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)
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Step 1
Lay out the sheets of kite material you are using parallel to each other. Space them 16 inches apart.
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Step 2
Mark four 12-inch spaces on each sheet. Leave a 3-inch empty border at the end.
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Step 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.
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Step 4
Wind string around the joints in the short sticks made in step 3. Slather the string generously with glue.
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Step 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.
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Step 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.
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Step 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.
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Step 8
Tie two 30-inch lengths of string to the bottom end of two of the long sticks.
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Step 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.
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Step 10
Tie each string to the metal ring with a double knot.
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Step 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.
Comments
Wasatch said
on 10/22/2009 Good article. I am building a few kites with the kids now and your instructions are good.