Puschel and Flauschi build a little water wheel from two cork discs and six wooden sticks outside the Wuselhouse

The little Wusel story

Puschel arranged six wooden sticks in a circle. Puschel“This will be a wheel that runs without any paws!” Flauschi helped him space the paddles evenly between the cork discs. At the shallow stream, an adult placed the axle safely between two forked branches. At first, the wheel merely wobbled. Then the water pushed the first paddle—splash, turn, splash! Puschel pointed in delight. Puschel“It really moves by itself!” Flauschi smiled. Flauschi“Not by itself. The stream is pushing it.” From then on, Puschel called the stream his invisible Wusel helper.

What you need

two equal cork discs prepared by an adult
six wide wooden craft sticks with smooth edges
one straight smooth wooden stick for the axle
two sturdy forked branches for supports
water-resistant non-toxic craft glue
a wipe-clean craft mat

How it works

An adult cuts the cork discs, makes matching centre holes and checks every wooden part for splinters.
Arrange six wooden sticks evenly like sunbeams on one cork disc and glue them in place.
Glue the second cork disc directly on top and let the wheel dry completely.
Slide the smooth axle carefully through the centre and check that the wheel spins freely.
An adult secures the forked supports beside a very shallow stream and sets the axle in place. Watch the wheel together.

Adult help: Adults handle cutting, piercing, water-resistant gluing and the stream-side setup. Children must always stay within an adult’s reach near water. Test the wheel only in very shallow, slow-moving water and take every part home afterwards.