How to Make an Easy Kite

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Flying a kite is a great way to spend a windy day outside. Instead of going out and buying one, you can easily make one at home with a few basic materials. You can make your kite any color or length you want, and you can make it with or without dowels.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Constructing Your Kite with Dowels

PDF download Download Article
  1. You may have many of these materials on hand at home. Otherwise, try a craft store.
    • Paper (square/diamond shape)
      • You can glue 4 8.5"x11" pieces of paper together for a bigger kite
      • Card stock is thicker and better than standard paper
    • Tape
    • Glue
    • Scissors
    • Ribbon
    • Twine
    • Two bamboo dowels (one the size of your paper diagonally, and one with an extra inch)
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make an Easy Kite
    Crease the paper well and open it up again.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make an Easy Kite
    Place the shorter one of your dowels in this crease and tape it. You want it to be flush with the corners of your paper.
  4. Take your longer dowel and tape one end to a corner of your paper that doesn’t have the first dowel taped down. Although you taped the entire smaller dowel, only tape the end of this one.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make an Easy Kite
    Now that one side is taped down, arc your longer dowel and tape the other side to the opposite corner. Use two small pieces of tape to keep this arc in place.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make an Easy Kite
    If you have excess tape on your edges, cut it away to prevent your kite from flying without control.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make an Easy Kite
    Glue your ribbon to your kite. You want it to follow the same line as your shorter dowel. It will make a colorful tail to help your kite stay in flight. [1]
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make an Easy Kite
    Tie your twine onto the sides of the arched dowel. As soon as the glue on your ribbon dries, you’re kite is ready to fly. Wrap your twine around a toilet paper roll if it makes it easier for you to reel in and out.
    9. Advertisement


Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Constructing Your Kite Without Dowels

PDF download Download Article
  1. For your kite, you’ll only need a few things. You can choose any color you want, and decorate it however you’d like.
    • 8.5”x11” piece of card stock (Standard paper works too, but card stock is stronger)
    • Twine
    • Stapler
    • Pencil
    • Ruler
    • Hole punch
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make an Easy Kite
    The shorter sides of your paper should meet (hamburger style). Fold with your decorations on the outside of the paper and turn the paper so that the fold is closest to you.
  3. Find the edge of your folded paper that’s closest to you. Measure 2.5” in from the left side and mark it with your pencil. [2]
  4. From the mark that you just made, measure 2.5” again and mark it with your pencil.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make an Easy Kite
    Fold the top layer of paper to your first pencil mark, but don’t crease it.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make an Easy Kite
    Pick up your paper carefully while holding the first corner in place on your pencil mark. Grab the other side of the paper and fold it down to mirror the first fold. They should line up on the first pencil mark.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make an Easy Kite
    This is going to be what holds your kite in the air. Attach a tail to the other end of your kite if you wish; this will add stability. [3]
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make an Easy Kite
    Loop one end of your kite string though the hole and knot it. Your kite is ready to fly! Wrap the string around an empty toilet paper roll to make it easier to reel in and out.
    9. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Will string work instead of twine?
    Community Answer
    If it is strong and thick enough, string will do. But twine is best.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 23 Helpful 57
  • Question
    Will a kite without dowels fly?
    Community Answer
    On a really windy day it might flap around a bit, but it will not really fly unless you use dowels or a similar support.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 25 Helpful 49
  • Question
    Can I use a broomstick instead of dowels?
    Community Answer
    A broomstick is too thick and heavy to fly.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 39 Helpful 50
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Attach a thick ribbon to the end of the kite to know what direction the air is blowing in.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make a Kite
      How to
      Tie a Kite String
      How to
      Fly a Kite: Single-Line, Dual-Line & More
      How to
      Make a Fast Kite with One Sheet of Paper
      How to
      Make a Kite for Kids
      How to
      Make Chinese Kites
      How to
      Make a Kite Out of a Plastic Bag
      How to
      Make Japanese Kites
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.skratch-pad.com/kites/make.html
      2. ↑ http://www.instructables.com/id/Some-Kiting-Basics/
      3. ↑ http://www.instructables.com/id/Some-Kiting-Basics/
      4. ↑ http://www.skratch-pad.com/kites/make.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make an easy kite, first fold an 8-and-a-half by 11 sheet of paper diagonally in half. Then unfold it and tape down a small wooden dowel where the crease is. Next, tape one end of a longer dowel to one of the remaining corners, before bending it towards the bottom of the kite and taping the other end to the last open corner. Finally, trim off any excess tape, and tie a piece of twine onto the bent dowel to complete your kite! For instructions on how to build a paper kite with no dowels at all, scroll down!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 360,623 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Iakainna Bishop

        Nov 4, 2019

        "I hardly knew how to fly a kite, and I didn't want to buy one in case I couldn't do it well and ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement