from the previous string.

Pro-tip: Start taping first string along staples of paper chains to ensure alignment.

Use extra paper to draw fish features. Mix and match colors as desired.

Pro-tip: Make paper templates of fish features to replicate for symmetry or for future fish wind indicators that may be used to trace features and reduce time to create fish features.

Cut out the fish features that were customized.

Pro-tip: It is recommended to have at least two side fins, three tail fins, and a top fin.

Use tape to attach features to the paper chains that were strung together.

Tie all four strings together.

If you made it to this step, congratulations! The paper fish wind indicator is finished.

Find a space to hang the fish for decoration or for finding direction of the wind.