Let’s go fly a kite
Making a cool kite
with Sani
Autumn is finally here! Colourful leaves are blowing in the wind and the first
kites are already flying high in the sky. Sani has been looking forward to making his
own kite for ages. Of course he wants to decorate it with lots of colours. Do you want
to learn how to make your own kite? Sani will show you how!
What you need:
•• 2 wooden sticks: vertical stick
approx. 90 cm, horizontal (support)
stick approx. 70 cm, both roughly
5 mm thick.
•• Tissue paper*, approx. 100 x 85 cm
•• Adhesive tape and glue
•• Strong string
•• Kite string
•• A metal ring
•• A small saw, scissors,
pencil and a ruler
*Tip: You can use a large plastic bag
or rubbish bag instead of tissue paper. If
you want to paint your kite cool colours,
look for a special kite material called
Tyvek which you’ll find in craft shops.
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Step 1: kite spine
Make a cross with the two sticks in the typical shape of a kite. Ideally
the crossover point should be about 20 cm from one end of the vertical stick. Place the middle of the horizontal stick here. Use the string
to tie the sticks together in a tight knot.
Step 5: properly threaded
Position the string on the kite so that it forms an angle like the one in
the picture. Mark the top of this angle with a pencil. You’ve now got
the perfect length for your kite bridle and can tie the ends of the string
to the back of the kite frame.
Step 2: tension line
Using the saw, cut a small notch at each end of both sticks. Ask an
adult to help you! Stretch the string through the notches and fasten
it around the kite spine. Tip: Using a dab of glue helps keep the string
in the notches.
Step 6: perfectly balanced
Thread the ring through where you marked it as shown in the picture.
Test: Hold your kite up by the ring to check if it’s balanced. If it’s not,
simply move the ring or adjust the length of the string.
Step 3: tissue paper
Place your stick frame on the tissue paper and cut out a kite shape
around it. Don’t forget to leave a margin of approx. 5 cm around each
side! Fold these edges over the string frame and tape down tightly.
Tip: If you want to paint or decorate your kite, do so before sticking
down the tape.
Step 4: holes for the kite bridle
Mark the positions shown in the picture on the tissue paper. Stick
down a bit of adhesive tape to make sure the paper doesn’t rip. Then
pierce the holes and thread a piece of string through them.
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Step 7: a long, colourful tail
Take a long piece of string and attach colourful tissue paper ribbons
to it at roughly 20 cm intervals. Tip: The stronger the wind is, the
longer your kite tail should be.
Step 8: attach your tail to the ring and let’s go!
Finally, attach your tail to the ring and get flying! Remember to make
sure you have plenty of room to fly your kite. Don’t fly your kite near
power lines, railway lines, houses or trees.