Make a Kite Out of a Plastic Bag

Kites can be a beautiful way to enjoy the outdoors on a breezy day. There are many intricate designs out there for these sailing shapes, but just how do you make one? And with what? It's easy to create your own kite from a couple household materials. This can be a fun project for all ages and is a great way to keep kids entertained and using their imagination.

Steps

Forming the Kite's Frame

  1. Get the dimensions. A measuring tool will help you figure out how long your frame pieces need to be compared to what size plastic bag you have. If it's a grocery bag they tend to be around 11x6 inches. That means creating a cross or 't' frame where one stick is 11 inches long and the other is 6 inches.[1]
    • Lay your plastic bag out on a flat surface and cut the sides and handles so it is one sheet of plastic.
    • Measure out your kite into the plastic by drawing a diamond shape.[2]
    • Do not cut out your kite yet!
    • The diamond shape can be made by measuring a lowercase 't' or cross on your plastic and using a straight edge to connect all of the points around the cross.
    • The size is up to your plastic bag and your own preference.
  2. Create a cross with frame pieces. Bamboo skewers are the best option for the frame due to their size and weight, but straws or other sticks work as well .
    • The frame is key in holding the plastic open to keep your kite in the air.
    • Measure the length and width of your diamond to find out the sizes of the frame pieces you'll need.
    • To make sure the cross is even: mark the shorter of the two frame pieces at it's center (½ of it's length) and the other, longer frame piece at 1/4th of it's length.[3]
    • Make a cross or 't' with the sticks so that the two marks are on top of each other.
    • Don't forget to double check that your frame and plastic match up.
  3. Tie the frame together. Secure the cross by winding fishing line or string around the joint of the frame and tying it off.[1] Wiggle the frame to test the durability. If it's shaky, or you're not proud of your knot-tying skills, you can use glue at the joint and then wrap and tie string around it after the glue has dried.

Piecing Together Your Kite

  1. Attach the body of the kite. Once you have the diamond shape cut out place the frame over the plastic. Secure the frame to the plastic bag by placing tape lengthwise on the end of each frame edge.[3] Then wrap the tape over onto the plastic to secure it.
  2. Attach your kite's bridle. Use a pin to poke two tiny holes through the plastic near the frame joint. It's best to use a needle or something small; a wire twist-tie will work well too. Pull string through one hole and pass it through the other to tie it securely over the joint and make a loop on the frame-side of your kite to have a place to tie the lead string later.[1]
  3. Create your kite tail. Use other plastic bags to cut out long strips of plastic. Tie these together until the tail is around 10x the length of the kite.[4] Tie the tail to the end of the kite frame.
    • The kite tail is essential for stability in the air and keeps your kite from nose-diving.
    • Some kites have two tails of the same size which are then tied at their ends to create what looks like one large loop. This can look nice and gives the kite even more stability.
    • Try out which kite tail you like best.
    • For additional flare you can tape or tie accordion-folded tissue paper onto the plastic tail.

Getting Your Kite to Fly

  1. Create your kite's lead. Cut off around 50 feet of string and wind it around a 6 inch piece of light wood or sturdy cardboard.[4] This will be your handle.
    • Lightweight nylon cord works best and is more durable than string or fishing line. [1]
    • A stick from outside or even a popsicle stick will work just as well for your handle.[4] It is really up to you and what you feel comfortable holding.
  2. Secure the lead. Attach the end of the string or cord to the kite's loop. You can do this by making another loop with your string or by tying a secure knot with the string. And your kite is ready to fly!
  3. Fly your kite. It helps to have a friend throw the kite up in the air in addition to having a breeze.
    • Only let out about 3-4 feet of string until your kite is up in the air.
    • You may need to run to get the kite going.

Tips

  • Be careful of letting out the string too fast. Your kite is more likely to go places it shouldn't go (and get tangled up in things) if you give it too long a "leash."
  • If the kite is not flying well you may need to adjust the length of the kite tail.
  • The best place to fly a kite is a wide, windy place with no obstacles around.
  • If the kite does not fly well, tighten the string between the joint and the bottom of the frame.
  • Be patient with the kite and try to fly it when there is a good breeze.

Warnings

  • Don't fly your kite if the wind is too strong for the kite to handle. It might get destroyed!
  • Plastic bags can be dangerous for infants so when making your kite make sure to discard the leftover plastic responsibly and keep an eye on your child at all times so they don't suffocate.
  • Beware flying kites around large trees where they may become tangled! It's not safe to climb a tall tree that has 'eaten' your kite.
  • Do not fly near power lines. If the kite gets tangled in an electric wire do not attempt to retrieve it. You could get shocked.
  • Make sure you are not flying your kite in a thunderstorm. You do not want lightning to strike you or your kite!

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic bag
  • Two light frame pieces - can be straight sticks/straws/skewers
  • 50+ feet of string or cord
  • Scissors
  • Strong, transparent tape
  • Extra plastic (for the tail)

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

Drake, Jane and Ann Love, The Kids' Summer Handbook, Ticknor & Fields/ Books for Young Readers, New York, 1994. pg 194

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Drake, Jane and Ann Love, The Kids' Summer Handbook, Ticknor & Fields/ Books for Young Readers, New York, 1994. pg 194
  2. ↑ http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/crafts/kite-craft/
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.my-best-kite.com/kite-for-kids.html
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://www.pinkstripeysocks.com/2013/04/make-two-crapty-kites-newspaper-kite.html
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