How to Build a Kite
Simple and fun to make, kites are easy enough for young beginners to learn to fly. They can also be intricate enough, however, to allow experts hours of enjoyment in perfecting their skills at aerial navigation. These step-by-step instructions offer beginners a clear guide to taking the first step toward pursuing a fascinating lifelong hobby.
Required Materials
- Roll of kite string, 500 ft.
- Craft glue or heavy-duty glue
- ¼ yard of fabric or 4 yards of ribbon
- Sturdy paper, such as construction or wrapping paper
- 2 wooden or plastic lengths of dowel rod, ¼” or ½” in diameter
Required Tools
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Permanent Marker
- Craft or utility knife
- Small handsaw
Instructions
- Cut the first piece of wood or plastic rod so that it is exactly 24 inches long. Next, cut the second rod to exactly 16 inches long.
- Use the marker to draw a line exactly in the middle (at the 8-inch mark) of the smaller piece.
- Use the marker to draw a line 8 inches down the length of the 24-inch piece.
- Take two 8-inch-long pieces of string and lay them on the work surface so that they form an X. Lay the 24-inch piece of rod on the X so that the mark 8 inches down the rod lays on top of the X, vertically bisecting it (cutting it in two).
- Lay the 16-inch rod on top of the 24-inch rod so that the mark on the former rod touches the mark on the latter rod. The rods should intersect perpendicularly, or at right angles, to each other.
- Tie each of the 8-inch strings in a secure knot over the cross-shaped bar formed by the dowel rods. Trim the extra string after the knot is secured.
- Using the craft or utility knife, carve a shallow cut into each end of the rods.
- Insert one end of the roll of kite string into the cut at the top of the longer rod by threading it in and knotting it securely, leaving a tail about 2 inches long.
- Stretch the length of string tightly, securing it into the notch cut in the shorter rod. Stretching it tightly once again, secure it in the notch at the opposite end of the longer rod.
- Continue by stretching the string and securing it in the opposite end of the shorter rod, and then wrap it once around the starting end of the longer rod. Cut the string about 4 inches from the wrap, and tie this end tightly and securely to the tail that remains. Trim the ends. This will be the frame for your kite.
- Lay the paper flat on the work surface. Place your kite frame on top of the paper.
- Leaving a margin of one inch between the cut and the string, cut the paper in the shape of the frame using the scissors or craft knife.
- Apply generous amounts of glue to the outer margin of the paper. Wrap this margin over the string and attach it to the paper on the inner margin of the string framework.
- Cut another piece of string 12 inches long. Tie it to either end of the 16-inch rod. Cut another piece of string 28 inches long. Tie it to either end of the 24-inch rod.
- Tie the roll of kite string to these strings at the point where they cross.
- Glue each of the four yards of ribbon to the bottom of the kite to form a tail. (If you chose to use fabric, cut four 3-inch-wide strips from the length of the fabric and attach them to the bottom of the kite.) The bottom of the kite will be the end of the longer rod that is 16 inches below the mark you made at the beginning of the project.
Tips
- Never fly a kite near power lines.
- The more fragile your kite is, the less likely it is to withstand strong winds.
- Flying your kite near trees will probably result in your kite landing in a tree.
- If you like, you may decorate the paper with markers or paints. If you choose to decorate the paper, allow your design to dry before constructing your kite.
- Now, go fly your kite – and have fun!