How To Build A Kite

Kite flying can be a extremely relaxing past time and though ready-made kites are

inexpensive and easy to get, it can be extremely rewarding to make one from scratch with your own two hands. The process is very quick and easy so if you are up for it, here are a few things to get you started on a diamond-shaped kite.

Required Tools

Markers, paint or crayons

Knife/saw

Scissors

Required Materials

String

Scotch tape or glue

1 sheet of strong paper/plastic (102cm x 102cm)

2 sticks of bamboo or wooden doweling 90cm and 100cm

Strong cord

Instructions

The first step is to build the frame of your kite. Lay the 100 cm stick on a level surface and put the 90 cm stick across it. The 90 cm stick should be about 2/3 up the 100 cm stick and should be equal on both sides (basically you should have the shape of a cross). Keep in mind that you are making a diamond shape as such the 90 cm stick should be over the middle of the 100 cm stick.

When the sticks are lined up use the string to wrap around them and secure them into position. Use a knife/saw to cut little notches into the 4 ends of the frame large enough for string to fit in without coming out. Now tie the end of the string to one of the sticks and run the string all the way around the frame. Run the string into a notch, wrap it right around the stick so it remains in place and move on. Do this on all the sticks, then tie the string and sever it with a knife or scissors.

Now take the paper/plastic and put it down and then place the frame on top of it. Use your scissors to cut the paper/plastic to match the frame, allowing about 2 cm additional right around. If you plan to paint or color the kite, this is probably the best period to do so as it will be simpler to make patterns while the paper/plastic is lying flat rather than waiting until it is wrapped around the frame.

After you are finished with your painting/coloring and the paper/plastic has dried, fold the extra paper/plastic over the strings and tape or glue them down so that they enfold the string frame, making sure that the paper/plastic is properly stretched and taut.

Tie a piece of string around the top and bottom of the 90 cm stick, but leave a little of additional string loose in the middle (for example because the stick is 90 cm long, make the string about 100 cm long). Tie another piece of string around the top of the 100 cm stick and around the bottom also as with the 90 cm stick however, leave additional string at the bottom for the tail (about 25 cm longer). Locate where both strings cross each other in the middle. This is where you will knot the string that you will be holding onto while the kite is in the air.

Lastly use ribbons to decorate the kite tail; besides looking pretty the ribbons will add weight to the kite and prevent it from spinning out of control when in the air. When this step is complete tie the cord you will be holding around the 2 strings mentioned earlier and your kite is ready to go.

Tips and Warnings

When running the string to make the kites frame, ensure that you do not draw the string so tightly that you warp the frame of the kite.

If the kite keeps dipping or spinning out of control the tail might be too light or too heavy therefore experiment with it until the kite flies steadily.

by: sadie.backhurst

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