Build a kite
Making kites with children: It works with these instructions
On windy days, a colorful kite in the sky ensures a good mood and lots of fun for the whole family. Although kites are available to buy, homemade kites are unique and fill children with special pride. Once the craft project is finished, they can go outside straight away.
Building a flying object like this doesn't have to be complicated - as our simple instructions prove: Wooden strips, a little paper and a string. With just a few tools, the kite is quickly made and ready for outdoor use.
Material list
For a classic kite, you will need the following crafting utensils:
- thin wooden sticks or strips (e.g. bamboo or balsa wood, approx. 60 cm and 40 cm long)
- light plastic foil or kite paper (approx. 80 cm x 80 cm)
- strong glue or adhesive tape
- string (kite string or tear-resistant string, approx. 20 meters for the flying string and 2 meters for the frame)
- small saw
- scissors
- ruler
- pencil
- option: colourful ribbons or crepe paper for the tail of the kite
- option: Colors or stickers for decoration
Step-by-step instructions for a kite
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Step 1: Frame
To get started, you will need the wooden sticks or strips, a saw, glue and/or adhesive tape and the string.
Cut one wooden stick to 60 cm and one to 40 cm. Lay the sticks on top of each other in the shape of a cross - the longer stick lies vertically and the shorter stick lies horizontally above it, about a third away from the top end of the longer stick.
Glue the sticks together and use the adhesive tape to strengthen the connection.
Now it's time to use the string: use it to stretch a frame so that all four ends of the sticks are connected. To do this, wrap the string around one end several times before pulling the string to the next end. Glue also helps to stabilize the frame here.
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Step 2: Paper
Now have the scissors, pencil and the plastic foil or kite paper ready.
Place the cross on the kite paper or foil and trace the outline of the cross - it should be in the shape of a diamond.
Draw another parallel line around the outside of the shape at a distance of about two centimetres.
Now cut out the shape along the outer line.
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Step 3: Connect the frame and paper
You will need glue and/or adhesive tape again for this step.
Place the cross in the middle of the cut-out paper shape.
Fold the overhanging edge around the string and the ends of the wooden sticks; use glue and/or adhesive tape to secure the paper. The paper should be tightly stretched so that the kite can fly stably.
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Step 4: Cord
Tie one end of the cord to the point where the two rods cross. It is best to tie several knots so that the cord holds securely.
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Step 5: Tail
Finally, the kite needs a nice tail. Have some colorful ribbons or crepe paper, adhesive tape and scissors ready for this.
Cut the ribbons or crepe paper into strips about one meter long.
Tape them to the tip at the bottom of the kite - the more strips you use, the more voluminous the tail will be.
Alternatively, you can also attach a long string to the kite and tie bows to the ribbon with the colorful ribbons.
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Step 6: Decorate and embellish
Do you still have stickers, colorful pens, glitter or other craft supplies at home? You and your child can use them to decorate the kite however you like. There are no limits to creativity here.
With these instructions, the kite is finished in no time and ready for its first adventure in the sky. Now the wind just has to be right and then it's time to have fun flying!
Cloud striker tips: How to get your kite off the ground
Not only building a kite, but also launching it is a small art in itself. Here are a few tips to help you launch your kite as successfully as possible:
- Pay attention to the right wind force: Most kites take off at wind force 2. This wind force can be felt on the skin and causes the leaves on the trees to move. If the trees bend completely, the wind is too strong.
- Leave a long line: It should be at least ten meters to the start. The kite can only really pick up speed with an appropriately long line.
- Attention, safety: A field, a large meadow (without trees) or a sports field are ideal for flying a kite. Please take care not to fly the kite next to a road or railroad tracks. Power lines can be life-threatening - always keep a safe distance! And it should also be at least five kilometers away from the nearest airport.
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