In this model the 'rotor' is attached to a shaft which rotates inside a sleeve. The sleeve is a length of plastic drinking straw.

The 'orthodox' method of attaching a windmill to its 'stick', is to use a thumb tack or drawing pin. This demands a certain level of balance for it to work successfully. Mounting the windmill on a rotating shaft solves this problem. The one illustrated would still spin with only one sail attached.

The sails (or blades?) are made from pieces of stiff card approx. 10cm x 3cm.
A glue tab/stiffener is formed by scoring and folding 1cm from an edge. The angle formed should be adjusted to be somewhere between 110 and 160 degrees.

The sails are fastened, as shown, to a card disc, diameter 38mm (1.5 inches). See bottom of page. This 'hub' doesn't have to be circular - a square of card would be OK.

The shaft shown is 5mm dia. dowel. A rolled paper lollipop stick would work well. The plastic straw should be a loose fit over the shaft - this is what you hold.

Note the small card stopper - this prevents the straw falling off!

Suitable for ALL ages - even nursery children.

There's a second benefit of using a rotating shaft.
You can make the wind work for you! A thread fastened to the shaft would enable the wind to raise a load - or you could replace the stopper with a pulley through which you could drive a 'working' model.
(though you'll then need some kind of frame or stand)