[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)
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?
Mini kite
Let’s make a cool mini kite that, despite its miniature size, looks just like a real kite soaring through the sky.
It’s much smaller than a regular kite, but it’s authentic enough that you can make it and play with it together with your child.
All you need are construction paper, bamboo skewers, tape, and string.
Attaching the string can be a little tricky, so an adult should help with that part.
If you flex the bamboo skewer to curve the kite’s sail, it will look even more realistic.
Once the string is securely attached, it’s complete.
It will also look lovely displayed in your room as a New Year’s decoration.
[Winter] Let’s make them together! Handmade Kite Collection (31–40)
Peregrine Falcon Kite
This is a kite inspired by the image of a bird soaring high into the sky.
It’s made by combining colored boards and bamboo skewers, so the materials are easy to gather and it’s simple to make—that’s part of its appeal.
To clearly convey that it’s a bird, it’s important to pay attention to details like the shape of the body and the colors of the wings.
It’s crucial to keep it lightweight so it can catch the wind, and to carefully measure the lengths of each part.
Precisely because it’s tricky to control, you’ll likely feel a real sense of accomplishment when it climbs high.
Bio-Kite
Let me introduce the “Bio-Kite,” a kite with distinctive shape and flight characteristics! Ordinary kites need a large angle of attack to catch the wind, which requires a sturdier, heavier frame.
As a result, they’re harder to fly outside of the windy season.
In contrast, the Bio-Kite generates lift with an angle of attack that’s nearly horizontal to the wind, so it only needs framing at the front.
That makes it lightweight and able to fly even in a gentle breeze! There are also many designs—such as seagull and butterfly shapes—that differ greatly from traditional kites.
Even beginners can launch them easily, so give one a try!
three-dimensional kite
Let’s create a three-dimensional kite that appears to float in the sky.
First, visualize your piece and draw a three-dimensional sketch.
Decide how many sticks and what lengths you’ll need to build each box section.
To construct it, adhere firmly stretched paper to the wooden sticks.
Using translucent washi paper will let natural light shine through and produce beautiful tones.
Once the three-dimensional kite frame is secured so the line stays taut, it’s complete.
Its softly floating form may captivate onlookers.
Work together to craft a striking, three-dimensional kite!
square kite
Would you like to try making a traditional old-style rectangular kite by hand? All you need are simple materials like bamboo, shoji paper, kite string, glue, and paints or ink for coloring.
Split the bamboo for the frame into strips about 8 mm thick using a hatchet.
Join sheets of shoji paper to the size of the kite you want, fold each edge inward, and at the top, sandwich the frame bamboo between the paper and secure it with glue.
Next, attach the frame so the spars cross at the center, paint your design, thread the kite string, and it’s done! Wouldn’t you like to see a handmade kite—carefully crafted from the frame up—glide gracefully across the sky?
Nagasaki kite
As its name suggests, the Nagasaki kite was born in Nagasaki Prefecture and boasts a very long history dating back to 1907 (Meiji 40).
Let’s all try making one together.
First, cross the vertical and horizontal spars and secure them with string to create the base.
Apply paste to the washi paper kite, set the frame in place, trim off any excess that sticks out, and be sure to apply plenty of paste to the overlap (glue tab) areas.
Once you’ve done that, fold along the tension thread and it’s complete.
Known also as a fighting kite, the Nagasaki kite offers many fun ways to play.
