How to Make a Kite

Kite making and kite flying is fun on a beautiful windy day. You can easily make a simple diamond-shaped kite in just one afternoon. First you make a kite frame, then you measure and cut the kite shirt in the shape of a diamond. The final step is to add a string and a tail for the kite to fly better. You can also decorate the kite once it’s done to make it look better in the sky.

Table of Contents

Make a kite frame

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Assemble the sticks together to form a lowercase T. Place the 50cm stick across the 60cm stick to form a lowercase T. These two sticks will form the frame of the kite. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If you want to make a larger kite, use a longer stick. Make sure the horizontal stick is at least 10cm shorter than the vertical stick.

Secure the two sticks together with wire and glue. Wrap the twine around the intersection of the two sticks for 1-2 turns. Then knot the rope or twine and cut off the excess with scissors. You can also apply some super glue to the intersection and press them together to make the joint stronger. ^{[2] X Research Source}

When joining, you must make sure the two sticks are perpendicular to each other. The horizontal rod must be positioned perpendicular to the vertical rod.

Make a slit at the top of each stick. Use scissors to cut a slot in the end of each stick. These grooves should be across the width of the rod. Cut the groove deep enough for the string attached to the kite shirt to pass through. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

If you are using very thin rods and thin wire, you can skewer the ends of the sticks instead of slitting them.

Pull the string around the kite frame. Wrap the string once around the groove on the top of the kite frame. Then pull the cord through the groove at the right end of the frame. Continue pulling the rope through the groove at the bottom end of the frame, and then pull the cord over the left end of the frame. Finally, wrap the wire around the groove on the top of the frame for 1-2 turns. Use scissors to cut off the excess wire. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Remember to pull the string taut but not too tight to prevent the rod from bending or buckling.
The string will help the kite frame keep its shape when flying in the sky.

Measure and cut the kite shirt

Use a plastic bag, paper or cloth with a width of 1m to make the kite shirt. The large white garbage bag is the best choice because it is durable and easy to decorate. You can use white decorative stickers or newspaper. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Cloth can also make a kite shirt if you don’t have paper or a plastic bag, but you should use a thick, stiff fabric to avoid tearing.

Place the frame on the kite shirt. Spread the material used to make the kite shirt on the floor, then place the kite frame in the middle.

Use a ruler to draw the outline of the kite. Place the ruler on the top of the frame and the right end of the horizontal stick. Using a ballpoint pen or pencil, draw a diagonal line from the top of the frame to the right end of the horizontal stick. Similarly, you take a ruler and draw from the right end to the bottom end of the vertical stick, then from the bottom end to the left end of the horizontal stick. Finish by drawing a diagonal line from the left end to the top of the frame. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

You should have a diamond on the canvas, with the kite frame centered on the diamond.

Cut the kite shirt 5cm wider than the line. Using scissors cut the diamond shape from the fabric, leaving some space around the line so you can wrap the kite shirt into the frame easily. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

You now have a beautiful diamond-shaped kite shirt that can fit snugly into the kite frame.

Assemble the kite parts

Wrap the edge of the kite shirt over the frame, apply glue and press down. Apply a thin layer of super glue to the frame and press the edge of the kite shirt onto the frame to hold it in place. You can also use duct tape or electrical tape to attach the kite to the frame, by gluing the edge of the kite to the inside of it. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Make sure the kite jacket is firmly attached to the frame to prevent it from coming apart when the wind blows.

Attach the drop rope. Use a string of at least 50cm long as a kite line. Use scissors to poke a small hole just above where the two sticks intersect. The hole should be wide enough for you to thread the wire through. Then you pull one end of the string through the hole and tie the string tightly around the intersection. Let the string hang freely while you complete the rest of the kite. ^{[9] X Research Source}

You can then add more rope to the drop to make it longer, depending on your arm length and height. Sometimes adding a string to the drop line can help the kite fly more upright.

Use a thick piece of string about 2m long as a kite tail. Attach the kite tail to the end of the frame by wrapping the tail around the frame several times and tightening. Use thick string or a strip of fabric for the kite tail. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Choose a material for making the kite tail that matches the color of the kite shirt so that the kite looks better when flying.

Attach the ribbons to the tail of the kite, spaced 30cm apart. Tie 5-8cm long ribbons to the kite’s tail and let them fly freely on it. The ribbons will help the kite tail to balance and the kite to fly straight.

Decorate the kite with markers or colored paper. After assembling the kite, use a marker pen to decorate the kite with good, encouraging words. You can also use markers to color the kite with fun shapes like stripes or dots. Try cutting colored paper into spirals, triangles or circles to stick on the kite shirt.

You can also write your name on the kite so everyone knows it’s yours and you can see your name flying in the sky.

Advice

There are many other types of kites that you can make once you’ve made a simple diamond kite, such as triangle, sled, and whirlwind kites. Find ways to make these types of kites to enrich your kite collection.

Things you need

Plastic garbage bags, high-strength paper or thin cloth.
2 wooden or bamboo sticks, 60cm and 50cm long.
Cotton rope or twine, at least 2.5 – 3m long.
5-6 fabric ribbons
Super glue
Duct tape or electrical tape
Ruler
Drag
Colored pencils/markers/crayons (optional)

Steps

Make a kite frame

Measure and cut the kite shirt

Assemble the kite parts

Advice

Things you need

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