Make a Fast Kite with One Sheet of Paper

Making a paper kite is easier and faster than you think. As a matter of fact, you only need one sheet of paper and a few other materials that you probably have lying around your home. The best part about making and flying a kite is that you create long-lasting memories, while also enjoying an outdoor activity. This craft project is fun and great for kids of all ages.

Steps

Making a Fast Bumblebee (Schaeffer) Kite

  1. Gather all required materials. It is best to place all of the required materials on your desk, table, or wherever you plan to work. Below is what you will need to make and fly your kite:
    • 8.5” x 11” sheet of printing paper or construction paper
    • Lightweight string
    • Pencil
    • Stapler
    • Ruler
    • Scissors
    • Hole punch (optional)
    • A nice breeze or light wind (6-15 mph)
  2. Begin the construction process. Place your paper in front of you in a vertical position with the long sides on the right and left. Fold your paper in half so that the fold (seam) is at the bottom.
  3. Establish the wing dimensions. Use your pencil to make a dot at the very bottom of the folded paper, about 2” from the left edge of the fold. While you have your pencil in hand, make another dot at the very bottom of the folded paper, about 2” from the first dot for attaching the string later.
    • The Bumblebee (Schaeffer) kite, first created by William Schaeffer in 1973, may be the easiest of all kites to create and was designed with a simple fold that sails in gentle winds.[1]
  4. Secure the wings. Fold the top left end of the paper down until it is touching the first dot. Do not crease this fold. Do the exact same thing on the opposite side so that both sides are identical. Secure the ends of the folded pieces with a staple (the staple should be placed where you made the first dot).[2]
  5. Create the attachment point. Place tape over the second dot and make sure the piece of tape is long enough to cover both sides. Use your hole punch to make a hole over the dot. This hole is the attachment point for the string.
    • If you do not have a hole punch, you can carefully use scissors to create the hole.
    • The purpose of the tape is to reinforce the hole so that it does not tear later.
  6. Attach the string. Insert your kite string through the hole that you created and tie the string with a gentle, but tightly secured knot. If you are really feeling crafty, you can create a handle for your string with a wide stick or any tube shaped item. A handle makes it easy for you to reel in or extend your kite, and also prevents your kite from flying away.
    • The string is also called the flying line.

Making a Fast Delta Paper Kite

  1. Gather all required materials. It is best to place all of the required materials on your desk, table, or wherever you plan to work. Below is what you will need to make and fly your kite:
    • 8.5” x 11” sheet of printing paper, construction paper, or card stock
    • A thin wooden stick or bamboo skewer
    • Tape
    • Lightweight string
    • Lightweight ribbon
    • Pencil
    • Scissors
    • Hole punch (optional)
    • A nice breeze or light wind (6-15 mph)
  2. Begin the construction process. Place your paper in front of you in a horizontal position with the long sides at the top and bottom. Fold your paper in half so that the fold (seam) is on the left side.[3]
  3. Establish the wing dimensions. Use your pencil to make a dot at the very top of the folded paper, about 1.5” to 2” from the fold, depending on your desired wing size. Make another dot at the very bottom of the folded paper, about 1.5” to 2” from the opening. Imagine or draw a line that connects the two dots.
    • Delta kites were first created in the 1940s by Wilbur Green and were designed with wings that fly well in lighter winds.
  4. Assemble and secure the wings. Fold the paper along the line that you just made or imagined. Turn the paper over and fold that side exactly as you did in step 3. Be sure both sides are exactly the same. Use your tape to secure the folded sides along the middle seam. You should already see your kite taking shape.
  5. Reinforce the structure. Place your thin wooden stick or bamboo skewer horizontally across the widest part of the wings. This section of the kite is also called the sail. Use tape to secure the stick into place. Be sure that your stick is not longer than the width of the kite. If it is, carefully use your scissors to shorten the stick.[4]
  6. Create the attachment point. Draw a dot about a third of the way down the spine of your kite and about half an inch from the edge. Place tape over this dot and make sure the piece of tape is long enough to cover both sides. Use your hole punch to make a hole over the dot. This hole is the attachment point for the string.
    • The hole will be located at the narrow end of the flap, which is towards the top of the kite.
    • If you do not have a hole punch, you can carefully use scissors to create the hole.
    • The purpose of the tape is to reinforce the hole so that it does not tear later.
  7. Attach the string. Insert your kite string through the hole that you created and tie the string with a gentle, but tightly secured knot. You can create a handle for your string with a wide stick or any tube shaped item. A handle makes it easy for you to reel in or extend your kite, and also prevents your kite from flying away.
    • The string is also called the flying line.
  8. Create a tail. Tape lightweight ribbon at the very bottom of your kite on the same side as the stick. Your tail can be as long as you desire. You can start out with a long tail and cut it shorter if your kite is unable to fly.[5]
    • The tail is important because it balances your kite while in flight and prevents it from flipping and nose-diving to the ground.
    • Some tails are 3 feet or shorter, and some are 15 feet or longer.
    • The length of the tail will be determined by the weight of the ribbon.

Flying Your Kite

  1. Find open space. Now that you have completed the construction of your kite, it is now time to send it to flight. To start, find a location where there is lots of open space without trees, such as a park, lake, or beach. Although your paper kite may not reach significantly high heights, avoiding any hindrances is still a good practice.
  2. Launch your kite. To launch your kite, begin to walk with the flying line in one hand and the kite in the other hand. Increase your walking pace to allow your kite to fly using simple aerodynamics. When launching your kite, your back should be to the wind and your kite should face you.
    • Aerodynamics is the movement of a solid object through the air.[6]
    • The right wind direction will keep your kite in flight.
  3. Guide your kite. You can release more string when you feel your kite rising and reel in your kite when it begins to fall.

Tips

  • Using card stock makes for a sturdier kite. Using colorful paper will make your kite look fantastic. Coloring or decorating your kite adds a personalized touch.
  • Bamboo skewers are about .06” in thickness, which is perfect for a Delta paper kite. You can use any other thin and stiff wooden item.
  • You can use any strong, but lightweight string, twine, or fishing line for kite string.
  • You can use wide ribbon, surveyors’ tape, caution tape, or party streamers to create a tail.
  • Straighten the spine of the Delta kite before sending your kite into the air.

Warnings

  • Never fly a kite near an overhead power line or during a thunderstorm.
  • Paper kites tear easily, so be gentle with decorations and avoid high winds.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3752423.pdf
  2. ↑ http://purplemartinplace.com/kids-stuff-t-22.html
  3. ↑ http://www.origami-resource-center.com/kite-shop.html
  4. ↑ http://mcs.mines.edu/Research/k12partnership/students/mattsilbernagel/documents/Kite_Building_Guide.pdf
  5. ↑ http://krokotak.com/2013/03/easy-and-pretty-diy-kite/
  6. ↑ http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerodynamics
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