Soaring High: A Simple Guide to Making a Kite with Kids

There’s something magical about watching a kite dance in the sky. It’s a timeless activity that brings joy to both children and adults alike. But before you can witness this spectacle, you need a kite! And what could be more rewarding than crafting one yourself, especially with your kids? This guide will walk you through creating a simple, classic diamond kite, perfect for beginners and fun for the whole family. Get ready for an afternoon of creativity, learning, and of course, some wind-powered excitement!

Why Make a Kite with Kids?

Making a kite is more than just a fun craft; it’s a fantastic learning experience. Here’s why it’s a great activity for kids:

• STEM Education: It introduces basic concepts of aerodynamics, lift, drag, and wind direction in a hands-on way.
• Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, measuring, gluing, and tying all contribute to developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Creativity and Customization: Kids can personalize their kites with colors, patterns, and drawings, encouraging artistic expression.
• Patience and Problem Solving: Building a kite requires patience, and if things don’t go as planned, it encourages problem-solving skills.
• Quality Family Time: It’s a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time together, creating memories and enjoying the outdoors.
• Sense of Accomplishment: There’s immense satisfaction in watching a kite you built yourself soar through the air.

What You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather these materials:

• Lightweight Paper or Plastic: You’ll need a large sheet of light paper such as tissue paper, craft paper, or even a plastic garbage bag. Aim for something approximately 20-24 inches wide and long. A larger size will require stronger spars.
• Wooden Dowels or Sticks: You’ll need two straight sticks for the frame. Balsa wood dowels work well and are light enough, but even barbecue skewers (without sharp ends) will do in a pinch, as long as they’re straight. One stick should be slightly longer than the other. For a 20-24 inch kite, a 24-inch and an 18-inch dowel are a good starting point. Exact measurements are not necessary, it’s the proportion that is more important.
• String or Kite Twine: For flying your kite! Strong, thin string is ideal; kite twine is made for this but any strong string will do.
• Scissors: For cutting paper and string.
• Glue or Tape: Glue sticks work well or clear tape is the most user friendly.
• Ruler or Measuring Tape: To measure and mark your kite pieces.
• Pencil or Marker: To mark where to cut and glue.
• Optional: Crayons, markers, stickers, and other craft supplies to decorate your kite.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get to the fun part – building your kite! Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Preparing the Frame

1. Mark the Dowel: Take the longer dowel (the 24-inch one in this example) and mark the midpoint. This is typically the spot where the dowel will be placed vertically on the paper and where the shorter dowel will cross.
2. Position the Dowels: Take your paper or plastic sheet. Place the longer dowel on the paper vertically in line with the length of the paper. If your paper sheet is rectangular, position it vertically. Place the marked midpoint of the dowel in the center of the paper horizontally. Take the second shorter dowel (the 18-inch one in this example), and position it perpendicular to the longer dowel. Use the center mark on the first dowel as a guide so that it crosses the longer dowel at the midpoint you just marked. It should now form a cross shape.
3. Secure the Dowels (temporarily): Using a small piece of tape at the center where the two dowels cross, secure the shorter dowel to the longer one. Do not glue these dowels permanently until the kite’s shape is cut and secured.

Step 2: Cutting the Kite Shape

1. Mark the Kite’s Corners: With your dowels temporarily secured, take the frame and place it again on your paper. Use the dowel edges to create the general shape of a diamond kite. With your pencil, mark the edges of the paper/plastic at each end of the dowels. You should have four markings around the outline of a diamond.
2. Draw the Diamond: Use your ruler to connect these four marks, forming a diamond shape around the dowels with the dowels running directly down the middle of the diamond kite. Use this as your cut line. You want some overlap of the paper past the dowels. This overlap will be needed to wrap the edges around the dowels.
3. Cut the Kite Shape: Carefully cut along the diamond lines you just created. You should now have a diamond shaped piece of paper that is slightly larger than the dowel frame.

Step 3: Securing the Paper to the Frame

1. Glue or Tape the Edges: Lay the kite paper on a flat surface with the wrong side facing up. Place the dowel frame on top of this shape. Starting on one side, apply glue or tape to the edge of the paper and fold the overlap over the dowel, securing it down. Repeat this process with all of the edges, making sure to wrap them snugly around the dowels to create a taught surface. You want to create tension around the edges.
2. Double Check the Frame: Gently press down the overlap to ensure a secure fit on the edges. The paper/plastic should be taught with minimal wrinkles. Now the dowels are firmly attached to the kite shape and we can glue them together.
3. Permanently Secure the Dowels: Now, remove the piece of tape securing the dowels in the middle. Apply a bead of glue where the two dowels cross. You can wrap tape around this area to give it some extra strength. This joint will be important for the kite’s integrity.

