Make a kite to fly on a windy day.
On clear, windy days, families and friends enjoy flying kites on the beach, in open fields, or from boats. On rainy days, children and adults can make their own kites with household materials in preparation for the next round of kite-flying weather. After making the kites, choose a clear area in which to fly them -- flying kites near power lines can cause electrical shock, and kite fabric and string may get tangled in tree branches.
Instructions
1. Measure and mark one of the dowels 8 inches from the end, and measure and mark the other dowel 14 inches from the end. Cross the two dowels at these marks.
2. Wrap fishing line around the crossing point and secure with a knot. You now have a kite frame.
3. Cut 15 feet of nylon cord and pin the end of the cord to the bottom of the kite frame. The bottom of the frame is the point at the end of the longest dowel section. Stretch the nylon all the way around the frame, pinning it at the other three dowel tips. Stretch it around to the bottom of the frame and use the original pin to secure the nylon in place. Leave the remaining length for the kite tail.
4. Place the frame over the cotton fabric and trace around it, adding 3/4 inch of extra material around the perimeter. Cut notches out of all four points. Paint a design on the cotton fabric if you want, and let the paint dry completely before proceeding.
5. Place the cotton fabric painted-side-down on a flat surface and lay the kite frame over it.
6. Cover the 3/4 inch of fabric around the perimeter with craft glue, and fold the extra fabric over the wooden dowels. Use clothes pins to clamp the fabric to the dowels until the glue dries.
7. Cut eight or nine 12-by-6-inch strips of tissue paper and fold them in half the long way. Tie the strips to the kite tail to form bows about 6 inches apart.
8. Measure and cut a 47-inch length of nylon cord and fold it in half. Thread the closed end through a can tab to make a loop. Thread the open ends of the cord through this loop and pull tight. Separate the two loose ends, and tie one to the top and one to the bottom of the kite frame.
9. Tie one end of the rest of the nylon cord to a flat stick, which will be the handle. Wrap the thread around the stick, and tie the other end to the can tab. You have now made a kite.
Tags: kite, kite frame, cotton fabric, nylon cord, around perimeter, bottom frame, bottom kite, bottom kite frame, flying kites, frame over
