Kites are designed in many different shapes, forms and sizes. Kite flying is a fun adventure for children and adults alike. It is even more fun when flying a kite you made yourself. Here are some easy steps to follow in order to make your own, simple, diamond kite.
Materials you will need
- 2 strong, straight bamboo sticks (1 slightly longer than the other)
- String
- 1 sheet of strong paper
- Ribbons
- Markers/crayons for decorating
- Glue
Tools you will need
- Sharp knife
- Scissors
Instruction
- Position the two bamboo sticks one on top of the other to form a cross. The shorter piece should be placed horizontally and the longer piece vertically.
- Use string to bind the two sticks together. Use your scissors to cut off excess string. Dab a little glue where both sticks meet to ensure that the joining is strong.
- Using your knife, cut a notch into the end of each stick. The notch should be deep enough for the string to fit into.
- Use scissors to cut a piece of string long enough to form the frame right around the kite.
- Wind the string around the notch at the top of the vertical stick and tie it firmly in place. When the string is firmly secured in place, stretch it around the edge of the frame and firmly tie into each notch all the way back to the top until the string has formed the shape of the kite.
- Lay the sheet of paper on a flat surface.
- Place the finished frame face down on the sheet of paper. Use scissors to cut around the frame. Cut the paper a little wider than the frame leaving enough width to fold.
- Apply glue to the paper edges then fold them over the string that forms the frame of the kite. Use enough glue so that it holds both the paper and the string firmly into place.
- Cut a piece of string and tie the ends to each end of the shorter stick. String should be a little longer than the stick.
- Cut another piece of string and tie the ends to the ends of the longer stick which should also be longer than the stick.
- Take the two strings that you attached and use a bit of string to tie them together at the point at which they meet.
- Attach your flying string to the point where you have tied the two strings when you are ready to fly your kite.
- To make a tail for your kite, attach a piece of string to the end (bottom) of the kite. Tie small ribbons reasonably apart to the string.
- Use markers or crayons to decorate your kite!
Tips
- When the kite is finished, hold it up by the string to see if it is balanced. If not, add more paper to one side.
- Not all kites need tails.