How to Make a Homemade Kite

Kids often get bored during cold, rainy days. They want something to do that will be fun, entertaining, easy, and fast to do. Kites is one of the craft projects kids can make with a little help from their parents. On a slight to moderatly breezy dau, the kids can take their homemade kites out and fly them.

As a parent, you can give your kids a whole new meaning to "Go fly a kite." Making homemade kites fall in the easy to hard categories of craft projects. The ranges of kite making range so widely dut to how much time, materials, and construction the kids want to put into their kites.

Basic Parts of a Kite

Spine. The spine is the vertical stick that supports the length of your kite and is the basis for the kite's height.

Spar. The spars are the supports which are placed across or at a slant over the spine of the kite for support. The spars can be curved or bowed.

Frame. The frame consists of the spine and spar support sticks being tied together with string or plastic connectors to make the kite's internal frame network for the shell of the kite.

Cover. The cover is the outer shell of the kite that is made from cloth, plastic or paper and covers the frame of the kite.

Bridle. The bridle is used to control the movement of the kite and are attached to the spine or spars.

Flying line. The flying line is the string attached the bridle of the kite. The flying line is what the holder of the kite uses to keep the kite attached to the person.

Tail. The tail of the kite is the string attached to the bottom of the kite to help keep it balanced. However, not all kites will have a tail.

Reel. The reel is used to wind the flying line around. The reel also helps the kite from getting tangled or from flying away.

Diamond Kite

Materials for A Diamond Kite

Butcher or garden twine
Scotch tape or glue
Sheet of strong paper (40 inches x 40 inches)
2 wooden dowels one dowel should be 40 inches and the other should be 35 inches.
Ribbon, paint, markers to decorate the kite.

Instruction for Making a Diamond Kite

Step One: Making the Kite Frame