Chinese Kites

crayola supplies

household supplies

Why?

Celebrate Chinese holidays and the country's ancient culture with animal zodiac kites. Happy new year!

Steps

  1. 1. Research the meaning of kites in Chinese culture. Find out what the 12 animal zodiac symbols mean. Discover how kites are used everyday as well as in celebrations, such as for Chinese New Year.
  2. 2. With Crayola® Scissors, cut oak tag or posterboard into a diamond kite shape. Cover the entire kite with construction paper. Trim the edges with ribbon and attach with Crayola Glue Sticks.
  3. 3. On separate paper, draw an animal zodiac figure with Crayola Fine Tip Markers. Choose the animal that symbolizes the current year, or the upcoming new year. Color your zodiac figure with Crayola Markers. Cut out the zodiac figure. Glue the animal to the kite.
  4. 4. Punch holes in the top and bottom points of the kite. Thread ribbon or string through the holes. Add craft feathers or other ornamentation if you wish.

adaptations

Introduce younger children and those with special needs to Chinese culture and geography to add meaningful context to this activity.

Ask a Chinese volunteer in your community to speak about their traditional new year celebrations or some other aspect of their culture.

Students draw their favorite Chinese symbol and write a paragraph about their choice.

Create special gifts for parents or grandparents as Chinese children do for the new year.

benefits

Students learn about Chinese culture and find that New Year is the most important of many Chinese holidays.

Students research many facets of the Chinese New Year celebration, and identify the symbols of the animal zodiac.

While constructing and decorating their kites, students recognize the importance that the art of kite making holds in Chinese culture.

grades

Grades 1 to 3
Grades 4 to 6
Special Needs

subjects

Language Arts
Social Studies
Visual Arts

time

30 to 60 minutes
Multiple Sessions

curriculum standards links

US: Research U.S. Standards
UK: Research UK Standards
Canada: Research Canada Standards

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.

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