Instructions on How to Build a Diamond Kite
This fun and easy kite-making pattern is the perfect activity for giving kids something to do on boring summer days. Not only does it allow them to get their creative juices flowing, but it provides a great opportunity for exercise and time outside when the kite is completed!
Things You'll Need
- Wooden dowels, equal length
- Marker
- Wire
- Glue
- Garbage bags or newspaper
- Yardstick
- Scissors
- Twine
- Tape
- Ribbon
- Spool of kite string
- Decorating materials
Instructions
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1
Construct the frame. Compare your dowels to ensure that they are similar in length. While diamond kites may be as large as four feet by four feet, you can make them smaller. Using a marker, mark the midpoint of one dowel and the ¼ point of the other one. Overlap the dowels at the marks, and connect them by wrapping a piece of wire around the intersection. Use glue to secure the wire in place.
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2
Cut out the sail. While the glue is drying, cut a large garbage bag across the bottom and down one side. You can also use newspaper that has been taped together. Spread the sail material out on a large, flat surface. Lay the frame on top of the plastic or newsprint, and use a marker to mark the four points of the frame on the sail material. Connect the four dots on the material into a diamond shape using a yardstick. Cut out the shape, leaving a margin of one or two inches on each side.
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3
Outline the frame with string. Use a knife to cut a notch on both ends of each dowel. Tie the string around the top of the vertical dowel, and stretch the string to each of the following notches. The string should outline the dowels to form a diamond shape. Tie the string again at the top, in the same place you started. As you are attaching the string, make small loops at the top and bottom of the vertical dowel.
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4
Attach the sail. Center the diamond-shaped frame on the plastic or newspaper you cut out. Fold the margin of each edge over the string. Use tape to secure the margin in place. Be sure to leave the loops from the previous step sticking out.
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5
Form the bridle and tail. Cut another piece of string, about 45 inches long. Make a loop about one-fourth of the way from one end of the string. Tie the end nearest the loop to the loop sticking out from the top of the kite. Tie the other end to the loop at the bottom. The string should go down the back of the kite. This is the kite's bridle.
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6
Cut another piece of string, several feet long. Attach small pieces of ribbon every six to seven inches. Tie this string to the loop at the bottom of the kite.
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7
Attach your spool of kite string to the loop in the bridle.
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8
Decorate and fly!
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Tips & Warnings
Remember, measurements will vary if you choose to scale down the size of the kite.
References
- Photo Credit kite image by belmac from Fotolia.com
