Making Kites

Back in my teaching days, I used to make this kite with my class every year. They are super simple, you can make them with items you already have in your house and, this is the biggie, they actually fly.

Materials (per kite):

• 1 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper
• 1 wooden skewer (like you use for Kebabs
• 1 3 in. x 1 in. piece of cardboard
• 12 feet of light weight string (yarn works)
• 2 feet streamer or surveyors tape
• tape
• paper punch
• (Maybe) paperclips (if your kite is really whirling around in the wind)

Let's get started:

1. Take your piece of paper and fold it in half so your paper is now 8 1/2 x 5 1/2.


2. I have drawn a line so you can see how you're supposed to fold the paper, but you do not have to do so. Fold the paper open so there is a diagonal fold. It should now look like a kite shape. Place tape all the way down that fold.


3. Place the wooden skewer across the widest points of the kite and tape in place.


4. Flip the kite over and fold the flap back and forth until it stands straight up. Measure about 1/3 of the way down from the top, place a piece of tape around the flap (so the string doesn't tear the hole) and punch a hole.


5. Tie one end of the string to the hole and wrap the rest of the string around your cardboard rectangle.


6. Flip the kite back over and tape the streamer to the bottom of the kite. If your kite is really whirling in the wind you may need to add some paperclips to the bottom of your streamer.


7. Now it's time to fly a kite!!


Dennis and I had more fun than the kids did!!