[Winter] Let’s make them together! A roundup of handmade kites
During the long New Year’s holiday, many parents are probably thinking, “If we’ve got the time, why not get moving and play with the kids?” In that case, how about trying a traditional game! In this article, we’ve put together ideas for making homemade kites.
We introduce not only the classic kites beloved in Japan for generations, but also ones you can make with just a plastic bag or A4 paper, and even three-dimensional kites.
Watching a kite you made yourself soar freely across the sky is such a great feeling! It’s the perfect winter activity and a lucky, festive recreation.
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[Winter] Let's Make Them Together! Handmade Kite Collection (11–20)
Mini Love Kite
The Mini Love Kite has an adorably heart-shaped design, and it’s very easy to make because the construction is simple.
Use thin wire to build the frame.
The key is to make the heart section large.
Once the frame is complete, glue on white and pink plastic sheeting.
You can also use colors like light blue or yellow if you prefer—they might look cute too.
Finally, attach the kite string to finish.
Adjust the attachment point of the string while checking the balance so the kite will fly properly.
crow kite
Let’s make a crow kite—Karasu-dako—that soars across the clear New Year’s sky like a real bird.
All you need are a large black plastic bag, bamboo skewers, and some tape to hold everything together.
Spread the bag out and cut it to the specified dimensions.
When you unfold the folded sections, you’ll have a symmetrical crow shape.
Attach it to the bamboo skewers, and you’re done.
When you fly it, the wings flutter in the wind just like a real bird—it’s a lot of fun.
Give it a try with your kids over the New Year holidays!
Eight Kites
Let me introduce the unusual kite known as the “Yattsudako,” made up of eight rings! It’s a traditional kite with a long history handed down in the southern part of Hitachi City.
The frame of the Yattsudako is built by arranging circular ring ribs: two rings across the top, three beneath them, two more below, and finally a heart-shaped piece called the donbin at the very bottom.
Making the Yattsudako, with its complex structure, takes both time and effort.
It’s very durable and lasts a long time.
Thanks to its long history, it’s also highly regarded overseas.
Why not try making one for the New Year?
train of kites
Why not try making a train of kites that boasts an overwhelming presence as the kites float one after another in the sky? First, fix bamboo skewers in a cross so they match the four corners—top, bottom, left, and right—of the plastic sheet.
The key is to attach them firmly so the plastic and bamboo don’t separate.
Next, attach the kite’s tail to the lower part of the body.
Make the tail long enough to sway gently when it’s in the air.
When making a train of kites, it’s also recommended to draw the same illustration on each one or go for vivid, rainbow-like colors.
Be sure to try kite-making as a fun activity you can create and play with together with children.
decorative kite
Decorative kites are a recommended handmade craft you can make using origami about 15 cm long.
They’re easy to make: apply glue to a bamboo skewer, attach the origami while securing it with shoji paper, and then add kite string to finish.
Prepare another bamboo skewer and piece of origami to make a small kite as well; using them together makes it even more festive.
During the long New Year’s holidays, take advantage of the extra time and try making decorative kites.
When everyone flies these vibrant kites together, it naturally lifts your spirits!
Bird kite
A bird kite that you fly by running—different from the high-flying kites many people imagine.
It’s perfect for children who would rather be active than quietly gaze up at the sky.
Just draw your favorite picture on colored construction paper with crayons, cut it into a bird shape, attach a string, and it’s done—so you can enjoy it from the making stage, too.
On windy days, you can also tie it up and let it flutter like a carp streamer, so there are plenty of ways to have fun.
Give it a try!
kite (traditional Japanese kite, lit. “servant/henchman kite”)
This is a video showing how to make a yakko-dako (traditional Japanese kite).
First, fold the paper into a triangle with a valley fold, then fold it in half once more.
Next, open the paper and fold it into a rectangle.
This time, fold all four corners inward along the creases.
Flip it over and again fold all four corners.
After that, open up the bottom triangle to form a rectangle.
Finally, fold both ends in the same way, and the yakko-dako is complete.
On a cold winter day, I think relaxing under the kotatsu and enjoying some origami is a charming way to spend the time.
Eagle Kite
Perfect for kids who want to make an original, cool designer kite—the Eagle Kite! Prepare a thicker trash bag, cut along the sketch with a utility knife, and first draw the pattern with a marker.
Attach the other cut-out parts with double-sided tape, flip it over, and secure the bamboo skewers with cellophane tape.
Flip it back again, punch a hole, thread the kite string, and you’re done! When making the hole, stick some duct tape on first to prevent the plastic from tearing.
Where the bamboo skewers overlap, use extra tape to secure them firmly.
plastic bag kite
A kite made from a plastic bag—something every household has in stock—is easy to make and highly recommended.
It’s a simple design: shape a plastic bag into a trapezoid and add a frame made of drinking straws.
Reinforce the corners with tape, punch holes there, and thread yarn or similar material through—this is the key step.
Drawing your favorite images, like anime characters, can make it even more fun! You might worry about durability, but it actually flies surprisingly well and reaches a good height.
It’s easy to roll up and store, and you can enjoy its light, fluttering dance in the sky!
spinning-top kite
The koma kite is one of Japan’s traditional kites.
As the name suggests, it’s said to be named because it resembles a koma, a classic spinning top toy.
Cut shoji paper into the shape of a koma, paint any design you like, then attach bamboo splints—and you’re done! One of the charms of the koma kite is that it flies stably even without a tail, so you don’t need special flying skills.
If you’ve ever felt, “I made a kite but it didn’t fly well,” or “I couldn’t enjoy it because I didn’t know how to fly it,” give the koma kite a try!