During the summer when you want to get out of the house and maybe go to the park, you might not have anything exciting to do other than maybe have a picnic. Well today I’m going to tell you how you can make the best homemade kites for you and your kids this summer. These kites range in size and they can also look like birds or any other animal.
Step One:
Okay before we start let’s make sure we have the materials needed to make our kites. First you need heavy craft paper, or you can use canvas if you want the kite to last more than a week or two. Then we need some glue, scissors, some yarn, wooden dowels, an Exacto knife, and masking tape. Okay now that we’ve got all of our materials let’s get started. Now, take the two wooden dowels and put them together to form a cross. I’d say put one of the dowels directly in the middle of the other one horizontally. With your yarn you want to tie the dowels together tightly, but not too tight because you might snap the dowels.
Step Two:
When your cross is finished take the Exacto knife and make a groove in the four sides of the cross you made earlier. Make sure the grooves are deep but try not to slice off the tips of the dowels. Now, take your yarn and make a small loop at the starting point of the cross or kite frame. Go around every side with the yarn but make sure you make loops at each side. When you’re finished if done right you should have a diamond shape with the yarn and the kite frame.
Step Three:
It’s time for the craft’s paper or the canvas now. You place the kite frame on the paper and you draw a line around the frame. Make sure it’s about I’d say half an inch, but not too small or too long. After you draw the line around the frame cut along the edge until you have your kite shape. You can cut it into any shape: Square, circle, diamond shape, or you can even make a Chinese lamp kite if you know how. For the bird you need to first find a picture of a hawk or an eagle, trace it on the canvas or craft’s paper, then cut it out and there you go, a nice bird kite.
Step Four:
After you cut your kite out grab some markers or some paint if you have the time and create a colorful kite that will best suit what you want. For the bird I suggest the colors brown, yellow, white, and black for the beak, eyes, and the feathers.
This smple but fun way to make kites will help you and your children beat the boring days of summer. Not only is this a great way to connect with your kids but you will also have a back up activity should your other plans fall through this summer. Have fun and good luck making your kite.
