Simple Instructions on How to Make a Kite

Flying a homemade kit is fun!

Kite flying can be a fun hobby for children and adults. Diamond-shaped kites are common and simple to make. They will fly even in the lowest winds. The instructions for making a diamond-shaped kite are fairly easy and call for wood dowels, which are skinny long sticks. Creating a kite can take 20 minutes or less.

Things You'll Need

• 1 wood dowel rod, 1/8-inch round diameter, 38 inches long
• 1 wood dowel rod, 1/8-inch round diameter, 35 inches long
• Scissors
• 1 spool of kite string
• 1 piece of thin cotton fabric - any color, 54 inches wide and 54 inches long
• Kitchen knife
• Clear heavy-duty shipping tape

Instructions

How to Make a Diamond Kite

1. Make a cross out of two wood dowels. The longer stick (38 inches long) will go vertical. Center the shorter stick horizontally, 10 inches down from the top of the vertical stick. Cut 12 inches of kite string. Cross the string over and around in four directions where the sticks cross. Loop the end of the string under another string and tie a knot.

2. Cut a notch, or slit, at the top and bottom of each stick with a knife. Notches should be horizontal at eye level and not vertical. The depth of the notch should be 2 to 3 millimeters. Wrap a piece of tape around the top and bottom of each stick only once, right below the notches.

3. Starting at the bottom vertical stick, place kite string around the parameter into each notch. The strings should be tight-fitting to the point where the middle horizontal stick bends slightly. End the string at the bottom notch of the vertical stick, and wrap string around the diameter end of the stick three times. Leave 1 inch of string, cut, and loop under another string to tie into a knot.

4. Place cotton fabric flat on a table. Place the diamond shape frame on top of the fabric. Cut the fabric around the frame leaving an inch distance between the frame and fabric. Fold excess fabric over the strings, along each side of the frame. Tape all folds securely.

5. Add a tail to your kite for better balance by cutting 5 feet of kite string. Wrap the end of the vertical stick with the string four times. Loop the end of the string under another string and tie into a knot. With leftover fabric, cut three strips. Each strip of fabric should be about 8 inches wide and 3 inches long. Place first piece of fabric 6 inches down from the end of the vertical stick. Tie the piece of fabric in a knot over the string. Six inches down, do the same with the second and third piece of fabric.

6. Wrap spool of thread around the center of the cross by making an “X” over and around the crossed sticks. Do this four times. Tie into a knot. Secure with tape. Do not cut the string. The spool of thread will act as the handle for flying the kite.

Tips & Warnings

• 1. Purchase wooden dowels at any craft or hardware store.

• 2. When purchasing fabric, ask the store clerk to cut your fabric so you have the exact size you need, which will save you money.

• 1. Never fly a kite in the rain, to avoid being struck by lightening.

• 2. Check the weather forecast the day before you fly your kite.

References

• How to Make a Traditional Kit

Resources

• How to Fly a Kite
• Twenty-Minute Kite for Kids