Making colorful wind chimes

Cardboard rolls, crepe paper and paint are turned into colorful wind chimes

Text last updated: 2026-04-15

Spring DIY: Colorful wind chimes for the garden, balcony or children's room

Empty cardboard rolls are transformed into colorful spring decorations: with bright colors, strips of crepe paper and a little imagination, you can create colorful wind chimes that dance in the wind in the garden or on the balcony. This simple craft project is quick to make, is great fun for children and immediately brings a good mood to the springtime.

Wind chimes made from cardboard rolls and crepe paper

Material list

For this spring craft with children, you will need:

  • empty cardboard rolls, e.g. Kitchen, wrapping paper or toilet paper rolls
  • Acrylic paint, craft paint or finger paint in different colors
  • brush or sponge
  • colorful crepe paper or gift ribbon
  • Schere
  • Bastelkleber oder Klebestift
  • Schnur, Wool or wire for hanging
  • Newspaper or craft mat to protect the table while painting

Our tip: The wind chimes look particularly beautiful with neon colors - this creates bright spring accents

Step-by-step instructions: Making wind chimes

  • Step 1: Paint the cardboard rolls

    Paint the outside of the cardboard roll with bright colors. Finger paints or acrylic paints are best. There are no limits to the imagination: children can paint dots, stripes, patterns or shapes. Color gradients or dab patterns with a sponge also look pretty. Then allow the paint to dry thoroughly.

    Tip: If several colors are applied next to each other and lightly smudged, the result is a particularly lively color gradient.

  • Step 2: Make a hole for the suspension

    Carefully make two small holes in the top of the cardboard roll at the same height using hole punch pliers or scissors. The string for the suspension will later be pulled through these holes.

  • Step 3: Prepare the crepe strips

    Cut out long strips in different colors from colorful crepe paper. You can also use ribbon. The ribbons can be of different widths and lengths.

    The more colors you combine, the more lively the wind chime will look.

  • Step 4: Glue in the tapes

    Glue the crepe strips or ribbons to the bottom edge of the cardboard roll from the inside using craft glue so that they hang down loosely and can later move easily in the wind.

  • Step 5: Hang up the wind chime

    Finally, pull the string through the two upper holes and knot it.

    The finished wind chime can be hung outside on a branch, on the balcony, terrace or in the children's room. As soon as a light breeze blows, the wind chime dances merrily back and forth.

What age is this craft project suitable for?

This craft idea is suitable for children from around three to four years old.Younger children can do the painting. An adult should help with cutting the crepe strips and attaching the suspension.

With little effort and inexpensive materials, you can create a cheerful decoration that the whole family will enjoy.