The history of kites goes a long, long way back. More precisely to China 2,800 years ago, where they were invented by the craftsmen of the time using silk and bamboo rods, materials which – thanks to their light and elastic qualities – were immediately perfect for hovering in the air and soaring in the wind.
Many years have passed since then, but people remain as fascinated as ever by these colourful and imaginative objects, which still captivate adults and children from the East to the West.
To make your own 100% DIY kite using recycled materials and to enjoy this hobby outdoors, you only have to follow the steps on our blog.
What you need:
- 1 sheet of tracing paper
- 1 measuring tape
- 1 ruler
- cutting tools: scissors, wire cutters, Stanley knife
- vinyl glue
- colours
- sewing needle
- 1 wooden rod, 0.5 cm thick and 1 metre long
- twine and fishing line or silk thread
- 7/10 metres of linen or nylon thread
- Make the frame by cutting the wooden rod into two 60 cm and 40 cm pieces. Cross the two rods at a distance of 20 cm from the top of the 60 cm piece.
- Secure the cross with glue and string. Make a small incision at the four ends of the wooden rods. Pass the kitchen twine through the incision so that it is tight and the closing knot is by the incision at the end of the 40 cm-long piece.
- Make the rhombus by taking a very large sheet of tracing paper. Place it over the frame and, at each of the four ends, make a mark with a pencil around 1 cm away. Join the dots together with a ruler and cut out the rhombus.
- Colour the tracing paper rhombus however you like.
- To assemble the kite, place the sheet on the frame and fold it so that the thread is incorporated in the fold. Apply the vinyl glue on the fold near the thread. Apply the glue on the entire perimeter of the rhombus. Once the glue is completely dry, cut out squares of tracing paper and reinforce the tips.
- Cut out four equal 30 cm lengths of fishing line or silk thread. With a sewing needle, sew the four threads on the wooden frame, each close to the four tips. Tie the four threads together with small knots.
- For the tail, cut 4 strips of 40 cm-long paper and glue them to the lower end of the rhombus. This will allow you to stabilise its flight.
- Take a linen or nylon thread of around ten metres long and tie it to the knot joining the four threads attached to the frame.
Now you are all set to fly your homemade kite!
