[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 it together! Handmade Kite Roundup (21–30)
snack-bag kite
Let’s try flying a kite made from a snack bag, like one with aluminum coating.
Cut the snack bag into a perfect square and attach a bamboo skewer along one diagonal.
Along the other diagonal, attach a bent bamboo skewer so it follows the line.
Punch a hole where the skewers meet and one more hole elsewhere, then tie on the string.
Add a paper tail to stabilize flight, and you’re done.
It costs almost nothing in materials, yet it flies higher than you’d expect—so give it a try.
If you use the bag from your favorite snacks, it might even serve as an advertisement for them.
Silla kite
The stylish “Silla kite,” which also works as interior decor, is commonly known as a Korean or Chosŏn kite.
Its defining feature is a hole in the center of a rectangular sheet of washi paper.
This hole helps the kite fly high and allows the flyer to change its direction freely.
Designs vary, but many feature circles drawn around the central hole, aligned up, down, left, and right.
As with typical kites, the main materials are bamboo splints and washi paper.
To make one, you paste two bamboo splints diagonally across the washi with the hole cut out.
Kite Photo
Kite photo refers to a kite equipped with a camera.
You’ll need a large parafoil-style kite and a camera, but it’s a great idea for anyone who wants to do aerial photography easily.
While you can buy parafoil kites off the shelf, in this idea the kite is DIYed using a thin, lightweight fabric called ripstop nylon, based on a frameless design known as an Amseled (Ampsled/Am sled) kite.
It looks like two spars were added to scale it up.
Attach kite line and connect it to a reel, then mount a 360-degree camera and you’re done.
Choose a windy day and give it a flight.
Blue tarp kite
Let’s try making a kite with a small blue tarp.
We’ll use a relatively small 1.8-meter square tarp, but as a kite it will be quite large, so please be careful.
First, prepare some hemp twine and four pieces of split bamboo.
Tape the four bamboo pieces along the edges of the tarp with duct tape.
Stretch the hemp twine across, and tie a knot of the twine directly at the intersection point.
Make sure to firmly secure the ends of the bamboo to the tarp so they won’t come loose.
That’s it—your kite is complete.
Try flying it on a windy day.
Ram Threadkite
A ram-air sled kite that shoots up with force by generating a jet stream.
First, create design plans by separating the body and wings.
Next, use a template to cut the vinyl and glue it into the shape of a kite.
Once you have two bag-like sections, the main body is complete.
Attach thread holes made from a clear file to the kite and punch holes for the string.
Tie both ends with a spine-like strip and knot the string at its center.
It would be fun to have the children draw their favorite illustrations on it.
Why not try making this easy project using items you already have at home?
origami kite
This origami-based kite is perfect for energetic kids to run around and fly.
You only fold the top half, and most of the steps are just folding and gluing, so anyone can make it easily.
All you need in addition are string, paper tape for the tail, and glue or tape.
The key is to punch a hole in the center and thread the string through it.
Make sure to supervise children closely during this step to prevent injuries.
Origami paper comes in many colors and patterns, so choosing their favorites will make it even more exciting.
Try making these with preschool or kindergarten kids and give them a flight!
diamond kite
The diamond kite, beloved around the world and even depicted in American paintings.
Draw your favorite design on a diamond-shaped sheet of paper, cross two bamboo skewers and secure them with kite string.
Glue the drawing onto the frame you made, attach the kite string, and you’re done.
Kite-making often seems complicated, but a diamond kite uses just two spars, so it’s easy even for beginners! If you’d like to make one entirely from scratch without a kit, why not start by trying a diamond kite?
