How to Build a Kite

Your Fast Guide to Kite-Building
Here is the easiest way to create your own fun, flyable kite.

GATHER some garden twine; scotch tape; a sheet of strong paper (about 102 x 102 cm,); two strong, straight wooden sticks about 90 and 102 cm and some colored markers.

MAKE A CROSS with the two sticks, with the larger one running vertically and the shorter one horizontally. Tie them together. Cut a notch at the ends of both sticks, deep enough for the string to fit into. Cut a piece of strong which is long enough to stretch all around the kite frame. Wrap the string around the frame, tying it a couple of times through all 4 notches. Complete by wrapping the string 4 times around the top. Cut off the excess. The frame should be tight without warping the sticks.

WITH THE PAPER laid flat, place the frame face down on top. Cut around it (Leave around 2 cm for a margin). Fold the edges over the frame and tape it down so the sail is tight. Cut a piece of string 120 cm long. Tie one end to the loop at the other end of the string to the loop at the bottom. Tie a small loop now in the string right above the intersection of the sticks. This will be the string to which you'll attach the flying line.

CREATE A TAIL: Do this by tying a small ribbon about every 10 cm on the length of string. Attach to the kite's bottom. Finish by coloring the entire kite!
Here your kite is ready to roar in the skies.

Jack Dalton is a writer for Monster Guide. You can find more information on How to Build a Kite at Monster Guide.