How to Make a Box Kite for Kids
The box kite was originally developed by Lawrence Hargrave in 1892. He managed to link multiple kites together and even lift a man off the ground. Some years later the concept was built upon by Samuel Cody who created winged box kites and developed a patent for lifting men using box kites in 1901. Since then they have been used for everything from meteorology to the military, but the main place we see them now is the hands of kids and other kite enthusiasts. And building your kids a box kite can mean fun for the whole family.
Things You'll Need
- 12 pieces of wood measuring 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch by 1 foot
- Wood glue
- Small pinch clamps
- 4 pieces of wood measuring 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch by 3 feet
- Colored Mylar
- Kite string
- Scissors
- Damp rag
- Stapler
Instructions
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1
Lay two of the 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch by 1 foot pieces of wood parallel to each other about a foot apart. Put a dab of glue at the ends of each piece.
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2
Lay two more 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch by 1 foot pieces of wood across the other two parallel in the other direction. The new pieces should sit on top of the first ones where you put the glue to form a square.
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3
Place a pinch clamp at each corner to secure it. Repeat steps 1 to 3 with the remainder of your 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch by 1 foot pieces of wood. You should have three identical squares now. Allow these to dry for at least four to six hours.
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4
Lay two of your 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch by 3 foot pieces of wood parallel about a foot apart. Place a dab of glue at each end and one in the middle of each piece of wood.
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5
Set one of the squares you made earlier on top of the long pieces of wood. It should be standing up and perpendicular to your long pieces so that it begins to form the end of a long, rectangular box. Place pinch clamps at each joint.
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6
Repeat Step 5 at the other end and in the middle of your long pieces of wood. Clamp all of the newly glued joints and allow to dry for four to six hours minimum.
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7
Place a dab of glue at each end and one in the middle of each piece of your remaining 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch by 3 foot pieces of wood and lay them glue-side down parallel to your other two long pieces so that they all together form a 3 foot by 1 foot by 1 foot rectangular framework. Clamp all newly glued joints and allow to dry.
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8
Cut two strips of colored Mylar 1 foot wide by 4 feet long. Wrap one around each end of your box frame so that it is about 1/2 inch from the end and mark both sides. Note where the Mylar comes in contact with the box frame. Remove the Mylar and set aside.
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9
Run a thin bead of wood glue along all the surfaces of the box frame that the Mylar comes in contact with. Smooth the glue with your finger so that you have an even, thin layer of glue up to your marks.
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10
Staple the Mylar to the wood to secure it and wrap it around the box frame where you just put the glue. Staple the end as well and smooth the Mylar down where it meets the box frame and glue and allow to dry. You should have a rectangular box frame with the ends of the long part wrapped in Mylar.
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11
Cut four pieces of string 2 feet long and tie them together so that you have one knot with four strings coming off. Tie the other ends around all four corners of one long side of your box kite.
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12
Tie the end of the remaining spool of kite string to the knot connecting the other four pieces of string. Your box is now ready to fly.
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Tips & Warnings
Kids can do this on their own with a little assistance.
If you're a kid, have your parents cut your wood if need be.
Never fly a kite near power lines or in storms.
References
- Photo Credit young woman with kite image by Vasiliy Koval from Fotolia.com
