There is something magical about learning outdoors. Whether you’re exploring the beach, walking along the coast, or simply spending time in your local park, nature offers endless opportunities for hands-on science. Beach School activities encourage children to investigate the world around them, ask questions, and learn through real experiences rather than just reading about them.

This simple DIY anemometer is a fantastic STEM activity that helps children measure wind speed while learning about weather, wind direction, and how scientists collect weather data. As they build their own cup anemometer, children can explore how weather stations work and discover how measuring wind can tell us more about the world around us. It’s an easy project that combines crafting, engineering, and outdoor exploration all in one activity.

This fun weather activity comes from the wonderful Beach School book, which is packed with creative outdoor projects that encourage children to explore, investigate, and learn through hands-on experiences in nature. It’s full of simple ideas that turn every trip to the beach into an exciting learning adventure.

Make Your Own Anemometer

Learning how an anemometer measures wind speed is a brilliant introduction to weather science. Professional weather stations use a variety of instruments to record conditions including temperature, air pressure, rainfall, wind direction, and wind velocity.

While meteorologists may use sophisticated equipment such as a digital anemometer, ultrasonic anemometer, wire anemometer, vane anemometer or tube anemometer, this homemade cup anemometer demonstrates exactly the same scientific principles in a way children can easily understand.

Materials for your DIY Anemometer

You only need a handful of everyday supplies to make this simple DIY anemometer. Most of the materials can be found around the house, making it an inexpensive STEM activity that’s perfect for an afternoon of outdoor learning. Before you begin, gather everything together so you’re ready to start building your weather instrument.

How to Make an Anemometer

Making your own anemometer is easier than you might think and is a great way to introduce children to weather science through hands-on learning. Follow the simple steps below to build your homemade wind speed meter, then head outside to test it and see how fast the wind is blowing.

DIY Beach Anemometer

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: medium

Build a simple DIY anemometer with paper cups and straws, then head outside to measure wind speed and explore weather science through hands-on STEM learning inspired by the Beach School book.

Materials

2 paper straws
glue
4 paper cups or use some old clean yoghurt pots
tape
1 pin tack
chalk or marker pen
1 pencil with rubber on the end
timer

Tools

Instructions

Make an X using the 2 straws and fix with glue.
Tape each yoghurt pot or cup to the end of a straw. Make sure all cups face the same direction.
Carefully push the pin tack through the middle of the straws’ ‘X’. Check that the straws spin around on it. If not, give the pin a wiggle around to loosen it.
Mark one cup with chalk or similar. This helps you count how many times in one minute the anemometer spins. You could also set a timer.
Push the pin into the top of the rubber on the pencil, though not too tightly, so that it can freely spin.

Notes

Beach School by Georgina Maw, GMC Publications, RRP £17.99, available online & from all good bookshops.

Measuring Wind

Children love to learn about the different forces of wind listed in the Beaufort Scale. We get them to hold the edge of a towel to demonstrate different wind strength. We ask them to gently shake it to indicate a breeze but to really shake it to indicate a force 8 wind (a gale). When out on a windy day, we ask them to close their eyes for a moment and predict what force they think the wind is. Is their hair moving? We ask them to open their eyes and look at the sea. Are the waves crashing onto the shore? They can then check using their anemometer.

What Does an Anemometer Measure?

An anemometer measures wind speed by counting how quickly the cups rotate. The stronger the wind, the faster the cups spin. Children can count the number of revolutions per minute and compare results on different days or in different locations. It’s a brilliant way to practise observation, prediction, recording results, and scientific investigation.

You could even build your own mini weather station by adding a rain gauge, a homemade wind vane to show wind direction, and a thermometer to record temperature. Recording weather over several weeks helps children notice patterns and understand how different weather conditions affect the environment.

Extend the Learning

Once children have mastered measuring wind speed, encourage them to investigate further.

Compare wind speed at the beach, in the garden, and in a sheltered woodland.
Test how buildings, trees, and hills affect wind pressure.
Keep a weather journal recording wind, temperature, and rainfall each day.
Compare your measurements with your local weather forecast.
Discuss why airports, sailors, and weather forecasters need accurate wind measurements.

These simple investigations help children understand how scientists collect measurement data and why accurate weather instruments are so important.

Discover More Outdoor Learning with Beach School

If your children love activities like this, Beach School is packed with inspiring ideas that encourage learning through outdoor play and exploration.

The book is full of creative nature activities, simple science experiments, crafts, games, and challenges designed to help children connect with the natural world while developing confidence, curiosity, and practical skills.

Whether you’re visiting the beach every weekend or only occasionally, the activities can easily be adapted for parks, riversides, woodlands, or even your own garden.

It’s an excellent resource for parents, teachers, homeschoolers, forest school leaders, and anyone looking for meaningful outdoor activities that combine fun with real learning.

Special Offer

You can buy Beach School from Gifts to Me for only £14.40 (+P&P)! Usual RRP £17.99

Visit giftstome.co.uk and use the offer code R6176

Offer ends 24th September 2026

You can buy Beach School from Gifts to Me for only £14.40 (+P&P)! Usual RRP £17.99

More Beach Activities for Kids

Outdoor learning creates memorable experiences that simply can’t be replicated indoors. Activities like making an anemometer help children build scientific understanding while encouraging curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

The next time you head to the beach, don’t just enjoy the scenery, bring along your homemade weather instruments and see what fascinating discoveries your young scientists can make.

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More Summer STEM Activities

Summer is the perfect time to take STEM learning outdoors. From beach science and nature investigations to engineering challenges and weather experiments, these hands-on activities help children explore, ask questions, and discover how the world works while having fun during the school holidays.

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More Weather Activities for Kids

Weather is all around us, making it one of the easiest science topics to explore at home or outdoors. From measuring rainfall and tracking clouds to making your own weather instruments, these hands-on weather activities help children learn about the world around them while having fun with simple STEM projects.

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If you enjoyed this activity, be sure to explore more Beach School ideas and don’t forget to share this post with friends, family, or fellow educators who love getting children outdoors to learn through play.