DLTK's Holiday Crafts for Kids
Coat Hanger Wings

Materials:

• three wire coat hangers
• needle nose pliers
• wire cutters
• duct tape (go dad go *grin*)
• Material, gift wrap or thin cardboard
• needle and thread or hot glue gun.
• wool or elastic

Instructions:

• Cut the top (the hook) off the three coat hangers.
• use needle nose pliers to straighten the hangers.
• use needle nose pliers to make a loop on each end of all the hangers.

• Put the loops together and squeeze them closed to make one big ring of hangers.
• Cover the loops well with duct tape.
• bend the ring of hangers into a heart shape.
• Cut out the material, gift wrap or cardboard into the same shape as the wings, but about 1 inch bigger.
  • visit the local thrift store and purchase an inexpensive old dress, blanket or shawl -- use the material from that.
  • If you choose gift wrap or cardboard the risk of the wings being damaged is greater.
• Use stitches or hot glue to attach the material (gift wrap or cardboard) to the coat hanger frame.
• Have one adult hold the wings up to the child about where you want them -- have the child hold their arms out (like a T shape)
  • using a hole punch or a wool needle thread a long piece of wool or elastic, poke through the wings under one arm and poke it back through over the shoulder.  Tie a bow in the back
  • repeat on the other side 

NOTE:  whatever method you use to make wings for a costume, don't make them too large -- especially for small children.  If it's a windy evening when you're walking around, they'll literally be blown off their feet if their wings are too big *grin*

Printable version of these instructions