How to Make a Box Kite

Box Kite With Wings

As I have said in my other article, "How To Make a Hexagon Kite From Scratch" "I love Kites" and I am here with another great experience ready to share. Your kite will be up and flying in no time, provided you have followed the instructions correctly. You may also put a few touches of your own just to make your kite more unique. Having said all that, it's time to make our box kite.

Things You'll Need

• 22 pieces of flat dry bamboo wood strips.
• Stencil knife
• Pattex/Glue
• Kite wrapping material.(Recycled Plastic Bags, Paper etc.)
• Srtong Cord for making and flying kite.(Cotton,Nylon)
• An eye for neatness.
• Be able to follow instructions well.

Instructions

1. As in my other article: "How to make a Hexagon Kite". Acquire a piece of dry bamboo wood and cut 6 pieces of thin but not too flimsy strips 3ft tall from it. It must be able to withstand strong winds without bending or breaking but still light enough for the kite to fly.

   * Cut another 16 pieces of strips 1 ½ feet tall.
   All pieces of stick must be of the same thickness E.g. (¼ inch) for neatness. You must now have 22 pieces total.

2. 

   Start making a rectangular cube by connecting 4 pieces of the 3 feet strips together with the 1 ½ feet strips at each ends to form a rectangular cube. See Image.

3. Now tie the other 1 ½ feet pieces on the inside in the same manner, both top and bottom as you did the first lot, only this time place them Approximately 9 inches apart top & bottom. See image.

4. 

   Place another 3 feet piece of strip diagonally through and across the center of the kite protruding on the left and right side in an even manner to form a wing. Tie a piece of cord at (A) to (C), through (B) & (D) to (F) through (E). See image.

5. Take the last piece of 3 feet strip and do the same as step 4 but this time place it at an opposite angle to (E, B) so that it form an (X) in the center of the kite. This will help to support the kite against strong winds.
   Clip the ends - do not form a wing as in Step 4 ok.

6. Go ahead and paste on the paper, plastic of your choice on the areas selected in the diagram. They can be in any color of your choice.

   Now, let's make the Bridle, I prefer to call it LOOPS or Navigating mechanism but it really doesn't matter as long as we do it right. Make the knots as you would prefer to. After all it's your kite. Make a loop from (G) to (H) & Tie a knot at just a little above the center of the loop to form (I).

Tips & Warnings

• I try to make the steps shorter but wasn't possible as I wanted to give you a more detailed set of instructions. See images.

• You could put a (X) shape in the top and bottom sections but in my view, it would make the kite look over crowded. If you have tied everything together firmly as instructed, then the wind cannot break it so easily. Trust me, I've done this lots of times. (X) in the middle and that's it.

• Go experiment!! And have fun while doing it.

• Stencil knives are sharp and may cause extensive injury to self if not properly and responsibly used.

• Pattex give off fumes and is harmful if swallowed or caught in the eyes.

• Bamboo wood can also cause injury if care is not taken when using. (use gloves for handling)

• Plastic bags can cause suffocation, especially to small children. So, keep an eye out for the kids.(Don't get too lost in the excitement)