Buzz
Kites serve as an enjoyable pastime for children, especially when the wind is strong. They offer endless hours of amusement for kids of all ages. Creating a basic kite is well within a child's capability with a little adult assistance and some readily available supplies from the craft store! Witnessing their own handmade kite soaring high in the sky is sure to bring joy to any child!
Instructions
Constructing the Frame
Gather all necessary materials for frame construction. Having your materials close at hand and readily accessible will streamline the frame-making process. These materials can be easily obtained from your local craft store.
- 4 wooden dowels, each 3/16 inch in diameter
- Hand saw
- Craft knife
- String, twine, or fishing line
Trim wooden dowels to match kite support lengths. Cut the vertical support to 24 inches and the horizontal one to 20 inches. Seek adult assistance for cutting.
- Measure the dowel lengths.
- Mark desired lengths with a pencil.
- Use a hand saw to cut, preventing splintering.
Create notches in the dowels. Employ a craft knife to carve small notches into the ends, perpendicular to the dowel length. Ensure an adult's help due to the knife's sharpness.
- Be cautious with craft knives.
Mark the dowels. Utilize a ruler and writing instrument to measure and mark the dowels.
- On the 24-inch dowel, mark 6 inches from one end.
- On the 20-inch dowel, mark 10 inches from one end.
Align the dowels. Match the marked points by placing the shorter dowel atop the longer one, forming a cross.
Secure the dowels. Fasten the dowels together where they intersect using string, twine, or fishing line. Tie a knot around them, then wrap the string in an 'x' shape around the dowels.
- Hold the dowels in a cross shape as you wrap.
- Ensure a tight wrap.
- Tie a knot securely.
- Keep the string intact for the next step of stringing the frame together.
Encircle the kite frame with string. Begin by wrapping the string around the top of the dowel cross, then proceed to loop it around each end of the frame in a clockwise direction.
- Wrap the string tightly around each dowel as you proceed.
- Bring the string back to the center and tie it around the intersection in the middle.
- Ensure the string forms a kite shape and remains taut as you wrap.
Crafting the Sail
Select sail material. Choose from various materials to craft your kite's sail, considering the desired look and potential for decoration.
- Heavy-duty garbage bag
- Lightweight paper
- Lightweight fabric
- Newspaper
- Plastic bag
Gather all necessary sail-making materials. Ensure you have all tools and materials assembled before starting the project.
- Sail material
- Scissors
- Durable tape
Trim the kite's sail. Place the kite frame on the sail material and trace a slightly larger kite shape. Cut out the shape, ensuring it's 1 to 2 inches larger than the frame.
Secure the sail onto the kite frame. Fold the sail's edges over the frame's string and use sturdy tape to fasten them in place.
- Reinforce the top and bottom sections of your kite by applying 1 to 2 additional pieces of tape across them.
Attaching Your Kite's String and Tail
Prepare the tools and materials for the kite's string and tail. Gather all necessary items in one place before starting to streamline the process.
- Pen
- String
- Ribbon
- Tape
Create the kite's bridle. The bridle is a string running along the frame's length, with the flying string attached to it.
- Use a pen to make small holes at the reinforced top and bottom tips.
- Cut a 2-foot piece of string.
- Tie one end of the string to the top hole and the other end to the bottom hole.
Attach the flying string to the bridle above the intersection of the dowels. Hold the kite by the bridle and identify the point along it where the kite hangs parallel to the ground. Tie the flying string's end to this point on the bridle, leaving the rest of the string free for flying.
Make the kite's tail using the ribbon. Secure the ribbon by either tying it to the hole at the bottom tip or taping it in place.
- The tail's length should range from 6 to 20 feet depending on your kite's weight.
- Create bows by tying small pieces of ribbon along the tail.
- Experiment with different tail lengths for optimal stability.
Take your kite for a flight. Head out on a windy day and enjoy watching your kite soar! Bring along tape to fix any damages that may occur during flight or landing.
Tips
- Ensure your sail stays securely attached to the frame by using strong tape or glue.
- To make flying your kite easier, use strong tape or glue to attach the flying string to a toilet paper roll or another dowel. You can also purchase kite flying string from a store.
- Add a personal touch to your kite by decorating it with crayons, markers, glitter, or paint. It's exciting to see your artwork soaring high in the sky!
Warnings
- Always have an adult handle the craft knife and scissors, as they are sharp and can cause injury if not used carefully.
- Be cautious of splintering wood when cutting the dowels to avoid potential injuries.
- Choose an open area to fly your kite to minimize the risk of it getting tangled in trees or buildings.
Items Needed
- Two lightweight 3/16” dowels: one 24 inches long and one 20 inches long.
- Materials for the sail: lightweight paper, lightweight fabric, a heavy-duty trash bag, newspaper, or a plastic bag.
- Strong tape
- Lightweight string, twine, or fishing line
- Ruler
- Pen, pencil, or marker
- Scissors
- Craft knife
- Ribbon
