Wind chimes are a lovely craft to make with your child, and the best part is you probably already have most of what you need at home. From old keys and tin cans to seashells and spare beads, almost anything can be turned into a chime with a bit of imagination.
Making your own wind chime means you end up with something completely unique to hang in the garden or by a window – and you get to upcycle items you might otherwise have thrown away.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: You Will Love These 11 Creative Garden Crafts for Kids
How to Make Homemade Wind Chimes
You can make wind chimes from almost any material, including metal, bamboo, glass, shells, beads, ceramic and wood. Old spoons, keys, bottle tops and tin cans all work brilliantly, and even a teapot or colander can make a fun base to hang your chimes from.
Every material sounds different – some give a gentle tinkle, others a stronger clatter – so it’s worth thinking about that when you decide where to hang your finished chime. A loud, clanky design is best kept away from bedroom windows.
Getting Started
To make your own wind chime, you’ll need:
- A base for your chimes to hang from
- A selection of chimes – there’s no set number, and how many you need depends on their size, weight and the sound you’re going for
- A drill or other tool to create holes for hanging
- Twine, rope, fishing wire, chain, or similar for hanging the chimes
- Decorations such as bells or beads to add extra sound and sparkle (optional)
Ideas for Homemade Wind Chimes
Key Wind Chime
[[IMG:1]]
Old keys you’re not sure what to do with make a really striking wind chime. This unique wind chime idea from Oh So Lovely also uses a mason jar lid, fishing wire and a little spray paint.
Flower Pot Wind Chime
[[IMG:2]]
Brighten up the garden with a project even the youngest toddlers can help with. Thimble and Twig painted flower pots and strung beads, buttons and bells on several strands to make these flower pot wind chimes.
Washer Wind Chimes
[[IMG:3]]
Metal washers in a range of sizes make lovely wind chimes. One Time Through painted one side of each washer, leaving the other silver so it catches the sunlight.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Create Your Own Botanical Artwork With This Easy Nature Craft Project
Xylophone Wind Chime
[[IMG:4]]
If your child has outgrown their toy xylophone, don’t throw it out. Remove the metal bars and turn them into a xylophone wind chime, like this one from Color in My Piano.
Driftwood Wind Chime
[[IMG:5]]
Bring a bit of the beach home with a driftwood wind chime. Going Home to Roost hangs theirs indoors – a lovely décor idea if you’d rather keep it inside.
Bead and Game Piece Chimes
[[IMG:6]]
Got mismatched game pieces lying around? This idea from Art by Heather turns spare dominoes, dice, counters and playing pieces into something special, especially combined with colourful beads for extra jingle.
CD Wind Chime
[[IMG:7]]
Old CDs make an unusual wind chime that catches the light and spins in the breeze. Happy Hooligans painted their CDs and hung them from a coffee can lid for support.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 7 Simple Sensory Box Ideas
Seashell Wind Chime
[[IMG:8]]
Next time you’re at the beach, gather a few shells to bring home. The natural colours really stand out in this wind chime from Poindextr, especially paired with a piece of driftwood as the hanger.
Tin Can Rainbow Wind Chime
[[IMG:9]]
Give your recycling a second life. A Girl and a Glue Gun painted a rainbow of tin cans and hung them in a spiral from a crochet hoop. Try different can sizes or hanging heights to change the sound.
Tin Can Wind Chime
[[IMG:10]]
Another great way to use recycled tin cans comes from Hands On As We Grow, who used different sized cans and lids, finished with glitter and metal washers inside for extra sound.
Spindle Wind Chimes
[[IMG:11]]
This showstopper from Confessions of a Serial DIYer upcycles old spindles and a mix of household items into a colourful, one-of-a-kind wind chime, using little more than a drill.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 10 Creative and Fun Things to Do with Broken Crayons
[[IMG:12]]
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest material to start with for a first wind chime?
Washers, tin cans and beads are great starting points – they’re inexpensive, easy to drill or thread, and forgiving if things don’t line up perfectly first time.
How many chimes do I need to make one wind chime?
There’s no fixed number. A handful of larger pieces can sound just as good as a dozen smaller ones – it really depends on the material and the sound you’re after.
Where’s the best place to hang a homemade wind chime?
Anywhere with a decent breeze, such as a porch, garden tree or balcony. Just keep louder, clattery designs away from bedroom windows.
Can toddlers help make a wind chime?
Yes – painting flower pots, threading beads, or choosing shells and colours are all lovely toddler-friendly steps. Save any drilling or wire-cutting for an adult.
Related Articles
- You Will Love These 11 Creative Garden Crafts for Kids
- Create Your Own Botanical Artwork With This Easy Nature Craft Project
- 7 Simple Sensory Box Ideas
- 10 Creative and Fun Things to Do with Broken Crayons
Save This for Later
Loved these wind chime ideas? Bookmark this page or share it with a friend who’s looking for a fun, low-cost craft project to try with the kids this weekend.
Want More Craft Ideas Like This?
Sign up for the MyKidsTime newsletter and we’ll send you fresh craft inspiration, activity ideas and family days out straight to your inbox every week.