Step 4: Creating the Bridle

The bridle is the string that attaches the flying line to the kite. It’s crucial for proper balance and flight.

1. Cut the Bridle String: Cut a piece of string about twice as long as your kite is tall (around 40-48 inches for our example).
2. Attach to the Frame: Tie one end of the bridle string to the top of the vertical dowel, where it meets the diamond’s edge. Tie the other end of the bridle string to the bottom end of the vertical dowel where it meets the diamond edge.
3. The Bridle Knot: Now, locate the center of the length of the bridle string by folding the string in half. Create a loop in this center point. This loop is where your flying line will be attached. Make sure this knot is securely tied.

Step 5: Attaching the Flying Line

1. Tie the Line: Tie one end of your flying line to the loop in your bridle. A simple knot will do.
2. Wind the Line: Wind the rest of your flying line onto a small spool or a stick for easy handling.

Step 6: Decoration (Optional)

This is where the real fun begins! Let your kids decorate their kites with:

• Crayons or Markers
• Stickers
• Paint (be mindful of weight when using paint)
• Glitter (use sparingly)
• Cutouts of paper or other light materials

Encourage them to express their creativity and make their kites unique. They can add their names, draw pictures, or create any kind of pattern they like.

Flying Your Kite

Now that you have finished making your kite, it’s time to fly it! Here are some tips for a successful flight:

• Choose the Right Location: Find a large, open area, such as a park or field, away from trees, power lines, and buildings. Be mindful of wind direction and any potential obstructions.
• Check the Wind: A moderate, steady breeze is ideal. If the wind is too strong, your kite might be difficult to control or even break. If there is no wind, you can run to give it lift. If there is too little wind, you can make small alterations to the position of your bridle knot to allow for more flight.
• Launch the Kite: Hold the spool of your flying line and have a helper hold the kite. Have the helper hold the kite up towards the wind, and release it as you pull the line towards you.
• Control the Kite: Let the line out slowly and gently, allowing the wind to lift your kite. If the kite starts to wobble, make adjustments to the line length and tension. Keep the line taught.
• Be Patient: Sometimes it takes a few tries to get your kite to fly just right. Encourage patience and a willingness to experiment with adjustments to the line.

Troubleshooting

If your kite is not flying correctly, here are some things to check:

• Is the Wind Too Strong or Too Weak? Adjust your location or wait for a more suitable wind.
• Is the Bridle Properly Attached? Make sure the bridle strings are securely fastened and that the flying line is attached at the center loop.
• Is the Kite Balanced? Check that the frame is straight and symmetrical. Try making adjustments to your bridle knot to allow for more flight.
• Is the Kite Too Heavy? Remove any excess decorations that may be weighing it down.

Extending the Fun

Once you’ve mastered the basic diamond kite, try experimenting with different designs and materials. Here are some ideas:

• Different Shapes: Explore creating kites in other shapes, such as delta or box kites.
• Different Materials: Try using different types of paper, plastic, or even fabric for your kite. Consider using lightweight nylon.
• Add Tails: Experiment with adding tails to your kite for stability and visual appeal. This can be as simple as using a thin plastic grocery bag, or streamers.
• Kite Flying Competition: Host a friendly competition to see who can fly their kite the highest or longest.
• Learn More About Kites: Research the history of kites, different kite designs, and the science of flight.

Safety Considerations

Always prioritize safety when building and flying kites:

• Avoid Power Lines: Never fly your kite near power lines or electrical wires.
• Supervision: Always supervise young children when building and flying kites.
• Weather: Do not fly your kite during thunderstorms or strong winds.
• Sharp Objects: Be careful when handling scissors and sharp tools.
• Safe Location: Choose an open area with no obstacles and away from roads or traffic.

Conclusion

Making a kite with your kids is a rewarding experience that combines creativity, learning, and outdoor fun. It’s a fantastic way to bond with your children, teach them valuable skills, and create lasting memories. So, gather your materials, head outdoors, and get ready to watch your homemade kites soar high in the sky! Happy kiting!