Let's Fly Make a Kite!

On one day, my class will be flying kites. Sure, I could have bought a kite, but why squander an opportunity to make something when it's so much more fun to MacGyver/Martha Stewart it? There are loads of kite tutorials out there. I mainly relied on this one and this one, both of which attach lightweight plastic (garbage or grocery bags) to lightweight wood. I was lucky to find the cellophane wrapping paper as a somewhat more elegant substitute, though, since garbage bags...well, look like garbage bags. Of course, this is the first kite I've made, so while it looks pretty good (or at least very kite-like) keep your fingers crossed for me that this thing actually flies. I'll let you know soon.

If this works, and you want to make your own, you'll need:

• 10 inch bamboo skewers


• Heavy-duty kitchen shears


• Emery board or lightweight sandpaper


• String, dental floss, or embroidery floss


• Cellophane wrapping paper


• Ruler and/or yardstick


• Pen


• Scissors


• Scotch tape


• (Optional) Tissue paper or other lightweight decoration


• (Optional) Clear glue, such as scrapbooking glue


• (Optional) Lightweight ribbon for tail


• Lightweight ribbon, string, etc.

How you do it:

1. Carefully trim the pointed end of the skewer with the kitchen shears.


2. Smooth the trimmed end with emery board.


3. Measure the halfway point of one skewer, mark with a pen or pencil.



4. Lay the marked skewer across the unmarked skewer, matching the center to a point about a quarter down from the top of the unmarked skewer.


5. To create the frame, cut about 18-24 inches of string or floss, wrap over and under all corners where the skewers cross until secure and stable. Trim ends, secure with a drop of glue or small amount of clear tape if desired.


6. Lay the frame on top of paper, trace around frame with yardstick to create sail pattern.



7. Tape pattern to cellophane wrapping paper, cut out sail.



8. I decided to decorate my kite with sea life-themed cutouts of decorated tissue paper. I drew a fish and an octopus. (You may disagree with me on this.)



9. I cut out my drawings, and very gently glued them to the sail with clear glue. The blunt end of another skewer can be used to gently press the cutouts to the sail.


10. Then tape the sail to the frame at all four corners with clear tape.



11. Finally, add a string. I used some very lightweight sheer ribbon that I had in my stash, but you can use any number of things. You can also attach a tail; I used more of the sheer ribbon I had in my stash.