How to Build a Kite

Kite flying is a great experience whether it is a cool windy day at the beach or a hot and breezy day in the neighborhood. You can enhance the fun of kite flying by learning how to build a kite from scratch. Kites can be made in many different shapes and sizes, but when you first learn how to build a kite, it is best to start out simple.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Dowels
• Knife
• Twine
• Paper or plastic bag

1. Gather the materials you will need to build your kite. These materials include the following: some sort of lightweight twine or cord, tape or glue, two strong dowels made of bamboo or strong wood, one large piece of paper or a large trash bag, ruler, pen, scissors, ribbon and some pens or markers to decorate.
2. Cut your dowels or sticks so that one is 24 inches long and one is 20 inches long.
3. Use a knife to cut notches into each end of the sticks. You will be creating four notches.
4. Mark off a point on the shorter of the two sticks, which is in the middle, or ten inches from the end. Then mark off a point on the larger of the two sticks which is six inches from the end.
5. Make a cross with the two sticks by matching the sticks up at the marks. All of the notches at the end of the sticks should run parallel to the ground when the cross is laid down on the table.
6. Bind the two sticks together by wrapping twine around the center repeatedly in an x shape, until it feels sturdy. Then continue to wrap the twine through each of the notches, making a diamond shape with the twine.
7. Tie the string off at the center of the cross after once again repeated the x shape. Be sure that your string feels tight and is not sagging.
8. Pull out your paper or trash bag and cut it such that it is slightly larger than the shape of the kite. Feel free to decorate your paper before using it.
9. Place the paper over the string frame of the kite, and then neatly fold the edges of the paper over the string rim. You will then tape or glue the edges over the rim, providing extra reinforcement at the top and bottom of the kite.
10. Cut two small holes, one at the top and one at the bottom of the kite. These holes should be large enough for string.
11. Run a two foot piece of string through the top hole and tie it off. Then run the remainder of that string through the bottom hole and tie it off. This is your bridle.
12. Attach the remainder of your string to the center of your bridle. This is your flying string. You may also attach ribbon to your string for added decoration.

Tips & Warnings

• When wrapping the string around the frame be sure that the string is taught.
• Use caution when cutting the notches into the end of the dowels.