** Kite flying is not only a favorite activity in Thailand, but also a competitive sport!
Spring is coming – now is the perfect time to work on that Homemade Kite, so it will be ready when the sunshine arrives.
Make a kite and watch it fly! Use wrapping paper, drinking straws and other items from home to put together a lightweight work of art that will soar through the sky on a windy day!
AGE: 6+ (with adult support) TIME FRAME: 30 – 45 minutes
SUPPLIES:
- Cereal Box
- 12” x 12” or larger wrapping paper, newspaper or other lightweight paper
- 6 Paper or plastic straws
- Skein of yarn or spool of string
- Roll of 2” masking tape
- Roll of clear tape
- Pencil
- Marker or pen
- Ruler (12” or larger) or straight edge
- Scissors
- Plastic grocery bag
Directions:
1. Create the kite pattern. Open the cereal box at the seams and flatten it out completely. On one side of the box (cardboard side facing up) use the pencil and straight edge to draw a line down the center. Create a triangle at the top of the box by drawing two slanted lines out from the center line and a straight line across. Then draw longer lines slanting in to finish the large diamond shape. Using a marker, draw over the outline of the diamond shape. Then cut out a diamond kite pattern from the cardboard.
2. Cut out the kite. Take the wrapping paper (or other lightweight paper) and roll it out. Use the cardboard kite pattern, trace the diamond kite shape on top of the paper (pattern side down) and carefully cut it out. Tip: When tracing onto the paper, use small rocks or other items to hold the paper down if it is rolling up.
3. Frame the kite. Using six straws, create the kite frame on the inside of the paper. Lay and tape the straws down one at a time, beginning with the top horizontal line (bottom of the upper triangle). No straws should completely overlap, so you’ll need to trim them as you go. Tip: Masking tape can be used for the center straws, but clear tape is best for the outside straws as it can wrap around the other side unseen.
4. Make the kite line. Measure out 20 feet of string or yarn for the kite line. Take a small piece of unused cereal box cardboard (about the size of a palm) and cut triangles out of both ends of it (so it looks like a bow shape). Then tape one end of the yarn/string to the center and wrap most of the string (save one foot) around the cardboard. Take the tail of the string and tie it onto the center straw of the kite.
5. Add the kite tail. Make a tail for your kite! Measure out 3 feet of string or yarn for the kite tail. Tie one end onto the bottom of the kite frame. Add some extra flair to your kite by creating bows for your tail. Use a plastic grocery bag and cut 1″ x 4” strips and tie them onto the kite tail spaced out evenly.
6. Fly your kite! The best day to fly your kite is a windy one. When ready, take your kite outside to an open space, away from trees and power lines. If you are having trouble getting your kite in the air, have a friend or family member hold up the kite for you as you run with it. Let it go and watch it take to the sky!
