Make Your Own Kite

Step-by-Step Instructions to Do It Yourself

© Denise Oliveri

Jul 5, 2007

Flying kites is a fun hobby for kids and adults alike. You can buy kites at retail stores, and they are so many great designs to choose from. You can also make your own Diamond kite with any designs you want. The Diamond kite is one of the easier homemade kites to make, and it is still able to perform very well. In fact, once you get the hang of how to make this durable kite, you can make more and more in no time.

This makes one kite.

Diamond Kite

Materials:

• 45 inch x 45 inch piece of vellum (any color)
• Fast-drying glue
• Scissors
• Craft Knife
• 42-inch stick about 1/2 inch wide and 3/8 inch deep
• 32-inch stick about 1/2 inch wide and 3/8 inch deep
• 60 feet of twine or string
• Pencil
• Glitter glue
• Crepe paper
• Poster paints (various colors)
• Paintbrushes
• Ribbons

Making the Frame:

1. Use the craft knife to carve a lengthwise notch 1/4 inch deep into both ends of each stick (adult to do or supervise). Notches should be deep enough to tightly hold the string.
2. Cross the short stick over the longer stick about 9 inches from the top. Where the sticks intersect, you will tie them together with string (or twine). Knot it and cut off the excess string. Add glue on top of the knot for extra holding power.
3. Start at the top and thread string through each notch all the way around. Repeat this step being sure that the string is kept taut. Finish at the top and tie a knot, but do not cut the string. This is now the kite frame.
4. To make the bridle (where you will attach the string), fold knotted string back from the top and tie it off where the sticks intersect. Cut the string, but leave about 3 inches.

Putting it Together:

1. Place the frame flat onto the vellum and lightly draw an outline of your kite frame, adding an extra 3/4 inches all the way around to fold over and eventually glue to the string. The vellum will become your kite's sail.
2. Use scissors to cut out the sail and then set the frame aside until the sail is completely decorated.
3. Use paint, glitter glue, and ribbon to decorate the sail. Don't use anything that is too heavy and could weigh the kite down.
4. After decorating is done, wait for about 10 minutes for the glitter and paint to dry.
5. Lay the frame flat against the sail. Pour fast-drying glue onto the sail at the edges and fold the edges over the string. Allow to dry for approximately 5 minutes.
6. Use more string (or twine) to tie a knot to one end of the bridle, about 1/3 way down). This is now your flying string.
7. Glue some crepe paper to your string to make a tail, if you desire.
8. Now "Go Fly a Kite!"

Now that you have a kite, you are ready to invite some family and friends to a Kite Festival in your own neighborhood. Read, Throwing a Kite Festival, for more details.

Example of a Diamond kite

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