Air-Flow Kites

crayola supplies

Crayons
Colored Pencils
Markers
Blunt-Tip Scissors
Giant Floor Pad

household supplies

hole punch
string
Hallmark ribbon
clear adhesive tape
dowel stick

Why

Kites are as challenging to make as they are to fly. These kites are guaranteed to provide hours of creative time with your children, both inside and out.

Steps

1. Sketch a symmetrical kite shape (such as a diamond) on a large sheet of paper, newspaper, or heavy wrapping paper with Crayola® Markers or Colored Pencils.
2. With Crayola Scissors, cut out the kite. Be sure to cut a small triangular vent, too, so your kite can fly.
3. Use Crayola Crayons, Markers, or Colored Pencils to decorate your kite.
4. Reinforce the edges of your kite with wide adhesive tape, so it won't tear.
5. Securely tape two thin, round dowel sticks in place. One stick goes from top to bottom, the other from side to side on your kite. Reinforce the two points of the side flaps with more tape.
6. Decorate the dowel sticks with gift-wrap ribbons.
7. Use a paper punch to punch string holes in the kite's side corners, about a thumb width inside the taped areas. Attach hole reinforcers on both sides of the paper.
8. Tie an arm-length piece of string through each of the holes punched in the corners. Tie their open ends together.
9. Attach the tied ends of those strings to your long kite string.

When & Where

"The kids spent a rainy day making kites. When the weather cleared, they had a great time flying them."
- Terry F., day-camp counselor.

"During a birthday party for our twins, the guests made and decorated two kites, then signed them for a keepsake."
- Kevia S., mother of 9-year-old twins.

Interesting Info

For nearly 3000 years, Chinese artisans have made kites. How do they fly? Air moving quickly across the surface of a kite reduces the air pressure on the kite, making it light enough to float on the current. If the air stops moving, the air pressure increases and the kite falls to the ground. This is called the Bernoulli Principle.

Safety Guidelines

Kites— CAUTION: Do not fly over or near electric power lines, trees, buildings, radio-TV antennas, or any other obstruction. Avoid flying over spectators, moving traffic, within 5 miles (8.05 km) of an airport, or more than 400 ft. (121.92 m) high. Fly in an open area. NEVER fly a kite in extremely high winds, in thunderstorms, or with wire, wet twine, metallic string, or cord containing any conductive or metallic materials whatsoever. Do not try to recover a kite from electric power lines or other high or dangerous places.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.

Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points