Kites are items that are used during days out, maybe for a family or corporate gatherings, and they are mainly used for entertainment. They may be cheap to purchase but creating one could also enhance the fun. There is also a sense of pride once the kite has been completed and flies in the skies well. This kite can be created by following some simple procedure.
Making the kite
- The first step is to collect the materials needed, which include a string or fishing line, wooded sticks, paper bag or tissue paper, markers and ribbons, power tools for making notches and scissors for cutting.
- Cut the wooden sticks in two different lengths, one measuring 24” and the other 16”.
- Make markings on the sticks, the shorter one at the centre and the longer one about two thirds its length.
- Place the two sticks one above the other at right angles at the marked positions. They will form a simple shape of a cross.
- Use the string or a fishing line to bind the sticks together by running it all around the marked positions until they are tightly held together. Tie a knot and cut of any excess strings.
- Make notches at the ends of the sticks using a power tool or a utility knife. They are used to hold the strings when making a kite frame.
- Run a string or fishing line all round for the framework, passing all the notches. Make sure the string fits well at every notch. Tightly tie the string at the notch where you started.
- When the frame is secure, use the scissors to cut the paper bag into the shape suitable for the kite. If using tissue paper, it is advisable that several strips should be used to avoid tear.
- Leave ½ an inch excess for cutting around string sections. Smear glue over the outside edge of the paper and fold it to close it and secure the paper inside the frame.
- Make a tail at the bottom part of the kite using the ribbons.
- Tie strings at the ends of each notch and it should be slightly longer than the sticks and they should all meet at a point inside the kite.
- Use another string to attach the four ends and then this single string should be long as it is used to suspend the kite in the air.
Making a kite does not necessarily have to be in one design but one can use other designs as long as it will be able to fly.