How to Build an Old Fashion Kite

This is an example of a classic, old-fashioned kite.

Unfortunately, historians do not know the exact date that the first kite was flown or the person responsible. However, according to legend, the kite was born when a Chinese farmer tied his hat to a string to stop it from blowing away in a strong wind, according to the National Kite Month website. Nowadays a myriad of kites exist, including kites in shapes of parachutes, animals and boxes. Luckily, the simplest kite to construct is an old-fashioned kite-a diamond shaped kite with a cross frame. You probably have most of the materials that you need to make it around your house.

Things You'll Need

• 1 stick: 24 inches
• 1 stick: 20 inches
• Craft glue
• Masking tape
• Craft knife
• Spool of sturdy string
• Large piece of paper: 26 by 26 inches
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Ribbon
• Duct tape

Instructions

1. Position your two sticks into a cross. The 26-inch piece of wood should be the vertical part of your cross. The 20-inch piece of wood should cross it so that it is perfectly center, with 10 inches on either side of the intersection. The top branch of the kite should be 8 inches in length from the intersection.

2. Add two or three drops of glue at the intersection to secure the sticks in place. Allow the glue to harden. Wrap masking tape around the glued intersection to make it even more secure.

3. Cut a 12-inch piece of string and wrap it around the intersection of the two sticks, on top of the masking tape. Add a drop of craft glue to hold it in place.

4. Wrap a small 1-inch piece of masking tape around each end of the sticks. This prevents the wood from splitting. Cut a small notch on the end of each stick about 1/8 inch deep.

5. Pull a long piece of string from your spool. Starting at the bottom stick of your cross, thread it through all of the notches, ending back around at the bottom stick. You want the string to form an outline of the sail of the kite. The string should be extremely taut. It should be so tight that the sticks of the kite bow slightly.

6. Cut the string from your spool once the string is threaded through all the notches. Wrap both ends of your piece of string around the bottom stick. Wrap a piece of masking tape around them to keep them secure.

7. Lay your kite frame on top of your piece of paper. Cut the paper around the frame of the kite, leaving a 1-inch border.

   Begin with the lower right side of the kite and fold the inch wide border over the taut length of string. Cut a piece of masking tape of equal length and secure your fold in place. Repeat with all sides of the kite. Make sure that your paper is taut and that you press down firmly on the pieces of tape.

8. Cut a 2-foot piece of string and attach it to the bottom stick of your kite with masking tape. Tie a knotted bow made out of ribbon every 10 inches or so along this piece of string. This is your tail.

9. Measure a piece of string that is approximately 8 feet long. Tape one end of the string to the top end of your paper kite with duct tape. Tape the other end of string to the bottom end of your paper kite. This is your bridle.

10. Find the exact middle of your bridle and knot a small loop. This is where you will attach your flying string. Pull a piece of string, still attached to the spool and thread it through this loop. Knot it tightly around the loop. You are now ready to fly your kite.

References

• Kid at Art: Go Fly a Kite
• Skratch Pad: Make Your Own Kite
• Warm Biscuit: Homemade Hand-Painted Kites
• Moms Who Think: How to Make a Kite
• National Kite Month: Kite History