Making a water mill for little explorers

A simple and super-fun riverbank nature workshop

Looking for a simple, creative activity with a link to nature? How about making a small wooden water mill, perfect for watching the blades turn in a stream or fountain? It's a fun activity that you can do on your own or with the family, and the perfect opportunity to use your favourite Opinel knives!

You'll need the following:

 

1. Saw off a section of the trunk

Find a fir tree with a thin trunk that has star-shaped branches.
Saw off a section about 15 to 20 cm long. This will form the core of the mill.

 

2. Debarking wood

Using their Opinel knife, children can remove the bark from the trunk and branches.
This is a fun, sensory stage that means the blades can be attached.

3. Preparing the blades

Cut out rectangular pieces of thick fir bark: these will serve as the blades.
Make 4 to 6 of them, all the same size, to balance the mill.

4. Gluing the blades

Using wood glue, attach each blade to the end of the trunk's star-shaped branches.
Use clothes pegs to hold the blades in place while the glue dries (allow around 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the humidity and temperature).

5. Creating a support in the water

Once the glue is dry, remove the clothes pegs.
Plant two Y-shaped branches in the stream's bed, a few dozen centimetres apart, or find 2 small rocks that are not far apart.

Then place your water mill on these natural supports. The mill will be secured by the natural axis of these Y-shaped branches or by the rocks, and the stream's current will make it freely turn.

Extra fun bit:

  • The stronger the current, the faster the mill will turn.
  • If the trunk topples, adjust the position or size of the blades.
  • Use thick bark for stronger blades.
  • Kids can also engrave the wood with the tip of the knife for a decorative finish.

Share your mill!

Have you built your own water mill? Don't forget to take a photo or a short video and share it with us! Just tag @opinel_official and use the hashtag #MonMoulinOpinel.