How to Build a Box Kite

The box kite has an interesting history. It was invented over a hundred years ago with the original purpose of trying to lift people up into the air. While the kite failed for this purpose, the box kite has become useful for both the military and scientists.
Box kites are rectangular-shaped and have no tail. Here are detailed instructions for making your own box kite that is sure to be a high flyer.

Things You'll Need

• 2, 51-inch x 12-inch sheets of plastic or cloth 4 1/4 x 3/8 x 40-inch flat sticks 4 1/4 x 1/2 x 17-inch flat sticks Kite string Glue Small metal ring (1-inch diameter) Fisherman swivel (see resources)

Instructions

1. Lay out the sheets of kite material you are using parallel to each other. Space them 16 inches apart.

2. Mark four 12-inch spaces on each sheet. Leave a 3-inch empty border at the end.

3. Cut notches every 1/4-inch into top and bottom ends of the short sticks. Cut a 1/2-inch wide and 1/8-inch deep groove across the middle of each short stick. Fit the two pairs of short sticks together into two "X" shapes.

4. Wind string around the joints in the short sticks made in step 3. Slather the string generously with glue.

5. Place the long sticks across the sheets. Each stick must cover one set of marks made in step 2. Glue one narrow edge of each stick to the marks.

6. Wait for the glue to dry completely. Spread a generous amount of glue along the 3-inch border created in step 2. Fold the flap on the other end over and arrange it to cover the border.

7. Wait for the glue to dry completely. Insert the crossed short sticks into the center of both tubes. Fit the notches around the long sticks. This creates a box-like shape out of the material.

8. Tie two 30-inch lengths of string to the bottom end of two of the long sticks.

9. Tie two 25-inch lengths of string to the long sticks in the center of the upper box at the point that the short sticks connect to the long sticks.

10. Tie each string to the metal ring with a double knot.

11. Connect a swivel to the ring and attach the flying string to the swivel. Make certain all knots are very tight to finish the box kite.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Fisherman Swivel