Build a wind tube for your after school program, classroom, home or science fair project. These simple instructions walk you through the process of building your own wind tube quickly and easily.

What is a Wind Tube?

A wind tube is a tall transparent plastic cylinder that is attached to a wind source, such as a fan, the wind source is placed in position so it blows up into the cylinder.  The tube then creates a funnel for the wind. Wind tubes can test the way objects move through space.

What Supplies do I need to make a Wind Tube?

• Three Embroidery Hoops
• .010 Duralar film
• Feet for your wind tube. You can buy feet or make your own from a 2×2 piece of lumber. Both solutions are listed below.

Supplies to Make Wind Tube Feet

• A few scrap pieces of wood (a 2×2 is perfect)
• A tape measure
• A pencil
• A Drill
• A Saw
• A Utility Knife
• A Fan

Preparation to Build a Wind Tube

Gather your materials. I purchased the duralar on Amazon because I could not find the .010 duralar anywhere else.  A word of warning, do not use a cheaper, thinner duralar. It will not be strong enough for the wind tunnel. (I learned this the hard way before I bought the correct duralar on Amazon).  I found the embroidery hoops at the local craft store.

Finally, gather the supplies for the feet. I went cheap and built the feet for my wind tube.

Creating the feet (Skip ahead if you are buying the feet)

• 

• 

• 

The first step in making the feet is to measure and cut your 2×2 into three pieces. You want three six inch pieces so, using a tape measure, make a pencil mark at the six, twelve and eighteen-inch mark. 

Next use a circular saw, table saw or handsaw to make a cut at the six, twelve and eighteen-inch marks. This will leave you with three six inch pieces of 2×2.  

Once you have your three six inch pieces of 2×2 use a saw to cut out a small notch at the top then of each piece. I found a hand saw the best tool for this job. Then, drill a hole in the center of the notched part. It should look like this:

Build a Wind Tube

• 

• 

• 

Measure and cut the duralar to 48 inches, this will provide enough material so it overlaps slightly inside the embroidery hoops. 

Next, remove the inner circle of the embroidery hoop by loosening the bolt on the outer circle. After the bolt is loose, you should be able to easily remove the inner hoop. Do this with all three hoops.

You are now ready to assemble your wind tube. Start by coiling the duralar slightly.  Then, slide one outer embroidery hoop around the outside of the coil allowed the duralar to expand into the outer embroidery hoop.

Next, slide the inner embroidery hoop inside the duralar and shimmy it into place so it nessels tightly against the outer embroidery hoop, sandwiching the plastic between the two hoops. Tighten the bolt on the outside of the embroidery hoop to hold the duralar in place.

Once you have one hoop in place, flip the wind tube over and repeat the previous steps on the other end of the tube, and in the center of the tube. When you have three embroidery hoops, one on each end and one in the center, you are ready to move on.

Attach the feet

Clothes Pin Feet

Adding feet to the tube is the final step to build a wind tube. If you are using the clothes pins, simply clip the three pins onto one end of the wind tube.  You are done.

Attach the 2×2 Feet

• 

• 

• 

Hold one of the 2×2 pieces against the wind tube so that the notched area is sitting on the embrodery hoop. Use a marker or pencil and put it through the drilled hole to make a mark. 

Use a nail or tack to puncture a hole in the mark on the side of the duralar. I strongly advise against using a knife, I tried and the knife just slipped off the duralar making it very dangerous. I found success with a nail. The hole should be large enough so two zip ties can snugly fit through the hole. 

Once you have poked a hole in the duralar, slide two zip ties through the hole leaving the fastening end on the outer side of the tube.

Next grab one of your three 2x2s and place it so that the bulk of the 2×2 is on the outside of the cylinder. Then thread the zip ties through the hole and fasten it on the outside, pull the zip tie tight to ensure that the 2×2 will be secured to the frame of your wind tube.  Cut off the excess zip tie.

Then repeat this step with the two other legs, when your wind tube has three solid legs it is complete.

To use the wind tube, place a box fan on its side.  Slide a few boxes, books or baskets beneath it so that air can easily flow from under the fan up.  Next place your wind tube on top of the fan. Turn the fan on and experiment with the way items move through space!

Wind Tube Challenge Idea

Check out these fun ways you can use a wind tube to challenge kids to use their critical thinking skills. Click here to see other fun STEM challenges for Kids

Save the Wiffle Ball

Gather materials you have available such as tissue paper, paper bags, balloons, and craft sticks. Then, give each kid a wiffle golf ball. Challenge kids to create a contraption that will lift the ball from the base of the cylinder up through the wind tube and out the top. Kids will love experimenting with the way items fly and twist in the tube.  

Twirlers

Using the same miscellaneous materials you have on hand, challenge kids to create an object that floats in the tube but does not escape out of the top.  See if they can create an object that will twirl in the wind tube.

Hover

Challenge kids to create a contraption that will fly up through the cylinder and hover just above the rim.  This one is especially challenging. In the many times I have done wind tube activities with kids, I have only seen one group of kids successfully complete this activity.  However, everyone enjoys trying. 

• 

•