How to Make Box Kites

Make Your Own Kite

A box kite is a more advanced kite compared to standard diamond-shaped kites that are usually made and sold in stores. Box kites fly much higher and with greater ease than standard kites. Kids can make a box kite in with their parents or teacher in an afternoon. Although some young children may be frustrated while building the box kite, with a parent or teacher's help, the kite will soon be off and soaring.

Things You'll Need

• Four 36-inch long wooden dowels
• Four 14-inch long wooden dowels
• Regular twine
• Scissors
• Hand held saw
• Plastic wrap
• Masking tape
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Using your hand held saw, put a small notch in the end of each dowel. This will help the dowels hold together better once they are connected.

2. Make an "X" shape with two 14-inch dowels by crossing one on top of the other. At the intersecting point should be four 90-degree angles. Wrap the intersection point with masking tape and then wrap tightly with twine. Repeat this process with the other two 14-inch dowels. You should have two "X" shapes when completed.

3. About 8 inches from the bottom of a 36-inch dowel, attach one end of an "X" to the 8-inch mark on the dowel. Use the same masking tape and twine method of attaching dowels as above.

4. Connect the other three dowels at the 8-inch mark, one to each end of the "X" shape.

5. Approximately 8 inches from the opposite end of all four 36-inch dowels, attach the second "X" shape. Use the masking tape and twine method to attach the "X." The frame of your kite should now be a box shape with two reinforcing "X" shapes inside.

6. Stand the box on end on a flat surface. Wrap plastic wrap around the top 8 inches and bottom 8 inches of the sides of the box. Leave the 14-inch top and bottom of the box kite open, as well as the center 20 inches of space on the kite. Reinforce the plastic wrap with masking tape.

7. Attach the kite string by poking a hole in the masking tape reinforcement with scissors on one of the corners where the long dowels meet the x-dowels. Tie the kite string in a tight knot around the wooden dowel closest to it, so it will not come loose. The kite string should be at least 20 feet long. Your kite is ready to fly.

Tips & Warnings

• Decorate your box kite by painting it or adding stickers.

• Do not allow children to play with a box kite in the street.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Inquiry.net: Square Box Kite with Wings